Cupid’s arrow

My usual holiday photo shoot didn’t happen this Valentine’s day. Our morning was rushed as I prepared Miles and Masie for school. Miles had to wear his uniform while the other kids were dress in cute V-day shirts. It wasn’t until Thursday evening that I remembered to put them in their new Valentine’s pajamas.

We did celebrate. There was a ton of love. And there was much discussion about Cupid. Or as Miles likes to call him “the diaper man.”

Miles was really upset when I first told the story of being shot by Cupid’s arrow and falling in love with the first person you saw. At first I didn’t realize his fears were not just a game, so I really played it up. Yes, even Miles would one day be shot by Cupid’s arrow.

“But I already love Sam, Mom. So I don’t need to get shot,” Miles said.

That’s great I told him, but the arrow will help him fall in love with a girl and one day get married.

“But Mom,” tears starting to form in his eyes, “I already love everyone.”

Oh, he’s good. He went on to ask if it would hurt, and maybe Cupid only shot girls, and what day would all this be happening??? I was able to calm him by telling him the arrow is more like the Nerf kind that sticks to you, so he wouldn’t feel any pain. We had many more discussions about the diaper man. On Valentine’s day, Miles told me when I picked him and his best buddy Sam up from kindergarten, “Mom, I’m going to marry Emmalise. Because I love her.”

Sam butted in, “Miles you can’t marry her. You haven’t gone to college yet.”

I think they’ll work it all out in the next year or so.

I snuck the kids’ Valentine’s gifts into the kitchen the night before knowing that they’d wake before I got home from the gym in the morning.

A romantic movie.

Edible delectables from my lover. Strawberries covered in gourmet chocolate. Yum.

Handmade Valentine’s for the kids’ friends.

Miles’s school party.

Lyla seemed to fit right in.

Masie’s preschool party.

Miles appreciating his Valentine from his best buddy Sam.

Kids’ crafty décor.

Miles thought he was so funny. He had Masie help him put a diaper on as he turned into Cupid. He started shooting arrows of love at each family member. He would only respond to you by the name of Cupid or Diaper Man.

(Lyla is all shiny from lotion on her dry face. Sorry gorgeous girl.)

A goodnight kiss from our Lover-boy.

Ducks, swings, water, and the bridge

As we pulled into the parking area at one of our favorite parks, I let the kids race out of the van to look at the ducks while I raced to grab my camera.

Unfortunately we all had to run through a load of duck poo to get to the water.

Miles loves to carry “baby” Lars. He helped the little ones cross the street while I drove the van on towards the parking lot.

Do you spot gorgeous Masie making a beeline to be first on the swings? She’ll be running races with me soon enough.

Lyla refused to let me pull down her skirt, so she’s now stuck with this hilarious photo for life.

There’s a great little splash pad at this park. We’re not residents though, so all we can do it look at it from our side of the fence. No key.

I took this shot with Masie and didn’t know she’d smiled for me. So I asked her to take another one. She was looking just perfect!!

Lyla doesn’t understand when I turn the camera around and try to get a photo with her. She’ll reach out and touch the lens instead of posing. I’m just lucky to have her hold still and make eye contact. She’s such a beauty. I’m so grateful to have my sweet girls in my life.

I’m telling Lars to keep his clothes on. He wants to swim!

Lyla’s crossed legs make me smile. She’s waiting for me to catch up with her and not holding in a pee or anything.

Masie was very upset that we were walking further away from the swings.

Miles first spots the “bridge.” “MOM!!! I found a bridge!”

So we all took our own sweet time catching up with Miles in the field.

He was pretty proud of his find.

Lars was happy once he saw there was dirt. He just couldn’t keep his shoes on.

Masie wishing there was a swing on the bridge.

Masie quickens her steps as we head back in the direction of the swings.

Would you let them out?

I was thinking about making this my new blog header… but can’t figure out how to fit PARADISE FOUND onto it. We’ll see what I can come up with.