Be my Valentine

My boys are much older now, but I remember when they were young enough to give Valentine's Day cards out at school.  One year, after looking through the sad selection available at the local box store, I decided to put my creative skills as a budding photographer to work and create some original cards just for my kids- that no one else would be giving out.  I stood them in front of a plain background and had them hold out their closed hand.  "What are we holding, momma?" they each asked, thinking it was so funny to have nothing in their hand.  "You'll see."  I said and snapped a photo.  I send the images to the nearest one-hour photo store and ordered the required number of images- one for each child on the list from the teachers.  As I was waiting for them to call my name for the photos, I headed over to the candy aisle and selected a bag of Dum Dum lollipops.  When I got the images home, I took a craft knife and cut a slit above and below their closed fists on each photo and slid the lollipop stick through to make it look like they were holding the candy out to their "Valentine".  I kept one of each for myself and still have them in a special cabinet full of all my mommy treasures.  They were the hit of the classroom with their one-of-a-kind Valentine cards.  Who knows, maybe one or two of their classmates kept one to remember my boys.  It is a really unique way to give a valentine card, and can be used to create any kind of greeting from your child to another- birthday, halloween, get-well soon, thank you cards to friends and relatives.  Even a Christmas greeting with a little candy cane is a great idea!  These days, anyone can buy a card from a store- why not give something really special that shows more thought and care?  You child would probably be so proud to give a greeting like that.  What a teachable moment to show your little one what it means to give something personal.  I hope you had a wonderful Valentine's Day, Charleston.