Happy Valentine’s 2011

Autumn was so excited to start her first day of “college” today and was all on board with helping me make her lunch.  Mom spoils us rotten and had gone to Costco last week and bought all of these treats & snacks for Autumn’s lunches.  She wanted a jelly sandwich, fruit punch drink, fruit snacks, and Cheetos chips.  We got it all together and put it into her lunch box and she was ready to go.

Here she is (making funny faces) on her first day of college.  I had to compromise w/ her on the outfit b/c I really wanted her to wear this cute heart dress for Valentine’s Day but she didn’t want to.  So, I told her she could wear her boots if she wore the dress.  I am biased, but I think she looks too cute and so grown up.

I took her to school and she met her new teacher and gave me a hug and sent me on my way.  I love it how kids don’t have the worries that us adults do.  She just went off and started playing w/ the other kids like she belonged there and had been friends w/ them all her life.  When I picked her up, I asked her what she did and who her new friends were and if she had a good day.  All she kept talking about where all the cool treats she got b/c it was the Valentine’s Party and how she liked the Cheetos she had for lunch.  I am so glad that the other parents sent extra Valentine’s w/ their kids b/c I was worried Autumn wouldn’t have any, but she came home w/ a brown lunch sack full of goodies and candy and Valentine’s.  That’s a pretty good way to start your first day of college.

We had to run some errands, so we didn’t go over to Mom & Dad’s, plus they had gone to see a movie.  We stopped and got gas and then went to Old Navy to get a few more lunch boxes just in case we forget hers at school one day.  This was the sunset on the way out there, and it was so breathtaking that I had to stop and get a picture.

We went out for a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner to Taco Bueno.  We even splurged and got the Steak Platter w/ a coupon for $2.99.  And as if that weren’t bad enough, the night got even worse.  Autumn had to go to the bathroom, so I took her in there and I didn’t have high expectations for the bathroom b/c the restaurant was so dark & dingy.  However, the bathroom was HUGE and really nice.  While Autumn was going to the bathroom, Christine called to say we were on for The Bachelor tonight (she didn’t think we were going to be able to have it tonight b/c she had a meeting).  I looked over at Autumn after I finished talking to Chrsitine, and noticed she had finished going potty, had flushed the toilet, and then was putting toilet paper in the toilet and then fishing it back out of the toilet to squeeze the water out of it!!!  I let out a yell and told her never to do that again b/c it was so gross and disgusting.  I made sure we washed her hands a few times before leaving.

We came home & she wanted me to take a picture of her new lunch boxes.  I especially like the Crush one b/c of the tropical looking flowers on it.  I also decided to get her the one on the far right in case the metal ones get ruined from being in the fridge at school everyday.  And, they were all on sale, which makes me like them even more.

We went out to check the mail, and I’m so sad that my books from Slovenija haven’t come yet.  Especially since it’s been over a month.  But, there was a surprise from Slovenija via Franjo in my mailbox anyways.  It was some chocolates for Autumn & I along w/ a card and a sleeve from my favorite drink.  It was a very sweet and unexpected Valentine’s Day treat.  Nick got home from work and had gone and bought Robin Hood Men In Tights for himself for a Valentine’s Day present b/c it was on sale at a video game store he went to.  He cracks me up.  So, he went and watched that in his room and Autumn wanted to watch Frosty the Snowman (I have no idea why) so she watched that in my room and then I was in the living room watching Pretty Little Liars.

I realized how silly it was that on Valentine’s Day evening we were all in separate parts of the house watching separate things.  So, when Autumn’s video was over I had her come sit by me on the couch so we could talk and spend time together.  I finally put her to bed at 8:45 and then left to go watch The Bachelor at Christine’s.  I didn’t get home until 12:30, b/c during one of the commercial breaks (that we fast forward through), we started talking and before we knew it, we had been talking for an hour.

I know I say this all the time, but I am so thankful for these wonderful women that I get to spend time with.  It’s nice to share our triumphs and struggles together.  Most of them have older kids and it was fascinating and more than a little scary to hear about the things their kids are going through.  I don’t want Autumn to grow up and have to deal w/ all the crap that’s out there in the world.  I wish I could give her a shot that would keep her sweet and little and innocent forever.  But, it was also encouraging to hear that w/ active and involved parenting, a lot of those problems and pitfalls of adolescence can be avoided.

Anyways, it was a great Valentine’s Day even though I really didn’t do anything to celebrate.  It really didn’t feel like Valentine’s Day to me, but that’s OK b/c I am surrounded by people I love all the time.  I get to celebrate love in my life every single day, and that makes me one of the most blessed and lucky people on Earth.  I hope everyone had a LOVE-ly Valentine’s Day!