Valentines Boxes

When I was in elementary school, we would always make the funnest Valentine's Day boxes. I think we usually used boxes from home, or perhaps we used Kleenex boxes; I can't remember for sure. Whatever we used, I remember it being so much fun! I liked to think I was creative back then. haha.

Well, one weekend I just happened to have two empty tissue boxes that needed thrown out. I looked at the opening and realized how perfect they were for Valentines boxes. So, I gathered Heath and Lucy, and lots of crafty supplies, and we sat down on the living room floor to make our V-day boxes. I would work on Lucy's and Heath would make ours (mine and his).

We started with the empty boxes. They were the vertical boxes, like this one.


Both boxes were designed for Christmas - one was red with reindeer on it and the other was green with ornaments. So, we chose to wrap them in paper. I wrapped mine, like a present, in red paper. Heath wrapper his in white paper.

I left the oval opening in mine; I just removed the plastic. Heath decided to go a different route and covered his top opening (defeating the whole Kleenex box purpose; but anyway...). Then he put some decor, including a 'lips' sticker.

As you can see, he went all elementary school on us and put the 'H + C' on it too. :) It made me smile. So how does he access his valentines?

Of course, he made a real mail box.

It included a black door and he tried gluing a sweetheart for the handle; but, it kept sliding off. So, I busted out the glue gun for him and it stuck.

I decided to do more of a collage style. I had a lot of these little mulberry scraps. I got them for scrap booking and hadn't really used a lot. So, I decided to overlay them, gluing them on with good'ole Elmer's.

With the red paper behind, it came out really neat. This is what it looked like when it was dry.

For the opening, I needed to make it look more 'finished'. So, although it didn't match perfectly, I decided to trim it with sweethearts.

Here are the finished boxes. They are ready to be filled with candy and sweet nothings. :)

This was a really fun project. Lucy wasn't able to help much; she really doesn't even color yet. She just chews on the markers or crayons. So, she played with the paper and then fell asleep. Heath and I had fun though. It is always nice to do something on a winter day, besides watch TV or clean.

I was really happy that he indulged me too. What a sweet guy I have! And, what a cute v-day mail box! :)

This is one tradition that I would LOVE to continue! I recommend it for any mommies out there - and, to be honest, anyone else who wants to be creative!

Our Christmas 2010

I had a recent request by one of my readers to share some of my Christmas traditions, now that it has passed. Specifically, the reader wanted to know about Lucy's Christmas and Santa's visit. I realize that we have all moved past Christmas and it is now just a pleasant memory, as we move toward 'warmer' thoughts. :) However, I like reflection and memories...and I am not one to disappoint a reader. So, here is a little bit about our Christmas.

First, we usually kick off our Christmas celebration with Black Friday. We don't get too crazy; but, there are some pretty great deals! The Saturday following we go to pick out our Christmas tree. We have been going to the same patch for 10 years (me and my dad, before Heath came along :)). This year was so exciting, being able to take Lucy. We even took a picture as a family in front of Lucy's first Christmas tree!


You may think that a real tree could cause some issues with Lucy; however, it didn't! It was so poky that it would hurt her hands; so, she left it alone! :) Sad.....I know. It only took a couple of pokes though for her to figure it out.

The first weekend in December, we go pick up our tree and decorate. If the weather is nice, Heath will even put up our Christmas lights. We go with simple, white lights for our tree and house.

Throughout the month I wrap presents as they come in from our online orders or shopping ventures. I work on getting our cards out as soon as time permits. And, about a week from Christmas, Lucy got her letter from Santa! I am very excited for the day that Lucy can write him first. :)

On Christmas Eve, we spent the evening as a little family. It was wonderful! We got dressed and ready to go out to eat and then to church.

A Christmas tradition that my family had was to open our stockings (from mom and dad) after church on Christmas Eve. I guess it was something to hold us kids over until morning. Stocking gifts were never big; but, they were still fun. I remember getting new toothbrushes, nail polish, jewelry, candy, gel pens, etc. I cannot wait to do that for Lucy too.

This year she got a plastic snow globe, yogurt bites, a Christmas book, some hair bows, new mittens, colorful socks, an 'L' ornament, leg warmers, and more.

Heath took some pictures of our tree afterward. We sat with Christmas music on, just enjoying the moment. Christmas Eve is always a time when I try to just soak in the moment and be thankful for my many, many blessings.

These were just the gifts for other family members; Santa hadn't visited yet!

We didn't set any cookies or milk out for Santa this year. Lucy doesn't understand yet; so, we will wait until next year. However, that doesn't mean Santa didn't eat some of my homemade peanut butter and chocolate cookies that night. ;)

Heath took a snapshot of this ornament too - Lucy's first Christmas ornament.

The next morning, Lucy woke us up bright and early. I cannot wait for the days that she runs into our room. However, her standing in her crib yelling did just fine. :)

Santa had come! He left lots of gifts too (all the green ones).

Lucy and I cuddled to open them.

She loved to open them and actually liked the gift MORE than the wrapping paper! As soon as she would see the toy, she'd start playing with it. Santa was smart though and took all the toys out of the wrappers, undid all the twisty ties, etc., and put the toy back in the box. So, Lucy could start playing with it immediately.

Lucy collected so many toys that we are considering making our basement a playroom, sooner than we originally thought! I cannot even name all the things she got - a rocking horse, tennis shoes, pea coat, a see-n-say, a sled, books, stuffed animals, a horse on wheels, an emergency vehicle, cars, stacking cups, clothes, and the list goes on...

We had seven family Christmases in all! That is what we get for having divorced parents, I guess. So, she made out very well.

I know that was just a quick overview of what all we do; perhaps next year I won't be as busy in December and will be able to share more along the way. I think so! :) Christmases are going to just get better and better, the older Lucy gets.

Hope you had a great Christmas too. And, here is to 325+ days until it comes again!

Snow Day!

Today we have another snow day off of work! Heath and I are lucky enough to work at an educational institution that closes when the weather is bad. :) So, needless to say, I still get to have the thrill of a snow day! It is one of the best perks of my job!

The three of us, Heath, Lucy, and I, get to hang around the house in our pajamas all day. We eat ourselves into oblivion and catch up on DVR events. Occasionally, we even venture outside - like on our last snow day.

First, Lucy watched the snow fall all day. She loved watching the large, fluffy flakes.


Do you like her Minnie Mouse pjs?

Heath and Lucy rolled around on the floor playing for most of the day.

Since I wanted to get in a workout and didn't want to run on the treadmill, I volunteered to scoop the driveway. Yes, I know, we need a snow blower...

And yes, I know I had a very sexy outfit on. :)

After I scooped, we decided to go sledding! Well, we decided to pull Lucy around in her new sled she got from Christmas.

She really enjoyed being pulled around, but wasn't too impressed with the snow itself. She had no desire to touch it at all. Her arms, however, were a little stiff. Her jacket is so fluffy that she was a little bit like 'Randy' on 'A Christmas Story'.

We did circles until mommy got dizzy and then headed inside. It was a great, lazy day - just like today. But, today we have blizzard conditions with lots of blowing snow; so, I doubt we'll venture out. It doesn't stop Lucy from staring out the window though.

I love snow days!! :)