Monday, February 11, 2008

The Things You Do For Your Kids...

I am not a crafty person by nature. I am the type of person who walks into a craft store and starts feeling suffocated by the huge amounts of cute items that are supposed to go together in some awesome way, but I just don't know how! It baffles me. And so I leave the craftiness to my amazing sister-in-laws.

So how in the world did I get this daughter who LOVES to make crafts? She was giddy in the craft store on Saturday, poring over embellishments and exclaiming "Mom, these are soooo cute!!" She got excited over glue dots. I, on the other hand, was having a heart attack. "Please, Mila, hurry and pick out your stuff so we can go to Target!"

She wanted to make homemade Valentines, you see. She does every year, and last year I talked her out of it. "Oh come on, everyone wants candy. Let's just do bags with candy. Done and done." I know. Nice mom, to always encourage her creative endeavors. (Incidentally, my mom found a book I "published" in elementary school and the dedication read:"To my parents, who sometimes support me in my artistic endeavors." Not "always." See? I turned out OK.)

This year, I wasn't so lucky. I bit the bullet, made the trip to the store, spent the money, and then tried to avoid her yesterday, because every time I saw her, she batted her eyelashes and asked sweetly, "Is it time to start making my Valentines?" "Uh, no, I need a nap..." (which I did, to be fair--working in the Nursery could kill a person.)

But nap-time came and went and I found myself out of excuses. So we sat down at the table with all her loot spread out and went to town. We have only made eleven Valentines so far, but I have to admit, I am very proud of us. I am even going to post pictures of them with cheesy captions because this is such a momentous event. (Disclaimer: this is card-making 101 here--please do not suggest that I should give up my day job--I will know you are lying...)

This card-making business has not changed my mind about crafting. I am still just as perplexed as I was before. However, I feel satisfied that my daughter thinks that maybe her mom is cool and crafty, and that's enough for me.

Fancy scrapbooking paper: $.50


Cardboard sparkly hearts and stuff: $2.95


Cardstock cards: $6.95


Making homemade Valentines with your daughter: Priceless

8 comments:

April Fossen said...

You put me to shame. I am a candy cop-out.

Kristen said...

Way to be! Now you can say you did it and not feel guilty next year just buying them because it is cheaper and less time. Just like my next baby that I am going to have natural just to have bragging rights that I am tough and strong, and then never do it again. ;)

Jenni said...

You go girl!! That's actually the same paper that I used for V-day cards this year!!! too funny...now don't ya feel so "Martha"?

erin said...

You guys are making them for her whole class?! Now that's a lot of home-made valentines. Nice work!

Elly said...

Wow, I'm impressed! My boys have been making homemade Valentines...with construction paper and Crayola markers.

Shawn said...

Ok, you really one upped me, Hailey.
I don't think that I EVER made valentines with you guys---hence the "sometimes" supporting you in your endeavors... heh, heh...

Also, this will impress Aydan a ton!
He informed me the other day that in our family, the artists were me, Brinna, Maryn and him. And Clayton's talent was taking photos. "What is Hailey's talent?", I asked. To which he replied, "Having babies."
:)

You go, girl!!!

Hailey said...

He said that? It is a talent...

Annette said...

This year I discovered that Target sells packages of Valentine cards that you make yourself but it comes with all the stuff. You can make 8 really cute ones for only $5! I'm definitely buying more next year! Gotta love that Target! They think of everything...