The Cook's Recipe for Life: Valentine's Day

VALENTINE'S DAY

The girls spent the night Friday night at my brother's house for some cousin time with my nieces. They had an awesome time. They told me about a tent/fort and cookies and popcorn and lots of other fun stuff. When I went to pick them up my sister in law had done Lily's hair into a little heart shape! So cute! She hadn't gotten to Crystal's hair so I told Crystal I would do it for her. Crystal' hair is just a little shorter than Lily's so I couldn't get the twisted heart to lay flat so I braided it. I think it turned out cute too! So festive! :-)

On the way home, Ty took us to Garcia's for lunch! One of my favorites!!!!!

When I went to get the kids a LITTLE something for Valentine's day, Walmart had no more 'little somethings' left. There wasn't much to choose from as far as inexpensive valentines. Crystal had been eying a pillow/throw combo, and there were a few left, so I spent a little more than I planned, and she got what she wanted! They didn't have anything for little boys though so I had to search elsewhere. Jay got a cool Cars pillow instead. Grandma and Papa Cook stopped by and gave them little Valentine's as well! Candy, stickers, and erasers! Honestly 3 of their favorite things!!! Jay loved his ring pop from them! It took him 2 days to finish it! Haha! Grandma and Papa Gordon gave Jay a bunch of cars that he LOVES, and the girls got play-doh sets that they have spent hours playing with. Crystal's is a cupcake maker and Lily's an ice cream maker. Who knew Valentine's Day could be as much fun as Christmas? Haha. Ty surprised me with flowers that evening as well! It made me feel all warm inside! :-) The day was filled with "I love you's" all around. Regardless of gifts, it was nice spending the day with the people I love most! My sweet family!

After dinner my nieces came over to play while my brother and sister in law went to their stake conference adult session. It was a pretty eventful night considering they were all lacking in sleep from the night before and stake conference goes until 9 pm. lol. Other than a few upsets here and there, they all had a pretty good night!

SICK AGAIN!!!!!

As Valentine's Day came to an end, I unfortunately wasn't feeling very well and by the time my head hit the pillow that night I had a fever, aches and chills. Blah! I feel like I've been sick all winter (thank goodness the kids have only joined me once or twice and I'm praying they don't this time)! I was finally healthy and feeling good again and now this!!!!

I found out in January that I'm anemic. My iron has been low since my D&C and blood transfusion last year, and it's taking its toll I'm afraid. My immune system doesn't seem to be working all that well. I'd have the On Guard blasting 24/7 but Ty is allergic to it, so I can only run it during the day when he's gone, and I wash my hands with the on guard hand soap until Ty gets home... I'd really like to douse the entire house in it! Haha! I have been looking into other antiseptic/antibacterial/anti-germ oils. I apparently need to drench myself in them all several times a day to keep healthy! Lol. Anyway my favorite oil and current best friend, Breathe, is keeping me alive for now. Haha. Seriously its one of the best things that's ever happened to me!!!! This winter would have been much worse without it!

PRESIDENT'S DAY

On President's Day, Ty had the day off! Yay! Despite the cold wind, he decided to put the new swing set up! The one that was left behind by the tenants when we moved back into the house was rusted, missing vital screws, had no slide, and only one regular swing (you can imagine the problems that causes having 2 little girls who LOVE to swing). Last Fall we bought a new one on super sale on Walmart's website but never found the time to set it up until now! The girls are so excited to have a new toy in the backyard!

JAY

Jay and his Cars: Jay is REALLY loving the cars Grandma and Papa Gordon got him for V-day. He drives them around, makes noises, and lines them up bumper to bumper (and i mean bumper to bumper. if there's a space between bumpers he gets mad. haha).

Jay and his Food: Jay has also spent the past few weeks enjoying his food a little too much... and wearing it too!

Jay and his Vacuums: We took Jay down his FAVORITE aisle in Walmart the other day. Haha. No seriously. He LOVES LOVES LOVES vacuums. Ty walked past the aisle and Jay saw the vacuums sticking up and begged to go down it. This vacuum was apparently his favorite. He had to touch it. Haha.

OUTSIDE

I took this picture to represent my excitement that its warm enough (and the ground is a tad bit dryer so they can at least walk out there without sinking in mud) for the kids to get a few rays outside. Lately there hasn't been any snow to play in and too rainy/wet/muddy for them to even want to go outside. The house was beginning to feel very small, so its nice to have them able burn off some energy in the backyard again. And I also want to mention how wonderful it is that I can send them out back to play in an enclosed yard and not have to be out there with them the entire time! I can't believe how much more I can get done in an afternoon with them outside!!!!!

THE SENSORY BIN
Well my sensory bin for preschool this month is full of different kinds of dry noodles. Jay has taken a large interest in it lately. After preschool the other day I found him making it a full body sensory experience. Haha.