Today signals the day we begin thinking about the pressing issues that weigh on the hearts and minds of mothers all across our country.  I’m talking about Valentine’s Day treats to send to preschool.

Last year, my sweet son, Zack, started preschool in January. For Valentine’s Day, I thought it would be oh-so cute to send little valentines from him to his classmates. They had all just turned 2 years old, and I thought I was being so cute and clever. I mean, Valentines! From a 2 year old! How adorable!

I let Zack pick out his very own box of perforated valentines at the grocery store. He picked out Tonka trucks, as he was obsessed with “diggies” at the time. I addressed them to all his little buddies and even put stickers on them! I was such a cool mom…and apparently very naive in the ways of stay-at-home moms of preschoolers.

Imagine my surprise when I show up at school and see treats. Lots of treats. HANDMADE Valentines and baked treats for every 2 year old in the class…FROM EVERY OTHER MOTHER in the class!! I, Lindsay, seamstress and crafter and decorator and DIYer, was outdone in every way possible.

Touché, my friends.

You better believe that I’m not going to let it happen again this year. I’m WAY too competitive for that. So, I’ve already been scowering the Internet and my magazines for some cute ideas. So far, I’ve found:

Passion Pops from Parents Magazine

Love-Bug Cupcakes from Parents Magazine

Heart-and-Lollipop Flowers from MarthaStewart.com

Heart Bookmark from MarthaStewart.com
(no tutorial was given, but it looks fairly easy to put together)

Today, I awoke with a renewed sense of Hope for our country. Regardless of your personal political views or ideals, it’s hard not to be moved by our peaceful transition of power. Many harsh words have been spoken, jabs traded, and yet today we come together as one with great Hope for our future.

I’m a former legislative aide who worked at the US Capitol. I was there for the last transition of power. I was outside the Supreme Court building when that historic decision came down. I was there to shake President Clinton’s had on the lawn of the White House just days before he left Washington for New York. I felt like I was the most jaded young person on Earth; the political process had in fact changed me. I’m a political animal at heart, and my heart hurt.

When my two year old woke up this morning and declared, “Today’s the day Barack Obama becomes President!,” I realized that a new day has dawned. I wanted today to be special for him. He doesn’t understand who the President is or what he does, but today is probably one of the most historic days he will experience in his life.

I thought I’d keep him home from preschool today so that he could watch the Inauguration, but he kept demanding to watch Wall-E, which just wasn’t going to work for me. So, I made him American Flag pancakes instead.

The pancakes were just spur of the moment, so I only had strawberry jam and raisins to decorate them. They weren’t fancy and weren’t pretty, but I think they that received DS’s vote.

Thank you to my DS for helping me to continue to have Hope for our future. And thank you to President Obama (!!) for helping to lead the way.