Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day isn't a romantic day for us.  Sure, it's a sweet day, but we choose to just celebrate love in general.  We went to a cute restaurant and Mom joined us.  It was such a fun night.  I don't often pull out the camera for a dinner out but something about this night felt like an occasion to capture.  

Yup.  We shot pool in the bar after dinner.  Shooting pool brought back some great memories from growing up with a pool table in our basement.  

I thought so much of my Dad on Valentine's Day, as this is the day he died in my mind.  I thought of how much he loved me, and how much I loved him.  I thought about how when I was ushered into his hospital room on Valentine's Day to say my goodbyes, I sat alone with him in the early hours of the morning.  I tucked my hand into his....he was sedated and intubated. I told him there was nothing left unsaid between us....we loved each other fiercly and had just told one another that the day before.  My little Mia was tucked carefully in her car seat as I said goodbye to Dad.  Her tiny face was serene and her little four month old body was soft and trusting.  She was my tiny light as I navigated the harsh blow of loss.  Seeing this picture of the two of us last night, 9 years later, is powerful.  

Smile

Luca lost a top tooth and I can't get over how much older he looks.  I think losing one of the top teeth is such a game changer for an elementary school aged child.  I have been following him around asking him to stop for a photo because I want to capture this change.  He finally relented and laughed as he posed.  I had told him that when I'm old and in a nursing home, I want to be able to look through photos of my baby boy and I want one of his big smile with that missing front tooth.  

My Luca....always quick with an idea to make a buck.  He carefully put his tooth under his pillow and the next morning found an envelope with his reward for turning in the tooth.  The Fairy, despite being a magical and perfect creature who remembers ALMOST everything, forgot the tooth next to the envelope.  She must have been exhausted that night after doing everything around that house that as she slipped the envelope carefully under Luca's sleeping head, she forgot to pull out the tooth wrapped in a little baggie.  Luca noticed this the next morning and put the tooth BACK under his pillow with this note next to it, written on the very envelope the tooth fairy had left him the first night!

I didn't know this until several days later, when I found the envelope AND tooth next to his bed.  I asked him about it and he said, "Oh yea...that....I put the tooth back under my pillow with another note thinking she might leave me more money.  But she didn't."

Love this boy.  

Ya know...just hangin' around

My babies on a snow day.  Man do we love snow days.  Sledding, hot chocolate, and movies.  (I'll leave out the parts about fighting and whining.)

This girl is working hard in the pool these days.  She's already gearing up for her swim season.  She swam almost a mile and hopped out and soaked quietly in the hot tub.  I watched her while reading from the side of the pool in case anyone is worried I overexerted myself.  I told her that next time....it's on.  I'm in the pool too.  Lap for lap.  

All four of us were at the Rec Center and it was so much fun.  Mia swam and Luca and V played basketball.  Then, we all hit the courts.  

We went home to a Superbowl party, in which the Broncos WON!

So fun having your mom at the same party you're at!  Melanie turned 40 and had a small celebration at a restaurant.  Mom was invited, which I love.  My mom is probably the coolest woman I know so having my friends envelope her into their lives as well is such a beautiful thing to watch.  

And this is 40.....pretty great year for everyone so far!