I’m not really a Valentine’s Day person. I believe if you don’t express your love the other 364 days of the year, that one day Hallmark and the red letters on the calendar suggest you do so will not save you. I’m a holiday humbug. This year, I’m trying to take a bit of a more balanced perspective, for the sake of my littlest Valentine.
He loves exchanging cards with his friends and I’ve always helped him pick out the ones he likes best. He treasures the cards he receives and he takes pride in having the coolest ones in class—from his not-so-humble perspective.
This year, I’m upping my game. I’ve been on Pinterest, friends. PINTEREST. I’m up to my eyeballs in printables in various themes he enjoys. That might not seem like a big deal, but it totally is.
Once upon a time, I tried something I saw on Pinterest. I put popcorn kernels in a paper bag and microwaved them. It turns out, it needs to be REALLY REALLY REALLY closed securely. If you don’t, it explodes all over the place and becomes a fluffy, salty, oily disaster. So Pinterest and I have been frenemies for a while. I decided to kiss and make up so I can help my son have more fun this Valentines Day.
He was super impressed when I did Minecraft printable birthday party invites. I was Super Mom for like five minutes until he got distracted by something shiny. I would love to recreate that success and be Super Mom again. This will be our first year of cards that were not picked up (possibly last minute) at the store.
When he was in kindergarten, I was overwhelmed by all the handmade, thoughtful cards and even individually iced sugar cookies. I felt really inadequate that we had dashed out and grabbed cards from the store the night before and scribbled on them with sharpies. Fortunately, he was really stoked we got Transformer cards WITH ERASERS which nobody else had. This was a small consolation for my fragile new-mom-at-school ego.
Normally I’m not a Valentines Day person, but I’m kind of looking forward to it this year. I’m excited about putting together super cool cards for my super cool kid so for another five minutes I will be Super Mom. As long as I don’t have to make popcorn to achieve it, I think we are going to be just fine.
What do you have planned with your kids for Valentines Day?
I totally sucked this year. Nothing. I got them both a bag of smarties to hand out at school.
I so agree with you on the V Day craze. But I also think its awesome you’re embracing it foe your son. My best friend does the same thing for her kids, and they love it
This is sweet, Alison, and very relatable! I actually see Vday as a day to give my kids some extra lovin’! I’ve bought them each a few little treats: a mug w hearts on it, a book and some chocs. There’s also a cake raffle at the school, so we’ll be making a few cakes for that, too.
I’ve been on Pinterest, friends 🙂 Love it!
I’m so with you about Vday, but love that you are trying! My kids love it and always tell me about the presents and chocolates their friends get and I’m like, um, it’s Valentine’s Day? Good for you. Go kick Pinterest’s butt!
I love your spunky writing voice and well all of this. Reading this makes me even more sad, though, that the elementary school my youngest attends is getting rid of Valentine’s parties. Instead, they are having the kids go out and do volunteer work. Of course, that’s absolutely wonderful. But no Valentine’s party? No crafts? No shoe boxes transformed in red and pink mailboxes? No little cards with suckers taped to them? No Transformer cards with erasers??????? Maybe do volunteer work AND have a party. Sorry, just a little sad about it. Maybe I’ll transfer her to your son’s school. Except, I’m guessing you live in a different state, so probably not:)