Make 'Em Run...

I like a good scavenger hunt...  

That is, I like scavenger hunts when I am watching 

other people run around like headless chickens, 

while I laugh...  

Most kids love those hunts, 

 especially when they result 

in scads of chotchkies from places 

like Oriental Trading...  

Nothing like a bunch of cheap erasers 

and plastic rings to find their way 

to the back of a drawer or closet...  

Valentines Day is approaching

and I am making plans...  

T$ and I aren't going out on that evening

and I don't sense a whole lot of romance brewing 

on a school night... 

I think he leaves for some far flung destination 

the next day, anyway...  

So, the kids will benefit from my forethought 

and attempt at creativity...  

One good way to start the day 

is with a Valentine-related breakfast food... 

Cost Plus World Market sells a red velvet pancake mix, 

so I bought a package to make red velvet pancakes 

for the Valentines Day morning 

before they head off to school...
  

How much red dye is too much?

I'll throw something or other 

in their lunches to keep
the heart theme going...

Okay, this is beyond my energy or interest level,
but it looks cute...

Once they come home from school, 

the hunt will begin...  

I will inform them of the ground rules 

in the short car ride home from school...  

No pushing, fighting or other anti-lovey behavior,

or the game is cancelled!  

Jack will read the clues 

and Kate will help solve the puzzles...  

I will print out the clues on paper, 

fold them over, punching a hole in each side 

and I will tie them closed with a ribbon...  

I have been looking for Valentine treats
on sale at Walgreens, 

Target, Aldi, Dollar store, etc.  

Here are my clues:

Happy Valentines Day,

You lovely, sweet kids!

Your first clue is where

You put on your “lids”…

(The first clue is hidden amongst the winter hat bin)

Now you have found

Your first treat inside of a hat,

The next one is hiding under

Something big, shiny and flat!

(Clue #2 is under the flat screen TV)

Yes the TV is flat and it

Entertains us all,

And your next treat will be found

Next to a ball…

(Clue #3 is in Jack's room, next to a ball, that is if they can find the note among the disaster that is Jack's room...)

Good Job! You found it

And now you must run

To find your next goodie

Where Wipe Out is fun… 

(Clue #4 is by the XBox in the apartment.  Yikes...I am just noticing that all the treats are chocolate..  My kids will be bouncing off the walls!)

Aha!  There it was,

Your present was sitting,

And now please go look where

Mom likes crafting and knitting…

(Clue #5 is in my craft cabinet.  Okay, I don't knit, but it rhymed...)

Oh Boy!  This is great and it’s almost

All through. 

Your last Valentine Treat hides

Where sparks go up the flu… 

(Clue #5 is inside the COLD fireplace.  Melted Chocolate is not a good thing, Martha...)

Happy Valentine, Dear Child

I love you so much!

I hope this special hunt

Was lots of good fun and such!!!

 

So, if your kids are still young enough to 
 be enthusiastic about scavenger hunts, 

give it a go...  

Later, for dinner I will either make them individual cornish hens, 

glazed in orange marmalade, 

with heart shaped roasted potatoes, 

citrus cashew salad 

and Valentines cupcakes, 

or I will be too exhausted 

from all this heartfelt bedlam 

and we will order out pizza! 

Yeah....it's gonna be PIZZA....