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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

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February 8, 2011

3 Ideas for Getting Your 3 Year Old…

…to fall “in love” with Valentine’s Day!

Apart from the obvious (hehe), there have been so many differences between raising a son and raising a daughter. Not the least of which is their desire to sit and do a little craft with mommy. 



Can you guess which one wouldn’t? Let’s just say that when we would pick up my son from Sunday School when he was 3 years old, they would hand us either blank or half finished coloring pages. Who wants to sit still and color when there are train tracks to build, trucks to ram into each other and buckets of things to dump out?

So, it was a bit surprising to me to suddenly have this little girl who would sit and color for hours (ok, more like minutes!) on end. She begs for new watercolor paints and books. And those Sunday School papers? Well, let’s just say that our little Miss is not too happy if Mommy and Daddy come to pick her up before she has had time to finish her craft!
All of this has made things like Valentine’s Day a new adventure for the 2 of us and let’s face it, it’s a pretty “girly” kind of holiday anyway! This year we really embraced the fun and I’d like to share with you…
3 Ways I got my 3 Year old to fall in love with Valentine’s Day!
Number 1
Realize that your child actually has the fine motor skills and the patience required to do something like stringing beads together to make bracelets for her friends. This might take awhile to become aware of since her brother would have taken all of the beads and used them as “coal” for the tank car of his train.

Be sure to let her choose which beads she wants after gently guiding her towards the larger sizes which are perfect for little fingers.

Pretend to be shocked that she has chosen the Pink Beads!




Now this is VERY IMPORTANT! Be sure to pause for a moment and marvel at those tiny little fingers which are so very carefully picking out just the right beads for her bracelet.
Because, you know, she had to make one for herself too!

Oh, and one for Bitty Baby, of course.

Number 2
Let said 3 year old choose a few more items for her friends to go along with the bead bracelets. Be sure to go to the craft store the week before Valentine’s Day when all of this is 40% off.
Valentine’s Hair Bows are a must!

As are little red felt heart ornaments.
And because she wants her friends to never forget how much she loves them, these “Forget Me Not” grow kits were an absolute must!
These little pails seemed just the right size.

Number 3
Make sure your 3 year old gets to pile all of those goodies in the buckets themselves.
The hair bows clipped on are the perfect little flourish.
Make sure she knows just how special her friends will feel when we knock on their doors to deliver their “Buckets of Love”.

And how sharing that love is just one of the reasons why she is so special too!
Thanks for stopping by the Fence today!
Vanessa
Linking to
DIY Showoff
Feathered Nest Friday
Fridays Unfolded
Wow Us Wednesday
Winter Blues Wednesday
Valentine Party at Holiday Haven
Whassup Wednesday

26 Comments Filed Under: Good Ideas, Holidays, Valentine's Day

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Previous Post: « At the Kids Table…for Valentine’s Day!
Next Post: A perfect Valentine’s Day Dessert…Chocolate Nutella Lava Cakes! »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Blessed Mommy of 2 says

    February 8, 2011 at 4:45 PM

    Awe, this is super cute!

    Reply
  2. NanaDiana says

    February 8, 2011 at 5:49 PM

    You are such a good Mom! Love it! A perfect gift to make and give…lucky little girls to be friends with your daughter. Hugs-Diana

    Reply
  3. Sarah @ Modern Country Style says

    February 8, 2011 at 7:17 PM

    I’ve loved every single post that’s on your new blog. It makes me feel so happy to be alive being here!!

    Plus really affirmed as a muumy. Plus I love your writing. It’s so funny and warm. Plus…..plus….ooooh, just plus everything!!

    Sarahx

    Reply
  4. Judy says

    February 8, 2011 at 7:27 PM

    Such a super cute post. I miss my little girl being three. So many good values in this post.

    Reply
  5. Kristin @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia says

    February 8, 2011 at 8:32 PM

    This is fabulous! She is lucky to have one awesome mom!!
    XO
    Kristin

    Reply
  6. Abby says

    February 8, 2011 at 10:36 PM

    Sweet! looks like a future blogger girl in the works!!!hehee, love the ideas and tips!

    Reply
  7. Penny @ The Comforts of Home/Lavender Hill Studio says

    February 9, 2011 at 12:23 AM

    I raised 4 boys….no girls. I am smiling at this sweet post.
    Hugs,
    Penny

    Reply
  8. billi says

    February 9, 2011 at 12:26 AM

    I know I won’t be having little girls running around here, but you make even a tomboy like me think Valentines might be fun. Love this new blog!!

    Reply
  9. Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says

    February 9, 2011 at 1:00 AM

    How cute and what a great idea the bracelets are! It looks like she’s wearing the perfect color, too!

    Reply
  10. Judy says

    February 9, 2011 at 1:29 AM

    Thanks so much for linking up to my party. I really appreciate it. I love this post.

    Reply
  11. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says

    February 9, 2011 at 1:30 AM

    Vanessa, what cute ideas and she will always love this holiday and probably do this with her daughter, too.

    Reply
  12. Lori says

    February 9, 2011 at 1:57 AM

    Vanessa, love the hand comment, did you realize you have no comment reply set?

    Reply
  13. Lydia says

    February 9, 2011 at 2:59 AM

    Thank you for this post! I also have a little girl who is a craft-a-holic and it takes a bit of thought to keep up with her drive to craft!

    Thank you for following from (in)courage, and for your sweet comment!! So blessed to have met you :-).

    Reply
  14. Vicki says

    February 9, 2011 at 3:32 AM

    What a sweet post! I love that she has the craft bug.

    Reply
  15. Ashley@My Humble Abode says

    February 8, 2011 at 11:14 PM

    Hey girl! I am just now checking out the new blog (a little late), but hey I love it! The love buckets are adorable too!!!

    Reply
  16. Cindy says

    February 9, 2011 at 12:45 AM

    Awwww…just love this post! I wish my daughter was still little!

    Reply
  17. Mallory says

    February 9, 2011 at 3:23 PM

    Very cute! I’m planning to make a Valentine’s Day care package to send to my 3yr old and 1yr old nieces today! New follower:)

    Reply
  18. Faith, Trust, and a Little Pixie Dust says

    February 9, 2011 at 11:04 PM

    Darling ideas – thanks for sharing!

    Warmly, Michelle

    Reply
  19. One Heart says

    February 10, 2011 at 1:01 AM

    Oh how precious. They grow up so fast. Love that pink bracelet. Too cute.

    Thank you for stopping by via Leslie’s. I’m glad you enjoyed reading My Life’s Work.

    Happy homemaking!

    Reply
  20. Christie says

    February 9, 2011 at 8:48 PM

    This is the sweetest thing! I need to take more pictures of my four year olds ‘little hands’…so cute and tell such a sweet story! I will have to find me some beads! Lovely! Christie

    Reply
  21. Anu@My Dream Canvas says

    February 10, 2011 at 9:41 PM

    Aww!! This is lovely. I am hosting a Valentine Giveaway. I would love for you to stop by!

    Reply
  22. Heather says

    February 10, 2011 at 6:11 PM

    Hey ladies! I really enjoy reading your posts, so I have awarded you the Versatile Blogger Award. Please check out my post tomorrow Feb 11th for details.

    whatitsallabout4u.blogspot.com

    Reply
  23. Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria says

    February 11, 2011 at 6:05 AM

    What fun things to make for kids..love this..Hugs and smiles Vanessa and Heather..Gl♥ria

    Reply
  24. The DIY Show Off says

    February 11, 2011 at 4:16 PM

    So cute! Thanks for linking up to the DIY Valentine party!

    Welcome to blogging, Vanessa & Heather! 🙂

    Roeshel

    Reply
  25. Courtney ~ French Country Cottage says

    February 12, 2011 at 5:34 AM

    What a great post Vanessa! I love this- thanks for sharing over at my party and thank you for the great shout out for my party too! Just noticed that your button wasn’t working on my post- so I am trying to redo it. Loving meeting at the picket fence 😉

    Reply
  26. Jessa Irene (Holiday-Haven) says

    February 12, 2011 at 7:51 PM

    Adorable. Love the bracelet for bitty baby that is too cute. Looks like a lot of fun. Thanks for adding this to The Valentines Party. And happy Valentines Day!

    Reply

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