valentine's date

Some say Valentine's Day is just a ridiculous Hallmark holiday...

but I tend to sway the other way and call it -

awesome. 

These people may roll their eyes and say

"You shouldn't have to wait 'til Valentines Day as an excuse to tell/show someone how much you love them!!!"

These people must know a secret to life that I don't.

Most of us get sucked into the monotony of everyday life,

parenting,

working, 

stress, 

whatever it is.  

Most of us appreciate a reminder.

Permission, maybe.

An excuse.

An excuse to get cheesy and romantic.

To dress your kids in pink or red or hearts

 (or all of the above.)

To buy or receive flowers.

To write a sappy love note.

To eat a lot of chocolate.

To drink a lot of wine.

To go to a fancy restaurant.

To wear a new dress 

and say

"Dang - I am lovely!" 

and maybe have someone else

tell you that, too.

However you celebrated, I just hope you celebrated

and used the excuse to have a little

mushy, cheesy romantic fun.

* * * * * * 

This year the kiddos and I just had a fun, low-key day at home.

I dressed them in the proper color scheme of red and hearts.

I talked about Valentines Day all day long, 

and all day Cormac was saying,

"Happy Valentine's Day to you, too!" 

in his super cute 2-year-old voice and fun little grin.

I tried to take some cute photos of me and the kids for a DIY gift for Hubby...

but I had a hard time getting them to both get in the photograph and actually smile.

 My mini-Valentines...

Then came the night.

Hubby and I have had some really fun Valentine's dates in the past.

Ice skating.

Fun restaurants.

You know, quintessential Valentine's day stuff.

But this year we did something different -- 

we stayed home.

Yep - no babysitter...

just drinking wine, playing music,

cooking a fancy, outrageous seafood feast together.

While the kiddos didn't get to eat lobster with us,

I did let Cormac have some strawberries and whipped cream. 

Spraying whipped cream mustaches on him 

and hearing him giggle uproariously and yell

"Take my picture!"

was one of my favorite moments of the night...

Other favorites...

I made my first risotto.  

(Checkin' that one off my 'foodie bucket list.')

 Risotto takes a long time and needs a lot of babysitting...so I took a selfie or two...and drank wine.

We also boiled our own lobster. (another 'check'!)

  Pink roses adorned the table.
I'm a stereotypical girl.  I like flowers.  A lot.

 A delicious bottle cabernet sauvignon was consumed in its entirety.  

The lobster was delish.  As good as I've had at any fancy restaurant.  

(and cheaper...right, babe??? ;) )

We ate A LOT.  Not even any room for dessert.  

(Although I think I ate some anyway.)

My valentine...

Thanks for another beautiful Valentine's Day, my love.

Here's to many more 'at home date nights.' 

Better than any restaurant I know.