How The Party Went

The Valentine's Day party was smooth running, but it was surprisingly very low key.  Most of the kids went home early because of other plans, so we (my other staff member and I) didn't have much chaos to content with.

In the early afternoon we had 10 excited kindergartners, so we played a Valentine's Day game where they all hid paper hearts around the room.  Then, at 2:00, they got to watch the older children search madly for them.  They  had a hard time not giving away any hints, but really liked the whole activity.  It was fun for them to know something that the other children did not.

At 3:00, we had our "potluck" with only about 15 kids.  Parents brought in delicious but simple healthy food: a veggie tray, mixed fruit bowl, and cheese.  We made homemade bread at the site with our new breadmaker...and that was it!

The kids had an array of colors (the colors of the rainbow) to choose from.  They did ask about the cupcakes a parent had brought that were waiting for them behind the counter - but were fine with the answer that they would have to wait and eat this food first. 

Kids have to be kids.  We put on a movie a little later and served the cupcakes and they thoroughly enjoyed them.  Kids have to have the goodies...but I was happy that the day didn't have to be all about candy and treats.  When each kid left, I handed them a their goody bag that i had put together, and they all seemed excited to see what was inside - tools to be creative and a cuddly stuffed animal - nothing to rot their teeth :o)