Some V-Day Love

After a long week, this might just be the best Valentine's Day ever.

 Michael suffered five long days of high fevers and a sore throat.  We hunkered down and practiced our care-taking, and the boys pretended they were sick right along with him.  Luckily no one else caught the bug, but with the bad attitudes going around I might've preferred some low grade fevers instead.

This is William's "grumper face."  He does it anytime he doesn't get his way, and then starts laughing shortly after because he can't keep a straight face.  Not a bad way to diffuse a negative attitude...  carry on, grumper face.  I'll miss you when you go away. 

I knew Michael was feeling better when he made up the maze game for William.  Now he's back to work and I'm the one who has to make lego mazes for William to drive through.  Thank you, big boy, for keeping my brain sharp.  I hope you never realize how much of a stretch it is for me to keep designing you new mazes :)

With lowered fevers and clear skies we headed outside for some outdoor time.  I have dreams about what our backyard will look like someday.  Let's just say, it's not like this:

But for now, we embrace the mud pit.  Its sloppy, gloppy goodness keeps the boys entertained for long stretches as I sit and enjoy the latest Martha Stewart Living, paying extra attention to her article on the essentials for my spring cleaning arsenal.  Muddy handprints on the wall are a sure part of my future.
 
 After five long days of illness and tantrums and mud, we finally arrive at Valentine's Day, and it couldn't be sweeter.  We have no cards, no presents, no flowers and no candy - just the gift of a healthy family, a sanitized house (thank you Martha), and lots of family love.  I could never ask for anything more.

William made out the best of anyone, with twenty Valentines from his preschool class.  They brought back memories from my own childhood days with school parties and Lisa Frank Valentines, and I know those three hours he had away from me this morning were something special. 

Thomas had his own celebration with frozen berries - I don't think anything could have made him happier.  Food is the way to his heart and I'm glad a bag of blueberries make him feel loved.  I'm not up to much more these days. Feast on, little boy!

Hope your St. Valentine's Day is as filled with love as ours is!