Sometimes I forget how fun it can be to be creative with my kids. I also remember as soon as I am 2 minutes into a project with them that they just like to make stuff. They don’t care about adult ideas of pretty. I love that so much and feel sometimes like I need more of that in my life. More creating and less caring what everything looks like at the end. I admit that when we started this project I said things like “Don’t mix the colors!” “Rinse your brush!” and “Why are you smooshing your gooey painted glittered hearts together?” But an hour after we’d been painting and glitter gluing, I found myself oohing and ahhing over their unpredictable creations. I loved the way the colors went together. And I loved every single unique heart that my kiddos painted and glittered because they were made with smiles, laughter and love.
We started with basic plain white cardstock and I printed a heart template onto 20 pages with 3 hearts on each page. Guess what I did most of the project? You guessed it – cut out lots of hearts. I took breaks to make sure I got to paint some hearts myself. Until I had kids, I never would’ve known how much I like doing things like painting little hearts on a Sunday afternoon. I’m not a big Valentine’s girl but any reason to sit at a table with my kids uninterrupted for over an hour is a good enough one for me. That I enjoyed the actual project made it all the better.
After painting and randomly glitter gluing for a while, my daughter finally realized that she could write things with the glue and that’s when it got really sweet. She started making hearts for all of us. Then my 3 year old son started making ones for her. They helped each other, told each other how pretty their hearts were, and just all around it felt like – well, one big love fest.
When all was said and done, we had 60 painted and glittered hearts setting out to dry while we enjoyed the rest of a gorgeous day outside. When we came back in, there were enough dry to hang them up. I will admit now that only today did I finally take down my Christmas card garland and the garland of cutout stocking shapes. And put my nutcrackers away. They didn’t really go with the hearts theme. I realized when I took them all down how easy it is for those things to settle into the background. I stopped noticing them at all. Makes me wonder what other clutter is right in plain view that I just don’t see.
For now, I have this above my kitchen window to look at each morning as I make my coffee as a gentle reminder of how I want my home to feel:
’round these parts, we LOVE Valentine’s Day and got into the spirit last week making a bunch of heart garlands. Not the neatest or most creative and wouldn’t win any awards, but it was a lot of fun making them with my girls. And I also like seeing them all over the house as a reminder of the time spent being creative with them.
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I this idea.
We do so many Valentine crafts around here I’m sure my kids get completely sick of it, but honestly: a holiday just to celebrate loving each other? How CAN it be wrong? You guys make it look so much fun too. (And remind me that my kids need to learn more Beatles…)
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Sometimes simple fun is the BEST. Looks like you created good memories.
Fondly,
Glenda
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Your blog is quickly becoming one of my favorites. I am a mother of a 4 year old and a 2 year old. I can usually relate to what you are saying a lot!
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This brought back sweet memories of when my kids were the age yours are now. Last weekend I had plans to clean out our craft cupboard–because it is rarely used now. Couldn’t do it yet. Thanks for bringing back good memories.
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This post makes me want to abandon actual school for the day and just get crafty! When my kids were younger, I was too controlling and all “don’t mix the colors!” and I wish I could go back and just “let it be” (to continue with your Beatles theme.) You are a wise and artsy mama and your kids will be all the better for it. : )
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Bounced over from Chatting at the Sky. Beautiful pictures and super fun idea.
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This is such a great reminder to sit and be intentional about time with my little guy. He really doesn’t care about “adult ideas of pretty.” love that. no expectations. no judgement. pure creativity. This is such a sweet and simple project. I just might try it.
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