Each year, since Holly was one and a half, I've made a valentine to send to family members. This year when I was thinking about what I should do, I then thought that I should have my daughters do the work! I traced hearts onto cardstock and the girls painted the hearts. Then I did the rest. Happy Valentines!

One morning in Victoria, our little family went on a little outing. We chose the Ocean Discovery Centre and Holly and Greta loved it! Holly and I have learned about jellyfish which made seeing them in person thrilling! At the end of the museum visit, we were able to touch live sea creatures (pinky fingers only!). Holly's look of discovery was incredible and fun! I loved touching the sea creatures and was surprised at the different textures. I'm glad we did this - it was a very memorable family outing!

One afternoon (in Victoria, back in January), a bunch of us took off to Ogden Point Breakwater. It was so foggy! We couldn't see the lighthouse from land, or even at a halfway point. It's a fun walk with presumably lots of views when it's not foggy. But even with the thick fog, we saw sights and had a great time! We saw one (dead) jellyfish, 2 starfish and 3 fresh caught fish. Holly and Solomon are crazy about each other and held hands almost the entire time. It was great to be outdoors and I loved wearing my hunter rain boots!

Holly, Greta and I did some easy and effective Valentines' Day crafts that I thought I'd share. You likely have all the supplies in your home already.

First, we made some love bug lady bugs. This is done with construction paper, scissors and glue.

Second, we made heart garlands. I traced hearts onto card stock, the girls and I painted them, and then I cut them out. Using embroidery floss and a sewing needle, I strung the hearts into two garlands. You can do this craft with any age that can paint. They don't need to stay within the lines - you'll just be cutting the hearts out!

Easy Peasy!

On Friday, we celebrated Greta's third birthday. It was a regular day jazzed up. A special breakfast - crepes and OJ and some present opening in the morning. Greta loved opening the gifts and her reactions were awesome! "Another box!" she said many times as she kept removing the wrapping paper to reveal another box. Holly made painted wood beads and strung them into a necklace for Greta and as you can see below, Holly was very excited for Greta to open up the gift! Greta was very, very spoiled this year! Lots of fun new things to play with, lots of Sleeping Beauty. One of our gifts to her was a book and the girls were so confused when it was opened up and claimed we already have it. But no, we don't. We've just borrowed it from the library so many times because Greta loves it!

I printed off 28 photos of Greta from her last year of life and created a collage and taped them to the gifts. Growing up is bittersweet.

We wrapped up our day with cupcakes! We didn't do a birthday party this year, but we did have a fun family outing on Saturday. I really love this style of celebration. And I adore celebrating my daughters!