Happy Valentine’s Day!

Hot air balloon Valentines box

Out of my three kids in elementary school and one kid in preschool – Hallie was the only one that needed to provide a box for Valentine’s day – and even then it was optional. She’s in her last year at the school and I thought maybe she would feel too old to do a cutesy box. She told me just before leaving for Mexico she wanted to create something. After a search on pinterest she landed on the hot air balloon.

This afternoon was spent bringing that vision to life. The worst part was while we were cutting out the balloons Hallie said, “Mom – does it make you really sad knowing that you’ll never get to do this again with your daughter?” She was smirking when she said it, but it made me stop in my cutting. She was right. My boys are not going to want to make cutesy bumble bees or gumball machines or popcorn buckets or hot air balloons. In fact when making a box in their class is optional they choose the decorated paper sack. I really will miss these projects with her; she knows how to cut me deep! 😉

Back to the hot air balloon! We took 8 sheets of 12×12 paper and cut them into a balloon shape. We used spray glue to attach them together. The balloon portion is being held up by 4 dowels (wrapped in red and white wrapping paper) that were notched so the paper balloon actually sits in the dowel. The dowels were attached to the side of the basket with some twine. It was the perfect final-valentines-box-project.

Hot air balloon Valentines box

Hot air balloon Valentines box

Hot air balloon Valentines box

Hot air balloon Valentines box

Hot air balloon Valentines box

Hot air balloon Valentines box