Our Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is one holiday that I never thought could get better with a baby. I had so much fun this year preparing for our little holiday. Cupcakes from scratch and fancy dinners out were replaced with Harris Teeter baked cupcakes and a home cooked steak dinner after bedtime. I wouldn't trade this life for the world. 

The week of Valentine's Day Caroline sent out some cards to her aunts, uncles, grandparents and great grandparents. 

We also made some Valentine's for her classmates and purchased some slipper socks for her teachers {they only wear slippers in her classroom}!

Just a few hours after Matt dropped Caroline off for daycare we received a call from her teacher informing us that she was running a pretty high fever and needed to be picked up (along with several other babies in class). So after a trip to the doctor (just a cold virus thankfully) we spent the day together cuddling on the couch while I worked with one hand.

We had a party to attend on Saturday night so we decided to celebrate our Valentine's Day a night early. So, after we put the mini to bed we quickly got to cooking dinner. But first, I gave Matt his gift - a Moscow Mule kit! He has been so obsessed with this drink so I thought a copper mug and all the ingredients would be a great surprise...and I was right!

For dinner, together we cooked our favorite steak (loaded with rosemary butter), lobster tail, sweet potato fries and broccoli. And for dessert we enjoyed Harris Teeter cupcakes! We both agreed this dinner was far better than fighting the crowds for an awkward reservation time at an overpriced restaurant. Plus we got to eat in our pajamas.

On Saturday we woke up and Facetimed with Aunt Lindsey to wish her a happy birthday! Caroline ran a fever through the entire weekend so we stayed in pjs.

Later Matt and Caroline surprised me with Valentine's gifts - earrings and a new tote bag from C. Wonder!

It was a great, great weekend! Hope yours was too! For more fun Valentine fun... 2012 Valentine's Day {post} 2013 Valentine's Day {post} 2014 Valentine's Day {post}

Five on Friday {Valentine's Day Edition}

Surprise! I have a Valentine themed post for Five on Friday. Bet you didn't see that coming! Here are 5 of my favorite Valentine posts from the past! Sorry to my longtime readers who have already seen most of these but I was busy last night getting treats ready for Caroline's teachers and classmates and had 5 minutes to write a post this morning after Matt and Caroline walked out the door! It's been a wild week, friends! Enjoy your Valentine's Day! xo - ONE - Valentine Sugar Cookies {with Royal Icing}! I made these last year and they were pretty awesome. You can find the recipe here.

- TWO - One of the best things that has ever happened to our marriage was the book The Meaning of Marriage by Timothy Keller. I cannot recommend it enough to anyone who is married (newly or decades in), engaged or wants to get married in the future! I also love to give this book to my friends as an engagement gift. This book sits on my nightstand and there's no better reminder than Valentine's Day to flip through all of our highlighted, underlined and scribbled notes inside. You can purchase the book here.

- THREE - Another festive treat that is super easy to throw together - Valentine Heart Brownies! You can find the recipe here.

- FOUR - One of my favorite Valentine breakfast ideas was my 5 minute waffles. With a baby running around the kitchen this year I am thinking this will be happening tomorrow morning for both husband and baby (sans syrup and sugar). You can find this post here.

- FIVE - Get your vases ready, ladies! Post here.

Valentine Rice Krispie Treats

Caroline's school bake sale is tomorrow and I needed something super easy, festive and delicious to throw together after dinner last night. Snap, crackle and pop - enter Valentine Rice Krispie Treats! In less than an hour I had whipped these yummy treats up, cut them out in hearts, bagged and priced them for the bake sale.

I followed the original recipe for Rice Krispie Treats, topped them with Valentine sprinkles and cut them out with a heart cookie cutter.
Valentine Rice Krispie Treats
Ingredients
    3 tablespoons butter
    1 10 oz. package Miniature Marshmallows
    6 cups Kellogg's Rice Krispies cereal

Directions
1. In a large saucepan melt butter over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat. 2. Add Rice Krispies cereal. Stir until well coated. 3. Using buttered spatula or wax paper evenly press mixture into 13 x 9 x 2-inch pan coated with cooking spray. Top with sprinkles. Cool. Cut with heart shaped cookie cutter.