The Icing

A couple weeks ago I attended the inaugural meeting of our neighborhood ladies' book club. I had already met a few of the women there, but I didn't recognize the one who sat down next to me. As we were taking turns introducing ourselves and telling where we lived in the neighborhood, I realized she lived diagonally across the street from me. I knew there was a young couple living there, and Harvey had met her husband when they were out shoveling snow, but I hadn't had a chance to meet them yet.

A few days later, that neighbor, Lauren, messaged me and asked whether my girls and I would like to come over to bake and decorate Valentine's cookies with her this week. Last night was the night.

Lauren made the dough ahead of time, a brown, cinnamon-y sugar cookie dough, I rolled it out, and the girls' job was to cut out the cookies with the cutters and decorate the baked cookies with light pink, dark pink, and white homemade icing. 

We made several dozen, dusting Lauren's kitchen with flour and drizzling icing on the counters in the process. The girls had a blast, and we enjoyed getting to know Lauren. She said she had fun too, and we decided we'd have to do something together again soon. 

Yesterday was also Gracie's class Valentine's party, and I provided cupcakes and icing for a decorating station. Judah and I also attended the party so I could help man some of the tables (including bag decorating, card making, treat bags, and candy bags). 

This was the first event I'd attended this year in her class, and all the kids were sweet and respectful. I was happy to be there to celebrate with them (as was Judah)!

So we've had a successful Valentine's week, with plenty of spoils to show from it (including the contents of a Valentine's care package from Oma last weekend):

Happy Valentine's Day from the Sparks clan! XOXO