The DeLorme Family: Love is in the Air

As I have stated many times on this blog, I am not a fan of Valentine's Day. I think it is a really silly holiday. Since having kids, I have decided the focus shouldn't be on romantic love. I want it to be more about love for each other as a family. So, we have turned it into a family holiday. I always try to make it very special for the kids. Last year, wasn't too special since I had a newborn. I wanted to make it much better this year.

I came up with some plans of fun meals to make. I told Ashlyn it was going to be a surprise, but we would eat some special things. Last night, when she was downstairs I decorated the dining room. I thought I had more decorations and will definitely have to get some more for next year. When she saw it, she literally started jumping up and down with excitement. We then made a few more homemade decorations.

This morning, I started the day with heart shaped french toast. Ashlyn absolutely loved it! She thought it was adorable. The babies also gobbled it up. For lunch, I decided to go with a total heart shaped theme. When Ashyln saw her plate, she got so excited. She said it was the best lunch she has ever had.

After lunch, my mom came over to watch the babies. I didn't have to work on Valentine's Day, however my class really wanted me to stop by for their party. I decided to take Aslyn with me. Ever since she started school this year, she has been fascinated with the fact that I am a teacher and I have students. She is constantly asking me questions about my classroom, students, etc. When I asked her if she wanted to come, she enthusiastically answered, "Yes!!!" We had a great time at my school. The kids loved meeting her and thought she was too cute. Ashlyn became very shy and I think she was a little intimidated by the big 4th graders.

We left my school and headed to Ashlyn's school. Ashlyn picked out My Little Pony valentines to give out to her classmates. Ashlyn's teacher is phenomenal . The stuff she teaches those kids is amazing. She doesn't treat them like preschoolers. The stuff they learn is at a much higher level of learning. They are always studying a different world region. (Which is so important since geography education is becoming obsolete.) Right now they are learning about the rain forest in South America. They sang the cutest song about the rain forest and the different layers. While I was waiting, a bunch of the kids came up to me and started talkiing my ear off. I always seem to attract children. Maybe it's because I am a teacher? Anyway, the facts and information these kids were telling me blew me away. They are definitely more worldly than my 4th graders. Again, I am so happy with the education Ashlyn is getting at this school. After the song, the kids got to have ice cream sundaes. I helped the kids put on their toppings. It was fun being around younger kids, but it definitely affirms that I could never teach children that young. I like my older students. Ashlyn left with a whole bag stuffed with valentines from her friends.

For dinner, I wanted to make a special dinner. Joey and I had some amazing crepes while in Vegas. I decided that I wanted to make them for dinner. I had never attempted them before. I found a really good recipe using whole wheat flour, egg whites, and low fat milk. I threw a lot away before getting the hang of it, but I eventually did. We had ham and cheese stuffed crepes with roasted asparagus for the main course. For dessert, we had nutella, banana, and toasted almond crepes. They were wonderful! We made it special by lighting candles and drinking sparkling apple juice. Ashlyn got a kick out of it.

What a day we had full of love and fun! I didn't do anything big but I think I really did make it special for them and I hope I created memories for Ashlyn to one day cherish.