that is the way mom was brought up because my grandparents were skinflints but my mom was the opposite if it was a holiday we celebrated it febuary was always special the 12 thru the 14 was one big celebration she would even make up holidays for us 6 kids maybe 1 day she would hav 1 or 2 of stay home for pajama day the boys always stayed home from school for opening day of tigers baseball. she gave us a good chidhood i know we all do the same for our kids they think they are really special now I know why she did it your kids grow up to fast ;-) :!: