valentine fiesta - the day after.

last night, we had a valentine fiesta for some of our closest friends. although, i really wish i had taken pictures, sadly i did  not.  however, i did take a few pictures this morning as i was cleaning up and taking down decorations-

we served fruity sangria and coronas with limes. i made salsa in my molcajete (a tool that i love). for dinner we set up a taco bar with choices of shrimp, fish and carne asada. and also served spanish rice and tamales with portabellas and polenta. dessert included- chocolate pots de creme, creme brulee and cookies. and we sent the couples home with large boxes of candy hot tamales as a thank you for all the sweetness and spice they have added to our lives.

it was truly a fun, fun night with a whole lot of laughing.  and, it was the perfect celebration for the friends that we love.

post valentine's day.

i love valentine's day. it seems like such a happy day and a great reason to let those know that you either love or really like them. over the weekend, we completed all of our valentines for classmates and teachers. and yesterday, slade and elle went to school with these valentines in hand-

the tag for the u rock valentine is printable here. we found the packs of pop rocks at our local drugstore. and, this year elle wanted to make the same valentine we made for sia last year. it is such a cute idea and so simple to make.

and my poor sia- she missed her valentine party and handing out valentines to her class as she was at home sick. but, we made these sippy valentines to give to all her preschool friends. and, all of the teachers received these chocolate coin valentines.

i hope that you had a very sweet and happy valentines day.

friday, the weekend & some things.

it's friday again. whoo hoo! and the weekend is here. what are your plans? my in-laws arrived yesterday and they're staying through the weekend. so, we'll be spending lots of family time together at home. i am pretty sure i will be making four pizzas tonight and i'd like to do some baking this weekend too. 

whatever your plans, i hope you have a great weekend. and since valentine's day will be here before we know it, here are some valentine-y things you might enjoy too-

create valentine dishes with edible paint (i'm so doing this!)

heart-shaped treats

and no bake sweet mini-cakes

10 candy-free valentines to give
gifts and gadgets to give your valentine 
what state are you paired with?

happy weekend!

hello monday.

today i'm just thinking, how much i love us...

and... how lucky i am to be so loved by an amazing husband and three sweet children. hope you are having a happy monday and perhaps are feeling very loved too.

pictures are from our front foyer. the i love us downloadable print can be found here.

sweet valentine snack mix.

within 30 minutes time, i made this very sweet valentine snack mix yesterday. it looks really pretty in a big glass jar on the counter too!! i got the recipe from betty crocker.

{image via betty crocker}

happy valentines day.

i'm wishing you a day filled with love.
happy valentines day.

done.

we are officially finished with making valentines this year. slade finished his up late yesterday afternoon. he had used this idea before while in preschool, however, it's a different school and different classmates, so i went along with it. (added bonus, we had the chocolate race cars already on hand). this year though, slade did most of the work himself. he even had the idea to create one for a girl and another for a boy.


as for elle, i saw this idea on babble and thought it was the perfect alternative to sweets and rather inexpensive. also, it can be given to either a boy or a girl. elle was sure she would be handing out the best valentine in her kindergarten class.