Valentine dates and the bathroom explosion.

So, we started a tradition last year (if you can call 2 years a tradition) of taking the kids out for a date (mother son, daddy/daughter) the week before Valentines. Last year Rob took Isabelle to this cute dance for fathers and daughters. We planned on going this year but found out too late we needed to register. Isabelle was so sad! But, we still dolled her up like a princess and Rob took her out to the movie "Coraline" (they both liked it) then out to coldstone for dessert.
Robert wanted to dress up too, since Isabelle was dressing up as a princess. So, he got in his Hulk costume for our date. He wanted to go to Chuck-e-Cheese for our date. I wasn't looking forward to Chuck-e-Cheese at first, but he was SO happy! We ordered some pizza, did some games. We rocked the skee ball. When we ran out of tokens we got doughnuts on the way home, then watched a movie and snuggled. It was so great just to feel so much closer to the kids and know that they can feel our love because they had special time with us. They have been begging to go on dates with us ever since.Rob did a fun FHE this week about the Sabbath Day. He added all sorts of strange things to ice cream (salsa, salt and pepper, mustard, etc) to illustrate the point that that even though all those things are good, they are all good at the same time! He did a great job. Then we got to have "Good Sundays" together afterwards.
Isabelle had a Valentine's party at her preschool. I thought she looked so adorable that day. She had loads of fun at the party and opening up all of her Valentines. I was proud of her for filling out all of the Valentines she made for her friends! It was a lot of hard work for her, but I think she is getting way better at writing her name and writing letters!
No, she didn't take the doll to class.(This is when the class was about to open their Valentines. They each had one of those cute packets with all of their Valentines in them.)

As for the actual Valentine's day, it started out really well. I woke up extra early because I had to leave early to decorate for the Valentine's dance. I gave each of the kids a little box of chocolates and a sucker with lips at the end.
Austin was actually the first one up. (Besides Daddy, I wouldn't let Daddy in at first though). He was excited and went straight for the candy.Bella came in next and was way excited about all of Valentines until she saw that I got a bigger box of chocolates than she did. What her box said was definitely fitting for the day.Robert's reaction was the best. When he saw what he got and the fact that I was making pink, heart shaped pancakes, he said "This is the best Valentines ever and you are the best parents in the world!!"Here's a pic of the pancakes.
Rob really did a lot for me for Valentines this year. I felt bad that I didn't do more for him. I made him a huge heart for a card, gave him a dark chocolate Valentine's box and breakfast.
But, as you can see, he went over the top! He ordered the negatives from our wedding, rented a machine to digitize the photos, and put them all on CD so we can have them forever! He also got me a dozen roses, a box of chocolates, a sweet card, and a funny necklace that says "I love Rob". I did think the necklace was cheesy at first, but I LOVED wearing it for Valentines. It was perfect! Just like my hubby :)

We were planning on going to the Bi Stake Valentine's dance in Camas that night, and about an hour before we were suppose to leave one of the pipes broke on the toilet and flooded our bathroom!! Rob got soaking wet and was not happy!!! Luckily our neighbors, our heros (the Rosendales), came running to our rescue and saved the day! They helped us find where to turn off our water and figure out what to do, even helped us clean up. They are the best!! We didn't end up fixing the toilet that night, or else we wouldn't have made it to the dance. For now it is just off limits until we can get the part! Luckily we have other bathrooms!
Thankfully, we were still able to make it to our Valentine's Date. We met up with some friends at "Beaches" restaurant on the waterfront in Vancouver.
Then we danced the night away at the Camas HS. Rob and I had forgotten how much we like to boogie! We had a blast! It has been a long time since we have been to a dance and we had a great time. We even got to meet up with our friends, the Bjorns, there.

Now, if this blog wasn't long enough, I had a couple other things I wanted to throw in.
Normally, I really don't feel like I am a very creative person and hate coming up with stuff, so I was really proud of the next couple things I did. For Robert's 7th birthday we are going to have a pirate party, so I made these invitations for everyone.I burnt the edges and tried to make it look like a map. At the party we really will search for pirate treasure.
My mom sent us some really cool Valentines that she had made herself, and she inspired me. I have a bunch of scrapbook paper that I will never use for scrapbooking, I cannot torture myself that way. So I thought I would use some to make cards for a couple of birthdays in the family coming up. I thought it turned out cute (don't mind the wet spot, Isabelle gleeked on it right as I was taking the pic!).