This year Valentine’s Day was a mix of sweet celebrations and the everyday moments that make up our life in this season. We shared a family Valentine’s dinner complete with our annual shopping challenge that the kids loved, Jimmy and I had a quick date, and I was completely spoiled!

In between all of the celebrating, life kept moving in its usual way, with homeschool lessons at the table, lots of reading time, and fresh air whenever we could get it. Here’s a look at our Valentine’s Day and the moments in between!

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Celebrating Valentine’s Day 💝

We all look forward to our annual Valentine’s Day celebration! We laid a table cloth on the kitchen table for the kids (and adults 😇) to color, lit a candle, pulled out paper plates and napkins with hearts on them, and I made a chuck roast for dinner. Earlier in the day, I had taken the kids to the store and let them pick out Valentine’s Day decorated sugar cookies for dessert!

After dinner, we all drew names from a bowl and split up to shop for the person we picked. Sadie, Dakota, and I shopped together, and the boys went together! We even included the pets in on the fun by buying for them.

Dakota got a new baby doll from Sadie, Jimmy bought treats for Niva and toys for Malcolm, the pets “bought” Sadie a new video game, Dakota gave Mordecai a Hot Wheels car, and Mordecai gave mommy new candles! It was really sweet to see how excited the kids were to exchange gifts.

Speaking of sweet things, when we woke up on Valentine’s Day, Jimmy said there was a delivery at the door. He ordered Duck Donuts for the kids!

Valentine’s Day was also kind of blah in a way because whatever bug Mordecai had earlier in the week, he lovingly passed on to me. It was very mild for me, but I just didn’t feel *great* most of the day.

We were able to get outside on a walk in the afternoon. It was sunny and in the 50s! Jimmy also had flowers delivered to me and Sadie. How sweet is he?!

In the evening, Jimmy and I dropped our big kids off to our neighbor and went on a quick date with Dakota in tow.

We meandered around a few stores and enjoyed uninterrupted conversation. 😍 Before we knew it, Dakota was ready for bed. She fell asleep on the way home and I walked across the street to pick the kids up. It was a wonderful Valentine’s Day and I felt so loved and cherished by everyone in my life!

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What We’ve Been Up To 🏡

We’ve been hanging out at home, reading, homeschooling, cooking, and organizing lately!

I took everything out of our utensil drawer, cleaned it, and put it all away. I love little projects like that. It never takes more than a few minutes and makes such a difference!

Since St. Patrick’s Day is coming up, Sadie and I read Fiona’s Lace together. We read it last year and both enjoyed it so much. It’s a story about an Irish family that immigrates to Chicago in search of a better life, only to face the Great Chicago Fire. It beautifully illustrates how a young girl’s talent for lace-making provided hope when all else seemed lost. 💚

Speaking of St. Patrick’s Day, we are fully decked out in the Zottola house! Jimmy groaned when he walked into our bathroom today and found a shamrock shower curtain proudly hanging. 😂 I can’t wait to read more of our favorite St. Patrick’s Day books to the kids for the next month, make Irish soda bread, and cook some lamb!

Sadie decided to dress Dakota in her fuzzy sweater one morning. She was quite the fashionista!

We’re so over winter. We’ve been getting out on a walk/bike ride no matter what the weather is. I’m done being cooped up!

A couple at our church had a baby, so I made them a meal! I put together pasta salad, brownies, and grilled chicken. I can still remember all the meals people have provided for our family after we’ve had our kids (Miss Laura’s chili… chicken and bread from Bernadette… these meals are forever in my memory ❤️), so I always jump at the chance to do the same for other new parents!

Dakota got a yogurt melt stuck in her hair! She is our little fruit lover. She can blow through fruit so quickly!

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Other Notes and Thoughts 📝

• Scripture I’m loving: There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18 🙏🏻
• Dakota has been doing well since her surgery! The doctor told us she would hear better and we keep noticing her shaking her head (like she’s rocking out to music) when she hears a noise differently and it’s adorable. 😂
• Starbucks has a new chocolate pistachio loaf on its menu and now I am determined to recreate it at home! 🍫
• I know I’m years late to the trend, but I decided to start reading the Bridgerton series. It’s not my usual genre of novels, but I’m enjoying The Duke and I so far. 📖
• Sadie has had this inexpensive wooden puzzle for years and Mordecai has recently started pulling it out every day. I love seeing him grow into some of her old toys!

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That’s a wrap on this post! It’s Sunday night as I type this up! We have a pretty calm week on deck (I hope 🤣). Mordecai will be going to his first dental check up. I’m curious to see how he will do!