Valentine’s Day Festivities

We didn’t really do much for Valentine’s day this year because of things that just had to be done this weekend- ticket booth decor to be put together, dance practices, and Olympics to watch. We aren’t huge sports fans, but we always make a point of sitting and watching at least some of the Olympics when they come around. Figure skating is one of our absolute favorites in the winter set and the pairs kicked it off Sunday night. We actually did have the option of going out as the youth were offering babysitting at the church, but I was wanting to see a movie and the times just weren’t working on the movies I wanted to see with the babysitting hours. Either the movies started too early or too late, and I just didn’t see spending a bunch of money on a movie I wasn’t sure I would enjoy. So, we just stayed home and watched Olympics. Mark brought me flowers yesterday and the kids got a few conversation hearts and some valentine socks for the girls and a few $ for Bryce, so the day did not go unacknowledged.

The first grade valentine celebration was on Friday, and since it was only a half-day of school the party was at 11A. The teachers decided to go with a breakfast food theme, and we had to think of something healthy to bring as the school got some sort of grant that requires it- no loads of cookies, cakes, candy and what-not at parties any more. I was at a bit of a loss as to what to bring for a while, but when I was walking through the mall on Thursday afternoon looking for some peace sign earrings for Brenna's hippie costume and I went by one of the pretzel places and that reminded me that I had a quick recipe for soft pretzels. So,  Sarah and I made pretzels Friday morning to take to the party.

Here’s the recipe ;)
Soft Pretzels
3 pkgs dry yeast
2 1/4 C warm water
1 tsp sugar
*Stir yeast, water and sugar together until dissovled, and let rise until foamy.
*Add 6 3/4 C flour, kneading well until smooth. Let rise 15 minutes.
*In a small bowl, mix 1/2 C lukewarm water and 4 tsp. baking soda.
*Shape dough into rolls and slice. Roll out each slice into pencil shape and twist into a pretzel shape. Dip each pretzel into soda water and place on greased sheet. Sprinkle with salt or other mixture of your choice. I used a cinnamon-sugar mix made with 1 T sugar and 1 tsp. cinnamon.
Bake at 375 F for 15 minutes.
*Makes 30 medium size pretzels, or 60 mini size.

 
journaling: Sarah helped make mini heart-shaped, cinnamon-sugar pretzels to take to Brenna’s first grade valentine party. Healthy & yummy, they were a hit with everyone!
credits: by Tania Shaw at funkyplaygrounddesigns: My One True Love, Newsprint Journaling Tags, Layered Up in You Volume 3; fonts: Bradley Hand ITC

and this LO is not related to any particular event, just recording a day when Sarah was in one of her goofy moods and was laughing outrageously at just about everything. I did it for the Studio NeeNee playday at Scrapbookgraphics.
 
journaling:   Some days Sarah is in a really funny mood and she just laughs and laughs at every little thing, whether it is funny or not. laughter is contgious, and soon you can’t help but laugh right along with her.
credits: Estranged Collection, Moments in Time alpha, and Metallicalpha: Red by Flergs, Templatz Vol 3 by NeeNee; fonts: Hopscotch Plain, Gigi, Century Gothic

And a couple of layouts showing off the first grade valentine festivities that Brenna participated in this year.

 
journaling: It’s time for the annual school tradition- exchanging valentines with your classmates. Brenna had fun getting her cards ready and decorating a container to collect them all in for the party on Feb 12th. First grade
credits: My Beloved by Pixel Works and Rachel Young at scrapartist; Scrap Pad Templates Designer Love: Amy Wolff by Amy Martin at The-LilyPad; fonts: Typewriter, Ticket Capitals Impressed

journaling: Brenna’s first grade class celebrated the day of love with a brunch themed celebration before the end of their half-day of class. Word searches, passing out valentines and a box contest along with lots of yummy food kept the kids well entertained during the hour.
credits: by Dianne Rigdon at scrapartist.com: Happy Together papers, solids and elements, Shabby Love elements soft things and shiny things; template by Amy Martin from Port Au Prince at songbirdavenue; fonts: Typewriter