So Valentine's Day came and went this year and it was actually quite pleasant. Usually we are rushing the weekend before to make and decorate boxes for the girls to use during their classroom Valentine exchange. By some crazy stroke of luck, this year they both decorated paper bags AT SCHOOL instead of doing it at home. I'm not sure how we got so lucky because some of the other grade levels still had kids make them at home. 

Not that we don't enjoy glitter and glue and stickers and paper doilies - but you have to admit that in the modern days of Pinterest, it is pretty darn hard to not try and one-up the other parents

kids and turn that shoe box into a princess castle complete with drawbridge and a moat.

The girls were so excited to show us their Valentines when they got home from school. I did receive a "heads up" from Allie's teacher, and thankfully so. Otherwise I'm not quite sure what my reaction would have been upon opening up this little gem:

 For those who don't speak "firstgrade-ese", that says, "I am your secret admirer". 

And from what Allie tells me, he doesn't keep it much of a secret.

Sigh. 

Anyway, the week ended on a happy note and we went to my parents' house Friday afternoon to celebrate my Dad's birthday. 

The weather was nice and the girls had a chance to finally try out one of their Christmas presents from their Pappy - their very first golf clubs :)

We have some work to do, but they did actually make contact with the ball, which is more than I can say for their mother. Between the golfing talent they stand to inherit from their Daddy, their Pappy, or their Great Grandma and Grandpa, we are certainly hoping for the best!