Love songs to my daughter

Feb 8, 2013 by

Mommy loves you, too!

Mommy loves you, too!

Here in the Allard household we don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day. It was never a big deal to us when we were dating and that didn’t change once we were married.

But, it has always been my mom’s favorite holiday, and she always made a big deal out of it for us. There was always candy, cards and thoughtful little gifts; she even continued the tradition while my sister and I were away at college, saving the treats for the next time she’d visit. Even now, she finds a way to spoil us with little pink and red packages.

It’s because of this tradition with my mom that I’m excited to celebrate Valentine’s Day in little ways with my daughter. While she still seems a bit young for heart-themed arts and crafts projects and isn’t in school yet to experiment with handmade Valentines for classmates, I’m inspired to get started anyway, through music.  Read more...

Thrifty Thursday: With Love

Feb 7, 2013 by

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and although it may not be a major holiday, it’s very special to me none-the-less. My husband and I started dating on Valentine’s Day a whopping 13 years ago! Now that we have two little girls to share it with, I love it even more. It’s not about the flowers or  candy and I certainly don’t like the commercialism of it all. I simply think of it as a day to celebrate LOVE so I’m going to share with you some creative ways to do just that (without breaking the bank of course)!

I find so many incredible projects over on Skip to my Lou and there’s no shortage of great Valentine’s Day ideas either. I’m planning to make my own version of these DIY Scratch-off Lottery Tickets for my sweetheart <wink wink>. Think about how much fun your kids would have making these for friends, or scratching ones you make for them!  Read more...

Last Minute Sugar-Free Valentines Snack!

Feb 13, 2012 by

Busy working moms sometimes forget that piece of paper that came home last week that encourages treats and snacks for Valentines day to be brought to school.

I DID!

Well, I want to bring something in, but know there will be millions of cookies, cupcakes, juice boxes, and other sugary sweets to pick from.  Let’s make something that is easy, kids will love, and won’t add to the sugar high of Valentine’s Day!

For more ideas, Sarah and Gena had some terrific Valentines snacks in their recent posts!

For these Hot Dog Hearts:

1 package of mini cocktail franks (You can get nitrate free ones at Trader Joes or Whole Foods)

Toothpicks (this year I got cocktail pick in the liquor aisle, so I won’t have to cut out the cheese)

(Optional) Cheese squares  Read more...

  • Take your cocktail franks and either heat them in the oven to warm, or boil them.

Freebie Friday! (This one’s for the girls)

Jan 27, 2012 by

Happy Freebie Friday all! As usual, simply post a comment on this blog to try to win this giveaway. Contest will be open all weekend and one winner will be selected Monday morning.

Today’s giveaway is special in that it’s just for one lucky little girl!

Nichole Rice, from Ashford, CT,  just loves making tutus. (For more proof check out her etsy shop!)

She got started making tutus when she needed a special gift for a little girl and her new baby sister. The matching tutus came out so beautifully, she just had to make more! Some people knit, crochet, or sew. . . . Nichole tutu’s.

She is a stay at home mom with a passion (or obsession her husband would say) for making tutus! Her house has tutus hanging everywhere and every little girl she knows has a few – and she just keep making more! Her 7-year-old son calls her tu-tu crazy.  Read more...

Less than one month until Valentine’s Day…let the planning begin!

Jan 16, 2012 by

I’m kind of a weird-o.

Valentine’s Day is my favorite winter holiday.

Of course I love Christmas…and I don’t love Valentine’s Day because I expect a fancy dinner out, jewelry and rose petals on every surface of my home (could you imagine the clean up?! UGH!).

I love it as a family day.

With two boys, I have made it a goal to teach them how to be appreciative of others and how to think of others in little ways. Valentine’s Day is a great day to teach this. I love making it a special day with tons of small details- fun, homemade crafts, heart shaped treats, pink and red foods…the list goes on. I try to avoid the commercialized “Hallmark-ness” of the day and focus on making our own fun all day long.

As for my fancy, romantic Valentine’s Day dinner? It will probably look like this again this year:  Read more...