Happy Valentine’s Day!

Hello and happy Valentine’s Day! I have a few photos to share from our homeschool Valentine party with our field trip group. In addition to our monthly field trips, we also have holiday parties and one service project each year. February was my turn, with my friend Ahsley, to plan our gathering. We decided to combine our Valentine party with our service project for the year and put on a Valentine’s brunch for a group of widows. Ashley works with a widow’s ministry through her church which sees to the needs of widows throughout our city and proposed that we help the children host the leaders of the group (also widows themselves) who work tirelessly to minister to so many other women. We all loved the idea!

Ashley was in charge of handling scheduling, booking a location, and invitations while I was in charge of decorations and food sign up. Ashley arranged for us to use her church’s fellowship hall which worked perfectly!

I wanted the decorations to be very pretty and feminine for the ladies. I had some supplies at home to start with such as my white ceramic lanterns and artificial peonies and then I went to Dollar Tree for paper goods, utensils, and plastic tablecloths.

Dollar Tree’s Valentine paper goods were really cute for kids, but I wanted something a little more elegant for the ladies, so I found these “love” plates in the bridal shower area. Perfect! I also bought pink utensils, white napkins, and clear cups to complete our place settings. Oh, and some oversized heart doilies were used as a sort of placemat!

Before the day of the event, we told all the kids to spiffy up a little and be ready to serve! They were positioned at the door to greet incoming guests and offer to take their coats and purses. We had a coffee and hot chocolate bar set up which turned out to be a good thing as it was very cold and windy that morning and many were ready for a warm drink upon arrival. I love my air pots. I was able to make all the coffee and hot chocolate early that morning at home and it stayed piping hot for hours.

Our brunch menu included breakfast casseroles, assorted muffins, fruit salads, a variety of juices, and a donut decorating bar. The moms all signed up for the different food items and I provided the donut bar, a favorite of mine. It works for ANY holiday or occasion and kids love it!

Now, I’m a Krispy Kreme girl to the core, but for a donut bar I always purchase donuts from Walmart’s bakery because they are inexpensive, taste pretty good, and the kids are going to cover them with junk anyway, haha. I put out canned icing, candy hearts, and sprinkles galore! I loved watching the kiddos decorate their donuts, and one of the widow ladies loved the idea so much she said she was going to do this with her grandchildren next time they come for a visit!

After everyone had some time to eat their breakfast and visit a little, we had a few of our children provide entertainment, and let me tell you it was really sweet and enjoyable!

One of our boys recited a poem and did a splendid job full of expression and personality! Very cute.

Another of our boys performed some magic tricks which was just the most adorable thing! Above you see him asking for volunteers which he had many.

We also had a couple of our sweet girls play piano and guitar and a duo sang “Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus” which was so angelic. Made me cry!

As we wrapped up, Ashley spoke some encouragement to the ladies and had roses with Bible verses for them.

Our boys delivered the roses to each of the widows, and they were such fine little gents.

This was such a precious and gracious group of women! They seemed to really have a good time and were so sweet to thank all the children and moms over and over. We honestly didn’t want them to leave, they were so sweet to us. And aren’t they all so pretty!

After the ladies left, our little group hung around for their valentine exchange and some extra playing and hanging out, and a few more donuts! I love this group! These mamas are the BEST. I always say, “Moms get things done!” and these friends of mine always display that by going above and beyond each month.

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!