Happy February!

The snow this past weekend was quite the adventure! We enjoyed a slower-paced week with school out on Monday and spent more time indoors keeping warm. Our wood-burning fireplace was going full days, and we made some cozy memories together.

Around Summerville, there are lots of fun Valentine’s events coming up! This week, we're breaking down some of the best adult Valentine’s and Galentine’s events (plus a few great ideas to keep your kiddos entertained while you enjoy a night out). And if you're looking to celebrate with your kids, don’t miss these upcoming activities:

I was talking to Daniel about an upcoming Galentine’s event I’m attending, and he seemed to have completely forgotten about the holiday, originally declared by Leslie Knope in Season 2 of Parks and Recreation back in 2010, that has somehow become a very real (and very celebrated) tradition.

We hope these ideas help you plan for a great Valentine’s weekend with your family and friends. For now, enjoy Super Bowl weekend and look forward to some 70 degree weather this next week! 😎

A bit of sad news… it was announced yesterday that the North Charleston Fire Museum (yes, the one we just featured last week 🥺) is closing at the end of next week. Their last day open is Saturday, February 14th. Until closing, they will offer free admission. I’m sure it will be busy next week, but if it’s something you’ve had on your list to try this week is your last chance to do it!

The museum is closing due to private collectors who loaned many of the historic fire trucks and equipment taking them back and putting them on auction. Since those pieces make up most of the museum’s exhibits, it won’t be able to continue operating once they’re removed.

Many of these events require a reservation or tickets, so be sure to click on the link if one of the events interests you to get the full details! 💕

This past weekend, Daniel completed the Charleston Half Marathon, which also features an adorable and thoughtful youth marathon—a ¼-mile race that was the perfect distance for our four-year-old. He was able to complete it and felt so proud of his mix of sprints and walking to cross the finish line.

Our family doesn’t have a long history of being runners, but we’ve been so proud of Daniel as he’s taken on this new challenge. It’s been fun for all of us and the boys love watching him cross the finish line! Even I (not even remotely a runner) have started training for the Bridge Run. It’s definitely become a family affair!

If your family enjoys running or wants to start to get into it together, the upcoming Love Where You Run 5K & 1 Mile Fun Run is the perfect time for that! This event is hosted by the Cane Bay YMCA and the Collins Realty Group. The run will take place at the Cane Bay YMCA on Saturday, February 14th with the races starting at 9am.

This family-friendly day invites runners, walkers, and kids of all ages to come together for a fun and meaningful experience that supports vital programs in the community. Proceeds from the event will benefit the YMCA’s scholarship and water safety programs. These scholarships make it possible for families and individuals—regardless of financial circumstance—to access life-changing opportunities like youth sports, after-school care, summer camps, and wellness programming. In addition, the event supports water safety education, helping local children and families gain the skills and confidence they need to stay safe around water. With the Kids Fun Run, even the youngest participants can get involved in healthy habits while contributing to a cause that protects and empowers others!

You can register for the run up until the day of the race, but prices will go up on race day. Click here to register for the race!

Next weekend, several local restaurants are offering special events and deals in honor of Valentine’s Day! This isn’t an exhaustive list, but here are a few standout options we wanted to highlight, perfect for celebrating with your Valentine or your Galentines!

Here’s some restaurant deals and specials to check out:

My lovely mom friend Jenna, the writer of Palmetto Parents Charleston, shared some wisdom a couple of weeks ago about taking the pressure off Valentine’s Day in her newsletter. Oh boy, am I glad I read it. I’ve had to keep reminding myself of her simple (but powerful) advice: keep it simple.

I am 100% a sucker for holidays and love to go all out. It doesn’t help that the internet is full of images (like the one above) with headlines like “The Perfect Valentine’s Day for Toddlers.” But the reality is, I’m not a fan of extra clutter in the house, our garage absolutely cannot handle another storage bin for Valentine’s decorations or toys, and my mind—and schedule—can’t handle adding more to my plate.

As I’ve been shopping, I’ve felt tempted to grab more decorations, add another little trinket for my son’s preschool valentines, or take on more than is necessary. But the truth is, the simple (and often cheaper) things can still make the day feel really special for our kids.

I loved Jenna’s suggestion of simply blowing up a few balloons to mark Valentine’s Day. A few other low‑pressure ideas I’ve seen that would still go a long way:

What are some simple ways you like to make Valentine’s Day feel special for your kids? We’d love to hear!

Love,

The Berks 👨‍👩‍👦‍👦

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