So, now that I write about throwing kids' parties for a living (or part of a living), I constantly have holidays on the brain. I've been busy writing about Valentine's Day lately, and I'm having some fun with it.
I've always thought Valentine's Day was a bit of a scam. Chocolates, cards, mass-produced teddy bears holding chocolates and cards. Just another money maker.
(I just wrote and deleted a little speech about over consumption. See the archives if you want to know my thoughts on that. See the giant bouncy castle in my basement if you want to know how we've been doing with that lately.)
Celebrating Valentine's Day is different with young kids, though. They understand love. They get that more than the reasons behind the other holidays. Hugs? Kisses? We're all over that in our house (hence the constant battle with colds).
And, oh, the crafts. Mmm ... I love it all. Here are a few tutorials I've posted so far ...
Easy heart garland made from kids' artwork and junk mail:
Hanging in our foyer right now:
A Valentines spinner craft:
And I'm just wrapping up the tutorial for this party invitation:
You'll be able to find the link here tomorrow.
Here's the link for the hugging heart.
Normally I loathe googly eyes, but that little guy kind of had to have them, don't you think?
The idea there is that he's giving you a hug, and it's the invitation to a "Valentine's Day party with a cause," where kids do some sort of community service, like collecting food for shelter dogs or singing old-fashioned love songs at a nursing home.
Bo decided to make him a friend with legs and a buzz cut:
You can see the other Valentines party themes I've written up here.
In other news, my husband is a genius. For 8 years now, I have resisted every technological advance J has proposed for our house, insisting that things like wireless Internet access were ridiculous (!!!) and unnecessary. I have been wrong every time, including the latest addition. Somehow he made it possible for me to play iTunes through our living room stereo just by clicking a button on my computer.
I don't know how this happened, but it means two things:
Journey's Greatest Hits anytime, anywhere.
And podcasts where people read children's books aloud, like over at The Story Home. It's a great way to calm the kids down before bedtime, especially if they've just gone a few rounds in the bouncy castle or had to endure their mother singing "Don't Stop Believing" while the vegetables roasted.
I'm not sure life could get any better.
Thanks for the tip on the Story Home! We love it already!
Posted by: Mariah Neeson | January 12, 2010 at 12:34 PM
I'm glad you like it, Mariah! There are other storytelling podcasts, too. We're just beginning to get into it, so we don't have a favorite yet.
Hope all is well. :)
Posted by: Megan | January 12, 2010 at 04:18 PM
So glad you enjoy our storytelling website!
"Your Storyteller",
A l a n
Posted by: Alan | January 12, 2010 at 09:16 PM
I have been searching all over your blog for some info on those 4 framed "pictures" you have in your foyer. I'm sure I'm just missing it, but I give in - please link me to a post about them or tell me some details...please please please. I think they are fabulous!
Thanks,
Another Megan
Posted by: Megan | April 15, 2010 at 05:08 PM