A Mom's Year

Creating a comfortable life one moment at a time

Personalized Valentine Portraits

I always have high hopes that we’ll be ahead of the game and get the Valentines made early, but somehow we never do. But at least we’re not waiting until the very last minute this year.

Lexie wanted to make something special, so I printed out this totally cool pdf from inchmark. Lexie customized them for her classmates and friends and taped an Air Head inside each one. I think she did an amazing job and I’m sure the other kids (and her teachers) will think it’s fun having such a personalized Valentine.

It’s nice to be done!

I Heart This Card

I love this 3-D Valentine card from The Creative Place. It involves a sewing machine, but I can’t let that stop me. Don’t you think this would make a wonderful birthday, thank-you, or just because card?

Do you have fun plans for the weekend? I’m trying not to think all at once about everything that needs to get done. I’m muttering “bird by bird” a lot. Girl Scout cookies to be sold, birthday gift hat to be knitted, Chinese New Year to be celebrated, Valentines to be made. I don’t like to wish the days away, but I’ll be glad when I can look back on February and say “Whew, we made it.”

Here are some love-inspired links to start your weekend. Hope to see you again on Monday!

  • I’m in awe of these inspiring couples who’ve been together more than 50 years.
  • Let everyone know how you feel about your hometown with these T-shirts.
  • I love chocolate peanut butter cups. Can’t wait to make these once the February dust settles.
  • Take a minute to enjoy the love-themed photography here.
  • Day 42 of the 100 Push-Ups Challenge.

Not That Kind of Discipline

(Creative Kids Photography)

A friend told me the other day that when she saw the post “Some Thoughts on Discipline,” she assumed it was about disciplining children. I laughed because I’m the last person in the world to tell anyone how to discipline children. I like John Wilmot, the Second Earl of Rochester, who said, “Before I got married I had six theories about bringing up children; now I have six children and no theories.” Amen to that.

When Andrew was a baby I read an article by a mom who wrote about her kids “decorating” the entire upstairs bathroom with toilet paper, stringing it from the lights and shower curtain and shoving gobs of it down the toilet. I was shocked. Shocked! How could a mother leave her children unattended long enough for them to do something like that?

Now of course I get that there are days when you will do anything to have 10 minutes to yourself. The toilet-papered mother knew her children were safe and while I’m sure she was seriously bummed at the mess they made she was willing to deal with the aftermath just to have a few moments’ peace.

After you’ve been doing this parenting thing for a while you realize that none of us get a free pass. At one point I was quite smug because my children never wrote on walls. What great discipline! Then along came my fourth who could somehow color an entire room in the time it took me to throw a load of clothes in the washer. And I can pretty much guarantee that if you get a kid labeled “gifted” you’ll get another one labeled “unmotivated.” Or you’ll have one who doesn’t even notice you’re in the room unless you raise your voice and one who’s crushed if you just look at her disapprovingly. Discipline shmiscipline.

I guess I do have a theory about bringing up children: Kids come prewired, so don’t beat yourself up too much when they’re awful or take too much credit when they’re wonderful. And if you look them in the eyes at least once a day and let them know they’re loved, you’re doing great.

How to Host a Chinese New Year Party

First, assemble 19 eager kindergartners. Teach them how to say ni hao (hello) and “Gong Hay Fat Choy” (Happy New Year).

Read Lanterns and Firecrackers to explain what Chinese New Year is all about. Tell the students they’re Monkeys and Roosters. Let them giggle about that for a while. Show them where China is on the map. Nod understandingly when they say I’m from China, too!

Make Orange Bowl Collages for good luck. Admire the lovely artwork.

Make Rabbit Masks because it’s the Year of the Rabbit. Make a mental note to use a glue gun to attach the popsicle sticks to the paper plates at home next time.

Pass out Pocky sticks and plum cookies. Hand out lots more Pocky sticks and explain that the important thing is that they were adventurous and tried the plum cookies.

Line up for a parade. Hop down the hall and through the office. Laugh at the surprised looks in the faculty lounge.

Wait quietly in an empty classroom and surprise the unsuspecting students when they come in.

Hand out red envelopes filled with gold dragon coins. Wish everyone “Gong Hay Fat Choy” and hope they feel like the world’s a little smaller today.

Try Not to Lick the Screen

AmberLee at The Giver’s Log has launched a business (with her friend Andrea) called The Ticket Kitchen. They produce lush chunks of chocolate on a stick that you can dunk into hot milk for a decadent treat. The chocolates are handcrafted in San Francisco of “fine French couverture.” I don’t know what couverture is but it sounds awfully good, doesn’t it? Ticket Sticks come in French Chocolate or Three-Chili flavors. One of the nicest things about The Ticket Kitchen is that you can visit their website here to get all sorts of printables to make your gift or party even better.

via martawrites.com

  • Marta at Marta Writes has cute Valentine heart templates for creating hanging heart displays. Ever since my oldest was very small, I’ve hung long ribbons festooned with large pink and red construction paper hearts (just glued on) from their doorways. Nothing fancy, but a cheerful way to start Valentine’s Day. Even better if you write little messages on them. I will unapologetically hang these things until they’ve all gone off to college. Everyone likes to know they’re loved, right?
  • I went through my stack of January magazines last night and these are some things I might try: Fun packaging for homemade oatmeal cookies here. Clip-art letters for creating banners here. Balm (with SPF 23) for protecting our noses and cheeks when we’re skiing in freezing cold weather here.
  • Visit 1,000 Awesome Things when you need a little inspiration.
  • Day 39 of the 100 Push-Ups Challenge.