This is Sam.

He’s 12 (almost 13).
Can you tell?

He holds his own in a family of girls.
(Three sisters)

He is getting ready to have a growth spurt, I do believe.
Because he has decided that he needs not 3, but 4 meals a day.
He’s added a 4th meal right after school.

I don’t know how all you folks with multiple boys in your family
keep your head above water during the teenage years.
It seems to me that I need to have a special budget line item
for pasta.
And string cheese.
And granola bars.

Oh, and milk.
Seriously…this kid drinks about 4 gallons a week on his own.
I think his bones are stocking up on calcium before the growth comes.

Needless to say, there are often times when milk is in short supply around here.
That’s usually not a problem.
Just make a quick run to the store to get more.

But a few days ago, Sam realized right before bed that the milk was about gone.
And mornings without milk are no fun.
Dry cereal.
Pancakes with no milk to wash them down.
You get the picture.

So I had to smile when I got up the next morning
and saw this.

A gallon milk jug with about an inch of milk in the bottom.
Sam had scratched out in Sharpie
a message warning everyone away from using the last precious drops,
knowing that I would need it for my tea in the morning.

I guess he knows not to mess with Mama until she has some tea!

That’s my boy.

It’s a slushy, snowy day outside.
The kids were desperately hoping for a snow day
and they were sorely disappointed.
Not a good way to start the day.

I am sitting at my computer
looking out at the weather as it changes
from rain to snow and back again.

Bundled up on the couch is my youngest, Hope.
She is recovering from a bug that took her down yesterday.
She would tell you from personal experience
that it’s no fun to be sick when there’s a snowy world just out the front door.

So lunchtime rolled around.
And she was hungry, having not eaten much in the past 24 hours.
When she asked if it was okay to make a sandwich, I said yes.
I try to encourage independence in the kitchen whenever possible.

I came back into the kitchen a few minutes later.
This is what I saw.

I think she may be feeling better.

But it got me thinking.
Valentine’s Day is right around the corner.
I mean, the stores have had the pink and red out
Since December 26.
If not before.

Maybe you have a sweetie that needs a little token of love.
Or maybe it’s your kids.
Anyone wanting to give a little love this Valentine’s Day
can surely find a gift at Bonbon Charms.

Our Valentine’s Day line is up and ready to go.
Orders must be placed by February 1st,
in order to arrive on time,
so there’s not too much time.

And for all of you who are on the ball
and order right away,
I’ve got a special gift for you.
A 15% discount on your entire order.
Just enter the word VALENTINE (all caps)
at checkout.
The discount will only be good
through Saturday, Jan. 21,
so don’t forget.

Well, that’s it.
That’s all I had to say.
Except I’m thinking about maybe asking Hope to make me a sandwich.