Marleewood Is Such A Happy Place

It was the day before the Valentines Day party and Marleewood was in a total mess! Charlie was selling things left and right in the Holiday Shop almost everything was gone already. She had ordered flowers, and candy and teddy bears and even some balloons.
Charlie had done a really good job, but today she and Marlee and Emma were all in a dither about their hair and their makeup being just right. Charlie had a new outfit that everyone just loved.
 The grandmas however, were busy on the phone and in the Daycare watching children and trying to help customers as well.
Food was going to be different for this party. Folks were bringing their own treats. Some of the cookies and cupcakes were homemade, but some folks just didn't have time to bake so they were going to buy some things at the local grocery store. They taste good too, don't they? But everyone was especially curious about the dessert that Bella was bringing. Only Grandma Lu knew what it was.
Grandma Lu had put herself in charge of games for this party. She sometimes got sad watching all the children playing with their tablets and phones watching video games. She could remember how much fun she had with her family and her friends playing games. There was one game she  had decided that they would play at the party tomorrow. Grandma Lu thought that children needed to know how to have a good time without television and computers and cell phones.

Grandma B thought it sounded like fun too. So everyone that they invited were told to bring clothespins. What in the world was Grandma Lu up to now?
Finally Grandma Lu had to sit down with a cup of coffee and rest for awhile. Boy getting ready for a party was a lot of work, that's for sure.
Marlee and some of her friends thought that Grandma Lu was going to tell a story because she was sitting in her easy chair. But much to their disappointment Grandma Lu said, she didn't have a Valentines Day story. They couldn't believe it. Grandma Lu always had a story. One of the children said, "Grandma Lu, how come we have Valentines Parties?" Well, Grandma Lu had to think a little bit. She tilted her head to one side when she was thinking, just like her daddy used to do. She had to smile when she thought about him. He was a really good story teller too.



 Finally she said, "Well, once upon a time hundreds of years ago there was a man named Valentine that was in jail because he didn't follow the rules of his country.
His country was clear across the ocean. Remember that big water we talked about? He was like our ministers in our churches.  He married people that were in love just like they do nowadays. Well, he got put in jail for doing that. One day he got to thinking about a girl that he was in love with. Actually she was his jailer's daughter. He sent her a love letter and signed it, "From your Valentine." That's how it started say some folks. There are lots and lots of stories about how Valentines Day started, but this is what I know. I know that when I get a hug, I hug people back. A hug makes me feel so happy and loved. Well that's it kids. Valentines Day is all about love. How many of you love your mama and daddy? How many of you love your grandparents and aunts and uncles and friends?"All of the children raised their hands, and said, "Yes, I do, I do!" And then the giggling started.
 Marlee said, "My daddy kisses my mama and me all the time." Charlie said, "I get hugs and kisses all the time too."
On it went with everyone laughing and giggling about hugs and kisses.
"What about those Valentines cards with hearts on them?" someone asked.
Well about that time Grandma Lu said, "I think that when you love someone you love with your heart. (Grandma Lu put her hand on her chest where her heart was.) A heart is a sign of love so it is on cards, and balloons, and candy and all kinds of things. Does that make any sense to you?" The children giggled again because Grandma Lu had hearts on her shirt today. She is so funny.
The story was over so the kids were on their way to do
other things. Some were even finishing up making Valentines for those people that they loved.
All of a sudden Charlie yelled out, "I just sold the last bouquet of flowers and the last box of candy. The Holiday Shop is closed again."
Everybody clapped their hands and danced around the room. What a happy place Marleewood is.
See you tomorrow for the party!