Valentine's Day Fun & 4 Month Old Clara

We started off our Valentine's day with our traditional breakfast and treats, though this year we had Krispy Kremes for breakfast instead of monkey bread, but the kids didn't complain. Everyone got a Valentine, books, and chocolates. I love the book tradition so much that this year I got everyone 2 books. I really should never be let loose in Barnes & Noble. Here's the books the kiddos and Adrian got:

How fun it is to buy board books again. And while I'm at it look at these adorable books I bought a little while ago for Clara. Seriously the cutest board books EVER! On the cover of the Pride and Prejudice one Lizzy is wearing a shirt that says "I heart Darcy"! My goodness, they are adorable.

Clara woke up a little bit after breakfast and she got to open her presents too (she didn't get to eat her chocolates, but Adrian enjoyed them:)). As you can see she was still tired. I don't think she's a morning person. Neither am I, that's why I also look half asleep (maybe I should reconsider posting this picture of no-make-up pajamas me, but Clara's grumpy cat face is just too fun not to include).

She got happier with some tickles and swing time. Nina loves entertaining Clara in her swing or at any other time for that matter.

Ben and Nina took these very fun Valentine's boxes to school for their parties. Nina's was kind of like a purse and Ben's was a headless Valentines box - I thought it was very creative.

We had a great Valentine's day and after the kiddos went to bed Adrian and I were able to sneak out (not really sneak, Sophie was babysitting :)) for a late night Japanese steakhouse dinner. It was delicious and it was so nice to have a real date with Adrian.

Just for fun I'm going to throw in a couple of 4 month old pictures of Clara taken earlier in the month. I can't believe she is almost 5 months old now!

Happy Valentine's Day from the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood 2013

The Death of Romeo and Juliet by John Everett Millais, 1848

I'm going back to the Pre-Raphaelites for my Valentines art piece this year. It's just not Valentine's day for me without the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. I think the Pre-Raphaelites are definitely the art worlds equivalent of Valentine's day - sappy, sweet, romantic, and yes even cliche, but is that wrong?? I say not at all. There is nothing wrong with a little cheesy every now and then... And actually this piece by Millais feels a lot more moody and full of pathos than your typical sweepingly romantic Pre-Raphaelite piece.

How often do you see this particular part of Romeo and Juliet focused on in painting, illustration, or literature? Seriously, this is pretty depressing, after the double suicide, but from an art point of view it's so interesting. Way to go John Everett Millais for taking us to this scene. I feel like I'm looking at a Baroque work of art, and that is a compliment. The colors are dark, the mood is not just melancholy, but painfully sad. The reality is that Romeo and Juliet is a horrible tragedy. So many young lives are cut short in this much beloved play and this painting takes a look at the aftermath. A young man (maybe Balthazar) holds back a crowd of awe-struck onlookers on the right. The group in the middle is focused on the man in yellow holding up Romeo's empty vial of poison as they huddle around the bodies of the young lovers. Juliet's mother and nurse cradle her body as she lays over Romeo. To the left the 2 men comforting each other are Capulet and Montague, the fathers. The Prince stands on the far left ready to give the final verdict/speech of the play. It is such a sobering scene. It puts all the talk of endless love - "eyes look your last, arms take your last embrace"- in perspective as you look at the consequences and those left behind to feel the pain and sorrow of Romeo's and Juliet's final act. I really love that Millais is taking this story and giving us the real feelings and pain behind the words. Much like actually seeing the play acted out. It doesn't seem 1 dimensional at all to me, but fully fleshed out and vibrant in its sadness. I really like this painting - remembering that "sad is happy for deep people".

And on the subject of Romeo and Juliet and Valentine's day - have you seen Warm Bodies?? Oh my, it is such a good movie. I know it's not surprising that I'm going to bat for a zombie movie, but really it's a wonderful take on Romeo and Juliet. There is even a balcony scene. It is awesome and surprisingly sweet. I love R (that's the zombie's name and the girl's name is Julie - see!). Go see it for Valentine's day! Or if you aren't a zombie fan at least get it from Red Box when it comes out - it's worth the dollar.:) Happy V day!