Playgroup Valentines Party!

 

We had a party!  Sort of.  I mean, it wasn't a fancy party, and it wasn't organized, and there was no schedule.  We invited a bunch of small children and their moms/aunties to our house for a Valentine's celebration... we made treats, we decorated, we put out toys.  Our party was a toddler and baby free for all, an event that left our living room looking like three hours in on Christmas morning, an even that built up some fantastic sugar highs (and crashes).  Mommies had coffee, children had sugar, and everyone had fun.  Success!

Up there is a picture of our table, all prettied up for the occasion.  Here's a breakdown of what's on the table...

CUPCAKES!

Is it easy to tell which ones I decorated, and which were a result of this?:

No matter, they were all tasty!

Raina also made some Model Magic cupcakes, with princess candles.

We decided not to eat those ones.

(BANGS.  Will they ever grow out completely?  Will she always be shaggy?)

I feel like I should also mention that while, yes, the kiddos ate a fair amount of cupcakes, they also ate every banana in my house.  And we had lots of bananas.  Thanks, Josh.  Sometimes peer pressure is a good thing!

We also made these chocolate stirring spoons that I blogged about a few days ago...

Decorations were simple.  A heart shaped cutting board and placemat from Christmas Tree Shop.  Themed paper plates and pink napkins (napkins from Raina's first birthday party.  Yes, first.  As we are getting ready for the third!)  Paper hearts, decorated with paint and foam stickers by Raina.  And a garland, bought on super clearance at Target the day after Christmas!  It has little felt circles hung on a ribbon - it came decorated with snowflakes, but I just turned it over and randomly stuck on some foam heart stickers.  Voila!  I also put out heart dishtowels and handtowels in the bathroom.  I don't think anyone noticed, but it made me happy.

All the kids came in red.  Some of them.  One of them?  One of them and my own two.  Four of the girls wore my Valentine hairbows, so I didn't really mind that it wasn't as festive from the neck down :).

Those are my Valentine cuties, dressed for the occasion!  I can't get enough of those smiles!

We had Valentine success.  A few friends ended up staying for lunch, and helped us sort of clean up the trashed play area :).  I am always hesitant to host playgroup at my house.  I'm always worried that my house isn't clean enough, or cute enough, or well decorated enough.  That everyone will have a terrible time and complain about the messy stovetop.  I have to keep reminding myself that every one of these women spends their day in a house with kids.  They get it, and I can let go a little and give myself a break.  This week, I'm glad I did!  

Whew, we made it.  

(And with cupcakes to spare!  We brought them to Auntie, because I can't. eat. any. more. cupcakes.  Sad but true.)

A Spoonful of Sugar...

A spoonful of sugar helps almost anything go down!  If you need a second opinion, ask any toddler you know :)  Raina is pretty sure that every meal should end with a "fancy chocolate," and I can't say I disagree!

We're having a slightly Valentine themed playgroup tomorrow (I'm hosting, and I didn't want to set myself up for disappointment or lead anyone on by calling it an all out Valentine's Day bash!), so I'm trying to make our house look presentable and get some pretty snacks together.  I saw this in the last issue of Family Fun magazine and thought it looked pretty and simple...

I'm pleased with how mine turned out, and hope the mommies enjoy stirring coffee with a pretty little spoon tomorrow!

Here's what you need:

1.  Plastic spoons.   By happy coincidence, mine happened to be pink!  They're leftovers from Raina's 1st birthday party.  Yes, 2 years ago.  I knew I was saving them for something!

2.  Melting chocolate.  I was all set to get white, but there were pink melts on the shelf, and I couldn;t resist!  They are microwavable, but I love my double boiler, so I used that.  You can do whichever is easier for you, just follow the instructions on the bag!

3.  Decorations!  I used red sugar and sugar hearts, but the possibilities are endless!  The Family Fun instructions mention conversation hearts and red hots, and the picture looks like it has nonpareils.

Directions...

1.  Melt chocolate.  Use a small spoon to fill the spoon part of your plastic spoons.  You don't need as much as you think you do!  Tap it a little to spread the chocolate evenly, then set them down with the handle resting on something.  This will make the spoon lay flat, making sure none of the hot chocolate spills or cools unevenly.  I used a folded dishtowel.  You could also use the side of a cookie sheet.

2.  While the chocolate is still hot, add decorations.  Place candies, tapping down a bit so they stick in place.  Sprinkle sugar.  Have fun!

3.  Place spoons gently on a tray, plate etc, trying to make sure the handles are still elevated slightly, amd transfer to fridge.  Let them "set" in the fridge for an hour or so to make sure they are really solid.  I used the tray from my toaster to hold them... how do those trays get so gross?!

4.  If your giving these as gifts, you can put the ends in clear treat bags and tie with a pretty ribbon.  I put mine in a cup with the spoons facing up so you could see them - a sugary sweet bouquet!

5.  STIR STIR STIR!

I was a little unsure about the practical use of these.   Would I actually *want* to stir my coffee with this confection?  Yes.  Yes I do.  One spoon lasted me through a couple cups, though, so a little goes a long way.  I was actually glad I didn't use conversation hearts, too.  I don't know how well they dissolve, and I'm not sure I'd want one floating in my cup.  The little candles looked pretty floating, even if it did take them a while to dissolve!

This is a recipe I'm eager to dig out at every holiday!  It would be SO easy to them them to most major holidays... I'm already picturing Halloween and Christmas!!