Project: Valentine's Day Can 'O Dates

The blog Dating Diva's is fabulous if you need date night ideas. You can find them by clicking HERE!  I found them a few years ago and it is a blog that is a go to when I need some ideas on a creative date night!  I got the following idea at their blog for my man (I guess it is for me, too!).  My husband is so incredibly busy.  He is in school full time and working whenever possible.  We have cut back in a lot of areas while we are in this season.  We coupon, eat in, enjoy family nights at home, etc.  When it comes to gifts we also try to come up with something that is usable, made if possible, and fun!  

Here is the perfect thing for us this Valentine's Day!

The paint can can be bought at Home Depot for a few bucks.  

My hubby had one that he used for school last semester so I repurposed it for him!

 You can find this with free printables HERE!

How cute!  

Happy Valentine's Day!

To all of you....

who follow us on our blog...

 
and in daily life...

Thanks!

We  hope to brighten your day...

inspire...

 

spread some joy...

create some smiles...

encourage...

and to say...

we love you!

Again...THANKS!

 Happy Valentine's Day from all of us!!!!

Valentines Day Breakfast and Lunch

Breakfast and Lunch

Cinnamon Rolls

 Milk with Strawberry Jam and a few drops of red food coloring

 A few sleepy heads!

(Heart plates were from Walmart 2 years ago)

 School Lunch for Big Sis!   

PB & J, Fruit snacks, apple with heart cut out, water bottle (now Big Sis gets to drink it because she used it for her sprained foot!) with a kool-aide fizzy tablet to turn it red and a Dove chocolate for a little treat!

Project of the Week: Valentine Chair Backer

 Valentine Chair Backer

My Inspiration:

• valentine's day mailbox chair backer

Many years ago I saw this chair backer and I LOVED it! I wanted to get them right away!  They were quite outrageous in price so I thought that one day I may try my hand at making them.  I went to Jo-Ann Fabrics (armed with a 40% off coupon and many stackable text message coupon codes!) and picked up some red felt and white rick rack!Last night I sat down and made a pattern and thought, "This should be fun!  I hope they turn out okay!"  My embroidery foot doesn't work on my machine, so eventually I will embroider their names but for now I tacked on a felt heart with a sharpie marketed initial on it!  I was happy overall for a last minute thrown together project!  The kids woke up and came in this morning and their expressions made it totally worth it!  They loved the chair backers but referred to them as satchels (thanks to Rapunzel!)!  When Daddy and Big Sis get home tonight we will stuff them and enjoy a fun festive family night!

Recipe of the week: Whoopie Pies

Whoopie Pies - Valentine's Day Edition!

 Step 1: Mix 2 boxes of Devil's food cake according to the box recipe.  

Bake in a whoopie pie pan or fill cupcake pan 1/2 full. Cool.

 Step 2: Mix up your filling!

1 c. butter or margarine 2 c. confectioners' sugar 2 c. Marshmallow Fluff (about 1/2 of a 7 1/2-oz. jar) 2 tsp. Vanilla 1 tsp. Almond Extract A few drops of red food coloring to make it pink! In a medium bowl with mixer at medium speed, beat butter and remaining ingredients until light and fluffy.

 Step 3: Cut your heart cake in half. (...or have your husband cut them in half!)

 Step 5: Spread your filling and place the top on.

 Step 6: Place in bag, tie ribbon and attach a poem or activity!

Step 7: Time to Party!

Friday Flashback - The Three Musketeers!

The Three Musketeers!

Valentine Fun!

Big Sis has lots of prep to do for her Valentine party at school!  Her box is done while the cards and treats  have yet to be made!  With Momma to print cards, Daddy armed with a hot glue gun, Big Sis is ready to cut, write and assemble!

All Done!

Now we are ready for the party!

These turned out pretty cute,  huh! They were made for just pennies by printing them out on the computer, buying the candy on sale and using ribbon that was in my wrapping paper tote!
Click Here for some of these free Valentine printables!
You can also click HERE for the Smartie Valentine card!

Project of the Week: Homemade Xylophone

Last week Big Sis had a President report and a President to decorate.  This week she has a musical instrument to make and a Valentines Day Box to turn in.  We were headed to Grandpa and Grandma's house.  Daddy is way to busy with school and work right now so I recruited Grandpa to help us with a homemade xylophone! I knew this would be right up his alley!  I remembered back to the days of the wooden sphere and cheese ball that looked like a fish that had to be made for one of my college classes as well as the numerous projects! So, I knew Grandpa would know just what to do!

First, we had to go get the materials!

 Then, it was time to gather up everything....Daddy took a break from his school work to inspect and make sure Grandpa was doing it right!

 Big Sis had to line up all of the pipes to make sure the notes were all in order!

 Next, she put the beads on the rubber bands!

 The pipes were added between the beads and PVC pipe!  She is itching to try it out!

 All done!  Big Sis practiced Twinkle Twinkle, Mary Had a Little Lamb, ABC song, Doe a Deer from The Sound of Music and Jesus Loves Me!  She was a quick learner!  

Thanks  A Ton Grandpa!  It is perfect!

What a great Memory Maker!