Little Paperbag Mailboxes
I think I miss the YMCA most on Valentine's day. I would always bake something fun and the kids were always delighted by heart-shaped rice crispy treats or cupcakes with edible glitter on them or Linzer cookies with heart cutouts or little cups full of Emily's pink strawberry mousse. When I was working at Manor they weren't really allowing the kids to have sweets in class so they were always thrilled when Angelica and I would show up with some tasty thing.
The kids would make little mailboxes and envelopes and valentines and then we'd elect a postman for each grade (the older kids would have to help the one's who didn't read well) and they'd deliver everything.
And every year I'd spend a few nights at home before the 14th making valentines so the kids wouldn't get to peak at them. I always made each one with a child's name on it and on the back (or inside) I'd write "My very favorite thing about you is..." and then I'd try hard to fill in the blank. Some kids are more challenging than others. I think those little notes meant as much to the parents some times as they did to the kids, to know that the person watching your baby while you're at work loves and understands and appreciates the person they are. On my best day I would try very hard to do just that.
You are such an excellent childcare person. Your kids are going to be so lucky.