Valentine's Day (February 14)

An idea for Valentine's Day:
Write up lists of what you love about each family member.  Give all the lists to said family members.

I decided to do this on a whim (and after Emily inspired me).  I forgot to get anything (anything!) for my husband today, so I sent him this list via email.  I used to journal once a month or so about what the kids are up to, but I haven't in a year.  So now Google will save a list each February 14 of my kid updates.  And I can look up the lists whenever I'm feeling grumpy or resentful.

When the kids are older, they can participate.  Nothing like telling folks you love how much you appreciate them!

I love M----- 

for his scratchy beard

for going to Logli's late at night to get peanut-butter M&Ms (or Reese's Pieces.  OR BOTH)

for forgetting Valentine's Day, just like me (we're made for each other)

for working 21-hour days sometimes

for making spinach balls

for building bacon-houses and elaborate church-castles and towers out of DUPLO

for reading more than I do, and telling me all about what he's read

for being so contrarian

I love C-----

for helping me every day with the babies

for being such an interesting, earnest little conversationalist

for being  OC about what we're supposed to be doing or forgot to do 

for reminding me to pray every time we hear a siren

for using her hands for emphasis when she's explaining something to me

for loving to read and being read to (5 chapters of Little House on the Prairie yesterday...)

for being my girly-girl

I love G------- 

for his energy and abundant enthusiasm

for putting together 100-piece puzzles

for narrating his life as if it were a story ("and then he stomped down the hall.  What was behind the door...? A great big spider.  He killed the spider and went on his way.")

for his beautiful Pauling smile

for his intense unblinking stillness when listening to something he likes 

for his impatience and frustration in wanting to get the good part or point of anything

for wanting to wear foot-jammies all the time

I love R------ 

for his low voice and gruff way of talking

for being my snuggliest, kissiest kid yet

for pushing himself right into the middle of anything (combination of wiggling and bullying)

for his lower lip

for his sometimes green, sometimes brown eyes

for being so sturdy, like the bulldog on his jammies

for being so good-natured, laid back, and jolly

I love M--- 

for sleeping 12+ hours a day

for arching her back so only her head and tip of her toes are on the ground

for tolerating (and sometimes returning) her siblings' clumsy affection

for laughing socially (earliest I've ever seen)

for crying pretty much only when she's lonely (not much chance of that here...)

for loving mirrors

for singing baby songs to her mama