Valentine's Day 2017

At our home school group I was in charge of the Valentine's day party with a friend and the kids loved decorating bags and exchanging Valentine's! I was never worried about having social interactions for Bailee when we decided to home school but I was hoping to find a way for her to have the holiday activities with other kids which has been exactly what our group has provided. 

In Tennessee I had a friend named Hollie who hosted a Valentine cookie decorating party at her house a couple of the years we were there. I thought it was such a fun idea that I decided to do it with our friends here! I only snapped a couple of pictures before everyone came because then it was crazy chaos and I forgot. The kids and moms all loved it so I hope to keep the tradition going each year because of how fun it was! The kids all at plenty of cookies and then went out to the playground to play and enjoy the beautiful weather. 

For a wedding gift we received some heart shaped dishes and as poor college students we thought it would be fun to make jello in them on Valentine's day. We kept it going for the first few years and then I don't remember having it the past two years. Dave reminded me of the tradition again so we made them. I remembered why we haven't made them and that is because our girls don't like jello! So next year I may have to think of another way to use the fun heart dishes. Also for the last month I have been doing a Whole 30 diet to see how my body responds to certain foods so during Valentine's day I was not eating sweets. Instead Dave bought me an emulsion blender and it is my new favorite kitchen appliance! I have made homemade mayo and some really great salad dressings with it and I don't want to go back to the store bought stuff! Bailee said, "mom, how about if you know how to make something yourself that means you can't buy it anymore and you can just always make it!" I have started making a lot of things on my own and I love the good feeling I get when making something new! I think it would be so amazing to have a fridge full of mason jars instead of condiments and be full of fresh garden veggies and fruits so maybe one day... ;)