Heart Hunt

When I was a kid there was one Valentine’s Day that my mom put together a scavenger hunt. It’s a blissful memory for me, and so last year, I thought I’d do the same for our kids.

Kate loved it. For the past year, she’s recited last year’s clues and has endlessly talked about next year’s scavenger hunt. And Cole, and man of many words, really had nothing negative to say about it either. So, naturally, when Valentine’s Day 2012 rolled around, along came the 2nd Annual Heart Hunt.

But before the hunt…a romantic candlelight dinner for four…in our kitchen. Dave brought home Carrabba’s takeout and we cracked open some sparkling cider. Kate loved her fancy glass stemware; but even more so, her bread and dipping oils. And Cole liked trying to blow out the candles.

The hunt begins:Kate chases her way up and down the stairs and all through the house in search of red and pink heart clues.

Meanwhile, Cole could care less and seizes the opportunity to love on Kate’s “pink hearts” blankie while she’s not looking:
In the end, Brother and Sister snag their Valentine’s surprise in the kitchen pantry.
Immediately after, Grandma Sherrie and Grandpa Lyle dropped in to deliver their valentines to our family. Cole is a guy’s guy and chose Grandpa to be his Valentine. He spent the night on Grandpa’s lap holding “boons” (balloons) and replaying his singing “Alvin and the Chipmunk’s” card over and over and over.
Kate decided she wasn’t done with the scavenger hunt business. She began hiding clues of her own around the house. Dave and I spent the night, and the days following, doing her scavenger hunts, which amazingly never grows old for her. She glows and squeals with joy every time we find a clue.
Love having so much to love. Happy Valentine’s.