I say I'm not a romantic.  But I think I kind of am!  I love my guy with all my heart, and I get so giddy when he shows me how much he adores me.  But, the last few Valentines Days it's been so hard to spend our day as a "couple."  We usually have soccer practice to get to, a dance class to teach, and homework to help with.  So we have started a new tradition.

We started a Family Valentines Date night.  We get a pizza for the kids, and they eat it watching TV, in the other room.  Jason will make him and I a nice romantic dinner of steak and lobster cakes!  (He knows the way to my heart!)  And then after dinner, we have Family Fondue Night!


We make Chocolate Fondue with all the fixings!  Shortbread, Pound cake, Pretzels, Heart-shaped Marshmallows, Raspberries, Strawberries, and Bananas.  We sit around candles and we share a yummy treat, and we take turns telling everyone why we love each other.  It's one of my favorite traditions.

We feel it's important to show our children how much my Hubby and I love each other.  We make sure we do date nights, and that we hold hands and cuddle in front of our children.  We want them to know what a loving healthy relationship looks like.  We also want them to know how much we love them.  How our family only works because of the love and respect we each have for one another.  I love taking this night and focusing it on how much our family loves each other and how important it is to show it.  Not just on this one day, but everyday.

I love that we turned our Valentine's Day into a family day of love.

One of my kids favorite things is getting a yummy drink with dinner.  I made this "love potion" with Cherry 7up, Raspberry Sherbet and topped it off with some whipped cream and a cherry on top!  So fun!

I found these ADORABLE chalk board glasses at Burlington Coat Factory for only $6.

I am excited to come up with some other drinks for my new glasses!

About six years ago my hubby and I decided to make a game out of Valentine gifts for each other.  We decided we could not spend more than $5.

It's been so fun to see what we each have come up with.  But I tell you, it's hard to think of something creative each year.

This year I was watching a movie and it had a couple carving their initials in a tree.  It's that cliche' romantic thing, and it's timeless.  I thought "hey, that would actually look cool on a table or book shelf!"

So the hunt started.  I wanted a birch log, because of the white bark.  I searched and then found the perfect log.  I cut the bottom so that it would be level.  Then I found a screw driver and a hammer, and I carved out a heart, and our initials.  All in all the project took about an hour and I really LOVE it.

I can't wait to give it to the hubby.  I think it will be right up his ally!

Do you have any favorite gifts you have given or made for your man for Valentines Day?