Valentine's Day

Whelp, now that we don't have Disneyland passes we have to get creative on how to entertain ourselves. How about mud pies? Anyone? Anyone? Rayleigh will share!

Oh yes, the park. Good, old fashioned, free public park. I gotta say, I have a hard time getting my kids to the park. It's exhausting, One runs one way while the other goes the other way. I worry about them interacting negatively with other kids.... But when I do make it to the park I feel like a Rock Star Mom. They LOVE the park.

Rayleigh hurt her mouth so she said she needed a band aid. OOOOOooook.

Parker is off track this month and with no Disneyland passes, a pregnant mother, and rainy weather, it's probably been his most boring month off school ever. But he was happy to sit down with some paper and markers and craft together some valentines for his friends! Let me tell you, the other moms all told me how impressive his valentines were! Parker's amazing!

Valentine's Day fell on a Tuesday so for the Saturday before I'd arranged a group date with some friends to go out to dinner. Well, a couple days prior (Thursday) Tanner came home from work, changed, dished up some dinner, and was about to sit down with me when he got a call that the state survey team was there. He dropped his plate of food, dashed upstairs to change, and we didn't see him again until Sunday afternoon. No joke. So our Saturday date plans were thwarted and I was not happy about it. I'd really been looking forward to a night out since I was FINALLY starting to feel better. But oh well. My mom came to the rescue on Saturday and spent the day with  me and the kids. We went to the park and even let the kids eat McDonalds and play at the disgusting play place. They loved it, of course, and I loved spending time with my mom. She's the best.

I got the kids to church all by myself and let me tell you, I was awfully proud. My wonderful ward is so sweet and tolerant of my crazy kids. I did my best to chase them around and sat with Rayleigh during primary because she is wiggly and the sunbeam class is huge. But the one hour of Relief Society was pure bliss. Ahhhhhh. Just what I needed. It was a good day. And we ended on a high note because Tanner got home from work shortly after we got home from church and we were able to spend the rest of the day together! Survey went well! We played at the park and relaxed. It was great!

One of my all time favorite pictures. Hard to believe this was 6 years ago!

Last week, Jill, Courtney, and I were able to escape for a couple hours and grab a bite to eat together and have some girl talk. During that time Jill proposed the idea of having a little Valentine's Day party at the park on Monday (the day before Valentine's Day) because none of the kids had school that day. We threw together a little plan and each had an assignment and then she announced the party on the ward FaceBook page. Well, leave it to the Mormon Mom's to deliver the most epic of all Valentine's Day parties! We had table cloths, tons of food, cookie decorating, bag decorating for all the kids to deliver their Valentine's Day cards, and even face painting! It was a HUGE success and everyone had the best time! It was a beautiful day and honestly, it could not have been better. I love this picture of Ruby, Mia, Rayleigh, and Mable. They are like 3 going on 13. They are so cute together and I'm so thankful they have each other as friends. And that's not even the entire group! I hope no one moves away. As much as I love these sweet little girls, I love their mom's even more!!!

My awesome children eating candy off the ground...

Later that day Parker asked me where Rayleigh was. This time I didn't need to call 911. Apparently this is her "thing". She loves to fall asleep completely under the blankets in the middle of the floor. It was super quiet and Jack was also taking a nap so she slept there for 2 hours. Score!

The tips of her hair poking out...

Tanner came home with cards and flowers and chocolate covered strawberries and candles and bath bombs and foot lotion all for meeeee! And this giant card for the kids which Rayleigh is obsessed with. Tanner and I have not been able to see each other or spend any kind of quality time together for a very long time. With me being sick and so so so tired and then on bed rest and then survey- we have been struggling. But hopefully we are over the hump and can get back into the swing of things now! I sure do love him and I love our sweet little family!!