Flannel Friday: That's How Much I Love You

Right before Valentine storytime, I happened to see this book in the board book bin. Kirkus trashed it, but the kids loved it. I knew instantly that it needed to be flannelized.
I can't wait to use it for Mother's Day.

I love you, I love you, I love you, I do....
If you were a sock, I'd be your shoe.

The pairs continue until finally...

I love you, I love you, I love you, you see...

But the best pair of all is by far you and me!

The pieces can also be used for a "What goes together?" game.

Lisa at Thrive After Three is hosting the roundup this week. Find all things Flannel Friday on the blog or find us on Pinterest.

Flannel Friday: Love Bug

I know it's too late for this year, but you can tuck it away for next year. He looks less like a bug and more like a monster, but bug sounds sooooo much cuter. I put this together to go along with the Valentine squishy bags we make in my Mommy and Me class. See the squishy bag and all our activities in my Mommy and Me post.

I'm a little love bug. Now let's start.

I am made from a big red heart.

I'm a little love bug. What a surprise!

I think someone has my eyes!

I'm a little love bug. Now who do you suppose,

has my cute little heart-shaped nose?

I'm a little love bug. I give big hugs!

Who has a striped arm for this bug?

I'm a little love bug. I have flare!

Who has my sparkly, spiky pink hair?

I'm a little love bug. I'll see you in a while!

Just don't forget my great big smile!

Now a few words on perfectionism. I love making flannelboard stories. I have some I consider my own little works of art. This bug could have been much cuter, but it came to me while I was driving to class. If I didn't do it fast, I wouldn't have been able to do it at all. The kids loved it, and it didn't matter if I spent 10 minutes or 110 minutes making it. Don't let perfectionism get in your way.

Meg at Miss Meg's Storytime is hosting the roundup this week. Find all things Flannel Friday on the blog or find us on Pinterest.

This Week at Mommy and Me: Valentine's Day

Of course, this was an extra-fun day at Mommy and Me. We did two flannelboard stories at circle time because they tied in with the day's activites. I love this "Little Red Valentine" activity I first saw on Storytime ABC's. Because I have a small group for Mommy and Me, I start by giving each child a heart. As we sing the song, they come put their heart up on the board.

Little Red Valentine, I love you.

Little Red Valentine, I love you.

Little Red Valentine, I love you.

Orange one says, "I love you, too!"

Little Orange Valentine, I love you.

Little Orange Valentine, I love you.

Little Orange Valentine, I love you.

Yellow one says, "I love you, too!"

Little Yellow Valentine, I love you.

Little Yellow Valentine, I love you.

Little Yellow Valentine, I love you.

Green one says, "I love you, too!"

Little Green Valentine, I love you.

Little Green Valentine, I love you.

Little Green Valentine, I love you.

Blue one says, "I love you, too!"

Little Blue Valentine, I love you.

Little Blue Valentine, I love you.

Little Blue Valentine, I love you.

Purple one says, "I love you, too!"

Little Purple  Valentine, I love you.

Little Purple  Valentine, I love you.

Little Purple  Valentine, I love you.

Pink one says, "I love you, too!"

Little Pink  Valentine, I love you.

Little Pink  Valentine, I love you.

Little Pink  Valentine, I love you.

Everyone says, "We love you, too!"

Next up was "I'm a Little Love Bug".
I created this rhyme to go along with our squishy bags.

I'm a little love bug. Now let's start.

I am made from a big red heart.

I'm a little love bug. What a surprise!

I think someone has my eyes!

I'm a little love bug. Now who do you suppose,

has my cute little heart-shaped nose?

I'm a little love bug. I give big hugs!

Who has a striped arm for this bug?

I'm a little love bug. I have flare!

Who has my sparkly, spiky pink hair?

I'm a little love bug. I'll see you in a while!

Just don't forget my great big smile!

Just like the rhyme, the squishy bag has two eyes (googly eyes), a heart shaped nose (button, you could also use foamies), spiky pink hair (pom-pom), two striped arms (pipe cleaners cut in 4 pieces), and a great big mile (thick yarn). Start with about 1/3 of hair gel (Dollar store). Let the kids put in a pinch of colorful glitter (I put in way too much). Seal it with duct tape. The bag has a heart drawn on with purple Sharpie. 

More felt hearts were available at the song card center. We do a new song card every other week. They picked a heart, then tried to find the corresponding song lyrics--looking for color clues in the text.

 

Our Valentine bags were very open-ended,
with opportunities for writing and cutting practice. I provided
plain paper bags, stickers, crayons, and scraps of  paper to cut and paste.

And the perfect Valentine from teacher to student during cold and flu season--
"You BLOW me away, Valentine!" (tissue 6-packs from the Dollar Store).