Homemade Valentines

Happy Valentine's Day, lovely people of the internet!

However you feel about Hallmark holidays, it's difficult to grumble about a day of sweetness and love. I tell my loved ones that I love and appreciate them very often. So Valentine's Day just feels like a day to show that love x 10!

This is the first Valentine's that I tried to do a craft activity with Doodlebug. He still doesn't really "get" these holidays, but since we had to bring in valentines for a party at preschool, I thought we could have some art time together and make them. I found this crayon valentine tutorial from Chef Messy and thought we would give it a try. I knew Doodlebug wouldn't really partake in most of the crayon making process, but I was okay with that. 

Peeling paper off the crayons was the most time consuming of the process.

I was careful to use lots of light-colored crayons so the melted versions didn't get muddied.

Next it was time to put the valentines together. I wanted Doodlebug to add his personal touch to his valentines, so I gave him crayons and paper to scribble on. He usually loves any art activity, so I wasn't prepared for his complete disinterest in scribbling. I think giving him small crayons to scribble with is where I went wrong. He's used to the chunkier, easy-to-hold crayons and markers. The thin crayons got a major "thumbs down" from Doodlebug and he ended up sorting them into piles and then throwing them across the table. Lesson learned! I managed to get just enough scribbles from Doodlebug to use on the valentines.

A team effort from mama and Doodlebug.

And later today, I will continue the love festivities and make this Chocolate Eclair Cake for Dr. Spacetime. Maybe I will handle Doodlebug's bath and bedtime too, so that my love can ALSO get some time on the treadmill. Kisses, cake and a jog - the perfect Valentine's package?