This post originally appeared on February 3, 2011.
Okay, so I have a confession. The reason that I did not post an activity yesterday is because I got stuck. Not the writer’s block stuck, or the I can’t think of an activity stuck. . . instead stubborn “I JUST WANNA!” stuck. I had my heart set on posting a how-to on these really, really cute snow globe valentines. I had the idea in December when the kids and I quickly assembled snow globes because Big M wanted to know if we could. It was so fun and they turned out so cute. But look. . . making one because you are so excited that your idea is coming to be and making 12 so everyone will get one are two totally different things. It has turned into a battle and I am becoming a really UNCOOL Mom. So I’m dropping the snow globe idea (well not entirely, because I am still going to make them. . .but they will be my project. . . not his.)
The reason I’m sharing this sad little story with you is this; it is easy to get caught up in the way things look. It’s easy to hope and hope that the final product will be met with “oh”s and “ah”s. The really good stuff though, the stuff that has your kids smiling through the day, the stuff they will remember, the stuff that actually TEACHES them something; doesn’t have to end pretty. It is the process that matters.
So I put away the snow globes and bought a red poster board.
Today we are making a really, really BIG VALENTINE!
what you need: red poster board ~ scissors ~ crayons
We read Little Mouse’s Big Valentine by Thatcher Hurd. In this cute book a mouse makes a really big valentine. You can read the rest of the review tomorrow. The book was the inspiration for this activity.
Big M, Little M and I worked together to make our valentine heart.
Once it was cut out I brought out the crayons, markers, colored pencils and pens. M and M had a great time decorating their heart.
TA DA!
And Mommy got the message . . .simple and child-centered is always better.
More Valentine Fun
Valentine Hopping Game for Toddlers
Homemade Fortune Cookies for Valentines
DIY Valentine Cards for School
linked up at
Ahhh! So true. There must have been something in the “snowed-in” air… (not sure where you are, but we are burried somewhere under about 20 inches of snow…not including the drifts that are almost higher than me)! We had a superfun project planned today with fingerpaints, but the kids were restless and uncooperative and I was getting frustrated. After completely scrapping the plan, we ended up with a lovely hour with Harold and the Purple Crayon and beautiful pictures with paper and a purple crayon! Sometimes less is more! Glad I wasn’t alone!!!! 🙂
Yikes! 20 inches!?!?! I didn’t know that was possible. We weren’t snowed in. . .here in Southern California we’re warming in sun. I have read Harold and the Purple Crayon, but never thought of using in as an art project. I’m going to put it on hold at the library, and dig out a purple crayon.
JDaniel sent this message last week. Glad we both listened. The heart looks great!