Happy Heart Day!

What is not to love about Valentines Day! Flowers, chocolates, little cards with adoring messages. It just makes a person happy no matter what. The boys have been waiting and waiting. Cai woke up at 4 a.m. and got in bed with me. He woke again at 6:30 and laid awake next to me until 7:30. Finally he says, "Mom get up! Today is going to be the best day ever, I totally can't wait to go to school." Believe me starting the day on that note was a blessing in and of itself. I'm usually pushing and prodding them along amidst angry grumbles about when the next vacation day they will get.

So to my favorite Valentines in the whole world. Here's what I love about you:

Cai

Cai you are so easy to love, you have a such a sweet sensitive personality. I love that you are always looking out for the needs and feelings of others. I love to watch you when you are imagining something. You get so quiet and thoughtful you can almost see the stars in your eyes. I love your dramatic personality. You can really ham it up, and I love your great sense of humor. I can always count on a goofy expression on your face and a funny one liner. You are also so talented and creative. I love that you enjoy painting and drawing and build things just like me. We love you so much and are so happy that you are a part of our family.

Cole!

We should have spelled your name with an exclamation mark on your birth certificate! I love your sparkle and zest for life. You are always so passionate about whatever you are doing. One of my favorite things is watching you play the Wii. Your bouncing, jabbing, jumping, punching air karate, is so much fun to watch. I love that you leave your heart wide open
and put it all on the line for your friends and family. You just care so deeply, it makes my heart ache when you are dissapointed. You live life at one volume and that is loud! I love that you are so focused and particular when you are doing something. You always try so hard to do things exactly right, whether it is coloring, sports, puzzles, games or Wii. I just know that your focus and tenacity will really take you places.

Cate

Little did we know after naming you after TWO queens (Catherine Victoria) that, that was just what we were getting... a little princess. I could hardly believe my ears when shortly after pronouncing "mama" for the first time "shzzzzzz (shoes)" was soon to follow. Your preference for pink

started before you could even crawl, and we can't get away with a single outfit that isn't slathered in pink. You are trying to grow up so fast it makes my heartache. I love that you know what you want and do everything you can to get it. Your persistence, determination and creativity is exhausting at times, but I am certain that those are the exact qualities that will lead you to greatness. You don't take no for an answer. You know what you want and you go to work getting it. I can already see your talents coming into focus. You love to create, decorate, and cook already. I can't wait for the day we can do those things together even more. I know I get frustrated with the day to day "projects" you get into (Valentines cards for your Grandmas SLATHERED in sparkly pink lipgloss, cutting and cutting and cutting tiny pieces of paper, dumping out glitter all over the hardwood floor, I'm sure we'll be finding glitter for years to come out of the couch cushions and cracks in the floor) but I'm certain that SOMEDAY you will be a very talented little crafter, artist, and cook. I love your bouncy blonde curls and sparkly blue eyes. It is a rare day that your aren't smiling for most of it. We love you so much, and no matter how old you get or how much you hate to hear it, you will always be our baby girl.

Chris

What good is a Valentines day that you can't schmooze your sweetheart? I know I tell you all the time but I thank my lucky stars everyday that I get to spend the rest of eternity with you. I NEVER thought I could be so compatible with another human being. We fit together so perfectly. Our humor, our tastes, our interests (most of them at least), we even see eye to eye on politics. I love that you help me compenstate for my weaknesses and make me want to be a better person. I have no clue what made you set your sights on that strange girl with the purple hair, red lipstick, wacky clothes and combat boots. But I am so glad that you took the time to see what was under all that, and I'm glad that your were persistent enough to let me see how compatible we were even though we seemed worlds apart. The 13 years we have been together have been the happiest of my life. I admire you so much for all that you have accomlished. I honestly just stand in awe of you sometimes. Thanks for putting up with my quirks, my weaknesses, my crazy projects, and my hairbrained ideas. Plently of people would have had me committed by now, but you have always supported me. I shudder to think of a life without you in it.

I found it!

Here is the perfect way to get your kids motivated to do their chores, and set goals. It is really cool and my kids are loving it. After some research to find a way to get our family going on a more consistent schedule. I came across this website, at myrewardboard.com. Cai and Cole are really excited about it love to add their "happies" every day. The program keeps track of their progress, allowance, and goals then it pays out once a week. It has a piggy bank, chore chart, goal chart, and offers extra star points for perfect chores days or meeting their personal goals.