What Are You Doing for Valentine's Day?

We're feeding the kids "kid food" and putting them down early! Then having a candle light dinner with take out from Harry's.

My husband and I have to work but I'm really hoping to get to the Hallmark store to get him something nice, like El Toro of Love LOL

I'm hoping he gets me Bernice the Dragon because she'll go well with the ear-flappin' hippo I got last year LOL

One year my husband surprised me with what he called "your big, fat, Greek Valentine's Day"... he had bought the movie "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" and picked up two gyro platters from a Greek restaurant to go. Give the kids their own dinner, put them down to bed, and have a romantic themed night in! That's what we're probably going to do... but I'll leave the theme up to him.

Dear M.:
If I could suggest via personal experience, as I am now beyond baby years, with the exception of Grand Babies. :) When our little ones (4 in all) were young, we made a special date night for ourselves at home. Once the darlings were all tucked in, we set up our own bedroom with candlelight w/aroma.
I would usually have a nice hot bath ready for my beloved to soak in while I tucked the kids in, and got them fully to sleep. Then, I had easy finger sandwhiches, cheese and crackers, sometimes summer sausage too; and a glass of wine on occasion, if the budget permitted. If you are opposed to any alchohol, then sparkling cider is a nice addition. We would play soft melodies, instrumental, or Christian love songs. We would share dreams, hopes. Often times as a special treat, give one another a back massage as well, and get totally relaxed in one anothers caring presence. I hope this helps. Valentines Day is not meant for family fun. Have your fun with the little ones, baking cupcakes or something, and perhaps they can help set up the plates in advance with you, seran wrap them and place in fridge, and they will then be ready, and the girls can have fun while Mommy prepares for the day. Just remember your marriage is like a garden. It needs to be weeded, watered and given love and sunshine, to grow strong. Dates are important, be it at home or out. Your little ones will benefit greatly from a Mommy and Daddy who tend to their garden of love and marriage, in far more ways than you can imagine at this early time in their lives. Blessings on your holiday...L. J

First watch a cute movie with the kids, have a fun snack, popcorn. Then put them to bed early! Then the two of you enjoy some kind of sumptueous snack like chocolate covered strawberries(?) and champange, and watch a very romantic movie. That's a nice evening.

Medieval times, no seriously, we got a babysitter (YES!!), but if we hadnt we planned on watching sappy movies and sipping on some bubbly in bed after the kids had gone to sleep. For the kids, we already made crafts: cards, hats, pipe cleaner flowers, and friendship bracelets.
Check out this website for ideas:
http://crafts.kaboose.com/valentines-day-crafts.html

Have fun!!

I think one of the most romantic things you can do is to have an indoor picnic. Start with one for the whole family and serve some kid friendly food (cut in heart shapes of course) and some qppetizers for you and dh. Talk about how much you love your girls and each other and if the girls want to express their love for all of you, super. If not, they will be learning how to express their love from you and dh. Then the girls will go to bed and you and dh can continue to picnic with candlelight. The food in not too important, it's the atmosphere and love that counts. Hope this helps, S.

My girls are older now, but for years we did "Valentine" Cookies or Cupcakes and it was hands on fun for everyone. Your 5 year old can help crack eggs, pour measured ingredients into the bowl, help stir, etc. Your 3 year old can help decorate the goodies. Let them help make dinner and help set a "special" table for the night,maybe even with place cards with everone's name on it that are homemade with red or pink construction paper and doilies? Later, you and your spouse can have some candle lit time and even a back massage.

You should go to Midevil Times:) I've been where you are many times, I hope you have a great Valentines Day!

I have been in your shoes before. I would like to tell what I usually do for valentie's seeing I can never get a babysitter for that night. I put the kids to bed and make my husband stay in the room and wait for me. I cook a nice dinner and I turn off the lights in the living room and spread a blanket out on the floor. Light some candles and bring out the wine (if you drink). Have a "table" set for when your husband comes out of the room and the two of you can have your own private valentine dinner at home. trust me it works! I do this about 3 times a year for my hubby and he loves it! It is cheaper than going out and it means more to him. You could also put on lingerie before he comes out and this really gets him excited b/c he had to wait until dinner and you are his dessert! Try it, that is all i am going to say! Good Luck and have fun!
K.

Maybe a movie and dinner (not anywhere to fancy though). Or a walk down on the Riverwalk.

What you can do is feed the kids early and put them to bed and then you to canhave a nice dinner at home .. steak and baked potatoes and a salad and a bottle of wine if you drink

My husband likes a restaurant called Shogun. They cook in front of you and make little fire volcanos etc. It is a nice restaurant to go to as a couple but also as a family. It is very entertaining for the kids and you can still enjoy the time together as a couple. If you want to go out I would definately suggest something like that.

We let the kids pick their favorite place to eat and go there or I fix their favorites for dinner and watch a cute moive! The kids feel really special and will behave because it is a big deal! Then my husband and I try to go out to dinner another night and make that special for just us! It is usually cheeper and less crowded! Hope this helps and have a HAPPY VALENTINE's!
S.
mommy of 3

Have you looked at going to a theatre that might have plays suitable for kids? Check to see what is playing at the Kudzu Playhouse in Roswell. They often have good plays that are kid content friendly. That way you and your hubby get the experience of the theatre but the kids can come and enjoy too. Good luck and Happy Valentine's Day!

I have a 3 year old daughter myself and my husband and I have a tradition for Valentine's day that has worked well for us and been fun. My husband cooks for his "girls" and sets up the candles on the table and all like he would for me...he sets out the wine glasses for all 3 of us and we put bubbly juice of some kind in her glass to mimic our adult drinks and we all eat together by candlelight. It's a lot of fun and still gives us some special time alone. We make sure all phones, tv and such are off and have just some music in the background soft (doesn't have to be romantic music, just soft) and our daughter seems to really enjoy it. It's fun to hear her comments about everything that you know kids see differently...which provides for good conversation too. Afterwards, when we put her to bed we enjoy some time together alone as well. I hope this helps and happy valentine's day to you and yours!!!

when you have a family with young children, and i have had that for the past twenty one years, you have to make the best of every situation. realize that first of all, the little ones do not like to get all dressed up and wait at a fancy restaurant. second of all, if you take them to monkey joes, wheres the fun in that for mom and dad. i suggest that you get them to help you make a great dinner at home...if that means hotdogs and spaghettios for them, then so be it. then get them dressed up and have a valentines party on their level. when the little loves, or holligans if you prefer are sound asleep, you and hubby can have a romantic dinner sans children. we have four children from 21 down to 9. we have done this for many years. were still crazy about each other after all these years. or is that just crazy...hehe

I'm not really doing anything with my children because my baby is only 19 months and my son will have a party at school. As for me and my husband I am making him a heart shaped cake that has arms and legs that I got out of a magazine,a chocolate doggy and a certificatte saying that he's entitled to unlimited love and affection that I put his name on and signed it. I also seen giant cards and a little booklet of coupons for special things like messages ect... He has bought me diamond earrings. So for us the gift giving is out of the way and we usually spend our time on special days after the kids go to bed together doing something like watching a movie or cuddling and maybe even a special dinner or something special and romantic in the bedroom.

we may treat the kids to the Zoo the weekend after. Get take out of their choosing , the last thing I want to do is take my kids to a resturant on one of the busiest eat out days of the year too much stress for me. Prob end up being Chinese. or Do spaghetti and watch lady and the tramp. havnt really decided yet.

I would either go out for ice cream or have an ice cream party at home complete with sprinkles, chocolate syrup, etc!! The girls will love it and feel special. Plan a night out with your spouse when the restaurants are less crowded and babysitters are available!