Valentines Day

We recently had Valentines day and I really don't get into that holiday much. I mean I love that my husband gave me flowers and all that but I don't go crazy with it and don't care too much if I get something or not. I appreciate it, but I don't live for it. I do, however, remember what it was like when I was a teenage girl. This is a holiday that can make your day or make your self esteem go into the toilet. I remember the feeling of walking through school and feeling like you are the only one there that didn't get a card, balloon, flower, candy, or anything that meant someone might know you existed. (Lets face it, teenage girls tend to exaggerate) I had some Valentines days when I did get something but the ones I really remember are those when I didn't. The old saying of its better to give than to receive...lets just say that doesn't apply to Valentines day when you are a teenage girl. A teenage girls self esteem is fragile as it is, but when you add 7 million other girls walking around with their loot, arm in arm with their boy, well...lets just say it totally sucks! I am glad I have grown up and gotten past that feeling. It makes me happier when I get flowers or whatever on just a "regular" "no reason" kind of day now.

All that being said and as the mother of teenage boys I feel I have a little insight into this and think its my duty to help them understand a little tiny bit about girls. We had a conversation at dinner the sunday before Valentines day that went something like this:

Mom- "So boys, Valentines day is coming up...what are you doing for your girls?"

Boys-(chewing) "uhhhhh, idmmunnommm" "mmmnno mmonmmeymm"

Mom-"you don't have to spend money to let someone know you care about them"

Boys-(still chewing)"uhhhh mmmllliikeemmm mwhaamt"

Mom-"I know you don't really care about Valentines day but I'll let you in on a little secret,

girls do. Especially teenage girls."

Boys-"Uhhhh" (eyes rolling)

Mom-(thinking in my head that this is why I have told their sister her whole life that boys are dumb) (I mean that in the I totally adore my boys kind of way)

"Girls just want someone or something to acknowledge that she is alive on this of all days. It doesn't have to mean you are in love with her-which you better not be-it just means you are her friend and you care about her." (Heavy accent on the word friend)

Justin-"I already gave one to Kenzie (not his sister BTW) when I took her out." (Practically

patting himself on the back)

Mom-"Thats great but I'm sure there is another girl who would love to get something." "What

about Danielle. I'm sure she would love something." (Danielle is one of his best friends)

"After dinner I am getting out my scrappin stuff and you boys are making cards!"

Boys-"We don't know how to do that, they will look stupid."

Mom-"That's why you have me. You know I won't let them look stupid. This is gonna be fun!"

Boys-mumble, grumble

So dinner got over, I got out all my red, pink, and girlie stuff and together we created 3 super cute cards. I helped them with a few ideas and cut out some hearts and stuff for them but they pretty much did it on their own. They even had fun doing it. Even Colten, although I doubt he will admit to that.

Bridger will never admit to "liking" any girl but I hear rumors from others that he does. He will never admit to any specific name. He kept saying it was going to be for girlfriend #7. In the end girlfriend #7 did have a name. I only know this because he put it on her card.

Colten, the one with the bad attitude, refused to act like he was having any fun at all but when it was all over he came and asked me if I had a nice pen. In Colten speak that means I'm pretty proud of what I just did and I want it to look good.

You can just see the attitude oozing from his face:)

Justin sent his in the mail to Danielle who recentlty moved to Kuna. Reports from her are that she loved the card. On a side note, after school on Vday he said he wished he had done some more to just give to girls at school. Apparently he heard from girls (not sure if it was told to him or overheard) how horrible it was to see everyone with their balloons and flowers and whatever, and be the one walking around empty handed. Ha, the mom is right...AGAIN!

Now I'm totally not encouraging my boys to have a girlfriend, I just really want to teach them that the little things can make all the difference in how a girl feels about herself. They will need to know this for the rest of forever. Their dad does a good job of doing "the little things" and I hope my boys will pick up on that and treat all the girls in their life and especially their future wives this way.

That's all!