Happy Valentine's Day

Williamsburg, 2016

So I went to the drug store prepared to buy the kind of old school pre-made Valentine's I remember getting at school, but they were all terrible.

I just couldn't bring myself to get the Star Wars cards-with-fake-tattoo kit or glittery Frozen-branded ephemera when the boys are so little and have no idea who Darth Vader is anyway. Axel calls "Olaf" Elmo. He loves his screen time, don't get me wrong, I'm just not into lining Disney's pockets more than I must.

Anyway, so with the best of intentions, I thought a freezing day would be a good excuse for some very simple crafts at home.

Sounds cute, but Ozzy sensed there were hidden treats involved (I am bringing the mini M&M packets separately for Axel's school party) and just careened around saying "Trick or Treat!" while Axel stamped about five hearts with a crab stamp and got bored.

In the interest of full disclosure these were mainly made by our nanny. But you know, "love"! It takes a village, etc.

V Day

Williamsburg, 2015

Ack is there anything cuter than nursery school Valentines?

V-Day!

Peonies at the Georges V, Paris, 2010

This Valentine's Day is not likely to include Champagne or chocolate (primarily because Will made an insanely good flourless chocolate cake this weekend, using chocolate chips from Mast Brothers, and we've been ODing on it ever since.)

Instead, we're thinking of going to Roberta's for some of their very excellent brick-oven pizza and, er, some lemonade. Home by 10, no doubt.

This, incidentally (with the addition of plenty of wine) was how we celebrated Valentine's Day two years ago, after Will googled "Is it cheesy to propose on Valentine's Day?" and decided that it was, in fact, cheesy. He delayed for three weeks and we had a mellow night instead. Last year, we drank Champagne, ordered Vietnamese food, and watched Let The Right One In. Not big prix fixe, foam tasting menu kind of people.

I hope you guys will have some vino on my behalf, however.

Istanbul, 2011 (Have some for me...)