i love valentines

I have a love / hate relationship with Valentine's Day. I loved it as a child, hated it during my teenage years and 20's and now love it again since having children. My birthday is two days before V-Day so when all the pink and red paraphenelia starts to appear on store shelves, I get excited.

I love the color scheme – totally chic and rarely garish; I love the school parties, always signing up to make homemade heart-shaped sugar cookies and convincing myself that my efforts are not in vain (I'm sure the kids would enjoy store-bought cookies just as much!); and I love this wreath that I picked up at Target for a mere $19.99.

A few years ago, Pottery Barn Kids sold the most darling oversized felt envelopes that are meant to be affixed to a child's chair and filled with goodies on Valentine's Day. It seemed a waste to let the envelopes sit with nothing in them until February 14th. Hence, my husband and I decided last year, beginning on February 1st, to write little notes for our girls at night, leaving them in each of their envelopes. I tried to make it as easy on Charles and me as possible by having preprinted business card-sized notes in a drawer in the kitchen ready to be written on – they are small enough to not feel too overwhelming.

What I love is that each morning, Charlotte and Amelia rush to their envelopes to see what we've written. The notes are sometimes a simple observation of a charitable act or a quick drawing to make them laugh. I love that Charles and I force ourselves to take a minute each evening to think about why we love our children. It's my version of Oprah's gratitude journal.

Click on the link below for cards to write notes to your own children.

 

Comments

[Jenn]

This is just the sweetest idea... something i will definitely do with my little girl! :)

[stephanie]

Thank you so much for this great idea! I love the printable and your detailed instructions... I just checked Pottery Barn and they still have the envelopes but I might try my hand at making one before I purchase! Love it!!

[Melissa]

I love the envelope idea! I linked to my blog today. Love for you to check it out!

http://www.polka-dot-productions.com/2012/02/valentines-day-inspiration.html

[Mama Gringa]

I cannot say how much I love this idea. What a gorgeous way to let your kids know that love abounds in the house. I must share this with everyone I know

[parenting skills]

Oh I could have found this site before. Well, this idea can be done in anniversaries for sure..

Raquel

[Emma zik]

Vary cute i love it

[Cindy]

I love it!!! When my daughter was in school. I got a notebook and would right her a short note on a page and as she thought of things during the day she would right them down or just leave me a sweet note. We did this everyday. I would right on a page and put it in her backpack. Loved it and I still have the notebook today and she is 21 years old

[vikingwife25]

What a wonderful idea. I love the note idea. This post inspired me to make envelopes for the three bedrooms in our house. My DD who is 2 loves mail and loves "writing" mail. I think we will keep them up all year though and make felt decorations to change for the season. Thank you again for the wonderful way to create lasting memories and family traditions.

[Penny]

this would also be fantastic for visiting grand children! Greeting every morning with something special! Thanks for sharing!

[Grump cat]

Sweet, I guess. But I'm sorry makes me want to hurl (just a little and very tastefully)