Happy Valentine's Day

So, you know that for most for the past 5 years, Dave has organized progressive dinners with some of our friends. The husbands usually send us wives off to the spa in the afternoon (for massages or pedicures) while they cook, arrange flowers and set the table. Then we are served a multiple course meal at each other's homes. We have had so much fun doing that over the past few years. It is A LOT of work for the men (planning, preparing, cleaning, shopping, cooking-they do it all).

This year, one of our friends had something else to do on Saturday (we always do it on the Saturday night closest to Valentine's Day). Our other friends are in the midst of re-decorating their dining room. So, the plans shifted a little bit.

In the interest of not shopping, I wore the dress from my Christmas party.

It was actually perfect for Valentine's too:)

Kate was so excited to see us dressed up. She ran around giggling and dancing. She gasped and said, "Mama, you look so beautiful!" And she told Dave how handsome he looked too.

Dave and I both have colds/crud so we are not our best:)

I had NO idea where we were going. In fact, I bought flowers for our dining room
(even though the men usually do that) because I thought Dave forgot. But he had new plans....

Dave pulled up to the Museum of Fine Arts and told me to go inside and get warm. Inside, we met our friends and we explored the exhibits. It was an hour before closing time so the museum was quiet and empty.

This paining by William Bouguereau was a favorite of all of ours. In real life, it is exquisite.

After, exploring the art, we walked across the street to have a drink here...

We had a lovely time sipping champagne and a blueberry mojito (one of the men) and taking in the city sights. This is definitely a hot spot in town.

After drinks, we went to this little restaurant.

One of the reasons Dave started the whole progressive dinner thing was to avoid restaurants and the fixed "cattle call" menu and lack of service that is typical on Valentine's Day. But this little (57 person maximum occupancy) place is an old home with warm character. It is authentically French (the food, the menu, the servers, chefs and owners). Luckily, our friends are from Canada and speak French (not that it was necessary at all but it did make the server respect them more when they ordered in French;) Our food was superb! I would definitely go back to this place.

I think our hubbies did a great job planning a fun, romantic and interesting night on the town! Thank you Dave.

Here is a not so good shot of Kate in one of her Valentine outfits. It is from Etsy and is an adorable vintage-y print. She has the cold and eczema thing going on too. Her face is so red and splotchy that someone asked me the other day ...and I quote, "what is wrong with her face?" Lovely.

I wish you a day filled with lots of LOVE!!!