Monday, February 16, 2009

Happy (Late) Valentine's Day


For some reason, I was feeling extra festive about this Valentine's Day. I'm not a very big holiday person in general, but I thought it would be fun to make some Valentines with my kids. Crafts with an (almost) three year old and a five year old, aren't exactly relaxing, but it was mostly fun. ...and too bad but I have no pictures of their chaotic cutness! I did also decide to make some fancy cookies to go along with the cute haphazardness of my kids glue stick creations. I found the idea from an old Family Fun magazine that to this day I have no idea who got me a subscription for it. ..but that is neither here not there.. Basically you make sugar cookies, and use two cookie cutters, a large heart and a smaller heart in the middle, and you bake it with a jolly rancher in the negative space (over pam-sprayed tin foil so you can get the melted mess off in one piece, after it cools of course). The result looks really fancy (for me) and was quite the accomplishment for me who hates rolling out cookies. (especially since you have to WAIT to chill the dough, I don't do well planning ahead normally). Besides the delivering to all their neighborhood friends, I wanted to take some pictures of the kids and I for a Valentine's present for Austin. I had just figured out the self timer on my camera (the first thing I've had to look up so far, yay for intuitive Cannon design) and wanted to play around with it. I also wanted to try out a backdrop and pretend I actually know anything about photography.

I got in some good ones before Austin woke up.
..and he shockingly agreed to attempt some of the whole family. We are notoriously bad with our lack of family pictures. The last formal one was when Sohvi was about 1 1/2. So, even though layout sucks (hey, its hard to compose a picture with you and a baby not in it yet.. and I've never messed around with a timer before). I think its not half bad.

Then, Austin made me a multiple course steak dinner, and sang and played a new song that he wrote for me, because he's probably the best sweetie ever. It was a pretty awesome day.

9 comments:

  1. wow! those cookies really do look fancy! does the jolly rancher harden back up? how fun. those pictures turned out awesome. sounds like you had a great day- thanks for sharing!

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  2. Gees... You know, I could stand there and hold the camera sometime if you need a little help lol.

    The cookies looks fun, unfortunately with my awesome baking skills I would prolly find a way to ruin them.

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  3. those pictures are so great. i love them!!! I cannot believe how big your kids are. It makes me so sad that I do not picture them very big. I still have never ever seen Lucy! that is so stupid and she is so stinkin cute. Your kids all did so good with the pictures, they look so great. how fun!!

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  4. eve - yes, the jolly ranchers harden back up after they cool off.

    T - you are SO welcome to hold the camera anytime you feel like it!

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  5. Liesel!!!! Thanks for finding my Blog! Was the last time we saw each other at Grandma's funeral? I still pictured Sohvi (?) as a baby. She has your smile. I like that Lucy's middle nave is Jane.
    I think I had saw that issue of Family Fun. I was not brave enough to try them.

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  6. Yeah. More bloggers. I had no idea you had one. Well, if you are fair game for Janel- we all get to see. Your family is so cute. And a husband who writes songs for you on Valentines? Well, I am going to add you to my list and check your blog often.

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  7. Love the cookies and I think you're an awesome Mom for going to all that trouble and fun with your kiddos!

    SO glad you blogged the pics-- they're awesome! I hope you order big copies and frame them...

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  8. So i was just looking at the pictures again and I just love them. Your kids look so good. Did you make what Sohvi is wearing? It looks so cute. She is just darling. What a sweet little girl.

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  9. If you want it, I have a recipe for sugar cookies where you don't have to refrigerate the dough. And they're DELICIOUS!!!

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