Show the LOVE!

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner! My kids love when I decorate even if it’s just a little for each holiday. I found this super cute idea at one of my favorite idea blogs…and I made these pretty rose balls too! I think they came out so pretty. I should have my buffet completed this week (as I am leaving it up the whole month) and I will be sure to post the completed romantic look. Anyway without further ado, here is what you need to make these yourself:

1. glue gun and glue sticks

2. streamers (valentine colors of your choice)

3. Styrofoam balls (think of where you want them and choose the size)

Here’s what you do:

You just fold the streamer in half, gently. You don’t want a flat fold otherwise you won’t get a nice “poof.” Start rolling it around as you pinch the bottom. Once it looks like a little rose, you put a teensy bit of glue so it doesn’t unravel. Then you just glue it right on the Styrofoam ball. You continue to do this making sure you glue the roses close together so there aren’t any “bald” spots.

I only did about 3/4 of the pink so that it would fit snug in this little cup!

Very fun, very inexpensive, and they make a bright & LOVABLE statement!

Happy Hearts and Happy Tummies

Made something so peppermint-sweet for my two little valentine’s! Seriously, we LOVE peppermint and chocolate together. It’s a m-m-m combo! Originally, it was going to be a Mother and Daughter baking project (simple project, you know, the kind I like). So, as many mommies know, things don’t always work out as planned. My sweet girl has a 100 degree temperature and has broken out in a rash. Poor baby! She’s on her way home from her dad’s and I made these for her…and my big boy to have a little ‘tummy happy’ treat before bed. I’m also going to leave some out for my main squeeze (he’s on his way home from practice). So without further ado, here it is…Oh yeah, and I hope everyone had a LOVELY VALENTINE’S DAY!!!

What you need: brownie mix (and ingredients), candy canes, and red and/or pink M&M’s… THAT’s IT!

crush the candy cane into little pieces like this. I used the end of a knife (the handle end) and just tapped. They broke nice and easy. It takes about 3 candy canes for a box of brownies.

fold the pieces into the mix

I used the mini-hearts Wilton baking pan again. I counted out that many M&M’s. Push them in the center of each heart-brownie as soon as they come out of the oven. I baked the rest of the batter in a small baking pan.

cute and definitely satisfies a sweet tooth!

B Has a Hold of my Heart

Last night Brayden and I took on a little HEARTFELT-HEART project. As we have a Valentine’s playdate coming up, I wanted to make something cute and fun for B’s little friends. Preferably, something he could really take part in. Not to mention, simple, not time consuming OR expensive. I also like doing things that involve my kids so I’m spending time with them:)! So, after searching some of my favorite idea blogs, here’s what we did step-by-step!

What you’ll need: crayons, mini heart baking pan, & baking spray

we peeled the crayons (soaking them in cold water helps) Brayden helped me sort ‘naked’ crayons, paper, and crayons to be placed in the water. Fun!

assort in slightly greased mini heart baking pan

(make sure all the paper is off) set your oven to 300 degrees, and let them melt for 12-15 minutes

let them cool completely (we put ours outside since it was super cold. It helped to speed up the process).

sweet huh? I was so proud. Brayden? Intrigued! I talked to him through the entire process of what we were making, and asking him what colors were ‘kinda’ the same and which ones were WAY different. He kept saying, “byoo (blue) and white….NOOOO, byoo and black….YESSSS”! He would even peek in to the oven when they were melting.

I HEART these HEARTS…the marble ones are pretty neat I think! We made another batch this morning.

We talked about how they felt….so smooth. They’re the perfect size for toddlers little hands.

Here is how B felt about them! This was the best part of the project…spending quality time with my little guy and he obviously had a swell time helping me. He warms my HEART!

Package them up for little gifts! I can think of a few sweet ways to do this….One, being trace your tot’s hand on pretty Valentine’s scrap paper, cut it out, and staple it to the bag. Add a meaningful message, ribbon or pixie-dust glitter for a bit of a ‘pop’!

Have a super-swell time making some with your tot!:)

Nealy and I will be engaging in a pretty spiffy AND super-yummy Valentine’s project very soon! Don’tcha miss it…you’ll be sorry:)

"OWL" Always Love 'Em!

I LOVE making little things with my kids and for my kids. Since Valentine's Day is around the corner (note to honey: it's the day for love birds....remember?) I wanted to make something original and cutesy to put their V-Day goodies in. I stick to simple, quick, and cute! I like projects but, none that are going to take lots of time (especially away from my family) to make. These literally took about 5 minutes! Now that's quick! Anyway, I made bags with my class...knowing this was the idea I had planned for my two. AND because "OWL" always love my two...the bags are perfect! Brayden walks by (pointing to the bags) and says, "hoot-hoot." I tell him that he is going to have special goodies in his bag later. He accepts my answer. Who knows if he knows what I am saying or not...but, regardless, I love that he smiles and likes looking at them. OH! and last night he came to the table, wanted to get in my lap and help. It was so cute. He was making the connection to the Valentine craft he and I made a few days before. Too sweet!