Welch Whirl

Valentine's Day Leftovers -- Not This Year!

When Wiley and Rosa brought home Valentines from their classmates last year, it was obvious we had not spent enough time on ours. I was genuinely embarrassed. For one thing, we had used leftover Valentines from previous years that I had dug up from storage (some may say I'm cheep, others resourceful). Even worse, we did not provide a treat. Wow, big mistake. As far as a kid is concerned, a Valentine without a treat is like a birthday card with no present attached.

So this year I decided to put some effort into it. This is what we came up with.



In addition to making the nosecone out of a Hershey's Kiss, we made the fuselage (is that what it's called?) from a roll of LifeSavers and the ailerons (can you tell I did some Google-ing?) from little hearts.

I was in Wiley's classroom when he handed the rockets out. Wiley was standing on a chair like an auctioneer from the Wild West, exclaiming, "Who wants my last 'out-of-this-world' rocket?" There was a crowd of kids jumping up trying to get the last one -- sort of like those people on RonCo infomercials trying to get a Flobee or smokeless ashtray.

I'm sure I had an obnoxious smile as I watched him doling out our creations. At least he's not embarrassed this year. Especially when I saw one of the kids flying his Valentine rocket through the air making vroom-vroom noises. (Insert smug grin.)

In addition to the rockets, I also brought a craft for the Valentine's party. I helped the kids make flowers out of tissue paper.



These were a huge hit, and the kids were so proud of themselves. (Isn't it funny that a roomful of seven-year-olds and their adoration for a Valentine's Day craft can launch my ego over the moon?) So, I guess the lesson here is that spending a little extra time on holiday crafts is not only good for the kids but also for my self-esteem.

For the record, the rockets were only 8 cents each, and the flowers were 2 cents each. It turns out I'm resourceful and cheep. Some might even say it's a gift. he he.