I survived Valentines Week (almost)

64 valentines made...check.

8 teachers valentines made...check.

Cupcakes made, iced and embellished with fondant...check.

Valentines put in correct backpacks and sent to school with children...check.

Hand cramps from cutting 64 valentines, brain freeze on how to spell "Valentines", frustration at having to count the valentines and figure out why my numbers weren't adding up and whose card was missing...check.

It has been a bit of a whirlwind around these parts lately. You are all aware of Fondant-Fest 2009. And then came the valentines.

Now let me say, I did start on these last week--so while I did bite off a little more than a sane woman can chew (Me? Really?), I thought I was giving myself enough time. That was before I realized the total combined number of kids in their classes could actually equal the size of a small army. Oh, and I forgot I had twins, which means double the pleasure. I am an English major folks, math is not my thing.

With G, I was a little smart. I took a blank white piece of paper, folded it in fourths and had her write "Happy Valentines Day" four times. Bought some cardstock, took that puppy to Dad's office...and wa-la, we had instant (blank) valentines. We then took some sponge hearts and paint, and added a little glitter for the WOW! factor...and we were done. Or so I thought. Until I learned she needed to personally address each one. I forgot we are learning how to write in kindergarten.

Big J & L's valentines were created by accident. I let them paint on banner paper last week and then cut large hearts out for our door. But since I am a pack-rat who cannot let anything go, I also cut smaller hearts out of the scraps...and realized that they made cute valentines. Added a little "Love, Big J" or "Love, L", cut two holes and inserted a lollipop. Done...or so I thought. Until I realized there were 24 kids in the class!! Keep in mind that my kids catch the bus to and from school everyday...so I rarely see the class. And, some of them go to school five days, some three days, some two...but we are showing love to all yellow room attendees. Since the scraps of paper did not produce 48 valentines, we had to paint and cut again.

And then the teachers. We made tissue paper flowers yesterday at Fondant Forever, so I decided to have the kids make a few more. And by the kids, I mean G and myself...because the three youngest got bored after only two pieces of tissue paper. So we created a bouquet of flowers and attached valentines because, while it's just a hunch, but I'm pretty sure these women were not as into "Fun Dip" (you know, the candy stick that you dip into pure, colored sugar) as the kids. Call me crazy.

Today was the last day of school for the week...and we are off to Indianapolis tomorrow to spend the weekend with friends from college. On the way, we are taking detour to Greencastle, IN--home of DePauw University (where Mike and I met...fitting for V-day), and Marvins.

If you went to DePauw, you know Marv's. The rest of you will have to wait for tomorrow's post...but just know there is a lot of cheese and five extra pounds of me involved.