As much as I wanted to, Ella & I just couldn't pull together a week's worth of red outfits, fun activities and silly posts for you guys this week! Instead, you'll have to look back at last February and enjoy the few posts we'll share this week leading up to the big day (click on the Valentine's tag beneath this post to see last year's V-day posts). Tonight we worked on a little surprise treat for all of our friends at dance and school. Supplies needed: Dum Dums (or other lollipops) Pink paper/cardstock cut into hearts Green paper/cardstock cut into leaf shapes Patterned scrapbook paper cut into notched circles Tape or stickers to secure Ahead of time: I used Illustrator to create templates for all of my shapes and printed them onto the paper Cut out all ...
valentines
Happy Valentine’s Day!!
Today's the big day and we have had a wonderful morning. Ella & I got up early and made our first attempt at homemade cinnamon rolls. Boy were they yummy! We took a cue from another blog and modified it a little bit; it was a hit with everyone. Sweet daddy got new undies {we'll spare you a picture}, mommy got beautiful flowers and the princess got a new Fancy Nancy book and a princess purse - who could ask for anything more? ...
Heart Week, Day 5
As far as Ella was concerned, today was Valentine's Day. She got up in a great mood and was thrilled to wear another themed outfit today and couldn't believe I finally sent her "cups" to school with her. Below are a few pictures of how she spent the day. carrying her friend's treats into Heidi's chowing down on a V-day cupcake ...
Heart Week, Day 4
Today we are busy getting ready for the big day! Mommy had some errands to run this afternoon to finish up all of our gifts and projects. Ella had quite a bit to do herself. She colored cards from Old Navy for the grown-ups in her life. She packed up the gifts for her friends at school. She helped me wrap presents for SD {and herself, although I managed to keep the contents a secret}. Set the table for our special Valentine's Day breakfast. This day was going positively fabulous until Ella just {literally, as I type} tinkled in the floor, right by my foot and all over her big girl panties and pajamas. Just for that, I'm getting in the bed and watching Survivor with an ice cream sandwich in hand. ...
Heart Week, Day 3
There's not much room for Valentine's goodness tonight, although SD did dress Ella in her requisite red polka-dot top today. They stayed home together all day and played. They had lunch at the Huddle House and practiced drawing letters. They didn't take pictures and she didn't really miss me. I missed them. I always miss them more on days when they're at home together and I'm sitting in my little office watching the rain slide down the windows. That's why when I walked in the door, we listened to that song again and danced in the dining room. I watched her proudly draw an "E". Se shared a really, yummy, fat-free ice cream sandwich. Did a little pilates in the playroom. For those of you who have never exercised with a two-year-old, it is a lot of fun. I have to fight ...
Heart Week, Day 2
We were having company for dinner, so Ella & I got down and dirty with this cookbook. My favorite recipe from the book is the Three-Cheese Pasta Bake. Here's what you do: Ingredients 1 16 oz. package of ziti {or any small pasta} two 10 oz. containers refrigerated Alfredo sauce 8 oz. container sour cream 15 oz. container ricotta cheese 2 large eggs, beaten 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese a really great helper {seen below} Directions Preheat oven to 350* Cook pasta according to package & drain Stir together ricotta, parmesan, parsley & eggs Stir together sauce & sour cream Add pasta to sauce, stirring until blended Spoon half the pasta in baking dish Spread ricotta mix over ...
Heart Week, Day 1
Cute Ella in her new red & white dress, posing as usual. Then I showed her this.And she did this. Then this. Happy Valentine's Day! ...
Preparations
Ella was VERY excited when I explained that we would be making Valentine's surprises for her friends at school. Even though she had no idea what that meant, once she knew paint and candy were involved, she was all in! Since I was scheduled to be out of town for work this week {it turns out I'm in town after all}, we started working on them several weeks ago. She has been very upset everyday that she's been to school since then because I wouldn't let her take them. All it took was 10 plastic cups, pink basket grass, cellophane bags, pink tulle, Reese's hearts and Hershey's kisses. Then we cut cardstock into 2 inch by 3 inch pieces and sponge painted red hearts onto them. I went back and wrote "Be mine" and "love, ella" and we tied them to the tops of our cups. How sweet. ...