Days with the Dorans

I love giving my people a heart attack every year for Valentine's Day so I had to do it again. But FIRST... I had to do a MAJOR clean job. I will not even show you pictures of how bad our kitchen was. Needless to say, I was up late making the magic happen but that is kind of what I do, I guess... One day I may start with a clean kitchen- a girl can dream... It's getting close! A little Covid Funny...  

I love that Grandma always sends the kids' a package of love for the holidays! This brought some normalcy to this strange year too! She gave them a fun scavenger hunt letter with candies! They loved it! We love her!!

I was kind of on top of things (for once) getting my heart attack reasons ready early knowing the Bigs are leaving for Disney soon and there's a million things on my mind and plate right now. Despite that, I still ran into a few snags. The Dollar Store didn't have the heart doilies so I found these felt wreaths with hearts that I ripped apart and they worked. Of course I got the kids their treats (chips and candy) too. When I snuck down to put my hearts on the island, I found two hearts that were already there. I knew who made them since that kid is always making his own card games so I am very familiar with his style... ;-) I don't know if anything can beat me telling my kids why I love them so much but... hearing things like this may have done that. Sean wrote: Mom definition: kind, smart, helpful and more. and From Sean Dear Mom, you are so nice and and a great reader. I love you, mom. They all wake up at different times but I still managed to get ...

It's crazy~ and I'm still getting used to the fact that~ I only have one elementary school kid which means only one doing the traditional Valentine's Day box and Valentine's Day cards (along with me of course too). I helped Sean wrap his box (it's that green thing). He designed it and I'm still not sure WHAT it is but he likes it. He also opted to just get Valentines from the Dollar Tree! YAY!! Zach was a good brother to help!

I wasn't as exhausted as usual this Valentine's Day (when it comes to giving the annual heart attack). It could be that only Sean and I are now giving Valentine's at school so a little less to worry about. Giving my family a heart attack remains one of my favorite things. I'll add what the hearts say at the end of this post. With them getting up at different times, only Joe, Jeff, and I got to see the kitchen this way. In the evening, Jeff and I checked out Black Rock. It was fun to go someplace we have never been. The dip we got was AMAZING!!! The steaks were OK but weren't mind-blowing like we were expecting. It was nice to be together! 21 Valentine Days together! Time flies when you're having fun! ~This Year's Heart Attack~ Joey I love how you took on dancing and KILLED it! I love when we hug for a long time. I love watching you run and am SOOO very proud of you. I love how hard you are working i...

Jeff went above and beyond again this year (he's going to be bummed that he's started these traditions of blowing my socks off! I don't know how he'll keep it up). I went to my car on Valentine's Day morning and there was a box and card on my seat. No one knows me as well as my husband. Not only did he do something that cost virtually nothing (which this frugal gal loves), it meant more to me than some jewelry or another gift because it took thought and time. I asked him if he looked at Pinterest or something for the idea and of course he had no idea what Pinterest was. He said he had worked on it in the basement when I probably thought he was working on guitar stuff. I read each of them at school during my prep because I couldn't wait until I got home. He made 100 unique ideas of things that we can do together and I can't wait to start checking things off that list! I also got cards from the Littles (Joey... I know you will read this for s...

I am a hard one to beat (I know that) but Jeff beat me!! He must have gotten up after I went to bed (I'm always up later). I woke to THE BEST HEART ATTACK EVER!!!! I was in our bathroom laughing out loud~ and sighing (happily)~ and just beaming from ear to ear reading all the reasons he loves me! I mean I knew I had the best husband ever but this put him over the top!!! (Better than roses or jewelry and it cost nothing but time!)  He also wrote me a little message on the mirror (I often write him notes on the mirror so this also made me smile!).  As if that wasn't enough, I got in the car to go to work and the "Love" channel was on my radio. I don't normally listen to this channel (but who doesn't love "All I Need" by Jack Wagner????). I called Jeff to see if he changed my radio station and he did! EVERY DETAIL!!! And I loved and noticed every little thing. I'm the luckiest girl on the planet! That I know!!! And bonus~ later in ...

 I LOVE LOVE LOVE Valentine's Day! Not because of the lovey stuff~ but because I get to give my traditional heart attack to my favorites! Jeff picked up some of their favorites so they got an extra special treat too!! I have lucky kids!! I love the tradition of writing those many little specific things I love about each and every one of them. I was super bummed that I had an early staff meeting so didn't get to spend time with them before school! I am blessed and I know the kids love this tradition almost as much as I do (especially my sweet Joey who has saved many of his hearts from previous years).

 And then there were two... the Littles were the only two left to have to make Valentine's Day cards and the awesome thing is they don't make them~ they are cool with store-bought variety. And bonus- they made their own boxes too! Of course they picked out Valentines with candy. I laughed at Z's because any Valentine that gave a hint of "love" he covered over with a sticker! He's hilarious!! One day he'll be happy to give someone a Valentine~ until then... He'll be MY silly Goosie Valentine!