Valentine's Day with little kids is something you can't just skip over or skirt. You gotta do it up right. (I hope they remember that we did this stuff.....for all the things working parents miss in their little kids' lives....I suppose that's a reason we keep the blog!)
We made roughly one thousand mini-sized Red Velvet Cupcakes to take to Aleaha's school. These were from a box mix, because, well, isn't it obvious why? They were going to be eaten by 1st, 2nd, and 3rd graders, for starters. And we were making them on a weeknight. So heck-yeah, a box mix and frosting-from-a-can was the way to go.
But!! Wait!! That didn't really suit Mommy's self-inflicted, Type-A tastebuds. And we were afraid we wouldn't have enough for everyone to take a few. So as soon as those minis were out of the oven, we whipped up a dozen regular-sized from scratch. Which were so much tastier. Even with canned frosting and too many sprinkles. And then we had something adult-worthy to pass out to teachers.
Now, it turns out roughly a thousand cupcakes is just a tad more than what was needed for a class of about 19 kids. Who knew? Better to be prepared with a bounty than run out, right? That was clearly my thinking. But then you've got a few less kids because some are sick, a few kids who can't participate in treats, and the so-polite adults who say "no, thank you".... And pretty soon you've got a half an SUV's worth of cupcakes to schlep back home.
Oh well. No regrets.
It took us a couple of nights of work, but we got all the Valentine's made. Aleaha helped Miri complete her set. (It's so damn handy that she can read and write now!)
The classroom was perfect chaos as the kids passed out their Valentine's to each other. Isn't that the way you remember your Valentine's parties in grade school??
(Sidenote: Notice how every girl is wearing pink or red or purple, except Aleaha, who is in bright green? She defended it, however, because it was a brand new t-shirt and it has a design in the shape of a heart on it. So there.)
Aleaha reveled in her received notes and treats...
... and in the passing out of the mini-cupcakes. This is a tradition from her daycare, and it's a lovely thing. She was very much looking forward to this part. As her mom, I completely get that. Pride in your work and a hospitable outlook!
I felt lucky to be there that day to witness and participate in their revelry and energy. Even if it was fueled by too much sugar and Red Dye #5.
Later that night, after taking a kajuzzi to help wind down, the girls wore their new jammies.
Sugar-pies!
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