Valentine's Day

I hate Valentine's Day.  I think it's ridiculous.  I completely believe it's just a way to make men suffer and single women cry.  I'm not saying people shouldn't celebrate, I'm just saying I don't want to.  And, I don't want it forced upon my children.  Yet, for the past 2 years, I've been forced to make Valentine's for Monster to take to school.  Just one more excuse to load kids up on sugar.  Too bad my kids aren't allowed to eat candy.  Parents go way overboard on the candy thing for Valentine's.  For that reason, I refuse to do Valentine's with candy.  Since I am forced to do Valentine's for Monster's class, I'm always going to do something that does not involve sugar.  That's why when I saw this on Pinterest, I knew I had found my project!

flickr.com

Ever since I pinned this, I have been on a mission to find a heart shaped silicone muffin pan.  It's impossible when it's not near Valentine's day. Instead, I decided to get one that could be used for any occasion.  It looks like little suns.  Now, I'm thankful I had the foresight to buy a muffin pan specifically for crayon making.  The crayons will ruin the pan.  Do NOT use a muffin tin you are going to be cooking in.  

This week, Monster and I made his Valentine's for school.  We chopped up crayons, and I didn't put them in a big bowl.  That's just a wasted step.  Put them directly in the muffin pan.  When I baked them, I checked on them after 15 minutes, but they weren't all melted yet.  I left them for about 10 extra minutes.  Then, I let them cool in the oven.  With the silicone pan, they are so simple to pop right out.  Monster wanted Toy Story Valentine's so we bought those and then put the Valentine's and the sun crayons in treat bags.  Cute, easy and not candy.