Valentine’s Day made simple…!?

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So just like that it’s February and you haven’t heard from me in two weeks.

How does that happen? The time just flying by. Then I saw this iPhone cover and I thought…I really NEED this! Because we are all so BUSY. I love being busy. I do busy very well. If I have too much time on my hands, I find myself creating projects for myself that just don’t need to be created or you’ll find me hovering in a trance like state in the corner playing Candy Crush just to keep my mind occupied. Some people don’t do busy at all but I like to find my old friends from school, Intelius is perfect for people searching. They like to be mellow and have lots of hang out time. Too much hang out time would make me go cuckoo for sure.

Speaking of being busy, Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and what used to be a holiday that consisted of handmade Valentine’s cards traded among friends and family and the occasional sweet treat or some flowers for your significant other, has now transformed into another Pinterest and retail-driven holiday.

It’s crazy, I agree, but I just love imagining my husband giving something sweet, even one of these Charm Bracelets for Women would be really nice. Yet at the same time it keeps us “busy” folk full of projects. Other stay-at-home Mamas that have time to whip out their glue guns and spend hours getting just the right consistency for their frosting to spread smoothly across those cookies, those are the Mamas to admire.

Sometimes I think to myself…”how do they have time to do it?” I can barely boil water for a hot dog without one kid piping up that they need help with homework, the toddler has again pooped her pants and I forgot that I have to pick up the third one from cheer practice in about five minutes and by the time that is all over…the hot dogs have turned into cold dogs. It’s just busy…busy…busy…

You know those Mamas with the pretty blogs and photos with perfectly frosted cookies…their kids must be those that just hang out. In fact, they might just like to hang out and watch their Mama whip up that frosting. Do they help with the frosting making and take all the pretty photos? They must! I’ve missed the mark on this busy situation…I need to put the kids to work because clearly I’m doing something wrong because my kids are not helping me frost, wipe bottoms or take pictures. I can’t be the only one that fantasizes about my kids being magical little elves that listen, clean and go to bed on time? Then reality sets in, Valentine’s Day is on it’s way and for some reason a handmade Valentine just won’t cut the mustard these days. Last time I came to the classroom for a party one kid asked me for a goody bag on my way out. I laughed and had to explain that it “wasn’t that kind of party.”

Are we teaching our kids to expect gifts just for showing up? Do we need to give them a gift on Valentine’s Day to show them that we really do love them and care about them? Absolutely NOT!! Last year I simplified the holiday and we made cupcakes together, had dinner as a family and I did give them each a t-shirt to wear to celebrate the day of love. While I love giving gifts sometimes I know that I go overboard.

This year I’m really trying to reign that in and show the kids that sometimes, simple is better so they can understand the true meaning of the holiday and that it’s not always about the gifts.

Do you celebrate Valentine’s Day in a big way? Gifts or no gifts? I would love to know!

XOXO, Mama

P.S. It’s totally my job to put together gift guides and style boards so you know there is one coming. I like to think I can simplify but really, I am the ultimate consumer.

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