Popsicle Sticks and Presidents Day

Here's an oldie but a goodie back from my teaching days: Glue a handful of popsicle/craft sticks to a half-sheet of construction paper. Cut out and glue on a paper door, window, and roof. Draw yourself a tree and some clouds...and tah-dah!!!

Don't forget to add good ol' Honest Abe looking out of his log cabin window - my kids got a kick out of taping on that penny.

*For more fun facts about past presidents and the White House, this is a great family read - So You Want to Be President (by Judith St. George and David Small). Great caricatures too!

Valentine Fireplace Idea - courtesy of my kiddos

A few feet of pink streamers and a couple dozen construction paper hearts have sure added a whole lot of LOVE to our living room this week -

We always decorate for Valentine's Day, but the festive fireplace was a new addition this year. The kids even made sure to get a big heart-little heart pattern going on.

Gotta love that kiddo creativity!

Special Delivery for the Senior Citizen Home!

Over 60 valentines made just this morning - compliments of Abby's second grade class!

Now to just make the delivery and email this picture to the class parents and thank them for sending in a bunch of great card decorating supplies!

Valentines with HEART!

Armed with stickers, foam hearts, glitter glue, and crayons, about a dozen kiddos (ages 2-11) got to work making valentines during our little decorating party last February. Between all of us moms, there were tons of supplies to go around! What impressed me most was how much time the kids spent decorating these valentines knowing they were for children at the hospital. They were definitely made with lots of heart!
 

Tomorrow morning, I've enlisted Abby's second grade class to make a bunch more homemade valentines that will be delivered to a local senior citizens' home this weekend - just in time for the big day!


Hopefully, the residents there will feel the LOVE that goes into making those cards!

Shadow Tag Anyone?

 Have a little Groundhog Day fun, and head outside for a game of Shadow Tag!

Just try not to let the kiddos catch you when you stop to take a picture!

*Here's hoping that Punxsutawney Phil doesn't see his shadow! Catch a live webcast of the big moment on Groundhog.org or set your DVR on the Weather Channel's morning forecast. My kids look forward to seeing Phil's furry little face every year.

Make Someone's Day - Color A Smile!

Not too long ago, I read about this idea in Family Fun magazine to have your kids create a "crayon masterpiece" and send it in to Color A Smile - a non-profit organization that distributes children's artwork to nursing home residents and Meals on Wheels recipients.  What a neat service opportunity for little helping hands!

Just print out the coloring sheets, gather up your kiddos (and even your kiddos' friends), and let them draw and color their little hearts out!  We ended up with about twenty "masterpieces" to send, and the kids were all really excited to know that they were helping to make someone smile. :)

A Valentine's Must Read - My Heart is Like a Zoo

Making heart animals with my kids has always been one of our favorite Valentine's Day crafts. (Cut out a bunch of hearts of different colors and sizes, and let the kids get creative!)

(Noah's Valentine Goldfish bag with heart bubbles - 2010)

So when I saw this eye-catching book cover a couple of years ago, my heart seriously skipped a beat! 



Vibrant colors, clever rhymes, and every animal you can imagine constructed completely out of hearts -



Pure genius and a perfect snuggle book for Valentine's Day! My kids loved it just as much as their mama.