I’m not a huge V-Day fan especially when it comes to little kids giving romantic cards to each other. I’m all for showing love and friendship but romance + kiddos is a no-no for this mama.  This might be extra on my mind this year because eight year old Ila has her first crush on a boy and I am so not ready for it.  Last night when I was ranting and raving about this while looking for a silly and totally non-lovey printable Valentine for Ila to bring to class (at the 11th hour, of course) Chris had the genius idea that I should make them myself. Because what I reallllly need this week with our site launch and house buying is to get crafty right? Yes! I stayed up late and made Ila a quirky, goofy, sweetly snarky Valentine that fits her personality perfectly. These bookmarks are a little bit hip hop + a little bit geek…and I can’t help but hope the message wheedles its way into her subconscious. Let’s keep her writing those love notes to Harry Potter only and rocking her red glasses for a little while longer please!

I shared the Instagram pic of the finished bookmarks on Facebook asking if I should move some posts around so I could share this as a quick unexpected interruption to our Romance & Finance theme for all you other last minute book lovers who need a printable Valentine for any age. The answer was a big yes so I snapped some photos! If you are as ambivalent about Valentine’s Day as I am don’t print the back side and these will make a fun any time bookmark or love note to stick in a new book for the bibliophiles in your life. Just print onto 8.5 x 11 card stock & cut & done!

Happy reading! And be sure to let me know in the comments if you have any tips for keeping my sweetie more interested in books than boys for a little while yet!