I learned a few things about my kids yesterday (the 14th). 

I learned that my daughter, who just turned 7 two days ago, LOVES Valentine's Day and was eager to make cards for those she loved.  But she didn't like Chad that day so it was tough to convince her that it wouldn't be nice to exclude him.  She plunged in, cut out big hearts with no trouble at all and wrote little messages, with the help of a book that showed the word "valentine" in it.  She also remembered the cards I had made her in the past and incorporated some of those ideas, and when they were done, she distributed them to their proper recipients.  I was impressed.  But by 3:00, she wailed, "I'm sad because no one has given me any Valentines today!"  I pulled my son, Alec, aside and said if he didn't make his sister a card I'd punch him in the nose (true story, honest - so pathetic!)  More on him later.  Chad also got busy making her a card. 

Now, Chad.  He spent time looking for the heart template that I cut out years ago and somehow have managed to keep around to pull out for use on the 14th.  He couldn't find it and started to cry.  I found it for him but he was still upset.  "What's wrong?" I asked.  He said he didn't know what to write.  I said to make it simple - you know, like, "I love you ..."  A few minutes later, he appeared with 4 identical heart-shaped cards with teeny-tiny writing - each one saying, "I love you, Mom", etc.  Task finished.

Then there's Alec.  Upon being threatened, he sat down and made up cards for all of us and they were Alec-style and creative.  Absolutely nothing wrong with them, in my opinion.  He wasn't really enthusiastic about the whole thing but then, he saw the card I made him.

I somehow managed a free hour to sit down at the kitchen table and make up cards for all three kids.  They ran by lots of times but were clueless.  Well, when I finally gave them their cards, they were all very pleased but then Alec wanted to make new cards for everyone, using the ideas I had used on my cards.  He flew into action.  It's like I opened a creative door in his mind or something.  The resulting cards were polar opposites to the ones he made before and he had fun making them. 

Lesson learned (by me, I mean):  Chad is not comfortable with crafts and really struggles with them.  I have tried for years to help him but it's just not his thing.  He needs a lot of help from me to get him going.  A great talker, doesn't like to write anything down.  Alec - he needs to SEE something to get his spark aflame.  Once he's inspired, I get out of the way and let him go.  Carmen - she just needs to be motivated and in a good mood.  It's a rare day indeed when these two requirements are met.  She has always loved drawing and giving things to the family so making cards is really right up her alley.  Stash this lesson in my brain for future use as needed.  You can never know your kids too well.

Remember when you were a kid and bought those stupid Valentines at the store, which usually had too few cards per box so you had to buy 2 boxes and you ended up with more than you needed and all the good ones were shown on the front and the dumb ones, which where numerous, were hidden until you opened the box and then you had to pick out just the right ones for your friends and then ones for the kids you were o.k. with and then the least-liked ones for the kids you weren't o.k. with?  I'm so, so glad this isn't the experience my kids have about Valentine's Day.  For them, yes, it's about receiving but I hope the giving and loving part is what stays with them.