Dear valentine...

My 6-year-old daughter and I started working on her school valentines today. It's exciting because this year she can actually write. Last year, I'm pretty sure I did all of the writing. She could write her name, but I think it might have taken about 87 years if I'd asked her to write it on 20 valentines. This year, we are pacing ourselves. Valentine's Day is Thursday, February 14. There's 25 kids in class. That means we need to write about 5 a day. Piece of cake, right?

As with most projects, I always have an idea of how I think it should be. She has an idea. Our ideas are never very similar. I also like to be methodical about these things (for example, let's decide on the paper and size of card before we start cutting out little hearts, etc.). My daughter likes to just start cutting! So it took us a few minutes before we could get down to business.

Once all that was established, she started writing. If you have a child in the early stages of writing/literacy, you will notice that writing in small print can be challenging. The first card was nearly full with just the salutation. We talked out what she wanted to say: "Dear Billy, You are my friend and I like hunting for dinosaur bones with you. Love, etc." Hmmm. That's a bit too wordy for the size of paper we are dealing with. So I made a few sample messages:

"Dear Sally, Be my valentine! Love, M."
or
"Dear Johnny, Happy valentine's day! From, M."

My husband and I had a quick family meetiing. We felt it was acceptable to offer "love" to her girl friends, but that the boy friends might be better served with a simple "From." Don't want to lead anyone on, or give anyone the wrong idea. They're only in kindergarten after all!! So then we got rather silly.

"Dear Wally, Happy heart day! Your resume will be kept in our files for 3 months. Best regards, M."

My daughter didn't think that was very funny at all. Now we haven't yet talked about putting candies or stickers or lolly-pops in them. I'm hoping she won't even think about that.

Five days and counting to Valentine's Day folks!! Are you making cards? Buying cards? Or just hoping your husband remembers?

Comments

[Becky]

I make valentine postcards with a laminated photo on one side and a small message from the kiddos on the back, so far I write the message (my daughter is 16mths) but I am sure that one day she will want to make them all her own. Then I just address them and put them in the mail. The best part is that as long as they are post card size, 4x6, you can use the post card postage rate which really helps save. Plus I don't have to worry about envelopes and I feel less wasteful. I also only use card stock or other paper for the back of the photo so that the picture can be taken off and saved and the paper recycled. Last year I sent out 30 post cards and only one of them didn't reach its destination. So I am confident that this will work again. I just need to put them in the mail on Monday so everyone gets them on time.

[lilah]

E is making a big painting and then I will cut it up into hearts. He then wants to write a message on them and shazam, we're done. One thing though, E always writes "love, E" on everything he sends. He is only five and I think it is sweet. He feels his friendships with his whole heart. I never thought twice about it. hmm.