Valentine’s Day Math Stamping Activity

0 Comments/ in Free Printables, Fun Activites at Home, Holiday, Preschool Activities, Preschool and Teaching Ideas, Valentine's Day / by Kirstylee

February 12, 2013

What is a Valentine math activity or game that my preschooler can play?

Back in December I did this fun candy cane math game with Little Bear. He liked it quite a bit more than I thought he would, so I decided to reincarnate the game as a Valentine’s Day math game. We started by printing off a few copies of this Valentine math activity sheet. Next, we borrowed the Valentine’s Day stamps from Smiley Man’s Valentine themed tot trays. Little Bear has been begging to play with these and I figured they would work well with this activity. Finally, we got some dice and Little Bear was set to do some valentine math.

$Valentine's Day Math Stamping Activity -- Moms Have Questions Too$

First, Little Bear chose 4 valentine’s stamps that he would use for this activity. He put them in the order he wanted. Next, he rolled one die (we always put dice in a small container so that it doesn’t roll off the table and onto the floor).

$Valentine's Day Math Stamping Activity -- Moms Have Questions Too$

He got the first stamp and made that many stamps on the Valentine math activity sheet. He rolled the die again and used the second stamp to make that many stamps on the activity sheet. He continued until the entire heart was completely filled.

$Valentine's Day Math Stamping Activity -- Moms Have Questions Too$

Little Bear really enjoyed using the Valentine’s stamps, but we both agreed that the heart looked just a tiny bit boring because it was all in one color. When we did the candy cane math, Little Bear had used dot markers. So, we did the activity again with dot markers, just so it would have more color.

$Valentine's Day Math Stamping Activity -- Moms Have Questions Too$

Little Bear loved this game just as much as the first time we played it. He liked using the stamps and the dot markers, but the heart made with the dot markers is definitely more colorful. You could use stickers, crayons, or paint to complete this activity. This was a really fun way to get some math learning in, but with a Valentine’s Day theme. Don’t forget to print off a Valentine Math activity sheet and be sure to check out our other Valentine printables.

$Valentine's Day Math Stamping Activity -- Moms Have Questions Too$

We've found some fun people with great linky parties. You might just see this post linked up on one of these amazing sites! Link and Learn from No Time for Flashcards Sunday Showcase from Train Up a Child Share it Saturday from Teach Beside Me Tot School Gathering Place from 1+1+1=1 Montessori Monday from Living Montessori Now Tuesday Tots from In Lieu of Preschool Show and Tell from ABC & 123 For the Kids Fridays from Sun Scholars Finished Friday from All Our Days Weekly Kids Co-op from Frogs and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails Preschool & Kindergarten Corner from Homeschool Creations TGIF Linky Party from 123 Homeschool 4 Me

Valentine’s Day Food Ideas – Chocolate and More!

2 Comments/ in Holiday, Meal Ideas, Valentine's Day / by Cassidy

February 6, 2013

What are some delicious Valentine’s Day food ideas I can make?

It seems most holidays for me revolve around food. Valentine’s Day is especially one of those days. So, I wanted to share some Valentine’s Day food ideas with you today!

Very first is one of my absolute favorite desserts. As you may remember from my bio I could pretty much live off chocolate. This is one of the most delicious chocolate desserts out there and it’s pretty easy. You do have to plan in advance because it has to freeze completely before you can bake it. But, here it is…. Chocolate lava cake!

I originally got the recipe from Culinary Musings, but I made a few tweaks base on my experience.

Ingredients

1 Bar 85% Lindt Cocoa (about 100 grams) broken into pieces, you could also use 60% if you don’t want it quite as rich
2 Eggs
6 TBSP white sugar, plus a little bit for coating the ramekins
4 TBSP butter (I’ve used both salted and unsalted and they work fine)
3 TBSP flour
1 TBSP sour cream
4 Oven safe ramekins (sometimes mugs will be oven proof too)

Directions

Coat the inside of your ramekins with butter and then sprinkle a little bit of sugar on the inside then set aside. Then, melt down the chocolate pieces in a double boiler (you can also put a glass bowl on top of a saucepan with boiling water). Avoid stirring the chocolate until it is melted. While the chocolate is melting whisk the eggs and 6 TBSP of sugar together in a medium sized bowl until pale yellow.

When the chocolate is completely melted remove from heat and mix in the butter. Then, slowly add the egg and sugar mixture. Add flour and stir until combined. Lastly, add the sour cream.

Pour the batter evenly into your ramekins and put in the freezer. You’ll want these to freeze completely so overnight is best, but at least give it 4-5 hours.

To serve the lava cakes, preheat the oven to 375. Once the oven is preheated, remove the ramekins from the freezer and put them into the oven (don’t let them thaw). Bake for about 13-15 minutes.

The edges will look cooked and the middle will look a little bit gooey. Remove from the oven and cool for 2-3 minutes. Then take a knife and scrape along the edges of the ramekin to loosen the cake. Place a small plate on top of the ramekin. Hold the ramekin with a hot pad and flip it over onto the plate. Lightly tap the ramekin then lift it off. You should have a nice cake with a runny, gooey center. Add a few garnishes (I recommend powdered sugar and strawberries) and enjoy!

If that sounds like too much work for you, do it anyway, it is so worth it! Ok, that may not be the thing you are looking for. So, here are some other creative Valentine’s Day food ideas. Hopefully one of these will satisfy your sweet cravings!

Pretzel Hugs (I think these work for any holiday and they are one of my favorite treats!)
Chex Muddy Buddies (Another of my favorites… I have a chocolate and peanut butter addiction…)
Of course, sugar cookies are always great (this is one of the best recipes out there!)
Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Raspberry Sorbets for something fresh and fun!
Brownie Ice Cream Cake
Strawberry Pancake Bites
Strawberry Bruschetta for a healthy treat
Peanut Butter Chocolate Waffles (I’m telling you, I’m addicted…)
Chocolate Malt Ice Cream Cake
Coconut Chocolate Pie
Nutella Truffles
Caramel Apples (be sure to cut them this way to enjoy the most apple possible (: )

14 Valentine's Day Food Ideas -- Moms Have Questions Too

I can never get enough chocolately goodness (or really anything sweet for that matter) so please, please, please leave some comments with other delicious Valentine treats you love! I can’t wait to try new delicious things. :)

We've found some fun people with great linky parties. You might just see this post linked up on one of these amazing sites! Link and Learn from No Time for Flashcards Sunday Showcase from Train Up a Child Share it Saturday from Teach Beside Me Tot School Gathering Place from 1+1+1=1 Montessori Monday from Living Montessori Now Tuesday Tots from In Lieu of Preschool Show and Tell from ABC & 123 For the Kids Fridays from Sun Scholars Finished Friday from All Our Days Weekly Kids Co-op from Frogs and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails Preschool & Kindergarten Corner from Homeschool Creations TGIF Linky Party from 123 Homeschool 4 Me

Valentine’s Day Sticker and Dice Game

2 Comments/ in Free Printables, Fun Activites at Home, Holiday, Preschool Activities, Preschool and Teaching Ideas, Valentine's Day / by Kirstylee

February 5, 2013

What is a Valentine’s math game my preschooler can play? What is a sight word game for my preschooler that has a Valentine’s Day theme?

Do you remember that awesome Gingerbread Man Math printable that was all over Pinterest around Christmas. Well, I decided to recreate this dice game for Valentine’s Day. First, we printed the Numbered Heart Printable, got our dice, then I opened a bag of Valentine’s stickers from the dollar store.

Valentine's Day Sticker and Dice Game for Preschool -- Moms Have Questions Too

I told Little Bear that we would roll the die and count the dots. Then, we would cover that number on the Numbered Heart Printable with a Valentine’s sticker. Little Bear rolled a five first.

Valentine's Day Sticker and Dice Game for Preschool -- Moms Have Questions Too

So, he got a sticker and covered a number five.

We continued until we had covered the entire Numbered Heart Printable. This activity can easily be done with dot markers or crayons rather than with stickers. We only used stickers because I saw them at the dollar store and they were too cute to pass up.

Valentine's Day Sticker and Dice Game for Preschool -- Moms Have Questions Too

After we did the Numbered Heart Printable, Little Bear went on and on about how fun it was. So, I decided another printable was in order. This time I used sight words rather than numbers. The Sight Word Heart goes along with my Valentine’s Tot Book that I made for Smiley Man’s Tot Trays. You can print the color or black and white version.

Valentine's Day Signt Word Activity for Preschool -- Moms Have Questions Too

I first went over all of the sight words (it, is, a, red) with Little Bear. Then, we read It is a Red Valentine’s Day. Each time we read one of the words, we put a sticker on the same word on the Sight Word Heart. The Sight Word Heart only has the sight words, with two exceptions. I put two other words on the Sight Word Heart just to make it more exciting for Little Bear.

Valentine's Day Signt Word Activity for Preschool -- Moms Have Questions Too

Little Bear really liked this activity, too. He loves reading simple books like this because he really feels like he is reading. Again, this activity can be completed with dot markers or crayons, rather than the stickers. We just used stickers because that is what we had. :)

We've found some fun people with great linky parties. You might just see this post linked up on one of these amazing sites! Link and Learn from No Time for Flashcards Sunday Showcase from Train Up a Child Share it Saturday from Teach Beside Me Tot School Gathering Place from 1+1+1=1 Montessori Monday from Living Montessori Now Tuesday Tots from In Lieu of Preschool Show and Tell from ABC & 123 For the Kids Fridays from Sun Scholars Finished Friday from All Our Days Weekly Kids Co-op from Frogs and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails Preschool & Kindergarten Corner from Homeschool Creations TGIF Linky Party from 123 Homeschool 4 Me

Valentine Themed Tot School Trays

6 Comments/ in Fun Activites at Home, Preschool and Teaching Ideas, Toddler Activities / by Kirstylee

February 4, 2013

What are some Valentine’s Day tot trays I can do with my child?

Smiley Man is loving these tot trays so much! He really likes that he does his own school work. I really like that he is engaged while Little Bear is doing his preschool stuff. My biggest problem is explaining to Smiley Man that he can only do his trays during school time. :) Even Little Bear likes to do some of Smiley’s tot trays. The tot trays for the next two weeks are Valentine’s Day themed.

Valentine Themed Tot School Trays -- Moms Have Questions Too

Here are the tot school trays in more detail:

Sweep small hearts into a big heart

Use the mini broom and dustpan (dollar store) to sweep the small plastic hearts (also dollar store!) into the heart made from masking tape.

Valentine Themed Tot School Trays -- Moms Have Questions Too

Valentine’s Stamps and Paper

Play with Valentine’s stamps using stamp pad and paper.

Valentine Themed Tot School Trays -- Moms Have Questions Too

Matching Stickers

One sheet has 2 rows of stickers. Smiley Man draws a line to the matches. The second sheet just has stickers and there are some stickers on the tray. Smiley Man gets a sticker from the bag and puts it next to the same sticker on the paper.

Valentine Themed Tot School Trays -- Moms Have Questions Too

Styrofoam and Toothpicks

A heart shape is drawn on the sytrofoam and Smiley Man uses the toothpicks to cover the heart shape.

Valentine Themed Tot School Trays -- Moms Have Questions Too

Counting Hearts

There are three clear cups on the tray. Each cup has a number attached to the front of it (1, 2, 3). There are 6 heart picks (dollar store) on the tray. Smiley Man puts the correct number of hearts into each cup. I started this tray with only 1 cup, and then added the second cup after a day or two. I haven’t actually added the third cup yet. I’ll add it when I think Smiley is ready.

Valentine Themed Tot School Trays -- Moms Have Questions Too

Color Game 5 and Color Game 6

Each color game is only on the tray for one week. The rest of the activities are on the trays for two weeks. That means I go through two color games, but only one of all the other activities. Here is Color Game 5 and Color Game 6.

Color Games for Toddlers Part 4 - Colored Fishies - Moms Have Questions Too

Pegboard Color Game for Toddlers -- Moms Have Questions Too

Valentine’s Day Tot Book

I read this book at least once during the time that these trays are out. If Smiley man uses this tray while I am working with Little Bear, he can color the pictures or just look at the pictures as he turns the pages. I do not in any way expect Smiley Man to learn how to read by looking at this book. This book is simply for exposure to words and letters and concepts of print. I usually make these books in black and white, but since the book is about the color red, I decided to make a color version, too. We used the black and white version.

Valentine Themed Tot School Trays -- Moms Have Questions Too

Printables

Color Hearts, Pompom Magnet page

Valentine Themed Tot School Trays -- Moms Have Questions Too

Featured Toy

Shape Sorter

Valentine Themed Tot School Trays -- Moms Have Questions Too

Themed Books

Do You Want to Be My Friend?, Officer Buckle and Gloria, Valentine Friends, Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse . These books have a theme of love and/or friendship. They are not necessarily Valentine’s Day books. Here are a few Valentine’s books if you looking for those:

Valentine Themed Tot School Trays -- Moms Have Questions Too

Tissue Paper Hearts

Cut out a black heart outline. Place it on a piece of contact paper. Be sure that the contact paper has the sticky side up. Put small pieces of tissue paper next to the heart outline. These can be very small pieces so no tearing or cutting is required, or you can have bigger pieces so your toddler has to cut or tear the pieces before putting them on the contact paper. Your child will put pieces of tissue paper on the sticky side of the contact paper. When the masterpiece is finished, cover the tissue paper side with another sheet of contact paper. Cut off the extra contact paper before displaying the heart. Make as many as desired.

Valentine Themed Tot School Trays -- Moms Have Questions Too

Tearing Paper

On the tray are a few different pieces of construction (red and pink) in different sizes. Smiley Man tears the paper to his heart’s content. This one is always a favorite!

Valentine Themed Tot School Trays -- Moms Have Questions Too

We've found some fun people with great linky parties. You might just see this post linked up on one of these amazing sites! Link and Learn from No Time for Flashcards Sunday Showcase from Train Up a Child Share it Saturday from Teach Beside Me Tot School Gathering Place from 1+1+1=1 Montessori Monday from Living Montessori Now Tuesday Tots from In Lieu of Preschool Show and Tell from ABC & 123 For the Kids Fridays from Sun Scholars Finished Friday from All Our Days Weekly Kids Co-op from Frogs and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails Preschool & Kindergarten Corner from Homeschool Creations TGIF Linky Party from 123 Homeschool 4 Me

Inexpensive Valentine Gift Ideas — All under $20!

5 Comments/ in Holiday, Other Fun Things We Want to Share, Valentine's Day / by Kirstylee

January 28, 2013

What are some inexpensive Valentine gift ideas for her, for him, and for kids?

Have you ever been one of those girls that said you didn’t want a Valentine’s Day gift and your significant other actually listened to you!?! I never have because the simple fact is, I like gifts and I don’t think that’s a bad thing. Gifts are a really great way to express love and that is what Valentine’s Day is all about, right? I do like giving and receiving gifts, but I also don’t like feeling pressured to spend a fortune. Just because I want a gift on Valentine’s doesn’t mean I expect an expensive diamond necklace. In fact, one of my favorite Valentine’s Day gifts was the Disney movie, The Incredibles. My husband knew I really wanted that movie for our family so he took the opportunity of Valentine’s day to give it to me, and it was awesome!

Inexpensive Valentine Gift Ideas for Him, Her, and the Kids all under $20!

So, how do you have an awesome gift-filled Valentine’s Day without spending a fortune? First, set a budget. I know that seems so un-romantic to give a cheap Valentine gift or to set a limit and I’m sure lots of people will disagree with it, but that is what my husband and I do every year. We are each allowed the same amount of money to spend on each other. I’m pretty sure we were only allowed $5 each for our first Valentine’s Day. We have increased that amount as we make more money, but we never set a budget that is more than we can afford. Even if you don’t have money to spend on Valentine’s Day you can always do a homemade gift which can often be much more memorable anyway.

The next best way to have a gift-filled V-day without breaking the bank is to have a long list of inexpensive Valentine’s gift ideas. Luckily for you, I have supplied just such a list below. The list has Valentine’s Day gifts for kids, handmade gift ideas, gifts for her, gifts for him, and even Valentine’s Day gifts for elementary school classes or just for your kids.

Valentine’s Day Gifts for Anyone:

Altoids or some other type of mint
A bar of Toblerone or another gourmet chocolate
An extra special homemade dinner
Movie tickets
DVD, here’s a great selection of DVDs that are $5 or less
iTunes gift card
Cute mugs and hot chocolate

If you still haven’t found just the right thing you can take a look at the list we made for Christmas with gift ideas under $30. We would love to hear your ideas and add to the list! Feel free to leave comments and link to any ideas you have! Have a Happy Valentine’s Day!

We've found some fun people with great linky parties. You might just see this post linked up on one of these amazing sites! Link and Learn from No Time for Flashcards Sunday Showcase from Train Up a Child Share it Saturday from Teach Beside Me Tot School Gathering Place from 1+1+1=1 Montessori Monday from Living Montessori Now Tuesday Tots from In Lieu of Preschool Show and Tell from ABC & 123 For the Kids Fridays from Sun Scholars Finished Friday from All Our Days Weekly Kids Co-op from Frogs and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails Preschool & Kindergarten Corner from Homeschool Creations TGIF Linky Party from 123 Homeschool 4 Me