February 23: The "NEW" Valentines Day

Our annual Valentines Celebration (three years and counting, baby) with the nieces was a bit later than usual this year....dubbing it "February 23: The NEW Valentines Day" instead!

**DISCLAIMER: We did indeed narrow down the photo selection, but as you will discover: there are LOTS of PICS, but VERY FEW WORDS in this post! Be warned, and feel free to "abort ship" now if you so choose....

We began the Valentines Party tradition after EA was born. It was originally set up to give "Sister-Momma" and the hubby a date night while we kept the children. However, it has yet to happen that way. You see, "Sister-Momma" likes to be in on the fun....and truthfully, we always welcome her assistance in the celebration!

This year was the first Valentines Party for CL...and we tried to prep EA for the added guest as best we could. You see, she HAD BEEN the center of our attention - until this year... Humor us as we share a few "Party Flashbacks" from our pre-blogging days....

Party One Flashback:

And, then....Party Two Flashback:

This year, two invitations were sent {thanks to lbg studio for the free downloadables}.

Two gifts were made, using the Oliver + S Little Things to Sew as a guide. Both items used these leftover fabrics, as well as La Dee Da Free Spirit / Westminster fabric for the main portion of the doll carrier.

Games were planned (but only for EA this year....CL was napping).

Cookie ingredients were bought, prepped, and ready to go for both girls.

The bag was packed. Important items to note: scissors, sprinkles, camera, heart bowls, heart dishtowel, two spatulas, icing, and....Downton Abbey. What you can't see: liquid stitch, 2 velcro strips, and 2 games.

Then, the fun commenced! Game playing was first...

Then, present opening....

And, finally some cookie baking, decorating, and eating...each girl having a round of cookie baking and decorating to herself {ie: keeping the aunts on the brink of sanity}.

Finally, it was time to enjoy the fruits of our labor...

Fun was had by all, and we've already stored a few party ideas away for next year...

And,if you wondered...."Was the doll carrier a hit?"

Since the celebration, Bitty Baby has kept her eye on the world outside...

Taken a walk around the neighborhood.....

And stopped to smell the flowers. 

SUCCESS? Yes, we think so!