Happy Day!

Today has been pretty dang good! I will recount for you the many reasons why this day rocks:

1. Made a cinnamon braid for breakfast. Those are just really tasty.
2. Delicious breakfast puts everyone in a good mood so the kids don't fight (much) until lunchtime. Because pb&j just isn't as good.
   
3. So far, the Man has given me flowers last night, a cool silicone oven mitt at breakfast (just in time to use !), a set of goblets at lunch, and a box of chocolates after dinner. I just love having gifts spread out all day! And he's hinting at gifts still to come...
4. It is very unusual for the Man to give me anything for Valentine's Day so being showered with gifts is really amazing. Our first Valentine's Day, we were dating but on the verge of becoming engaged. In fact, we had a camping trip planned with some good friends to Zion's National Park for the weekend. He was going to propose to me on top of Angel's Landing on Valentine's Day. How romantic, right? Well...long story short, he didn't get the ring in time and instead did absolutely nothing for me. Yeah. I cried. Then the next year, as newlyweds but still in college, he took a test until 9 pm that night. And he wondered why I locked myself in the spare bedroom and wouldn't talk to him! He's gotten better over the last 10 years. And this year? The best one so far!
   
5. Went shopping. That's always fun, even if I don't get anything.
6. I almost got a nap. I was exhausted, laid down, and just as I drifted off, the doorbell rang. So I felt better and then had other people in the house to keep me on task for getting dinner ready.
7. I found out I won a prize! I never win anything! This is very exciting...
   
8. One year ago today, I started this lovely blog. Back then, three people read it. Now, I can say that I think as many as eight might stop by on occasion...if they are looking for poems about ducks.

We make Valentine's a family affair, with handmade cards and small gifts to exchange. Like we talked about earlier in the week, this holiday is for showing our family how much we love them. I showed my kids some love by constantly slipping them pieces of chocolate. Because I'm cool.

It is our tradition to have a heart-shaped dinner. So dinner tonight was all hearts and lots of fun. We invited Aunt Denise, the Co-ed, her roommates and a "special friend." I must say, we had a lovely time embarrassing the Co-ed to no end. I shall have to give details tomorrow, along with pictures from dinner. But seriously? I'd be surprised if she ever talks to us again. hehehehehehe...