Christian Valentine's Day Ideas for Kids!

God’s Valentine Gift

God’s Valentine gift of love to us
Was not a bunch of flowers;
It wasn’t candy, or a book
To while away the hours.
His gift was to become a man,
So He could freely give
His sacrificial love for us,
So you and I could live.
He gave us sweet salvation, and
Instruction, good and true--
To love our friends and enemies
And love our Savior, too.
So as we give our Valentines,
Let’s thank our Lord and King;
The reason we have love to give
Is that He gave everything.

By Joanna Fuchs

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With Valentine's Day approaching, it is a perfect time to stop and reflect on the amazing love we have received from God and to share that message with our children! For Christians, Valentine's Day is more than Valentine cards, chocolates, roses, and parties. It is a time for us to celebrate the One who loved us first and who taught us what love is and how to love!

I have included a few Valentine's Day ideas to get you started in celebrating with your pre-school and early elementary children. May it inspire you as you plan your celebrations with your children and/or students!

*Valentine's Day Crafts

**Christian book marks

** A Variety of Crafts

**Valentine's Day Lesson Plan

*Valentine's Day DVD and Books!- All available at http://www.christianbook.com

**Silly Little Thing Called Love, DVD Veggie tales- Join the Veggies for a heartfelt celebration! This fun-filled collection features three classics about loving your neighbor, family, and God: The Story of Flibber-O-Loo, Duke and the Great Pie War, and Madame Blueberry; four music selections, including "The Bunny Song" and "The Cheeseburger Song"; plus the Veggie kids (voiced by real children) sharing their perspective on love. 80 minutes.

**My Valentine for Jesus by Laurie Lazzaro Knowlton (book)

**God's Love is Amazing Book by Christian Tools Affirmation

**Let's Show God's Love on Valentine's Day by Greg Holder


Enjoy! As always, thanks for reading and take good care!

Diaper Cakes for Baby's Birthday!

Looking for an affordable, unique, and practical gift for baby's first or second birthday? Diaper cakes for baby's birthday offer more than just diapers! Yes, mom will appreciate the diapers, but baby will love the toys and decorations used to decorate and accessorize the cake!

My birthday diaper cakes feature Pampers Baby Dry or Cruiser's diapers in the size that you request. Based on a specified theme, I search for fun, whimsical, and practical items to adorn the cake. The two cakes above were made in a Winnie the Pooh theme. The first cake was made for twins to celebrate their first birthday! The second cake was made for a 2 year old's birthday.

Some of the items I use to decorate the birthday cakes are:
*Plush animals
*Small toys
*Clothing items- bibs, onesies, socks, hats, outfits
*Birthday candles (both the above pictured cakes feature a Disney character candle)
*Sippy cups/squeeze bottles
*Hand painted plaques with baby's name
*Bath toys, soaps, and lotions

I have made diaper cakes for baby's birthday in the following themes: Princess, Prince, Zebra Print, Elmo, Cookie Monster, Curious George.

If you would like to order a custom made cake, just send me a message via my website The Diaper Chef Just click on the "contact us" link and I will be in touch with you!

As always, take good care and thanks for reading!

What's For Lunch? English Muffin Pizzas!

Are you looking for a fun lunch recipe that you can make with kids from young toddlers to teens? Try English Muffin pizzas! Although these are not new ( my own mother made these with me 30+ years ago!), they are definitely unique, affordable, fun, and most importantly yummy!


Recipe for English Muffin Pizzas

Ingredients:
*Package of your favorite brand of plain English Muffins
*Small jar of pizza sauce
*Pizza toppings such as mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, ham, sausage, etc

Procedure
1. Spoon pizza sauce evenly onto English Muffin
2. Sprinkle cheese on top
3. Add pizza toppings of your choice
4. Place on a broiler pan and broil on low for 2-3 minutes until cheese is melted

Kids love to make and create their very own pizza! I made these the other day with three children ages 6, 3, and 4 years old. They loved it! Serve with raw veggies or fruit and you have a delicious and nutritious lunch!

Enjoy!

Thanks for reading, and take good care!

1 Corinthians 13 CHRISTmas Version

1 Corinthians 13
CHRISTmas Version

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals ,and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another cook.

If I work in a soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home ,and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties, and sing in the choir’s cantata, but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child.

Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband.

Love is kind, though harried and tired.

Love doesn’t envy another’s home that has coordinated Christmas china and linens.

Love doesn’t yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way.

Love doesn’t give only to those who are able to give in return, but rejoices in giving to those who can’t.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails.

Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust.

But giving the gift of love will endure.

Merry CHRISTmas!

-Author unknown

Merry Christmas from My Three Sons Marketplace and The Diaper Chef!

Merry Christmas from My Three Sons Marketplace and The Diaper Chef

With much appreciation to all my customers! It has been an honor to serve you this past year! I pray you have a blessed holiday season and a healthy New Year!

Black Friday Cyber Monday Sale! Gifts for Babies and Children!

That's right... let the shopping begin! Visit us at My Three Sons Marketplace Thanksgiving Day until Tuesday, 12/1/09 for our holiday SALE!

Use coupon code holidays to receive a 15% discount on ALL items- diaper cakes, clothing, afghans, Santa Claus letters, and more! Discount applies to all items- even ones on sale!

Happy Thanksgiving! Happy Shopping!

Diaper Cake Give-Away! Enter For Your Chance to Win a Beautiful Diaper Cake!

The Diaper Chef is hosting our first ever diaper cake give-away! You may enter to win a beautiful stork "special delivery" two tier diaper cake. The exact cake that you will receive is pictured above.

This gorgeous cake features the following:

Delicate 2 tier diaper cake featuring over 35 Pampers Swaddlers diapers size 1-2. Layers decorated with soft pink and yellow ribbons. Cake topper is a large plush white stork carrying a bag with Special Delivery embroidered. Stork accented with pale pink and yellow.

Includes Johnson and Johnson baby powder, lotion, baby wash, and shampoo

2 cloth diaper wipes/wash cloths

Pink handmade glycerin soap with white stork design on front

All items are brand new and completely usable

16 inches tall; width 11 inches

A stunning baby shower centerpiece or new baby gift.

Served on a Wilton cake round, wrapped in tulle, and includes gift tag and ingredient list

Blue ribbons may be substituted for the pink for a baby boy. All yellow ribbons can be used for a neutral cake.

A $50 value!

How Do I Enter?
**Choose ONE of the Following:
*Post a comment here with your email address
*Send an email to me with your email address at mythreesonsmarketplace@comcast.net

The Details
*You must submit a valid email address.
*Give-Away open to residents of the continental United States only. Your diaper cake will be shipped via USPS Parcel Post Mail with insurance and delivery confirmation.
*Winner will be randomly selected on December 1, 2009.
*Winner will be contacted the evening of 12/01/09 via email. You have (3) days to respond to your winning email notification to claim your prize and submit your shipping address with a valid continental/mainland U.S. address.
*In the case that winner does not respond to me within (3) days, a second name will be randomly selected.

This is a fun contest and your chance to win a high quality, unique diaper cake! No purchase necessary!

Enter your name today!!

As always, thanks for reading and take good care!