running on grace: I Heart You February

Our Valentines activities this year probably put our Christmas ones to shame. My mom was actually making fun of me during her most recent visit for treating February 14th like December 25th. I'm sorry I was born on the most lovely day of the year and just can't help myself. Especially being a Mom now - it's just too fun. We kicked off the month with a Valentines playdate at our house. Like I mentioned once before, I live for these activities. Micheal's, Target and JoAnn Fabrics start to have a bit of a Nordstrom feel when preparing for a holiday play sesh.

The Martha in me. Not much, but enough to put together an occasional spread like this.

A dairy-free favorite these days.

The kid's activity (which quickly became the Mom's activity once distraction set in).
Mailboxes to decorate for our Valentine exchange.

These tables were such an awesome purchase.

The crew. Cam, Grace, Harper and Brady all nearly 2.5 years now!

Thank you Etsy.

Zach mentioned that I was a tad inappropriate in our Elephant Valentine creation.
Personally I think it ONLY looks like a cute pink elephant... boys are gross.

Next I was treated to a nothing-short-of-amazing birthday lunch and play date at Lindsay McKenney's home. Thank you, thank you, thank you again dear friend for such a wonderful day! You never cease to amaze me with your thoughtfulness and creativity. Not to mention the cookie baking with Grace was so sweet of you and made her ridiculously happy (which in turn makes Mom ridiculously happy). Like mother, like daughter when it comes to sugar overload!

So. Cute.

The best Valentines lunch ever!

Some happy diners.

Hmmm crawling like Henry?

My love bug.

Miss Linds with Emma, finally!

Homemade ball pit.

The babes. Keep in mind Henry is 6 months older than Emma :)

Helping Miss Linds with the sugar cookies!

Sugar overload = Heaven.

Mama and Henry.

Ready, set...

GO!

Getting so big! Can't believe you're almost 1 little man. No more growing up please!

My other fabulous Birmingham girlfriends treated Shannon (February 22nd birthday) and I to a well-deserved Mama's night out at Rojo to celebrate our birthdays as well! Seriously the most fun I've had in awhile. We got all dolled up on a (super early) random Wednesday night, were one of three tables filled in the whole restaurant, indulged in a lot wine and guacamole and finished each other's sentences swapping horror stories about 2.5 year olds. Haha. (Semi) kidding of course, but its been so wonderful having such great friends in Michigan. Meeting these girls was such a blessing to our big move from Chicago, and I feel super grateful to have them in my life.

Val, Linds, Shannon and I.

Best part of February was having my parents visit for my actual birthday. And of course having the best babysitters in the world for Zach and I to have a desperately needed and long overdue romantic night out. It was a weekend filled with lots of gifts, hugs, playing and relaxing. Nothing better.