Check out these fun Valentine's gag gifts for the kids!

I love fun gifts that don't cost an arm and a leg, don't y'all?  I've mentioned here before that I shop the day after holidays to stock up for the next year or the next holiday.  So the day after Christmas, I grabbed a bag of super-cheap, Christmas (red and green) m&m's - perfect for my Valentine's and St. Patrick's Day celebrations!

For Valentine's Day next week, one of my treats for the kids will be Cupid's Poop.  I'll separate the red and green m&m's, (green will go in a bag til next month!) and the reds will go into 3 baggies - one for David, one for Katie, and one for David's friend Blake - his mom always sends David  the cutest goody-bags for each holiday!  I printed out bag toppers from this site - so cute - to put across the top of each closed bag.  Next month,  I'll do the same with the printable Leprechaun Poop bag toppers. 

I'm also heading to Bojangles on Monday to get some of their heart-shaped bo-berry biscuits, which I'll serve to my kiddos on Tuesday morning.  And Tuesday's after-school snack?  I'll pick up a few heart shaped donuts at Dunkin Donuts.  I hit up Target's Dollar Spot for some cute gifts to give each kiddo too.  But mostly, I'll hug and kiss them, and tell them how much I love them both!! 

The best cookies for Valentine's Day!

Hello sweet bloggy friends!  Are y'all ready for Valentine's Day? Gosh, I can't believe it is almost here!  I love making these cookies all winter long.  I made them for New Year's Eve, but they are perfect for Valentine's Day.  How can you go wrong making rich chocolate cookies with a cherry hidden under a luscious chocolate frosting ~ delicious! : )  This recipe originally came from Ms. Jill, who was the Children's Pastor at the church I worked at from 1998- 2003.  I always think of her when I make these yummy cookies!

Chocolate Cherry Surprise Cookies
•1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

•1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

•1/4 teaspoon salt

•1/4 teaspoon baking soda

•1/4 teaspoon baking powder

•1/2 cup butter, room temperature

•1 cup granulated sugar

•1 egg

•1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

•1 (10 ounce) jar maraschino cherries, drained, reserve juice

•1 (6-ounce) package semisweet chocolate chips

•1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk


In a large bowl, combine flour, cocoa powder, salt, baking powder and soda, blend well; set aside. In a mixing bowl, beat together butter or margarine and sugar on low speed until fluffy. Add egg and vanilla; beat well. Gradually add dry ingredients to the creamed mixture; beat until smooth and well blended. Shape dough into 1-inch balls; place on ungreased baking sheet. (I used foil to line my stonewear, but I did spray it with Pam!) Press down the center of each ball with thumb. Drain Maraschino cherries well, reserving juice. Place a cherry in the indention of each cookie.

In small saucepan combine chocolate pieces and sweetened condensed milk; heat over low heat until chocolate is melted. Stir in 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon of the reserved cherry juice. Spoon about 1 teaspoon of the topping over each cherry, spreading to cover cherry. If frosting seems too thick, thin with a little more cherry juice.

 Bake at 350° for 10 minutes, or until done. Cool on wire rack.   Makes 3 to 4 dozen cookies.

Enjoy!