So what’s a girl to do? Make something! Of course!

In honor of Valentines Day, I thought I’d whip up  a little “game” to encourage loving, talking, and learning within our family.

Valentine Conversation Cards

1. Round up a bunch of cards from the Hearts Suit (one card per question desired).

2. Cover cards in card stock (on the non-heart side). I chose paper colors similar to the conversation heart candies.

3. To bring out all the love, write prompting questions and fun-loving action commands on the cards.

• Tell Mommy she is special
• Give Daddy a back rub
• Ask Papa to share a story from the past
• Call Grammy and say I Love You
• Hold Molly’s hand in yours
• Read with Ryan on the couch
• Tell about a time you showed love to someone
• How do you feel loved?
• What does it mean to show God’s love?

4. Store game cards in a basket, bin, bag or box. I chose to put mine in a heart box on the kitchen table.

5. Take turns picking a card. Enjoy conversation and let the love abound!

Have a good weekend! Happy Valentine’s Day! I’ll be back next week with some thoughts about how to speak your child’s love language.

“Remember, God loves you and so do I!” – Boz the green bear next door

We decorated one pumpkin with a family member’s portrait on each side. This was a lot more fun than making Ry stick his hands in goo from innards which he hates. I guess he gets that from Neat Pete because certainly I have never been shy around a good mess.

Have a BOO-tiful evening! We will be begging for calories we don’t need aka trick-or-treating as the following:

• The Tooth Fairy Princess – Me
• Iron Man – Neat Pete
• My Knight in Shining Armor – Ry Guy
• Lil’ Pumpkin – Lil’ Miss

We have already played at a Costume Fun ‘N’ Run for MOPS, handed out candy at Neat Pete’s office and spread festive cheer at Gramma GG’s temporary nursing home. Thank goodness we all had a rest this afternoon!

Off to a pizza party!

Ryan's Nature Box

Nature Box

1. Cut a hole in the top lid of a shoe box. We have a flip top kid’s size shoe box for our nature box.
2. Cover box with butcher paper (brown craft paper or a grocery bag). Use a bit of tape and wrap the paper on the box like a gift. Wrap the lid and bottom separately.
3. Adhere a piece of felt under the lid hole. Slit felt with an exacto knife to create a hand passage way into the box.
4. Decorate box with stickers, magazine clippings or drawings. Label with letter stickers or marker.
5. Cover box with clear packing tape or clear contact paper to help the box hold up over time.
6. Bring box outside and start collecting!

Molly on our nature collection tour of the yard. Notice she brought a book.

Ryan shows off his collection of twigs.

Mini Fall Trees

Materials: Branches or twigs, old play-doh, fall colored tissue paper, glue, and brown paper
Directions:
1.    Stick little branches or twigs in a ball of old play-doh.
2.    Glue bits of fall colored tissue on the twigs for leaves.
3.    Wrap the ball in a piece of brown paper.
4.    Tie a piece of string or yarn around the brown paper.

Ryan starts his tree with green play-doh.

Even Molly creates a mini tree glob. I only had to fish play-doh out of her mouth 3 times!

Target had awesome jewel and metallic toned tissue paper.

The mini trees are great for my seasonal hound Ry. He loves decorations but sometimes I just don’t want him playing with the ceramic tiles, glass urns and faux berries. You know? So, Ry decorates his table with his own mini trees Win! Win!