Valentine's Week

I know this post is almost a week late..... but manning the crew by myself for 2 weeks has left me ---- well, a little behind! 

We had to travel to the kid's swim meet on Valentine's Day --- so we decided to celebrate a little each day!

 Ross was in Amsterdam last week for work - he texted me this picture and said "what would you like for Valentine's Day?" --- he sure does know the way to my heart --- running gear!  :)  definitely not chocolate for me!

 yes, I'm going to admit it now - -- I bought these cookies to bake for Jillian's Valentine's Day party at school.  They even came pre-stamped with designs on them!  It was the last package at the store, buried in the preformed chocolate chip cookies - I KNEW it was meant for me!  .... and the heart tissue paper?  yep, that's what I wrapped the kid's shoe boxes in and cut a hole in the top for the cards! no fancy boxes this year!!

 ... each of them signed their Valentine's cards on one of the snow days we had a few weeks ago

 yum!  I baked some fresh bread .....

 .... trying to make up for these store-bought cookies!

 and baked some brownies @ 11pm one night for Jayden's class party

 my attempt at a homemade heart-shaped pizza --- I think I better work on that for next year --- but Jayden requested this pizza - guess he remembered when we made these last year :)

 found this little girl staring at a picture of her daddy last Sunday --- she missed him so much!

A special flower delivery from my Valentine :)

The Boss is FOUR

On Sunday, Jillian proudly declares at her birthday dinner "I'm the Boss now because I'm FOUR!"  I think we all knew that she was the boss before she turned four :)

I probably said it about 1,000 times on Sunday - "Jillian, I can't believe you're FOUR already!"

 a little sleepy - but ready for her birthday breakfast bar

 the happy birthday girl listening to her family sing Happy Birthday!

 you can see the excitement in her face --- she's been waiting a long time for it to be HER birthday

 ..... and the Dutch version of Happy Birthday

 big brother photo bomb!

 her swimming friend, Blake, came by with a special birthday gift

 what do you do when Walmart calls late on Saturday night to tell you that they accidentally used the last My Little Pony kit on another cake?  you go to the toy section and buy another My Little Pony!!

 looking so grown up!!

 yum!

 opening a special birthday card made by Helen

Sometimes I wish that I could just turn back time....... and make it stand still for just a bit....

 2010 - looking a little unsure :)

 2011

 2012

2013

2014 - my hot chocolate girl

8 & under state 2014 - Waterford, MI

 The 8 & under 2014 State Team ready to swim!

 Jayden getting in the zone

 Polka dot lady in her new swim suit!  She is the youngest swimmer in the pool today @ 3 years old!

 Helen getting warmed up

 Jayden getting warmed up

 2nd place in the state for 100 IM

 getting his medal

INTRODUCING THE STATE CHAMPION in the 25 Fly!!!!!!!!!  and a personal best time of 15.89 - he broke the team record that he set last weekend too.

 his coach giving him the medal

we were all surprised when Helen's name was called for 5th place in the state for 25 Fly.  I was timing for the meet today and when I heard her name, I went running over to get her for the medal ceremony (the coach thought she got 7th place so she wasn't sent to line up for the ceremony).   Could we be raising a family of Fly'ers? - haha!

She's so happy!  and we're so proud of her

Helen 5th in the state in 25 back

(Had to take these photos with my cell phone because the camera battery died - ugh!)

 so proud of her!

 I missed Jayden on the podium - but he finished 2nd in the state for 25 back.  he lost by just a tiny bit!!

 my sweet girl ready for the state meet

 post-state bling!

baby it's COLD and SUNNY outside!!!!