Meredith Carson... Across the Pond and Back Again...

Valentine's Day used to be for lovers, right?  When I was a kid in elementary school, we gave out little paper cards, and somebody's mama would bring in cookies and juice.  This all took about half an hour out of our school day, and then we went right back to our math worksheets.  We knew that grown ups might have a night out on the town with champagne, roses and chocolates because Valentine's Day was primarily about romantic love, something that we, as 4th graders, had no interest in. Somehow this has all changed.  I do not have issues with the fact that the holiday has metamorphosed into a day that embraces children as well as lovers, but I do think that we have taken Valentine's Day for children way over the top.  Yesterday at school my kids had parties that included elaborate games (Cupid's archery, anyone?), craft projects, a sugar-laden refreshment buffet, and scads of trashy, plastic party favors.  The kids all gave each other not only paper car...

My British friends will understand the title reference. The rest of you can just go with it. Lili is terrified by the sound that our blender makes, but she finds the end result to be wonderful and refreshing.  Baby loves chocolate-banana milkshakes made with healthy wonderfulness.  And just as importantly... Baby knows when she's had enough, and she knows how to communicate it. Knowing when to say when (particularly when chocolate is involved) is an important life lesson, and as usual our Lil is ahead of the game.