Three Things + 1 : Lots of Love (and giveaways)

Sorry, posted twice thought it did'nt post? stilla newbie to all this.

As a single mom of two grown children my Valentine's Day activities are limited to sending my children little reminders of how much I love them. This year while I was working on "Simplifying" my life I found a stash of old valentine's day cards left over from when they were little. I think I will send them out - I am sure that they will enjoy a blast from the past. For Jay it will be Michael Jordan and Space Jam, as for Jess, I see Barbie in her future!

I usually pack a treat in the lunches for the kids and make a desert for the family.

There are three of us. We each cut out a large cardstock heart from 12x12 paper, a different color for each of us (pink for dd, maroon for dh, red for me). On it, we write all of the things we love (collecting patterned paper is on mine!) and cram as many words on the heart as we can. There are usually over 100 things on each heart. The last things we write are our "pet" names for each other. I string the three hearts together and hang them from the curtain rod in the den where we spend our family time. I then use each heart on a layout after Valentine's Day is over.

Heart shaped peacan cinnamon pancakes YUM!
Daddy makes us dinner, and we all cuddle and watch home videos.

I write a "love letter" to my daughter and put it under her pillow so she awakes to it. I write down all her favorite things at that time and take her picture also. I keep them together for each year with the intention that the day she becomes a mother I will give them all to her to add to her love for her children

Looking for a new way to celebrate since my husband is no longer a part of my life. Trying to focus on the kids and how much I am grateful for so I won't get depressed about not having my valentine anymore!

Since we are downsizing this year, we have agreed not to spend money on each other. So far we have planned on making dinner together and sharing a video, my DH doesn't know that I am making an album commemorating his years in the military (we didn't know each other then.) I found a box of pictures over Christmas tucked away in the bottom of his closet. I can't wait until Valentine's Day he'll be so thrilled!

Valentine's day is my son's birthday. He'll be 10 this year. We usually don't make a big deal over Valentine's day, but rather make it a big deal about him. I was born 3 days before Christmas, so I know what it's like (as a kid) to have my special day overshadowed by a holiday. We wanted to make sure we didn't do that to Zach. He likes to think that all the decorations and such are just for him. :)

Fun giveaways. We give the kids a little something special..and this year my husband and I are going to California for the Valentine's weekend.

Me and my children have a wonderful Valentines Day breakfast!I usually make heart shaped pancakes!Then I have them open up what they received for valentines day! A few treats, book and a cute little valentine to make their heart flutter for their mommy!

Sweet treats for hubby and kids. Last year I did a brag book that I sent to family members. Also last year I did the felt/fabric book that you had on your site Ali. I wrote love notes to my kids and husband rather than generic type cards. I plan to do that again this year- my boys really liked looking back at their little book through out the year.

My husband and I have never really celebrated Valentine's Day in the past, but now that I have a son, I'm more inspired to do something to mark the day. I always used to feel that having one day to show your love was silly and somehow would cheapen the loving that goes on everyday. But now I'm feeling more and more that we do need time to slow down, stop, and let each other know how we feel. Lest we forget. :)

Oh I love the dear stamps of Elle! :) And all the over stuff is great, too! *lol*
Anyway, we don't really "celebrate", but we go out for dinner..just the two of us :) Love that.

Here in Belgium Valentine's day is a day for lovers. we don't have the tradition to do something for friends or family. But actually I love that thought. I'm single since last year, so why can I not do something lovely to my friends... I think that sounds fun. And actually you can't express enough that you like your friends!

can i be honest?...i don't think i do enough to celebrate the people i love...maybe a new year's resolution is underway?

I usually start off with a special heart shaped pancake for breakfast for my kids. That afternoon we have a special snack I buy the heart foil shaped doilies to place everything on then usually we give each other small gifts of sweets and homemade cards. Last year I made them each a mailbox and stuffed goodies in it for them waiting when they got home from school.

It is all about chocolate in our house. . .a little chocolate after breakfast (shh! don't tell) a little after lunch and then a bit more after dinner. A once a year special treat/tradition!

My favorite Valentine's Day tradition is actually just making Valentine's cards with my kids for all their classroom friends. I cherish these creative moments together :)

I love to spend Valentines Day with the ones I love most, my children and my husband. We always do it family style.
These are great giveaways and thanks for sharing your favourite things.