February, how I love thee! Let me count the ways:

1. I love your warm, sunny skies and lack of Florida humidity (though today happened to be an exception). Sunshine = outdoor playtime + picnics + good hair days + good mood.

2. I love Valentine’s Day and all its trimmings: cards, hearts, flowers, candy, the color pink, and hugs and kisses from my sweetheart. Any holiday where chocolate is the main gift is A-okay with me.

3. I love being done with the bulk of the tax forms for my bookkeeping job. WAHOO!

4. I love coming to the point where I realize most of my New Year’s resolutions were worthless and I can show myself some grace. And eat more chocolate.

5. I love having a six-month-old and a three and a half-year-old (those half-years make a big difference).

6. I love when people visit us. This is the month when Mickey Mouse and palm trees start to look really appealing.

(At Downtown Disney with Uncle Dan & Aunt Liz)

7. I love dressing my children up like this:

(Noah, age 6 months)

Even when they react like this:

Here’s to a fabulous February!

… seeing your husband in a tuxedo.

… watching two dear friends get married.

… getting dressed up, even when your belly looks like a big, wrapped present. (Which it is.)

Beki’s Masterpiece

Ask, and ye shall receive. Look what arrived on my doorstep last night, in the hands of a smiling Beki.

She took the hint and made me a chicken pot pie. And I haven’t even had the baby yet.

I love when Christmas presents come wrapped in pastry. It beats gift wrap and tissue paper every time. And when two gifts of the pie-variety arrive in one day, I just about die of happiness.

Look what else I was greeted with yesterday, in the hands of a smiling Carol Beth:

Her world-renowned, five star, award-winning chocolate pecan pie. She bakes me one every Christmas, and I pine for it all year long.

Two pies in one day. Is this heaven?

No, it’s Florida.

If you don’t hear from me for a few days, it’s because I’m in a self-induced pie coma. And loving every minute of it.

… A fortifying beach day breakfast of Fruit Loops (hey, it’s vacation);

… Three trips to the beach in four days;

… Quality time with your big sister;

… When the world is your sandbox;

… And your mama is your La-Z-Boy;

… Watching the tide go out;

… And come IN;

… And getting a reassuring hug afterwards.

… Cousin Jack, enjoying his first trip to the splash park with Noah. Let the vacation begin!

… Anticipating your sister’s arrival in just 15 hours! Jenni and my nephew Jack will be visiting from Colorado through Tuesday, and I am doing the dance of joy.