Valentine's Day Morning Fun

by Laura Torres | More from this Blogger

02 Feb 2006 08:55 PM

I don't care much for Valentine's Day, as far as lovers exchanging flowers and chocolates and cards. As far as I'm concerned, if you love someone, these things should be happening occasionally out of a desire from the heart, not dictated by retail establishments and a date on the calendar. Bah humbug. (But of course I would get my feelings hurt if my husband forgot about it entirely--oh, my fickle heart.)

But I do like Valentine's Day because it's an excuse to eat candy, pass out candy, make cards and sugar cookies, celebrate and decorate. My kids love it, and that makes me get excited. I love looking through all their little paper cards when they get home from school, and I might even score a candy heart or two.

Here are some ways that I like to kick off Valentine's Day for the kids, in spite of my bah-humbugness. No one at our house is a morning person, so it's nice to see some smiles. Maybe you'll be inspired to try some for your own family.

1. A drop of red food coloring in the milk, whether for drinking or for the morning cereal, is a festive way to start the day. Better yet, add some strawberry syrup to make strawberry-flavored milk.

2. Similarly, if you can manage to make pancakes that early in the morning, a couple of drops of red food coloring in the batter makes pink pancakes. Try your best to pour the pancakes in heart shapes. Your kids will be too tickled to be judgmental.

3. Dump a handful of candy hearts in their brown bag lunches. Not all neat and tidy in a sack, but just loose.

4. Tape a funny valentine to their toothbrushes or to the bathroom mirror.

5. Tie a helium balloon to the bed or doorknob when they are asleep so they see it when they wake up first thing in the morning.

6. And, of course, say "I love you" and give them a big, sloppy kiss on the way out the door, even your twelve-year-old son who is allergic to parental affection, if you can catch him. It's only once a year. He'll survive.

Learn more about Laura Torres

Laura Torres is the best-selling author of many books for kids and teens, and a party planner. Check out her website at lauratorres.com.

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