Thursday, February 14, 2013

In which Valentine's Day is a nice break from the monotony.


As I made my way up to the register to purchase these friendly barnyard Valentine friends, I came this close to making the trip back to the seasonal aisle in the back of Target to place them back on the shelf. The incessant mooing and oinking from the pair of cows and pair of pigs were drawing stares from my fellow shoppers, and I could only imagine my house with the noise of four children AND four farm animals. But I decided to keep them because I know how my children love annoyingly loud trinkets. And of course the pig and cow poop candy. Another plus.

The smiles the farm animals brought this morning were worth the annoyance, and I will endure the mooing and oinking until I can endure it no further at which point two cows and two pigs will surely mysteriously disappear to find their place in the also mysterious Annoying Toy Heaven.

As I mentioned in my last post, our homeschool year has been quite uneventful. Things are moving along just as they should be. Kids are doing their assigned work. I keep right on assigning. They keep getting it done. I really can't complain. But I'm a little bit bored. I'm sure they are too.

I haven't done much "cutesy" stuff this year. Partly because the older they get, the fewer cutesy options there are. Also, I'm lazy. I need to stop being lazy and start planning and executing more exciting activities. So...I am planning. I have some fun things in store for next week. As for this week, though, I am thankful for the fun little break in monotony Valentine's Day provides.

The kids woke up this morning to some Valentine surprises. Yes, candy. Lots of candy.


I also had good intentions of making heart-shaped pancakes, but the only large heart cookie cutter I have is covered in red paint. As my own Valentine pointed out, it was probably made in China, and the paint is probably full of lead. It didn't seem such a brilliant idea, then, to have it sit on a hot griddle.

So I made chocolate chip pancakes smothered in powdered sugar with a sprinkling of color. So long as it's sweet and unhealthy, the kids really don't care what shape it comes in.
 
During school we learned about the various legends that compose the history of Valentine's Day. We also had a little word fun by seeing who could make the most words in five minutes out of the phrase "Happy Valentine's Day".

After my heart failure at breakfast, I redeemed myself at lunch by creating heart-shaped potatoes to eat with our leftover chicken wings.

And then it was cookie time! Valentine's Day, like Christmas, must include a cookie decorating session.



I did not have the time today to be all fancy with multiple colors and decorating pastry bags, but like I said, if there is sugar and it is unhealthy, they don't care if it's fancy.

And this one? She did enjoy decorating cookies and eating them. It's just that she's a teenager and hates to have her photo taken. You see...this is why I have a completely unbalanced number of photos of the Princess.

I love her anyway. Happy Valentine's Day!

In this post, you will find candy, kisses, pink/red, love, and smiles.


Also linking up with Kris at Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers for her Weekly Wrap-Up.

10 comments:

mountain mama said...

lovely update...gotta love the irritating barnyard animals!

Courtney said...

I tend to not do much for Valentine's because we have two birthdays and an anniversary this month. I did buy the kids some cookies and fun dip, but that certain isn't as exciting as a candy pooping cow.

Tamar SB said...

What a great V-day! Love the cookies and candy shots - great shots!

dclouser said...

Just found out that you're back on with your blog!!! I can tell I'm very out of it when it comes to Valentine's treats - unbelievable what they think of. Looks like you had a fun day!

Unknown said...

The barnyard valentine animals are adorable! And those cookies look so good! Glad you had a good Vday!

Robyn said...

Looks like you had a good Valentine's Day, Kathleen. I think it is fun to make the simple holidays fun too. Doing something with or for family and friends is always special.

I love the B and W shot of the kisses with one red kiss.

Cathy H. said...

Love the way you celebrated Valentine's Day with your children! I love how you captured these special memories!

Patrice said...

Great shots, Kathleen - that teenage frown is a classic!

Debbie said...

a wonderful, valentine, themed set....i did the same thing!! your sweets and treats look amazing, i would say that about tween girl but alas, i would be lying ;))

Bunch of Barrons said...

How fun! :) Love all the heart shaped food!