You may recall that on the list of projects I wanted to try this year, February’s task was to post a vlog. I decided to tackle it early in the month, since I didn’t know how long it would take me to figure it out!
So here I am sharing some of our family’s Valentine’s Day traditions. Make sure you tell me some of your ideas for Valentine’s Day fun in the comments!
It was so nice to "meet" you through your vlog, Tracey, and to hear your lovely American accent… Ok, I'll admit it, I love the American accent and it is something about my husband that I really love (although he sounds a lot like an Aussie now, sadly, as he has been steadily losing his accent – I think it must be time for a trip back to America!)!! 🙂
We don't really do anything for "Valentines day"; instead we find another day through the year and make our "love" day a surprise when it's least expected (ie. I'll pick and day when Dan isn't expecting it, and Dan will pick a day when I'm not expecting it). Sometimes we even do that multiple times a year – give each other something special, or I might make a special meal, or do something special together. So – we have our "traditions", but they are not regimented to the day someone else has set, and they are times we really treasure. 🙂
I enjoyed hearing about your traditions though – it sounds like a lot of fun, and I might use some of those ideas for us on our surprise love days! 🙂
Well done, Tracey. I loved being able to hear your voice. Now when I read your blog posts I'll be able to hear you too. So nice to hear about your special Valentines traditions.
We always eat Red Hot Love Burgers, spicy fries and Baskin Robbins Love Potion ice cream for dessert as our special meal. This was a tradition started when we were newly married and broke. The BR ice cream was a big splurge for us. We eat that meal the closest day to Valentine's Day my husband is off work. If he has to work on Valentine's Day I'll make heart shaped grilled cheeses or something like that for the girls and I for dinner on Valentine's Day.
I started making Valentine's treats for my husband and girls a couple of years back instead of buying them. I change things up each year to make it fun.
How cute are you?! I really enjoyed getting to hear your voice and see you in action. Have you ever considered a career in broadcasting/journalism? You'd be great at it. Those are some great ideas for Valentine's Day.
I made breadsticks into X's and O's shapes last year for our Valentine's dinner — hugs and kisses — and plan to incorporate that again this year. We'll also likely be having a layered jello salad that was a big hit at Christmas — it has a red layer and a pink layer, and strawberries suspended in it, and there's a heart insert for my jello mold.
Enjoyed your vlog!
Clara,
What a neat idea to have a surprise "love" day!! I'm sure the element of surprise makes it even more fun and memorable.
I guess I never thought about having an American accent! I had a friend, though, from South Africa and loved hearing her talk. I'm sure your Australian accent would be charming as well!
Janet,
Love your special Valentines meal!! While I enjoy traditions, I also like your suggestion of mixing it up at times to keep things fun. Doing the unexpected can be another way to make memories.
Beth,
You're very kind!! Way back when I started college, I briefly considered journalism, but the print – not broadcasting – version!
Hope you have a great day!
Joanna,
Your comment made me hungry! 🙂 I'm sure the X's and O's breadsticks are too cute!
Great job Tracy! It seems like forever since I have heard your voice but in my head when I read your blog…you sound just like you did tonight. We have made homemade V-cards and this year we are making heart-shaped cookies on a stick. I will send them to school (for Josiah) my others are to "old" for this lol….in a flower pot. I love reading your post and seeing how the girls have grown….take care…
The Journey,
Glad to hear that there are Valentine's Day celebrations happening in Costa Rica! I know the heart-shaped cookies on a stick will be too cute! You always had such creative ideas for your students as well. We pray for you and your family daily – especially with the upcoming birth and the transition to Honduras.
Love the Vlog!!! I've been afraid to try one. I didn't even know what a Blog was less than a year ago! Maybe I will try one before the year is out. 🙂
Thanks for sharing your ideas. I think I'll actually get out our nice dishes and set up the dinning room, instead of our typical kitchen table dinners.
Jennifer @ http://justpeachyindixie.blogspot.com
Oh, this is just so very neat!! I think it's so neat to hear your voice and see your face ~ it really puts a personal touch to an online friendship! Your video is so cute!
I attempted to make a vlog last summer about some curriculum but had some technical issues and then it just got pushed aside… 🙂 Maybe someday.
As for Valentines Day, we make homemade valentines for friends and family, make heart-shaped sugar cookies together, and we love to decorate the house with hearts and other decor. We also are a fan of "treasure hunts", and I'm thinking this year I'm going to hide different colored hearts for each child to find on their "heart hunt". We've never had a traditional meal on that day or anything, but I'm thinking while the kids are still young, it would be fun to start a few more traditions!
I'm hoping to do my annual Valentine's post, but I'm trying to figure out how to upload pics on my parents' computer! 🙂
Again, great to *meet* you! (I hear a bit of an "accent" in your voice…so I'm wondering if you would say the same about me!) Very fun video!
Katie,
Oh, I hope you attempt a vlog again; I'd love to hear and see you in action!
Thanks for reminding me about treasure hunts! We haven't done one in awhile and my girls absolutely love them.
If I don't "talk" to you before then, I hope you have a great weekend and a happy Valentine's Day!
Jennifer,
I hope you do a try a vlog; it's not nearly as difficult as I was afraid it was going to be. (And trust me, I'm no technical or computer guru!)
Tracey, this was wonderful! I've been meaning to get over here to watch this since I saw you mention it on Twitter last week. It's been one of those crazy weeks :).
It's so sweet that your husband gets your girls a Valentine. I think it's so important for our husbands to cherish our girls in ways like this.
This year we were rather swamped on Valentine's Day, as my daughter had soccer practice, so we weren't able to do much. However, I made one of their favorite meals (tacos..lol) and made up a treat bag for each kid and my husband. I also made a trip to the store for strawberry ice cream and made my husband a strawberry milkshake for dessert, which is his favorite.
This was so much fun, thanks for sharing your ideas and traditions. Oh, and how did your girls like their breakfast tarts?
Erin
Erin,
Well, my ten-year-old liked the heart tarts okay, the eight-year-old not as much – but I loved them!! I don't think that was how it was supposed to work out, though, so I'll try a different Valentine's Day breakfast next year. Since I still have some strawberries in the freezer, I almost splurged on strawberry shortcake for dessert that night, but my husband's been doing so well at watching what he eats (read – staying away from sweets), that I didn't.
Sounds like you've been quite busy! Hope you have some time to relax a bit this week!