Valentine's Day

This is the remnants of the last bit of crafting done for Valentine's Day -- a scrapbook the kids and I made for Evan and FedExed to his hotel. See those roses in the back? My husband rules.

Today was the first day back to school since Evan left. The Goose and I dropped off the boys and took off to Glendale for her four-year check-up and her first appointment with our new pediatrician. I have spent more time with our new pediatrician in the past two months that I spent with our NJ pediatrician over seven years. We are on a path that will mean lots of appointments and assessments for our kids, but I feel like it's the right path, and I also feel like we have the right people guiding us on the path. It sure helps that our pediatrician is a pretty, funny Indian woman that looks a heck of a lot like my friend Mona and sounds just like her when she's doing her parents' accent. 

I stuck all the kids in the den to watch TV while I whipped up a special meal for Valentine's Day.

Heart-shaped meatballs!

I set a pretty table with the juice glasses we bought at Target earlier. I called the kids into dinner and their reactions were: FIRE! and EWW! (that was the Goose's reaction to the fact that there was MEATBALLS touching her plain pasta).

Even though my picture of my fancy table shows presents at the place settings, I;m sure every parent looked at that picture and said "How is the kid going to eat when there are presents to open?" And indeed, after I took those pictures, I whisked those presents way and called them into dinner.

They scarfed down dinner and we actually sat and talked about why we loved each other. Arlo: "I love Oscar because he's an IDIOT and I love Lucy because she's SO CUTE." Whatever works, folks.

They cleared the table OF THEIR OWN ACCORD (that must have been MY present) and I brought out the presents. They each got a little Lego set from Evan and I, a lovely little present from Gretta and Papa Jim. Cousins Kendall and Hayden sent a box to Evan's office and our dear friend Dave dropped it off after work. They loved their wee little mailboxes and treats!

Tonight I am so grateful for our three fantastic children. How did I end up with such lovely human beings in my life?  Well, I could probably point to our three sets of loving grandparents. I could also point to our lovely siblings and their kids. But mostly I must pinpoint my husband, the best spouse, the best dad, my best friend. I am lucky to call him my Valentine, even if he is thousands of miles away at &#<%* Toyfair. Hurry home, sweetie!