A Valentine Close to the Heart

It seems we're barely out from under the Christmas crush before Talie gets fired up about Valentine's Day. Being 5 and female, any holiday that features hearts is big, big, big in her book.

After a week of wading through a flood of glue, glitter, red paper, and doilies while her pile of valentines grows, she announces she's ready to make presents for her three teachers. Presents, too? My first thought is to bake something together, but honestly, my mixing bowl and I could use some time apart.

Later that day, I'm flipping through the December issue of Wondertime (who has time to read it before Christmas?), when I spy a nifty necklace project. It's right on in so many ways: wearable bling for our heroes, do-it-yourself satisfaction for Talie, and for me, a headache-free project that we can both enjoy making.

I make a quick swing to craft store, where I find everything we need in one aisle. Talie's at school, so I choose for her glass beads in shades of sea blues and turquoise and green cotton cord. On the way out, some cute Martha Stewart gift boxes and red and white striped bakery-style twine catch my eye. They'll make the perfect wrappings, so I grab them, too.

After school, Talie and I sit down at the kitchen table with all the materials assembled. She's dazzled by the oceany beads, and works hard to make each one slightly different. I'm dazzled by her smile when she completes a necklace worthy of an apprentice jeweler. An hour later, the three necklaces are finished and boxed.

The next day when I pick Talie up at school, all her teachers are wearing their new gems. Good things really do come in small packages.