At Considerable Cost

  The kids like coming home to a table filled with decorating supplies for their valentines.   These are pictures that make it all look so beautiful.   And it was, but it wasn't perfect.   The ironing board in the background was knocked down, Thomas was bored with writing "From: Thomas" after the tenth valentine.   There was great moaning and gnashing of teeth at times;) BUT in their memories, I really believe they'll remember it the way it is in these pictures.   It's all okay!     Clare's class valentines from a free printable Idea for Thomas's class valentines came from pinterest Teacher gifts: spring bulb plants placed in brown lunch sacks and tied with ribbon Joey took Clare and Thomas to the Builder's Workshop at Lowe's while Emmeline decorated sugar cookies.    

 Now that I'm Catholic, I can share the whole story with my children:)  I'm not sure why Mama made a big deal out of Valentine's Day for me.   In elementary school, she and I would make sugar cookies the night before.   During my senior year of high school, I worked in the child development lab of our Home Economics department.   It was a working preschool for children of teachers and others in the community.   Mama felt like she knew each child from the stories I brought home.   She and I decided to make special cookie stacks for each child on Valentine's Day.   They were a huge hit and I like to make them for my children, too.   Sometimes we share them with friends and neighbors, but this year, I did well just to make them for us.   The recipe and instructions are here .   I love the simple sweetness of Valentine's Day in the elementary years.   I have fond memories o...