Valentine’s Day shouldn’t cost you the earth, showing your loved one how you feel shouldn’t mean you are in debt to the bank. Yep, some people go all out for the day, if you can afford to do so, why not, but if you can’t there are many ways to show your love and how much you appreciate your loved ones without spending lots of money.
Grab a pretty bunch of flowers for your special someone
My youngest asked what you give people on Valentine’s. I told him, cards, chocolates, and other gifts. My little boy doesn’t eat chocolate, so he thought the idea of giving chocolate was horrible! I mentioned maybe he can give his mates some of his favourite lollies for the day.
Bake some cookies or a yummy dessert to show you care.
Below are 25 ideas to get our special someone for Valentine’s Day:
Cook dinner for your special squeeze. Make your loved one’s favourite food and bake a cake for dessert.
Add love notes around the house – if your special someone takes lunch to work add some secret notes in their lunch.
Take your lover on a picnic – grab some fresh bread, cheese, meats, fruit, and drink of choice to enjoy at a picturesque picnic spot. If not a place with a view a nice park that allows you to have some time together is all that is needed.
Get the kids babysat by family or friends to allow you to have a date night.
Use last-minute deals to score a hotel getaway in your own city – a break and room service is always nice.
Create vouchers for your partner to use when they wish. The vouchers will be for things like time alone (so you take the kids), dinners, chores, cleaning the house, and anything that you think your loved one might want. Maybe it is for a massage every week… it is up to you. Time for exercise and more!
Fix things around the house that need doing (complete your honey-do list) or hire someone that can get it done quickly. Trust me finally having the items fixed after many years will be a great weight of everyone’s shoulders and be a WIN for you!
Change the sheets and tidy up the bedroom. It is so nice to get into bed with fresh sheets, you feel great and sleep better.
Book your lover into a course they have always wanted to do.
Book concert tickets for your special squeeze’s favourite artist (depending on who they are this might not be cheap or reasonable costs…. however, it is a great gift).
Allow your partner to sleep in. You get up and make sure that kids are cared for, and all is organised while your loved one gets more rest.
Make breakfast (maybe have it in bed).
Travel to a different café and have a long relaxing brunch.
Indulge in homemade high tea – scones, sandwiches, and desserts.
Take your special someone to a movie.
Go for a road trip, stay over at a hotel, and enjoy exploring new places.
Flowers always help make people happy, how about giving your special someone a nice bunch of flowers each week? Or a plant that will allow the flowers to keep on giving back year after year.
Purchase or give your special person a voucher to get a new outfit.
If your main squeeze likes to get their hair done, organise a day at the hairdressers on you.
Organise a massage for your special someone.
Create a signature cocktail to celebrate your special person, and enjoy the new drink creation over a BBQ in the garden.
Write a letter or poem about what your special someone means to you.
Create a fun and lovely card to show how much someone means to you
I hope this list gives you some good ideas for Valentine’s Day. Remember these can be given all year round not just on Valentine’s. Showing your love for your special someone shouldn’t be just for one day…you can shower love every day of the year, not just Valentine’s.
Since Valentine’s Day is around the corner a Valentine’s Day inspired worksheet is ideal.
Do you love giving your children more worksheets so they can practice and get better at their school work? I know I do!
Did you know that word scramble worksheets help kids with spelling?
Kids have fun solving the scrambled word and have no idea that they are learning at the same time. What a win as a parent!
Education.comis a wonderful resource for educational worksheets to help your children learn.
You can also become an Education.com member and get access to more amazing content to help your kids.
I love that Education.com ties-in times of the year to help kids have fun while they are actually doing work. The free worksheets are based on Valentine’s Day.
The Valentine’s Day Eduction.com downloads are below:
Would you like to have more Valentine’s Day worksheets? If you do there are more. Download and have fun celebrating.
Disclaimer: I was approached by Education.com to share this free worksheet with my readers. I love helping kids learn, and like to share great resources for parents.
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I read with sadness that Bar Century formally known as Century Tavern is set to close. This place was the spot where my mates would hang out and we would have a blast. It all started when one of my good friends had his birthday there during our uni days. Since then we would go back to this pub to meet our gang of friends and have a great time.
One of the other factors that makes the closing of this pub so sad for me is this is where I met hubby. Yes we met at my uni friends birthday drinks so many years ago, 19 years to be precise. Yes that is a long time ago now. Wow has it been that long! How time flies.
We loved this pub. The cheap drinks, the decor, the fun we had there and just the vibe of the place. I must admit that we only went back a little once it was renovated. I liked it much better before they made it look more modern. I know it had sticky floors and it was dark and dingy in some areas, but it had character. I have a lot of great memories of this pub and the fun that was had with a good bunch of people.
Now when I tell the kids where mummy and daddy met it will be something different and not a pub or anything like it once was. I know times change and places evolve, however it would have been nice for this place to still be.
Bar Century’s last day open with be February 27th so maybe I might be able to pull some strings and be able to go and have one last drink at our much loved pub.
As today is Valentine’s Day; Did you meet your special someone in a pub like Bar Century? Is the place where you met your loved one still there or has it been changed and is completely unrecognizable? Let us know.
Note: I am working on the follow up posts Re: Nepean Hospital and settling a fussy baby. So stay tuned.
Happy Valentine’s Day. Yes it is that time again where romance blossoms, you get wined and dined by your lover.
Getting romantic on Valentine’s Day?
I mentioned to hubby that this Saturday was Valentine’s Day and he looked shocked, upset and worried.
I have interpreted his reaction to mean; He had no idea, he was not planning anything, and he forgot.
In reality I am not that fussed and would appreciate the following:
“Honey, you sit in the living room. Here is a glass of red wine to sip while you watch your favourite show. I’ll organise dinner and don’t worry about the mess, I’ll tidy up as well!”
It is hard to get whisked out to a dinner or to a surprise event when you have kids. I suppose the kids could come as well and I am not opposed to this. However if kids did come it could cramp our style or not allow the magic romance to bloom if you get what I mean!
Valentine’s Day is a special day for me. It was the day I found out I was pregnant. I was under the impression that I was having one child at the time not two. I did not find out I was having twins until we had our seven week ultrasound. Now that was a pleasant shock!
I am not sure if hubby has anything up his sleeve… and it does not matter. Maybe a dinner or simple show of affection is okay with me.
What are you doing this Valentine’s Day? Got anything planned?
Let us know your thoughts. Why not continue the discussion on our Facebook and Twitter pages.
Hubby and I took the kids away for the weekend. Well it was mainly due to winning a competition from BoundRound, but I am claiming it was all me to the kids.
So what did I win?
Well I was lucky to get a family pass to Taronga Zoo and two night’s accommodation at The Cremorne Point Manor. What an amazing prize and how lovely that we were able to stay close by when visiting the zoo.
What was it like?
Hubby took Friday off to make it a long weekend, and after kids finished school that day we continued onto the city to check into the hotel. As we drew nearer to the Cremorne Point Manor the houses got more stately and larger.
I would say they were not houses, more like mansions. Some were just amazing and I was drooling all the way to our destination. When I make it rich, I know where I want to buy some real estate. Pity that my starting bid would never be close enough! I suppose I need to keep on dreaming.
On arrival the staff at The Cremorne Point Manor were lovely and the place, room and everything was just wonderful. The room was amazing and just right for us and the twins.
Our room at the Cremorne Point Manor
We stayed in the family suite and it was just perfect. It gave the kids space and us as well. It was so nice to have our room separate from the kids. The blurb below is from the Cremorne Point Manor’s website:
“The family suite consists of a Queen Bed in one room, and a bunk bed and single bed in the other room. With an ensuite bathroom. This is a perfect room for a family or group of friends. The doors can be closed to allow Parents some peace or left open if you have small children.”
Kids room at the Cremorne Point Manor
Dinner on Valentines
After we settled into our room we rested and then changed to go out to dinner. We decided to have dinner at Mosman Rowers as it was close and caught the ferry one stop and walked the rest of the way.
While we were waiting for the ferry we spied a possum that was not shy about people and daylight. He was busy munching on leaves and other plants and was not bothered by people passing or the kids running around. This possum allowed us to take some pictures of it and seemed to be posing for the camera.
The posing possum
Waiting for the ferry
Waiting to go to dinner
The twins had never been on a ferry before so this was a great experience. It was a shame we were only going one stop but they had fun none the less. Dinner was very tasty at Mosman Rowers and the mains came out fast.
Dinner at Mosman Rowers
However there was a big mix up with dessert for hubby and I and we waited a while and he finally got his and they forgot about mine. We could not wait as it was very late at this stage. When you have kids that are tired and over it, you have to call it a night. On the whole it was good but was upset about missing out on my much waited for dessert. The lady that served us at the bar, gave us a free wine each while we waited, and we thanked her, although we had to leave due to the kids.
Luck or planned? Our number for dinner was 14 and it was the 14th, Valentines actually
We decided to walk back to the hotel and as it was not that far was a good idea. It was a balmy and nice night to have an evening walk. Although kids were tired and whingey they did well to get back to the hotel on foot. I think they loved the adventure.
Our day at Taronga Zoo
The kids were taken with the ferry from yesterday but to get one to the zoo we would need to get it from Circular Quay. As we were only a 10 minute drive and the weather was rainy the decision was to drive. Driving also allowed us to be relaxed at the end of the day knowing that we could get in the car and drive quickly back to the hotel.
Just arrived at the zoo
The twins were very excited about going to the zoo and have told everyone at Kindy that they were going. I also have a song in the car called, “Daddies taking us to the Zoo tomorrow” then it says, “Mummies taking us to the zoo tomorrow” So of course they were singing it all the time. So yes they were very happy to go and see all the animals.
What animals did the kids want to see?
One animal that was on the list to see was a unicorn. I did mention that this might not be there. Yes I know it would not be there, rather than might. I was trying to break it to them gently. So as you probably guessed, we did not see a unicorn. However others that were on the list that we did see were: Zebra, Elephant, Hippo, Monkeys and Crocodiles, and so on.
What was it like when we got to the zoo?
As it was a day of rain and very overcast, I borrowed some umbrellas from the hotel. The morning is when it rained the most but it was mostly heavier drizzle and not that bad. Just enough to get you wet. After a while it passed and most of the day it was not raining so not too bad considering. Hubby purchased a rain coat from the Zoo shop and we were right to go about seeing all the animals.
When we first arrived we went on the sky safari which is the cable car that gives you a bird’s eye view of the zoo and all the animals. The kids loved it and we did a round trip.
What shows/talks did we see?
We went to the elephant talk, the seal show and the penguin talk.
Penguins
How did the kids go walking everywhere?
The kids were very good. I was wearing my fitbit for both days and the day at the zoo I walked well over 10,000 steps so that must have been for hubby and the twins also. Although they were very good they did whinge about their feet and how tired they were. These are the things that were said!
“My feet are sore!”
“My feet are on fire!”
“When are we going back to the hotel mummy?” All while saying what animal they want to see next.
What was the food like?
I did think that it would all be deep fried and little choice of what to get. Mostly my experience with these types of outings I am annoyed at the lack of healthy choices.
Taronga Zoo had plenty of fresh and healthy options. They had yummy and tasty food that hubby and I were raving about how great it was and a pleasant change.
My only disappointment was due to the kids complaining that they were hungry and then not eating anything that was given to them.
We ate at The Taronga Food Market. Hubby and I had the pulled beef chipotle burritos and they were so yummy I could have had another. Kids had a salad and an apple with fruit juice.
There was fruit to pack so you can go and see the rest of the zoo, or you can sit and have lunch if you wish, they have thought of everyone.
Zoo Shop
A word of warning. Make sure to keep an eye on your kids. Mine were so taken with the moving toy animals (tigers) in the window that they fell. One of my girls had to pat them and this made it fall! Yes they are life sized and we had to get two staff members to help us put them back where they should be. Great shop but such a joy for kids. I only took my eyes of them for a second. You have been warned! Staff were great about it, and I’m sure this happens all the time from their reaction.
The kids and I waiting for dinner at The Oaks
Dinner after the zoo
After the zoo we were very tired as you can imagine. We walked all of the zoo and kids were very good although at times annoying due to them whinging but very good considering they are not used to walking great distances.
We got to the car and then made our way back to the hotel. After such a big day, we had a rest and then showered and got ready to go to dinner.
Our dinner destination was The Oaks. It was lovely and although they said they were not very busy they looked hectic. I suppose since there were still tables available in the courtyard and elsewhere that might be the case.
Kids had a cheese pizza, hubby had a steak and I had a burger. I think after such a big day out exploring we were all very hungry. Service was great, and there was nothing to complain about. We had a great time and it was a good place to get a quick meal.
Inside the Cremorne Point Manor
Thanks to everyone for making our weekend getaway possible
I would like to thank BoundRound, The Cremorne Point Manor and Taronga Zoo for making this weekend possible. It was amazing that I won, and could take the kids to the zoo and staying so close made it much easier, especially when we live away from the city. It was a lovely to give the kids this experience and I would love to do it again one day soon.
Happy Valentines Day everyone. I hope you have a nice day whatever you end up doing. This morning it was a saga getting the girls organised for day 2 of school, well actually it was hard with Julia especially. She decided that she did not want to go to school, she wanted to stay home. Everything ended up being an issue. Cuddle me, carry me, no I don’t want that shoe, Lillian has my clip and just heaps of crying and whinging. She fell on the floor and just made the whole getting ready 10 times harder.
I managed to sort it out, calmed her down a bit, put shoes on her, brushed her hair, gave her a clip and she put it in her hair. Finally we were all in the car and off to school. Phew! However Julia had cried so much that her face was red and spotty. I hope that she looks happier when we get there. I don’t want the school to think that she needs to come home. Today I am busy cleaning up the house as we have a babysitter for tonight, as James and I are going out for dinner. Really looking forward to it.
I am looking forward to wearing my new skirt and dressing up a bit for a night out without kids. Just relaxing thinking about that. Oh well, must be off to start the tidying up process.
Let me know how your Valentines goes? Did you get romanced? Get some time out? Or just had a great day with the family?
Update: We ended up going out for a very nice dinner. The girls were happy with their babysitter and played, doctors, tea parties, hairdressers, watched some tv, had some food and milk and went to bed. Lillian’s hair was braided when I woke up and it looks so lovely. Must learn how to do that.
