Our Valentine Celebrations

We have been celebrating Valentine's Day for a good week around here! 

On a recent snow day, Abby and I made her Valentine's. I had some cute business card size photos made with Abby's five year pictures and tied those onto a handful of pixie sticks and baggies of gummy bears for Abby's school friends.

While I was doing that, she drew pictures for each of her friends.

I also had her write each of their names and she was GREAT at it! I was so proud of her for taking the time and not complaining! She was obviously bored being home another day and happy to have some art to do!

She did Micah's first.... "because I love him". Oh boy!

The Friday night before Valentine's Day we had date night with another couple at Jack Allen's Kitchen while Abby was at the YMCA playing. We exchanged little gifts that we had picked out for ourselves- I got a new bracelet and Marcus got a pair of bluetooth headphones. 

I joined Abby at her school party on Wednesday, just before Valentine's. They all made boxes from Kleenex boxes and here is Abby's. Super cute!

The kids exchanged simple Valentines and had an ice cream sundae party.

Abby's little Valentine survey made me laugh. I attended a talk on Monday morning about love languages for kids and I can't decide if hers is gifts or touch. Clearly, I am on the right track! :)

 On Friday afternoon, we met up with other Moms from our MOPS group and delivered Valentine cards to a local nursing home. It was a great opportunity to talk to Abby about serving others!

Finally, on Friday night we had heart shaped pizza from Papa Murphy's and we had cupcakes from Gigis. We loved them both!

Christmas Program

Abby had her Christmas program at school on Wednesday night. It is always fun to see the kids sing and dance an entire song since we've been hearing bits and pieces for weeks now!

Nana came into town to see Abby's program. Abby was so excited to have Nana there that she called out to her from stage two times. Oh the lack of shame a kid can have!

They did a great job singing a handful of songs and doing sign language and dance moves with each. Her school does a great job with the kids.

Abby has become smitten with this sweet boy, Micah. I understand from the teachers that all the little girls like him. They bring him gifts, want to sit with him, etc. He is sweet as can be!

Abby has two little friends at school with her, just in other classes. Lila was all decked out for the program in the most beautiful dress! She was so sweet to give Abby Lu some of her roses.

Abby's other friend is Lilia that we met in dance class more than 2 years ago. She turned five the day after the Kindergarten cut off, so she is in the Fab Fives class with a bunch of boys that were held back! Abby is always so excited to play with Abby on the playground, during music and at chapel. Abby shared a rose with Lilia. :)

One more day of school and we are out for two weeks. We have a low-key, but super fun holiday break planned!

Abby's First Sleepover

 I can't believe I forgot to blog this.... Abby had her first friend spend the night late last month. Michael is her best buddy and at three, we just ignored the fact that he is a boy! We talked about Michael spending the night for days, always asking, "is it Friday yet?"

We went to a nearby splash pad and let them run around and get wet.

Then, we had dinner at Rosa's. Every kid we know loves to watch them make the yummy tortillas. Michael is 3 months older than Abby and almost a head shorter. He is super light- Marcus likes that and feels confident Abby could take him!

After dinner, Michael drove Abby around the neighborhood. The best part of this picture of their first little "date"- he is holding a gun and she has a baby!

Michael shares a room with his big brother and had no problem going to sleep with another person in the room. Abby, on the other hand, was up until 11 PM. She was talking, playing, reading Michael books, you name it! At one point, I went in to check on them and both of them were standing up- I asked them what was going on and she told me they were "giving love". That is what we call hugs and kisses. Oh boy!

Boys and Biting

Oh what trouble we have on our hands!

The teacher told me yesterday during pick-up that Abby had bitten another child twice, but it wasn't her fault? Get this, a little boy was loving on Abby and she didn't wanted to be loved on, so he pushed her to the ground and was hugging on her! She kept saying no and when he didn't listen- she bit him! He came back an hour later and she bit him again!

I asked if it was the same little boy that we discussed yesterday who follows Abby around the playground "petting" her and they told me it wasn't. They said all the little boys love Abby.

And, Daddy just got more grey hair!

Boys Boys Boys

Seriously Abby, you just met the boy! No car dates just yet! Abby Lu loves boys. She cracks us up. We've had to postiion her in restaurants to not face a boy in the hopes that she'll eat. If not, she stares, waves, smiles and blows kisses. She doesn't do it with little girls. How does she know?

This little boy jumped in the car with her at the mall playground and then proceeded to show off his manly skills (driving the car) for her. She just smiled in adoration until Daddy promptly removed her from the car! :)