This has always been one of my favorite holidays--all the pink and doilies, the sugary sweets, and the good feelings you get when exchanging (at least) 20 cards with others. We did something this year which I hope will be a new tradition. We had a yummy breakfast together before Ella went to school with heart-shaped pancakes, our table decorated with Todd's lovely flowers and my satisfactory balloon. And we gave the kids their Valentines. 
As some of you may have "heard" from facebook, Ella came home from her school Valentine party with plenty of Valentines and a special Valentine from an admirer. I'm posting a picture of her gift so you can get the gist of it. He did have good taste and I thought the owl theme was pretty cute. Her box of animal crackers had an owl on it and stated "Owl always be your friend."
That is a huge marshmallow shaped as an ice cream cone.
We ended the day with our small group, hosting a Parents' Night Out for the community. It was kind of like a mini-lock-in for the much younger crowd and you didn't have to stay up as late (my least favorite part about lock-ins, for those of you who know my sleep habits). I did a craft with the kids and Todd spent much time among the Lincoln Log crowd. And if you are worried that Todd and I didn't get a date, we plan on going to Asheville Friday night.
I'll end with a quote from Ella: "Happy Valentime's. No!! (Sigh) I mean Valentine's Day!"
