Since Hazel has turned 2, I have allowed her to watch some selected TV here and there. Kipper the dog has been a favorite in our house and quite possibly one of the best things ever as Hazel will break out in random British bursts which is simply amazing. This Christmas I let her watch 'Olaf's Frozen Adventure' (after much explaining that there were some sad parts, but friends and family come together to make things better- My sweet Hazel is VERY sensitive to emotions, especially when modeled on TV). And since viewing Olaf searching for holiday traditions, Hazel has ALSO searched for traditions around the house, in her brother's drawers with ALL the folded clothes (please stop), outside, in Target.... Everywhere. I have gone over some of our family traditions and explained what a tradition is, and finally this Valentine's Day it clicked!!!!
Last year I wanted to turn one of my least favorite holidays (why is there so much pressure on Valentine's Day? Even when you're with someone, it is simply too much obligation and stress to enjoy fully) into something I looked forward to. Something that Hazel, and one day Thatcher, could look forward to. No matter what was happening in their lives or at school, this aspect of Valentine's day would always bring a smile to their faces. And so I started Valentine's Day baskets.
Hazel's first "Heart Basket"
Valentine's Day 2025
Hazel's favorite part, Heart glasses.
Hazel has talked about her Heart Basket on and off over the past year- especially the heart glasses- and when we talked about traditions I told Hazel that her heart basket was a new family tradition we started together. And I had been working on this year's Heart Baskets for a few months. Now this got Hazel VERY excited and she has been telling Thatcher ALLLL about Valentine's Day.
So this year we started Valentine's Day with sibling pictures. Hazel picked out ALL her hearts to wear and Thatcher got to wear his outfit I had originally gotten for Christmas, but finally fits him now.
Valentine's Day 2026
Celebrating Sibling Love
My sweetest Valentine's
Thatcher's First Valentine's Day!! Outfit complete with Grandpa's hat.... ALWAYS PUT YOUR BABIES IN BOWTIES!!! I laughed all day long, his little old man outfit, I am obsessed.
And after working the morning at Yesteryear Acres and the afternoon from home, it was finally Heart Basket time!
For my Hazel Puppy Valentine
And my Thatcher Tumbleweed Valentine
New Tradition officially unlocked
Complete with heart glasses (WHEW! I spent forever finding the same ones as the year before!)
"See Thatcher?!"
Heart glasses for all!
Hazel loved her card from me and 'read' it to herself and would go "AWWW MAMAAAAA"
Picking out our Valentines to share with family and friends
The reason for everything I do <3 Pure happiness and love. My Snuggle Puppy Valentine
One of my new favorite days
Better start prepping for next year's Heart Baskets!
Happy New Traditions (and please let the searching for more in the organized drawers around the house stop HAHAHA!)
Always,
Amelia
