she made them herself...

First off let me say how happy I am to help spread the word about the rice pillow!  There were some really good suggestions in your comments, so if you decide to make one, be sure to go back and read through them.  There was some discussion about heating them in the oven if you asked about that, although I've never tried it before.

Onto Valentine's day... Emma chose hers herself and made them all on her own.  She found these heart-faced people and that was it.  Their arms and legs are made from one pipe cleaner cut in half, and their bodies are 2 sticks of sugar free bubble gum.  And since she didn't want the entire thing to be taken apart just for the gum, she made a sleeve out of the body.  The gum slides out behind the head (hence the many many pieces of tape used, that girl really loves her tape).

Ian on the other hand, is not quite as into Valentine's day as his sister is (he tends to always be more into it after he gets all the Valentine's from his classmates, so I am doing a lot of reminding about how cool that always is).  He and I will make heart shaped butter cookies (the dough is chilling right now).  I asked him to write "XO, Ian" inside the bottom half of a heart, which I then duplicated and printed out on red paper.  All he had to do was write "To ____" on each one.  I'll show you when they are done.

Peter and I bought each other a new refrigerator for Valentine's Day, because our old one died last week. And really, when you've been married 14 years, having properly chilled, unspoiled food can be very romantic.

I leave you with the song I was dancing around the house to that finally made Emma say I was embarrassing her.  I knew it was coming (just feels like such a 9 year old thing to say) and I was probably pushing things just to get it out of the way.  Anyway, I quickly retorted with, "Emma, I am one of the coolest moms you know."

I do hope she bought it.  I'm banking that she's still naive enough.

Comments

[coffeechris]

..."how can I explain" I *heart* that song! Funny Valentine-ing at your house, gum, boy Valentine's, Fridge and all. Thank for sharing.

[Anna]

Oh, man. There is way too much in this post that I want to comment on.
SMITTEN! by those valentine people...they made my heart skip a beat.

And that line...coolest mom you know...I'm writing that one down for myself.

[kimchi]

dude, that song is SO COOL! :o)
if my mom sang that song, i would have joined in! and i know that you are the coolest mom I Know! :o)happy early V Day!
elaine.

[Linsey]

HA! I just downloaded that song the other day. Must be something in the air... :)

[jeanetta]

that is a cool song i had to get up dance. luckily my 3 year old is the one thats home right now and he is used to my dance breaks. he likes to join in. not sure how the 7 and 9 year would take them.

and i am off to buy a ton of gum. i needed some cool easy idea for v day and the kids. thanks

[casey]

I love the gum people! I'm not in a hurry for my baby to grow up but I really look forward to doing holiday crafts with her when she's bigger!

[Stephanie]

You HAVE to dance around to Erasure. It just happens whether you like it or not!!!

[meg]

well, you're one of the coolest moms I know (and my favorite source for 80s euro-pop nostalgia...)

[liz]

those gum people are awesome!
i've been a real slacker on the valentines this year, but maybe i still have time to pull something off...
and i have no doubt that you are, in fact, one of the coolest moms ever.

[Courtney]

Yes, cold food is almost as romantic as the lemon juicer my husband asked for ($6.99 thank you very much). Great job Emma! And you are cool, from another cool Mom. I decided last night after hearing a comparison between soccer Moms and hipsters (on the This American Life where the guy works in Martha's craft studio), that I hope that I am a little of each:)

[Elizabeth]

"And really, when you've been married 14 years, having properly chilled, unspoiled food can be very romantic"

Made me laugh. We're only coming up on 8 yrs, but a fixed dishwasher it is! :>

[Jen b]

oh my is there so much i want to say about this post.
first, emma is a genius. i only wish i was one of her friends so i could receive one of the coolest valentines i have ever seen. i like the one that is shy and covering her face with her pipe cleaner arms.
second, i want to know if the refrigerator was red? if not, wrap a bow around it tomorrow and kiss when you open it together.
lastly, i can just picture you dancing around the house to that erasure song and it makes me giggle.
to emma: you mom is one of the coolest moms ever and just think it could be worse, at least she is dancing IN the house.

[Maggie]

I made my beau pillowcases because he can never seem to get them back on the pillow after washing them. Silly boys.

At 30, I'd be thrilled to receive a bubble gum holder/heart-faced Valentine.

I was also obsessed with tape as a child. I've now moved on to double stick tape. Woot! Emma!

[Regina]

Don't you just love seeing the crafty/creative genes passed on to your children?!?! Such a great feeling!

p.s. erasure ROCKS!! Gotta dance!

[Toni]

adorable gum people, gosh. ian reminds me of noah--he just wants to know when he can eat the heart cookies.

i'm going to remember that coolest mom bit the next time i get a raised eyebrow from any of my offspring.

and! i love all that 80's euro rock. when we had micah's graduation party here at home, we moved all the furniture aside and had a dance party late into the night. i was one of the most enthusiastic ones...ahem.

[Stephanie]

HA! I'm putting that line in my memory bank for when I reach the "Mom, you're a nerd" stage!

[amy h]

Man, I have to get another Best of Erasure album. I lost mine, and have been stubborn about replacing it. I don't think it's going to show up (it's been like ten years now).

I love Emma's gum people. :)

[Kim]

I love Erasure and have that song in my iTunes!

Tell Emma that we loved her Valentines. We are passing out High School Musical ones to my Lizzy's 2nd grade class. I don't think the boys will like them as much as the girls will. LOL
Maybe the candy will help!

[Tricia]

What cute Valentine's people. She's very creative. And what kid doesn't love tape? Enjoy your Valentines Day. It sounds like you are off to a great start.

[Kristin]

So cute - I am LOVING those valentines! :)

Also wanted to let you know I'm having a contest over on my blog, so if you want to, stop on by and check it out!

[courtney]

I got a hand vac for valentine's day.

http://www.amazon.com/Shark-15%252e6V-Cordless-Vac%252d-SV736/dp/B000A7QH64/ref=pd_sim_k_img_1

But we've only been married 3 years so I think the exchange rate is on track with you. (Actually I told him I was buying one and it could be my present)

I've always told him I would rather get flowers on any day other than Feb. 14. it just feels so forced (not to mention over priced).

[Mama Urchin]

I just want you to know I bought like a 20lb bag of rice today because of you.

[sjsd]

i tell my children that. i also remind them that most of my dance moves were learned from them...or that i figured out how to make the fart sound with my armpit for their benifit since our woopie cushion blew.... ;) i can't help it that i am so impressed that i've finally learned that 'skill' after 32 years, i have to share it with a friend every once in a while.

love the valentine makings over there. our cootie catcher valentines aren't quite finished yet, the girls lost steam....now they are making chocolate sea shells to give as well....i think it's going to be a late night. (good thing i had such a great sleep, being so warm and cozy with my new rice pillow tucked in the sleeping bag with me!)

[Alice]

This is all so sweet. You have excellent taste in music! If Emma doesn't appreciate that now she certainly will later!

[Lynne's Somewhat Invented Life]

This is so very clever and what a cool mom who dances around the house and then tells her daughter that she "is" cool. Very smart of you just in case she didn't know.