Valentine's Day- "That Mom" Style

Valentine's Days this year was absolutely crazy, fun, exhausting, and overwhelming...all balled up into one. Why, might you ask? You may be thinking that Valentine's Day is such a simple, non-meaningful holiday. Well...I decided to try being a modified version "That Mom"...just to prove to myself that I could do it. Who's "That Mom"? You know, she makes adorable crafts with her children for each holiday, works out every morning, always dresses nicely with perfectly executed make-up, throws parties where everything is thoughtful and hand-made. There are hundreds of blogs out there, each author a homemaker vying to be "That Mom". My sister and I talk about her all of the time and discuss our crazy attempts to mimic her every once in a while.

So...for Valentine's Day, I admittedly went a little nuts trying to be "Her". First, I decided to throw a party for a bunch of little ones under the age of 6. It was just a random thought one afternoon and I immediately sent out an E-vite before I could second-guess myself. Within a minute, I was committed and I was determined to carry it out to the fullest. (Mark was actually shocked when I told him what I was doing...clearly it is not my natural inclination) So this meant many trips to Target, the Dollar Store, and Michael's and staying up until 3 a.m. to complete all of the finishing touches. Yes, my OCD tendencies butted their ugly head in full force. In the end, I was proud of my attempt of being "That Mom" for a day. I document this event simply as proof to my kids that every once in a while, their mom did try to make the holidays special for them. However, it is way too expensive, time-consuming and exhausting to keep it up. So...I'm going to let my inner-"That Mom" rest for the next several months, until I have to bring her out again for a summer full of birthday parties. (And for the record, I barely had time to shower before the party, so no nice hair and make-up for me. And working out? Does hanging balloons and vacuuming count?) Anyways, here is what "That Mom" does....

She decorates the house...


Makes her own table decor...



Bakes some homemade cookies (at 2 a.m.)

Makes personalized treat bags...


Plans "Pin the Heart on the Care Bear" game


Of course, plans a "Love Bug" craft


Has treats ready for the kids in the morning...


And then invites the whole crew over
for snacks and heart-shaped pizzas


Cookie decorating...


And major sugar consumption.


It was an absolutely exhausting endeavor,
but it is worth it to see smiles...


And make memories..


And shares the love with
some pretty special friends!

Later that night, Mark and I each took an older child for a special Valentine's Day date (Jackson was baby-sat by a friend). We each went to separate Chick Filets for a hot night on the town.

Brooklyn wore her favorite dress

Ethan picked me up right on time

And the tiara was a "must" accessory

On our "Special Date"...
nothing says love like chicken nuggets!

Afterwards, we went to dessert at our friends' house and came home dead tired and ready for bed!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!