Bethie's Buzz: Happy Valentine's Day!

Dear Friends and Family,
This Valentine's week has been all about things I love! We took a trip to D.C. to see my friend Nan and Sherri with my other former Commerce co-worker, Nancy. I got to do some sewing again. We celebrated Valentine's Day with Claire's class. Then on Friday, we had a spontaneous playdate with some great friends, and I got a girls' night out! Valentine's Day was made special with cards and gifts to the kids from many of you (and from my awesome husband!). On Sunday we took a trip to Northern, Virgina to see our wonderful Supple family who were in town for our cousin, Kate's volleyball tournament. Monday was a day off for Chris, and with an evening snowstorm, Tuesday turned into another fun day home with Chris!

It had been a while since I've gathered the courage and energy to head down to D.C., but the trips are always so much fun. Luckily, my wonderful friend, Nancy said she would join me to help with the kids. We decided to check out the museums first. Claire suggested we go directly to the rocks and then she took about 100 pictures of them with my phone! Here are a few of the good ones.

After the museums, Nancy and I met some of our fun Commerce friends for lunch!

Claire and her buddy, Nan!

Nancy and Sherri

Me and Sherri!

So happy to be with these two!

Trying to get Will to smile for a picture...

Not happening...

These two!!!

Thursday was Claire's first school Valentine's Day celebration. Claire wrote her name on all of her valentines and helped to make an Elsa and Anna Valentine's mailbox.

Such a great mailbox!

Will is ready for preschool. He pulled up a chair to chow down on the party food with Claire and her classmates!

Claire's friend, Cooper had a pretty awesome mailbox too!


Yes, ready for preschool...

On Friday, Claire wanted to drop off a Valentine to her best friend, Madison, but we were having so much fun saying hello that we just stayed for an all morning playdate!

I think Madison is Will's new girlfriend!

And Madison loves Claire too!

Peek-a-boo!

Will won't even hold my hand!

That's right, caught twice on film...who knows how many times he held her hand when I wasn't looking! No, I'm not jealous...Ok, maybe a little.

Group hugs goodbye!

Friday night, I got to go out for a girls' dinner in D.C. I prepared Claire by telling her that Daddy would be doing bedtime. She started to jump up and down and cheer. Then I said, "Oh honey, I think you misunderstood me. You aren't coming with me. Daddy is doing your bedtime tonight." To which Claire responded, "I know Mom! I'm so excited to get to do bedtime with just Dad!" ...Well color me surprised! But on a serious note, these kids LOVE their dad!

My friends and I ate at a Food Network favorite, Granville Moores. They are famous for their moules/mussels, frites/french fries, and extensive Belgian beer menu. I walked in from the cold and snuggled in at the bar for a drink while I waited for the rest of my crew. The bartender made my night when he asked if he could see some ID! Ha! The girls and I had a great time catching up, and it felt great to have some conversation that wasn't interrupted every few minutes by beautiful, yet insistent, children. We managed a quick photo on our way out the door.

Amanda, Me, Catherine, and Meredith

Saturday was Valentine's day! Chris bought me some beautiful roses and gave me the most wonderful card. The kids were also surprised by all of the Valentine's they received from Aunts, Grandparents, and Great Grandparents. My Dad and Nana Dixie got Claire a dress-up wedding veil that she thinks is like a cape you wear on your head. She loves it!

And then my mom and Papa Ralph got Claire a paper doll that looks just like her! She thinks it's the neatest thing.

That adorable dress she is wearing is one of my latest sewing projects. I just browsed some patterns on Etsy, and found some adorable "princess dresses." The great thing about these patterns is they come with a tutorial that walks you through the whole sewing process. It's like having my mom next to me the whole time. AMAZING!

I think they turned out pretty cute, and Claire LOVES them, so mission accomplished!

To wrap up Valentine's day, Daniel Tiger (a PBS kid's show) has a tradition where they eat heart shaped pizza to celebrate "Love Day", so Claire decided we should make that our tradition too. Claire and I worked together to make this beautiful pizza...

...and it almost looks like a heart. But it tasted delicious!

On Sunday, we found out that Kate was in D.C. competing in a big volleyball tournament. Aunt Sue invited us down to have dinner with them and see the family. We had a GREAT time! Claire was on cloud 9 getting to spend the evening with her favorite cousins!

Aunt Sandy, Cousin Michael, Chris and Uncle Jon

A wiggly Will, Cara, Claire and Kate!

Aunt Sue and Grandma Grace - So pretty!


And Poppy Whistle, Will, and Chris smile for a picture. Grandpa was the only one to really win Will's affections with his peek-a-boo games and loud whistle sounds, otherwise he hung pretty close to Mom and Dad.

Will wasn't sure what to think of Uncle Scott who tried to entice Will into singing, but ended up stealing the show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZTzdqmOW3E

Thanks for having us over Aunt Sue and Uncle Scott! It's always a fun time with the Southees!

Monday night brought lots of snow, so on Tuesday, the kids did their part to help Daddy clear it by shoveling it...