Pretties

Between spongebob, dinosaurs, nerf guns, and gross bugs (my two boys) I always have the hankering to make something girly. I got the idea while browsing Anthropologie's always great hair accessories. I was surprised how easy these flowers were to make after I purchased the hair clips.

Hopefully most of these handy items you alrady have at home. A button, a hair clip, DMC floss and no more than an 8" by 8" piece of wool felt.

You only need a 8" by 8'"piece of wool. Cut three "imperfect flowers". Each diameter of the flower gets a little smaller. The largest being 2 1/2 " the middle 2" and the smallest 1 1/4", place the flowers one on top of the other, with the largest flower on the bottom.

Pick your favorite button to finish the flower off. Hand sew the button to all three flowers. I used two pink DMC floss (strings) and hand sew the button to the flowers, so that all three flowers and button are attached by the floss.

Hot glue the clip to the back of the flowers. I purchased the hair clip from my local craft store they came in a package of 12.

I think these are a great personal gift for a friend, daughter or your favorite little girl on Valentine's Day. Every girl needs to feel pretty and something pretty and homemade: even better.

For my first grader

The first time I tried this was at Christmas. My first grader loves these treats. So the week before Christmas vacation I added a little Christmas treat in his lunch. Ever since he has been begging me to buy "those little brownies" to put in his lunch. For the week of Valentine's, I am going to include these treat in his lunch...with a little love note.

If you make a lunch for someone you love, make sure to include one of their favorite treats with a little inspiring note.

Good Luck Friend

Tired of the same old superman and barbie valentine's? This is a takeoff of a thank you gift I got a couple years ago from a neighbor. My boys had alot of fun making these easy valentines to give to classmates at school.

All you need is fortune cookies, chocolate and some fun sprinkles. I buy my fortune cookies at a local chinese store that sells a dozen for 55 cents. Can't beat that!

Microwave your chocolate in a (microsave safe bowl) for about 1-2 minutes; until chocolate is melted.

Dip half of your fortune cookie in the chocolate. This is so easy by boys do this part with no help. Place cookie on tin foil or wax paper to allow chocolate to set; this may take a half an hour or more depending on how warm your house is.

Add a few holiday sprinkles and your finished. Each classmate is getting one chocolate cookie and one plain cookie. We wrapped the cookies in a cello bag with a little note saying: "Your a Good Luck Friend"!

Party Planning

I am planning my son's first grade Valentine Party. My son's class is split into tables with 4 - 5 children at each table. The kids will rotate valentine activities according to their table. Here are some of the fun activities I came up with:

1. Funny Conversation: make a funny sentence using Valentine Conversation Hearts.
2. Balloon Cupid: have each kid blow up a small balloon, then have them draw Cupid's face on the front, glue on paper wings and they have their own cupid to take home.
3. Bubble Gum Blowing Contest! I thought this would be fun if it went in rounds.
4. Valentine Book: Read the kids a story about Valentine's Day.
5. How many? Have a large glass jar filled with candy and have each table guess the number of candies inside, the table closest wins a prize.

These are just some simple party ideas that are age appropriate for 6-7 year olds.

Eat your cake!

Happy Birthday Jeanette!!

I can't think of anything much better than having your birthday in February. Lucky Girl!

I dare you to leave a comment.

Littlest Love Letter

Head on over to My Favorite Things....she has a post about the world's smallest postcard! It is just adorable. I want to order one for my hubby.

Saint Valentine

There are varying opinions as to the origin of Valentine's Day. Some experts state that it originated from St. Valentine, a Roman who was martyred for refusing to give up Christianity. He died on February 14, 269 A.D., the same day that had been devoted to love lotteries. Legend also says that St. Valentine left a farewell note for the jailer's daughter, who had become his friend, and signed it "From Your Valentine". Other aspects of the story say that Saint Valentine served as a priest at the temple during the reign of Emperor Claudius. Claudius then had Valentine jailed for defying him. In 496 A.D. Pope Gelasius set aside February 14 to honour St. Valentine. Gradually, February 14 became the date for exchanging love messages and St. Valentine became the patron saint of lovers. The date was marked by sending poems and simple gifts such as flowers.

Don't let this Valentine's Day go by with our letting "your valentine" know how much you love him, her or them.