The Macs

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

cousin love {a valentine party}

Between facing some hard anniversaries again 
and Levi having RSV last week {yuck, I know} 
we thought we needed to start this week off with a party.

Yesterday we invited all of Levi's cousins over for a Valentine Party.

We set up a little table for the eight cousins who are all five and under.

Most of the decorations I re-used from Joel's party this summer.

I made my own version of the heart strings garland.

The cute mailboxes were in the dollar bin at Target.
They were definitely the hit of the party.
And Levi passed out the cute have a ball valentines to his cousins.

The moms and grandmas sat leisurely for hours 
sat for five seconds at the grown-up table.
Excuse the wrinkly tablecloth...I am not a fan of ironing. :)

Before the party Levi opened up his valentine from his daddy and mama.
Red Converse shoes...I found them on clearance at Target.
He is loving shoes right now. It is so cute.
Levi was very stylin' for the party in his red shoes...at least his mama thought so.

My sister-in-law made cocoa pancakes with whipped cream for the kids.
What more do you need when you have chocolate pancakes?
There was lots of yummy food for the grown-ups too.





After the grown-ups sat for a few minutes and tried to enjoy our food...
it was FINALLY time to pass out valentines.
The best part.

Even Levi liked putting his valentines in his mailbox.

He thought he was such a big boy with all his cousins.

Levi and his sweet cousins...only Cora is missing!

The big cousins made Megan's heart craft.

I cut out all the big hearts.

Then we punched the little hearts out with a Creative Memories heart punch.
The kids thought it was great!

And they all turned out so pretty.

The girls' hearts were very girly of course...only pink and purple!

After the party Levi and I spent some much needed time outside.
We hadn't been out at all last week because of all the snow and Levi being sick.

It was beautiful...and the snow is finally melting.
{Levi, don't put rocks in your mouth!}

Levi broke in his new valentine shoes.



When dad got home Levi even got a wagon ride.
What a fun day.

Hope your Valentine's Day was just as great!

48 Comments:

Blogger Julie said...

What a perfect little cousin party! I love all the details.

And, I also have to tell you that i LOVE that picture of you and Levi outside. Very pretty (of you) and cute (of Levi in his new shoes).

February 15, 2011 at 5:27 PM  
Blogger Devon said...

what a great idea!!

and i love his little red converse!

thinking of you during this time...

February 15, 2011 at 5:31 PM  
Blogger Chelsy said...

Gosh I wish I was this creative! This is ADORABLE!! Love love love. Where did you get that table and chairs set? Looks nice and sturdy and very cute.

February 15, 2011 at 5:43 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

How stinkin' cute is that party?! You are so creative and Levi is adorable. Love his shoes and both pictures of you and Levi are so cute (especially the first one!). :-)

February 15, 2011 at 5:45 PM  
Blogger meg duerksen said...

THIS is good valentine's!!!
i love this.
i wish i was at that party.
:)

i am realizing my kids aren't little and so maybe that is why valentine's is not as fun.....because they aren't as cute as little levi! ha ha ha!

love the little table and chairs!

February 15, 2011 at 5:46 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

What a cute idea! You're so crafty! I couldn't craft my way out of a paper bag! lol Also, I love those shoes! When my son went through the "I'm going to take my shoes off every two seconds" phase, we got him converse high tops so he couldn't take them off! It was awesome!

February 15, 2011 at 6:05 PM  
Blogger Tricia said...

You are so creative. What a fun and adorable party. Also, where did you get that large chalkboard frame? I love that!! Don't tell me you made it, because I'll feel lazy. :)

February 15, 2011 at 6:30 PM  
Blogger JESSICA said...

So creative. I love the table with mailboxes.
I'm sure you get asked a million times a day, but what kind of camera do you have? If you don't mind sending me a message - jtomasrogers at yahoo dot com - I would greatly appreciate it. We are searching for something now, and your pictures are always perfect...maybe you just have the perfect people to photograph. :)

February 15, 2011 at 7:09 PM  
Blogger Heather | Cookie Mondays said...

absolutely adorable!!!
boo for rsv :(
i can't believe we were just talking about that!
i want to steal those chairs :)

February 15, 2011 at 7:20 PM  
Blogger Kristi REDISKE said...

I have been missing your posts but do understand-glad you are back and posted about the Valentine Party. You are so good at this stuff-I am amazed! Levi is such a doll and so are all the cousins-I am sure your Cora would have loved all this-i am sure it is so hard without her-but she is never forgotten. The picture of you and Levi is adorable!

February 15, 2011 at 7:46 PM  
Blogger Gail said...

so.stinking.cute!!!

February 15, 2011 at 7:57 PM  
Blogger Stef said...

love the shoes, love the craft! I saw it on Megan's website a few days ago and my daughters and I went to Target and stocked up on supplies to make them. We'll hang them up "late" but I say its never late to display love around our house :)

February 15, 2011 at 7:59 PM  
Blogger Heather said...

I love this!! Such cute shoes too!

February 15, 2011 at 8:02 PM  
Blogger Peden Family said...

I just LOVE everything you put Levi in. Where do you get most of his clothes? So hard to find cute boy stuff.

February 15, 2011 at 8:08 PM  
Blogger k and c's mom said...

This is beyond cute. You are so creative, Jess, and so smart to make these family memories. And Levi in red Converse! You win the best Valentine award.

February 15, 2011 at 8:30 PM  
Blogger Sadie said...

Sounds like an amazing day! LOVE the idea of a cousin valentines party! Those mailboxes and shoes are too cute!

February 15, 2011 at 9:34 PM  
Blogger Michelle said...

What kind of camera do you use? your pictures are always so amazing :)

February 15, 2011 at 11:02 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

he looks like daddy...

February 16, 2011 at 12:09 AM  
Blogger Kristin said...

Love the picture of Levi's shoes, and the one of the two of you-very sweet!

February 16, 2011 at 12:25 AM  
Blogger Toni :O) said...

Awwww...loved the party, decorations and crafts but I have to say the photo of you two is the BEST!!! Great, great photo and you should have that framed. Those shoes are the bomb! Always praying for your sweet family!

February 16, 2011 at 7:01 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

What a sweet party! I love Levi's red converse! He is stylin'!

Praying for you in FL!

~Krista
aka babykatesmom

February 16, 2011 at 7:32 AM  
Anonymous Mandy said...

I don't know you but I love reading your blog, which I found through Brooke Whitis...That photo of you and Levi is just darling! And kudos to you on your creativity and resilient spirit!

February 16, 2011 at 7:45 AM  
Blogger Kimberly said...

What a precious idea! Looks like everyone had a great time & wonderful memories were made! Thanks for sharing! (BTW, I dig the red Converse! ;)

February 16, 2011 at 8:35 AM  
Anonymous Danielle H. said...

You have the BEST parties!!! Gonna copy some of your ideas. I want to know what type of table you have too - it's the perfect size for little kiddos. I've tried finding the old kids chairs but they are hard to find in my area. I guess I'll have to come to Kansas!!! I also wanted to make those adorable "have a ball" Valentine's but I couldn't find bouncy balls that were big enough. I could only find those tiny ones. Where did you find yours? LOVE, love the pic of the two of you. Seriously cute! Hugs from Texas!

February 16, 2011 at 9:20 AM  
Blogger Emily said...

Holy Moses I LOVE those shoes!! I need to check out my target... hmmmmm... : )

February 16, 2011 at 9:37 AM  
Anonymous Mindee@ourfrontdoor said...

Your parties are flat out inspiring. You should start a party planning business!

February 16, 2011 at 10:23 AM  
Blogger Tara said...

oh my gosh! cutest, little party ever! i'm totally having one for the little cousins next year!

and LOVE the red converses! adorable!

February 16, 2011 at 11:02 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

I thought the same thing before I read what you wrote...only Cora is missing.

Mr. Levi is extremely handsome, red shoes or not.

February 16, 2011 at 11:29 AM  
Blogger Andrea said...

So cute - love all the details. Levi is looking so little boyish!....and I'm with you on the ironing thing (which is ironic since I need to be meticulous about it for all my sewing projects!)

February 16, 2011 at 12:05 PM  
Blogger Nicole said...

Oh my! What a great idea to have a kids' Valentine's Day party! I have to say, RSV stinks. We have had it for about a month here at our house (with 3 kids, it takes a while to make it's way out!). Glad Levi is feeling better. My little man is 9 mths old and he was miserable for about 2 weeks. I think the cute red shoes would certainly cheer him up (or maybe that's just me). I have a little bit of shoe envy. Levi sure it stylin'!! Thanks for your blog and the amazing photos. I love stopping by!

February 16, 2011 at 1:42 PM  
Blogger Rich and Carolyn Dewey said...

You are a SERIOUS party planner. Loved the mailboxes - all such great ideas! LOVED your lined out about Grandmas enjoying a leisurely meal. HAHAHA!

Oh, and those wrinkles??? How many kids commented on them? Zero? Thought so! :)

February 16, 2011 at 3:57 PM  
Blogger Ramblingsofgeo said...

Thats one big stack of coloured paper! makes me go oooooooh :)

and i LOVE Levi's converse!! so jealous!

February 16, 2011 at 5:40 PM  
Blogger Momma H said...

I want to join your family! You have so much fun and you are so creative.
Oh well, being a sister in Christ is great too.

February 16, 2011 at 6:10 PM  
Blogger Miss G said...

SUCH fun! I love your heart garland. As soon as I saw the tablecloths I was reminded of Joel's party. Way to re-purpose! Really neat! I love how you did the doilies under the plates too. Simple and perfect touch. Are your polka dot napkins from Michael's a year or two ago at Christmas? I stocked up on those. :)

It must have been gray and red stripes year for boys for Valentine's. My boy-o wore a shirt like three of your boys. One of my dear friends bought it for me last year when I was pregnant saying it was for Valentine's this year. So fun.

I really like seeing the different ways the cousins did their hearts. Such creativity and expression. Kelly

February 17, 2011 at 9:29 PM  
Blogger Regina said...

He is such a doll- love the party, what a great idea!

February 17, 2011 at 10:04 PM  
Blogger Nancy said...

RSV ~ Yuck!! Bless his sweet heart! I am glad he is better & had a fun Valentine's Party! You are so creative!!

February 18, 2011 at 6:28 AM  
Blogger Marianne said...

Love:
1. Levi's shoes
2. The pictures of you and Levi
3. The definite smile on his face in Levi's picture with daddy

What a cute party!

February 18, 2011 at 11:50 AM  
Blogger Michelle said...

This comment has been removed by the author.

February 18, 2011 at 9:44 PM  
Blogger Michelle said...

I LOVE the old phone on you wall! Your party looks like it came straight from a magazine. We got mailboxes like that for Valentines a few years back and still have them on shelves in our rooms. The kids still write and hide letters back and forth to each other.

February 18, 2011 at 9:45 PM  
Blogger Beth Anne said...

I don't remember reading your blog, but it popped up in my googlereader for the first time today (So I must've already!)... it was strange for me to read about your little Levi - my son's name as well! And my Levi doesn't seem to be much older than yours. :)

I love your party though! Oh my gosh, do I love it! I think the mason jar glasses and little striped straws are my favorite.

Beth

February 18, 2011 at 11:00 PM  
Blogger Pamela said...

Adorable cousin party. I think that's such a special thing to do. Making memories. Love Levi's shoes.

February 19, 2011 at 1:41 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

So, so, sweet. Right out of a magazine Jess. Loved everything about it. . .Nolan has the same red converse. And clearance too! :) Carrie M.

March 7, 2011 at 10:52 AM  
Blogger Jenny said...

What a darling party and a precious boy you have. Love his sweet red shoes too!

I just read about your sweet Cora, and am so very sorry that you lost her. That is something no parent should have to endure. Ever. I know Cora will always be with you, and I pray that Levi can help to heal your hearts.

January 20, 2012 at 6:32 AM  
Blogger Jill said...

Amelia is having a Valentine party this year with a few friends and cousins. We're having fun planning it and bought those same little mailboxes but in pink...I think all of our decor has come from the $1 bin at Target! :)

Such a cute party. I'm looking for a craft - might use the one you've shared here!

January 20, 2012 at 12:37 PM  
Blogger Brown Apples said...

so sweet- you are an amazing mama

January 20, 2012 at 11:08 PM  
Blogger Blissful & Domestic said...

LOVE this Valentine party ideas. So fun!

January 21, 2012 at 11:10 PM  
Blogger Anna said...

such a cute party, and I love the 'have a ball' valentines!

January 25, 2012 at 1:50 PM  
Blogger Jerri at Simply Sweet Home said...

Great party! I'm featuring your "ball valentine" idea on Wednesday in a kid's Valentine post. Please stop by and check it out!

February 6, 2012 at 3:35 PM  

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