Valentine's Day Festivities

Like a lot of holidays, we like to spread out the festive activities as much as we can in this household.  We spent the weekend before Valentine's Day putting together valentines for the girls to take to their respective classrooms.  Rather than simply use store-bought cards and have the girls sign their names, I opted for something a little more fun (and even cheaper!).  I downloaded free printable valentines online and printed them on my color printer.  Then I cut them up and the girls each attached a piece of candy to each one.  Samantha gave her friends blow-pop suckers (with gum inside!) and Sophia handed out Starburst candies. 

Working so hard to write the names of all of the kids in her class and then sign her own name:

Filling out the valentines was a job that she completed one day and then we did the candy the next day.  Making the fun last longer ...

The finished valentines:  "You can count on me when things get sticky."

Sophia signed her OWN name on each of her valentines and then helped stick the candy on with a piece of tape:

The finished valentines: "You are a star(burst), Valentine."

And then for the teachers, I found another cute printable of cupid and secured a round chapstick to the valentine for the belly.

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Samantha's class did not do a big party, but they exchanged their valentines and watched a movie.  She was excited about her day, nonetheless.

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I attended Sophia's classroom celebration and had the best time there with my little Valentine.

One of the fathers read a special Valentine's Day story (some of the kids were anxious to get on with the party, but clearly Sophia was one of them that was very interested in the book):

A Valentine's Day craft:

The finished masterpiece, which continues to hang in our house:

Some healthy snacks first ... followed by cupcakes and cookies!

Bingo!  Each of the squares was a picture of one of the kids (and the teachers) in the class.  This was a very cute idea that one of the moms came up with.

Everyone got a prize once they had a bingo; Sophia enjoyed showing her prize to her friend, Allie:

Opening their valentines boxes, stuffed with cards from all of their friends:

One last picture of my party animal:

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On Valentine's Day morning, the kids were up bright and early and wanted to open their valentines from Steve and me.  Cards and chocolate candy ... at 7 am!  How much more fun can it get?

Sam made a special hat for the day and then modeled it for me.  It was pretty creative!

Happy Heart Day!