The sun is shining. My wind chimes are singing a simple melody (versus thrashing against the tree they're hanging from like they do when the wind is out of control). It's Friday. What a great day to blog. That is...unless your husband stole your idea. 

Both girls were up before the crack of dawn this morning... because, you know...it's the last schoolday before Valentine's Day!

  
It's been a rather gruesome week so I haven't ran out and got all the ingredients for a successful "last schoolday before Valentine's Day". I did grab a little something to give the kids on Sunday and box of strawberry and grape Fun Dip packets with a To: and From: section for their classmates, and something for myself (but I'll talk about that in a sec). 

Wouldn't you know this Valentine's Day would be the one where they're all into the giving spirit. 

Watching both the girls prepare their Valentines last night reminded me that sentiments come in different shapes and sizes. 

Hallie is gifted in sarcasm. Here are a few of her Valentines. 

  
  

My favorites?

You're ok. 

You have nice elbows. 

I personally appreciate practical gifts when it comes to special days. If there's something you need, by all means put a bug in the right ear. I don't do this very often. In fact, at Christmastime I can seldom think of a single thing I want or need. But I've really been needing an area rug for our living room. 

  
I picked it up early at Target (one of those days I didn't have time to get school valentine stuff) and I'm rather enjoying it. I fully expect that the rest of the family will gain from its cheeriness.  

  

Hayden will gift us with his presence this weekend. That's enough for me!

Rylie's 10 so she still sticks to the sweet stuff. Even though I got her the "ready to hand out" Fun Dip packets, she decided to hand make her cards. She enlisted my help, distracting me from the democratic debate so that I wasn't able to talk back to Bernie and Hillary on TV when they spoke nonsense. 

Her Valentines are a notecard with a unique handwritten sentiment and sticker, folded up. She then colored a different heart on each card. A Pokemon card was stuck inside each card. We then had to tape the Fun Dip packet to the outside. 

She made duct tape flower pots and pens for her teachers. A little chocolate never hurt either. (I knew I was going to used those feathers I've kept in a bag someday.) 

   
 
I've been thinking about a post I saw the other day where a teacher friend of mine heard a woman complaining in the store because she had to get "stupid stuff" for her kids teachers for Valentine's Day. That rude woman...  

Sometimes I am that rude woman. 

This go round I've been reminded to keep it simple. Make it practical. Share your gift of sarcasm. Extravagantly give. The key is heartfelt giving. 

And humbly receiving. For we've all been given much. 

Love must be sincere. Romans 12:9