Yesterday Annie and I went to an event hosted by our county’s parks and trails department. When we got there Annie picked an envelope to determine which animal she was going to build.

There were five options: eagle, bunny, bear, turtle, and fox. Annie’s envelope had a bear card inside.

It was supposed to be “you get what you get,” but Annie charmed the lady passing out the envelopes and, after swearing us to not “tell a soul” (so shh), she gave Annie a bunny card (and became my new best friend, because Annie had her little two-year-old heart set on a bunny).

Annie got a snack (popcorn and a juice box) before getting the bunny cleaned up. They had kiddie pools set up with stinky animal soap and shampoo, brushes, sponges, and towels. After the bunny was cleaned up, he got a special t-shirt.

Then Annie and her bunny – named Ears – made a snack for the birds.

We got to check out some other animal friends.

Then Ears had a check up and was given a clean bill of health (and a purple lollipop for Annie) before we left.

Annie was so excited to introduce Ears to Bunny.

It was so much fun for both of us (and Ears too I think).

Adam, Luke, and Maggie each came up with their own ideas for their class valentine exchange this year. Maggie went with these red plastic hearts.

Each one had a little figurine inside of a dog or a cat. We printed “to and from” labels with hearts on them and another label with paw prints on it that said, “You’re a paw-some friend!” for the back.

Luke continued the ninja theme with these stretching ninja toys.

We stuck with the labels (they made things so easy), and Luke decided they should say, “Ninjas don’t steal hearts.”

Adam wanted to hand out these fun poseable shamrock figures.

The labels we printed said, “I’m lucky to know you.” Seriously, these labels were awesome – no staples, glue, or tape – plus they were only $3 on Amazon – win, win, win.

We finished them all up on Valentine’s Eve. The kids all dressed appropriately the next day.

Maggie was super excited that I let her wear her heart-shaped sunglasses to school.

They all had a great day and came home with tons of Valentine’s from their friends.

Maggie and Luke both needed to make Valentine mailboxes for their upcoming class parties. Maggie decided she wanted a unicorn kitty box.

She picked out some fun duck tape and we got some stickers and ribbons from the dollar store and we were ready to go.

It’s got everything – jewels, curly ribbon, rainbow letters, hearts, hand drawn eyelashes, and a glittery polka-dot horn. I’m not sure it would be possible to have a more “Maggie” Valentine’s Day box.

Luke decided on a ninja theme.

We found a template for the face online, but the headband was all Luke’s idea.

It turned out great. I’m not sure that anything will ever top Luke’s Snoopy’s doghouse from two years ago though.

I love how Luke added his name on the box.

Adam didn’t have to make a mailbox. His class is going to decorate bags in school. Here are two of his from years past though:

Hippo Valentine Mailbox
Lego Head Valentine Mailbox

Last Thursday night, the fifth grade students had their DARE graduation. Prior to graduation, the students all wrote essays reflecting on what they learned. The officer that led the program read each essay and picked the top three from each class. Adam’s essay took first place for his class. The big stuffed lion was his prize. After the graduation, I took him to a Harry Potter event. The kids played games, had snacks, and did crafts – all with a Harry Potter theme. Adam wore a new sweatshirt I made for him, but there were others in much more elaborate costumes.

Maggie was the student of the day on Tuesday. She got to stand up in front of the class and share three things about herself.

I have no idea where the dolphins came from, but I guess you learn something new every day.

On Friday, while the older kids were in school, Annie and I went to a Pirates and Princess Party at the mall.

Each child got a tiara or a pirate hat and they had all sorts of fun things set up for the kids – balloon animals, face painting, and crafts. Annie wasn’t interested in any of that (except for the tiara).

So we walked around a bit and stumbled upon this fun play area.

Annie loved it and would have stayed there all day if I’d let her.

She finally remembered that I’d promised her a cookie, so that made it easier for us to leave.

She was pretty excited about that cookie.

This is how Annie likes to watch Luke’s basketball games.

Adam had an orthodontist appointment this morning.

After we took him back to school, Annie and I made a trip to the library to return some books and pick out new ones (Maggie has been a reading machine lately).

Annie played with the legos for a while and I love how she grouped them by color (all on her own!).

She also spent a while coloring. She made me close my eyes while she worked so I could be surprised.

As she colored, she named who liked the color she was using – orange for Daddy, green for Adam, blue for Luke, pink for Maggie, purple for JoJo, and I think I was assigned yellow this time.

And of course, a picture with the beaver on the way out. This is Annie’s current favorite outfit – purple shirt and purple pants.

Monday was a busy day for us. There was an awards assembly at the kids’ school in the morning. My pictures didn’t turn out that great, but Maggie was called up twice for the school’s reading program and Luke was called up once for a character award.

Then Annie and I went to the library for story time. Annie loves the songs and dancing and is hit or miss with the stories. She spends a good chunk of time pretending to sleep – which was fitting with this week’s hibernation theme. Every time we leave, she makes me take her photo in front of this beaver.

When the older kids got home, I took pictures of Maggie and Luke with their awards. Each month the school focuses on a specific character trait. One student from each class, that exemplifies that trait, is picked to received the award. This month’s trait was “caring” and that describes our Luke perfectly. He has such a big heart.

Maggie hit the first big milestone in the school’s reading program. She received certificate and a pin for reading 500 books and another certificate for hitting the 550 book mark.

Then Maggie and I went to her dance class. It’s parent observation week so I got to watch.

Maggie’s class is an hour long and the first half of the class is ballet and the second half focuses on tap.

It was a lot of fun and Maggie did so well listening to her teacher and following directions.

Maggie’s class had their 100th day of school last Thursday. She asked me to make her a special 100th day shirt. So I narrowed it down to three choices and then asked my mom to pick. Maggie was thrilled with the glittery, unicorn outcome.

Adam and Luke’s classes didn’t do anything special for the 100th day. They did let me take a picture before school.

Annie thought the whole thing was exhausting.

Maggie had a great day and couldn’t wait to show me the crown she made to celebrate the day.