Happy Valentine's Day!

When I went to bed last night, I was somewhat concerned about it being after midnight, given that I'd be up early with the boys. Turns out, I was right to worry - my expected 5.5 hours of sleep were interrupted at least 5 times by Lyle waking up screaming bloody murder for me and insisting in his raggedy sick voice that I sit on the couch in their room until he went back to sleep. It was so cold in their room that I needed my robe on (and I do have the mother of all warm robes, I swear to you); eventually, I just kept falling back into my bed with this massive fleece robe on, knowing I would be summoned back shortly. Matt's flight home from LA was cancelled and he is expected to make it back late this afternoon. It's still snowing and very windy out there so we are praying he'll be back on time.

But things are looking up. I cancelled my morning session to see how Lyle's doing (I suspected an ear infection during the night), brewed a serious pot of full caff coffee, and am getting caught up on some work in the office upstairs. And the kids are in full Valentine's Day mode (or Clementine's Day, as Lyle says) - as the clock was striking midnight last night I was putting their treats on red placemats with the heart napkins so they'd see them at breakfast, and taping the cards they've made and received all over the play room. It looked so festive when they got up this morning. I let them have candy after breakfast, and we had a good time. Baxter headed off to school with cards for his class, chocolate in his lunchbox, and a few special "Clementines" for his new love.

I just love these kids and look forward to my wonderful husband returning home. It's sure to be a great Clementine's Day.