Tis true.

I’m a sucker for surprises.

Getting them and giving them.

It’s fun to make people happy.

I overdo things so much on holidays, it’s shocking my kids didn’t get an enormous stuffed groundhog on Groundhog’s Day.

And, while Valentine’s Day is still fun in the romantic sense, it’s become even more fun for me since Luca and Leo came along.

Last night, I set up a Valentine’s morning love-fest for all my boys, big and small.

I posted this picture on my social media networks and got plenty of, “Wow! You sure do go all out!”

But, my friend Nicole really hit the nail on the head, as to why I always go big or go home.

I even bought my husband three separate cards, because I loved them and HOW COULD ANYONE EXPECT ME TO MAKE SUCH AN ENORMOUS DECISION AND JUST CHOOSE ONE?

The boys eyes popped out of their heads as they walked into our kitchen this morning.

We sat cross-legged on the floor and dug through the goodies and sweet-treats.

And, this is when it dawned on me just how different my boys’ personalities are.

I turned Luca’s lobster on for him….

And, immediately, he clasped a hand over each of his ears.

Mommy, it’s so loud.

I jumped over him to shut the thing up, and then went to hunt down my little escapee, Leo, to give him his flamingo….

In seconds, his expression went from curious to hesitant. I assumed he’d followed Luca’s lead, and quickly turned it off.

That’s when he began to cry…for me to turn it back on.

And then he danced.

Right before we left for school, I found Luca in the den inspecting his red-hot lobster. This time, he turned it on himself.

And then he laughed.

Sure enough, he just needed some time to warm up to it on his own terms…like everything in life.

This is the blueprint for all things that come their way.

They couldn’t be more different, or more perfect, in their own way.

And, whaddya know, someone even remembered mommy!

My husband surprised me with a Leo to match my Luca.

Which, made my surprises for him seem…not as romantic.

Happy Valentine’s Day! I’m on my period and here’s three cards and a Kurt Vonnegut shirt…

If you’re not a Vonnegut fan, but you still think you have an idea as to what this is, you’re…ahem…probably right…even though you don’t want to be.

Yes. I gave my husband a t-shirt with a butthole on it for Valentine’s Day.

I know….I KNOW!

Anyway, no matter how you celebrate today – be it cautiously or wildly, with jewelery or with a butthole, I hope it’s just perfect.

And, now my head-cold and I are off to crawl into bed, as we weepingly wonder what in the hell we were thinking giving the boys such LOUD singing creatures.

Happy Valentine’s Day, sweet friends.

Music is a huge part of our life.

No, we aren’t a family of lifelong musicians.

I can barely play chopsticks on the piano.

When I was little, my piano teacher diagnosed me with an untreatable, genetic case of too-tiny-hands and too-little-talent. This is also probably not the best combo if you’re looking to get into the porn industry.

My husband can jam, though. He started guitar lessons several years ago, and has since picked up the harmonica, as well.

I’m basically married to Bob Dylan.

Really, though, our main thing is listening to lots of music, hitting up live shows, and dancing like the dorks we are.

I do believe that music is the universal language, and that we’re born drawn to the beats.

I remember watching Footloose a couple of centuries ago and being so confused about the whole Jesus hates dancing thing, because music is in all of us…it’s natural. There’s no better example of this than witnessing a tiny baby shake what his mama gave him when someone drops that funky bassline.

We listen to music everyday in our house. We have dance parties, sing loudly, and dance like crazy.

It used to be so simple. We’d put a song on and the kids would dance.

But, now that Luca’s four, he’s really starting to listen to the songs I play, and ask about their lyrics.

(No more 2 Live Crew for us.)

Like, the other day on the way to school, I played a Neil Young

As the song ended, Luca chimed in from the backseat, “What’s that guy talking about?”

Oh, how I love this song, with it’s meaningful, powerful, and goose-bumpy message. And, while 2 Live Crew would have been much easier to explain, I tried my best.

“Okay, honey. The song says, to me, that you should never back down or give up on your dreams. Always be who you are, because you can do anything…even if others try to convince you that you can’t. Does that make sense? So, I guess what I’m saying is that don’t be denied means never taking no for an answer, and living your life the way you want it, as long as you don’t step on anyone else along the way, of course. Am I confusing you? This is a hard one for me to explain.

No, mommy. I understand. When you tell me no more candy, it means I should still have candy.

I’m currently rethinking the 2 Live Crew ban.

* * *

When I was a young boy
My mama said to me
Your daddy’s leavin’ home today
I think he’s gone to stay
We packed up all our bags
And drove out to Winnipeg

When we got to Winnipeg
I checked in to school
I wore white bucks on my feet
When I learned the golden rule
The punches came fast and hard
Lying on my back in the school yard

Don’t be denied, don’t be denied
Don’t be denied, don’t be denied
Don’t be denied, don’t be denied

Well pretty soon I met a friend
He played guitar
We used to sit on the steps at school
And dream of being stars
We started a band
We played all night

Don’t be denied, don’t be denied
Don’t be denied, don’t be denied
Don’t be denied, don’t be denied

Oh Canada
We played all night
I really hate to leave you now
But to stay just wouldn’t be right
Down in Hollywood
We played so good

The businessmen crowded around
They came to hear the golden sound
There we were on the Sunset Strip
Playing our songs for the highest bid
We played all night
The price was right

Don’t be denied, don’t be denied
Don’t be denied, don’t be denied
Don’t be denied, don’t be denied

Well, all that glitters isn’t gold
I know you’ve heard that story told
And I’m a pauper in a naked disguise
A millionaire through a business man’s eyes
Oh friend of mine
Don’t be denied

 * * *