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Homemade Valentines

Thursday, February 11, 2010

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Whichever Montessori teacher at Kate's school it was that decided that ALL 30 Valentine's MUST be home made clearly does not have a 3 and 1/2 year old (nor two other children) at home! And I am quite certain she does not have a 3 year old with a bad case of the "I do it myself's!" I'm just saying.....


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It has taken us (and by "us" I mean me, Dave, Kate and a babysitter) a few weeks to try to get these all done. And we're still not done! Glitter has been spilled, huge messes have been made, voices have been raised (well, I yelled), tears have been shed. It has not been too much fun. Three year olds simply do not have the attention span to knock out these Valentines quickly.

In principle, I agree with the "no store bought" and certainly no princess or cartoon character Valentine policy. I think the glittery doily ones in theory are much prettier. But, in reality, they were no fun to make and I know they will be in 30 trash cans within a few days. Sigh....

BTW--the babysitter made the cute ones;)

56 comments:

  1. OH my I NEVER would have made it, I am so un-craft minded it is so pathetic:) Years aga my son would have been up a breek!
    I think they are all beautiful and Kate will be the BOMB!
    god going mom dad boys, kate and baby sitter too!
    YAY it is finished!

    Have a great party!
    hugsz!
    Cindy

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  2. i'm teacher for 3 years old children and mom of two little girls : those cards require too much attention and dexterity for young children ! I understand your complain about it !
    You have my support lol !

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  3. They are cute but you should say something to the teacher. I am a teacher and I would never do that. That teacher should be opened to "suggestions" for next year. Try to see if you can get a few other parents to complain as well. I know you will be very sweet about the issue.

    Tell Katie they look great!


    Oh- here's a thought, the teacher could have suggested the kids make homemade Valentine's for family. Other kids don't care and they will end up on the floor.

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  4. Yikes. That sounds painful. I seriously don't think that I could do it. I love the idea of homemade valentines, but couldn't imagine making 30 of them with any of my kids!

    Being a synagogue based preschool, Lily's school doesn't do Valentines, so no worries about that. She does however keep asking where her Valentines are when she sees the boys writing out theirs!

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  5. Glitter everywhere over here too!!!!

    Happy Valentines Day to one of my favorite Mom's on the planet!!!!

    I'm just saying.... :)

    Love,
    DI

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  6. I agree that it's a bit ridiculous to expect a 3 1/2 year old to do that. That's waaaay too young, but they look great!

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  7. LOL! I am sorry your post was humorous. Qnd yes, maybe, this project should have been left till Kate is 8! Poor you. But, they look spectacular Kim.

    BTW, my hat is off to you again. I could NOT have returned those cute cupcake plates.

    Lea
    xo

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  8. Oh, I don't know - I think the princess ones are pretty cute :)

    Ok - so I'm lazy! HA! Of COURSE the doily ones are adorable! But you are RIGHT - that's crazy to expect for a 3 year old!

    We made Valentine crafts yesterday - I felt like I had ran a marathon when we were done - I slept like a rock last night!

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  9. I would have failed motherhood 101 right off the bat, since I don't do crafts....I'm pretty sure that's why they went to preschool so they could play with playdough and cut up paper, spill glue and get glitter all over the place somewhere besides my house! I think they came through it without too many emotional scars (BTW, my 22 year old daughter got a job in Houston last summer and I made my first visit when we moved her in). You might want to get a head start on next year's Valentines pretty soon if that's their rule! :-)

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  10. Wow -- they do look beautiful, but whoa -- that is a lot of work and way beyond a 3 year old! Have a great day.

    Janet

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  11. That is just nuts to expect a 3 yr old to produce 30 handmade valentines!!

    They are SO CUTE, but it would have been much easier, and a lot less stressful, to go buy something!

    I will be anxious to see what Kate brings home from her classmates:)

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  12. It drives me crazy when teachers have unrealistic expectations with crafts and such. Although I must say, they are absolutely darling. They are all so cute and colorful. Have a great Valentine's Day!!

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  13. I so understand what you are going thru. My 4 year old had definate ideas of the valentines and the candy to go with it. We also started about two weeks ago and finished up this weekend. For every 9 valentines he wrote his name on he got one piece of candy--i know bad mom but it worked and they are ready to go tomorrow. I only had to go to SIX stores to find white lunch bags for the class craft project - urgh.

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  14. WOW! That's a lot to expect from a 3 year old! I have a two year old and I think I would rather stick my head in a pot of oil than make 30 homemade cards with her at this age. ;) I took the 'low' road and bought hers! But, they do look awesome!!!

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  15. I remember it taking a week for my children to sign their names to the store bought Valentines. Seriously, we would have to start a week before they were due and write 5 or 6 a day. This should be a fun holiday.

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  16. Oh Dear!! I can only imagine the drama that would've been in my house trying to do 30 of those things when my kiddos were that age... not a pretty scene!! ;) But the doily Valentines sure are pretty. However, like you said, the teacher that came up with this assignment, clearly does not have a 3 year old at home! Very festive though!!

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  17. That must have been so frustrating! I do agree with the no disney type cards, etc. I am sitting here stuffing puppy and kitty valentines into envelopes for my Pre-K girl to hand out today.

    Kate's valentines turned out just lovely, btw. :-)

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  18. they certainly are pretty...
    Art is one of the times that in homeschooling, I stress. As soon as I see the mess that one obviously makes with glue and glitter I have a difficult time enjoying it. Chloe loves art time and thankfully she is very neat and sometimes I let her hide from everyone si she can make things alone.
    I continue to pray Nikki has a full quick recovery quickly.

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  19. So cute! They came out great! ha. I laughed because I went over to my mom's house and she was "helping" my niece make Valentines for her class...and the whole scenario did not look very pleasant for either one of them...although my mom thought it would be a fun project, in theory. AND, it was not even a rule for them to be homemade!

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  20. I think the fun of homemade is lost when you are told to make homemade. I still think the option should be yours and am sorry it wasn't fun.

    G made her valentines and there is a huge difference at 6 than at 3! She was so diligent...it's a girl thing.

    xoxo

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  21. Having taught pre-k for years, I think I can say with some authority that this assignment was too much. It would take a month! With lots of help! (Oh... wait... it DID take a month. With lots of help.)

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  22. oh this is funny, sorry i know it wasn't funny in the moment but looking and imagining the stress over... valentines for 3 year olds! of course they will all be in the trash within hours. how depressing :( they are cute, though! but, companies make them for a reason! i can see making them for your family, but for a whole class??? what in the world!!

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  23. that is quite a request to make of a 3 year old. lessons learned!

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  24. In an effort to be more "green" - I think they ought to do away with exchanging Valentines in pre-school :) We have it easy - just have to bring 12 Valentines - no restrictions, and right now that seems like a ridiculous chore for something that will just get tossed in a few days!

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  25. Oh I'm so right there with you!!! I have a "I CAN DO IT MYSELF" 3yr old! I would have been NUTS had we had to do HOMEMADE valentine! I got off EASY this year w/store bought ones and 20 juice boxes for her class! However we are making HOMEMADE VALENTINE CARDS at home!! FUN, FUN, FUN!!!

    PS That teacher should have EACH kid get up and tell them what materials they use and each step it took to create those CUTE CARDS!! That'll teach her!! LOL!!!

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  26. I wonder what the teacher envisioned when she said Valentines had to be homemade. Perhaps she was thinking of something simpler? Kate's (yours!) are gorgeous but clearly beyond the abilities of a child her age.

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  27. Kim,
    At Josie's school they make it a Friendship Day celebration - no valentines needed! Each child brings in a special stuffed animal and they have a little party with heart shaped cookies and juice.

    As a fund raiser, the upper grades sell candy grams - you can send a red heart to your child for 50 cents. Its a red construction paper heart with a lollipop. Josie got one from her Mom & Dad and one from her big sister! Happy Valentines Day to all of you!!

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  28. Oh my, this is a pet peeve of mine! Projects that the child simply cannot do without major help! And for pre-school no less! Ours wouldn't have looked nearly as nice as yours...I hate doing crafts! It will be fun to see the different kinds she gets in return.

    ~Lynn

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  29. OMGosh! Well, they are gorgeous!! I wish I had seen this last night when we were having to redo all of Bailey's since I have lost the bag we had them all ready to go in. We only had 8 left of the store bought so I had her make a few and we we were cutting out hearts etc. (Wish I had that pretty lace!!) I was really noticing that the store bought are not really special or cute. These ar amazing and she will always remember them...but i would not have liked to have been MADE to do it. hahaha
    You are always such a trooper Kim!!!

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  30. oh my gosh, that is a ton of work for little kate!! we made just a few homemade ones for people in the family. i broke down and bought 'buzz light year' valentines with tatoos in them for preschool. haha!!

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  31. Those are way cuter than the T.oy S.tory ones I sent to my son's preschool! But, I didn't shed one single tear while putting those togehter :)

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  32. Ohhhhh, but they are SOOO sweet!

    I think they're worth the yelling and crying! :) Seriously, I hear you on the "I do it myselfs", drives you crazy after a while! :)

    Happy V Day!
    Jill

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  33. Wow! Sounds like some craziness that I'm glad I missed out on. They are very cute but maybe next year she should have each child make one for their parents...in class...and then you can go buy the cute "Hello Kitty" ones at Wal-greens!
    Hugs,
    Chesnye

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  34. I LOVE Montessori and all, but that project I'm sure would have had me in tears! Good thing you took photos to remember how cute they are!

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  35. Oh Kim ... bless your heart! ;). I can only imagine the stress! Actually, I've been there many a time with 3 boys - and none of them ever had an interest in art work or crafts. Bad combination with a mom who is a bit of a 'perfectionist'!
    xo

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  36. I cannot believe they expected this of 3 year olds. I teach second grade and I don't think they could handle it. Crazy!

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  37. Welcome to my day to day life :)
    Fun fun fun!!! NOT! :)

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  38. are you kidding me? we are still fighting to get our 20 store bought addressed and signed by z- we are in an AMI montessori too- and i was so hoping we would not be req'd to make them. feeling your pain.

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  39. Oh Kim- I posted about this last year and was lamenting and you sympathized with me.

    Believe me, I am TOTALLY sympathizing with you.

    (I am also dreading the 20 we still have to complete tonight too!)

    Hang in there-

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  40. they turned out very pretty, homemade OH MY! I feel the same way it will most likely be thrown away in a week or so. you most defintely have my support about homemade V cards. What great parents Kate has:-)

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  41. You go girly..
    LOVE THEM..
    that looks like A LOT of work..
    Hugs.
    have a great weekend..

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  42. oh man - and I was feeling jealous about all the American's celebrating Valentines Day. I will just make the five I always make (for my four children and my husband) thank you very much.

    maybe next year some stickers stuck on folded paper? The ones you(all) made are beautiful!

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  43. We have been crafting three days in a row, thanks to our lovely snow fall, and I really do not like the mess. I just want a magic wand to erase everything away the moment our project is done. It stresses me out, so I can understand why this never-ending project would get old quickly. They turned out GREAT, though!!

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  44. Those turned out soooo cute! I also love the idea of homemade Valentine's Day cards but I don't think we could swing it here either! It was bad enough writing out store bought cards!

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  45. they look fabulous!
    emma has hello kitty...and i did them myself - if she knew about these cards, however, it would have been "I DO IT" or "Emma Do It" - has only taken her 4 months to learn these words, learn how to use these words and ASSERT herself in everything we do!!! Ha!

    i was realllllllly hoping she would grow out of this soon...she just turned two - it's not looking so good for me, huh?

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  46. That is crazy - to have to make them! Being a teacher (third grade, but still...), I know the kids don't even pay attention to who they are from. At this point, the just want the candy. It's like Halloween all over again for most of them.
    Glad you got them done though!

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  47. I think you should show the teacher all these comments. That was just way too much work for a 3 1/2 year old! Maybe you can save some other mother the pain and suffering next year.


    Sharyn

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  48. we did the homemade thing as well for 20 some kiddos, and I cheated.. a little. We cut hearts out of construction paper and made a beautiful "prototype" complete w/ handwritten salutations of Happy Valentines Day, then sweet husband took it to his office and copied it onto fine art watercolor paper and poof.. we had a "homemade" valentine x 20. They were really quite 'artsy' and mucho easy :) :)

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  49. Wow, they are very pretty but we did the store bought ones...glad our schools don't expect a 3 or 4 year old to make 30 homemade valentines...yikes. Praying for Nickie as well. Hugs

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  50. These are SO cute - but I agree way too much for this age group, especially if there are 30 children. You all did a great job though!

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  51. Kim,

    DO THE book with us!!! It will be encouraging to have some bloggy buddies to do it with! I, too, did not think I dealt with insecurity (ok, I DO have humility issues!) until I went to her "preparing your heart" simulcast - and I was shocked at "how" insecurity looks in our lives. Bottom Line for me was, if I can be MORE secure - in who I am - in Christ - as a Mom - as a wife - than I will better than I was when I began :) That is my prayer - that God doesn't leave me like I am!!

    Family Christian has the book on sale too - we have until Thursday to read the first 2 chapters! I am so excited, I think I will hop on the treadmill to read mine today!!

    Blessings to you!
    Sara

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  52. That was an arduous task and I give everyone an A for effort and patience. I think they turned out cute as can be.

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  53. Oh my goodness Kim - you are such a better momma than me! I think I would have just told the teacher straight up that we would be sending store-bought valentine's and she would just have to deal with it!

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  54. These are really adorable : ) Kim....no way would I have made them LOL that's the rebel in me. I would of said "are you kidding me". And if she wanted to send princess cards she should of been able to...Who's Valentine's are they....Kate's or the teachers? Livi's teacher said no candy and no putting the kids names on the cards...only sign them. Well now, that's no fun!!! Gosh I remember Valentine's being so much fun as a kid...candy, that special card from a friend (or boy) that was just to me : ) So I followed the rules of no candy and sent play-do and tattoo's instead : 0 Now they can decorate the class with pink and red play-do and come home looking like bikers : P
    I know what your thinking...grow up Colleen...LOL when I say pray for me I mean it.

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  55. I completely agree with you!! That is just torture!!!

    They sure are cute, though!

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  56. Oh I know what you mean... my 4 year old took a week to write her name on 15 cards. That's her name only. It was painful.

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Thank you for your kindness.