The Girls get flowers
February 15th, 2008
The Valentine Fairy was a hit. Even if her basket was green and just happened to be last year’s Easter basket. What’s not to love? Cookies, hearts, some tulle and a bashful smile…I think she did pretty good. I think Valentine’s Day is my new favorite holiday, next to Christmas and Halloween. Shoot. I think every holiday is my new favorite holiday now that I have a kid.
Bug’s had a shy streak lately. Just in the last two days. I’ll ask her to smile at the camera and she looks away. I think she’s finally made the connection between me telling her to smile or act goofy and the many many images she sees on my laptop. Making the Two movie has sort of been a turning point for her. She wants to watch it over and over but then tries to act out each part as it’s happening, which is pretty hilarious because it involves climbing up and down from my chair to act out the dancing parts and then climbing back up to see what is happening next.
She’s such a nut.
Today was super fun because Toby started a NEW tradition! I’m sure it was because Valentine’s Day snuck up on him and he completely forgot to get us something but what happened instead was ten million times better than any gigantic bouquet of roses or chocolate or jewelry he could have gotten. He decided to take us both to the flower stand and let us pick out our own flowers! Hot Dog!
This is great for so many reasons. I don’t even know where to start really. I think first of all it was something we did together as a family. I often stare out my kitchen window and watch the families walking by on their way to the coffee shop near our house. I’m so jealous of them as they meander lazily sipping their coffee and pushing their double stroller with their 1.5 kids. Bug and I walk every where together so it’s not the walking I’m jealous of. It’s the Dad time.
I’m not knocking Toby’s time management skills, far from it. He is a very very very good father and spends plenty of quality time with me and Bug. But he also works a LOT. He hardly ever goes anywhere with us. If I want to have a fun adventure, it’s usually just Bug and me. I’ve come to accept this as part of the breaks of being a one income family. I wouldn’t trade this life for anything. But I can’t say I don’t often stare wistfully at those kids walking by with both parents in tow.
The other great thing about our little venture to the flower shop is that I LOVE FLOWERS!!!! I love them so much I used to work at the exact shop we visited today. It was a great job. Talk about low stress. It’s the cutest little out door stand with all the best selection. The prices are not Conroys, for sure, but the atmosphere makes you feel like you’re walking along the Seine. And I should know. I’ve been to Paris to compare.
Toby has bought me flowers here before and they are very very sweet. Toby has excellent taste but between you and me it’s so much more fun to pick them out yourself! I love making bouquets so much sometimes I just want to hang around and work there again. So letting Baby Bug participate in that fun was just a whole other level of loveliness!
Of course Baby Bug LOVES flowers too. Hello, one hour walks examining every single flower in a one block radius. We’ve often looked at the flowers in the flower shop on our walks but I’ve always had her tightly strapped into the stroller for fear she might pull a Tasmanian devil child maneuver on me and I’d end up buying flowers I didn’t really have the money for. So this time letting her go free was an adventure in itself. And let me just say I’m glad Toby was there. It took two of us to reign her in. She had a blast.
I have to say she has pretty good taste too. She picked a lovely bouquet of pinks and purples and GREEEEEEEEEENs! I didn’t know there were so many green flowers but Baby Bug found them. Never underestimate the power of a color selective child! She’s so funny.
I think we both came away with beautiful bouquets and they cost a fourth of what Toby thought he was gong to spend on us. I say that’s a win win because I really don’t like those long stemmed expensive red roses anyway! I think we’ll do this again next year.
February 15th, 2008 at 3:57 am
Bug and flowers, that’s pretty cute.
Happy Valentine’s Day. I’m spending Valentine on the other side of the world. My wife is in Taiwan and I’m in Quebec, Canada for the next few months.
February 15th, 2008 at 5:06 am
that’s awesome. but you know what I liked most about the pictures with toby in them? the stickers on his pants that I feel quite certain his little girl must have given him. I love that he left them there.
February 15th, 2008 at 5:32 am
Oh SAj what a gorgeous post. I love the outdoor flower stand and your bouquets are magnificent, I love BB’s ,I am partial to green myself. And it’s sunny, I’m in the U.K and it’s still still still freezing.
February 15th, 2008 at 6:01 am
That is one cute Valentine’s fairy…
February 15th, 2008 at 6:19 am
Awww… I love the pics and the story of your trip to get flowers. =)
February 15th, 2008 at 6:39 am
He’s a good man, your Toby! And his love for his girls shows. Precious quality time is special!
Happy belated Valentines Day!
February 15th, 2008 at 7:05 am
How fun! Totally loving the pictures of no coats and fresh flowers outside! We’re looking at a high of 5 degrees today.
I certainly understand watching the ‘families’ on their adventures. For the most part, it’s “Me and three” as my husband works long hours and travels, leaving me to comandeer the three kids if they want any sort of adventure.
Take heart, there are the good old days.
February 15th, 2008 at 7:28 am
Those flowers are just gorgeous.
February 15th, 2008 at 7:47 am
LOVE the flowers! BB did a great job picking her flowers…even the green ones are gorgeous!
February 15th, 2008 at 8:02 am
Oh, I just love that!
February 15th, 2008 at 8:12 am
What a fun adventure and YES a great tradition to start! That flower stand is too cute!
February 15th, 2008 at 8:38 am
I never tire of flowers. You guys picked some really pretty ones!
Way to go on the good idea, Toby!
February 15th, 2008 at 8:49 am
What a lovely tradition to start for Baby Bug! She’s going to cherish that time with you both, but the special gift from her Dad and look forward to it each year. It’s amazing how much something that to them(the Dads) seems so small but to a child is HUGE. Beautiful photos, she’s got great taste.
February 15th, 2008 at 8:52 am
Sounds like a lovely V-day! And those are some equally as lovely flowers!
February 15th, 2008 at 8:59 am
that’s such a sweet activity. and the flowers are beautiful! :)
February 15th, 2008 at 9:13 am
I am sniffling – what a lovely adventure for Toby and his girls! Outings like that are the BEST!
Beautiful flowers too – you (and Baby Bug) have great taste.
February 15th, 2008 at 9:17 am
I think there must be something in her genes. Flowers have been a very important part of our lives for generations. Also there is a strand of artistic talent that just comes naturally on the other side of the family. What a combination! Fan that flame.
February 15th, 2008 at 9:36 am
That’s such a gorgeous bouquet and an awesome story to go with it : )
February 15th, 2008 at 9:59 am
I love this new tradition… and what gorgeous flowers.
February 15th, 2008 at 11:44 am
What a great idea! The flowers are amazing! I love flowers but yesterday all I received was an “old lady” box of candy. I’ve been telling everyone so thought I would share with you also. haha
February 15th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
What a fantastic tradition! Maybe you can have v-day every month? =)
February 15th, 2008 at 3:05 pm
Oooo so pretty, and we made paper ones, pooo!
The new banner, another knocker outta the ball parker!
February 15th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
Wow. You are SO talented – I love your new header!
You guys got some sweet flowers, and yea, that sounds like a pretty cool tradition.
February 15th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
That is SO fun, love the pictures and the flowers are gorgeous! Such colourful fun pictures! Such a cute family outing! Way to go Toby!
February 15th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
p.s. I also LOVE your new header, it’s beautiful and fun!
February 15th, 2008 at 5:32 pm
She is exquisite and what a perfect little Valentine fairy she made…a beautiful little girl!
February 15th, 2008 at 6:44 pm
What a great tradition to start! I might actually come to like V-day with something like that. I’m glad you all got some nice family time.
February 15th, 2008 at 7:13 pm
What a nice way to celebrate Valentine’s. I’ll have to try that as well. Up here in Canada we have to buy our flowers in a store since it’s so cold!!! How I envy you down there. Enjoy your flowers with BB
February 15th, 2008 at 8:20 pm
I like Baby Bug’s outfit in the first picture. Her expression is cute too. :-)
February 15th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
Sniff, what gorgeous shots and a beautiful new tradition.
February 15th, 2008 at 9:50 pm
what a great tradition to start :^)
February 15th, 2008 at 10:23 pm
I love BB’s bouquet! And I also think it’s fantastic that Toby left the stickers on his pants. I walk around like that myself on occasion. :-)
February 15th, 2008 at 11:36 pm
Just wanted to say hello and tell you how much I’ve enjoyed your blog. Your little Bug couldn’t be more precious and beguiling. I have my own little Bug as well(a little girl Chihuahua) who is also a blond!
I think my favorite picture is the one of her little hands and the cookie dough. Just beautiful. :)
With warm regards,
Anam
February 16th, 2008 at 12:37 am
I love it, what a beautiful tradition and so spontaneous!
February 16th, 2008 at 9:42 am
Lovely, lovely post – the photos, the sharing, the story, the love, the flowers (oh I love flowers!)…. thank you for posting this :)
February 16th, 2008 at 9:43 am
Oh, I just noticed your new header – looks like you just came from here (Maui) :)
February 16th, 2008 at 5:31 pm
BB’s bouquet is, like, professional! Ya’ll could start a business…
February 16th, 2008 at 7:14 pm
Wow, I just love all those flowers. The first photo at the flower shop with all the hydrangeas is gorgeous, they are calling out to me. Your beautiful photos make me yearn for Spring as I sit here waiting for another winter storm. Ahhh… Thank you for posting such beautiful and colourful photos they are helping to keep me sane in this slew of white.
February 16th, 2008 at 8:03 pm
Best Valentine’s Day post I’ve read yet! So cute, so sweet, so perfect. If I could adopt your whole family, I would.
February 16th, 2008 at 11:11 pm
Looking at this post again, I’m thinking you’ve brought the color back to your blog quite nicely. :-)
February 17th, 2008 at 6:53 am
Awwww… That IS a great gift…truly a ME bouquet.
February 17th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
This is such a beautiful tradition to begin! What a lovely lovely lovely way to celebrate Valentine’s as a family.
February 18th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
I love the green button mums! I picked them out for my bridal bouquet :)
February 18th, 2008 at 7:50 pm
Yes, she does have very good taste. It’s a beautiful bouquet.
February 20th, 2008 at 10:26 am
I always think I’m never going to have kids, and then I see videos like this one, and I wonder how and when I can get me a Baby Bug =) What an absolute angel!