Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone!

We assume that you have been busy rushing to hug everyone you love this morning, probably more than once, and maybe even three times just to show them that you mean it. I hope that you have just a little bit of energy left to read this post, because it’s full of great stuff.

Because it’s Friday, it’s time to share my favorite kid-submitted drawings, stories, and photos from Valentines Week.

Let’s get started with a picture/story combo from Harvey, titled “The Heart Band”: 

Here’s Harvey’s story:

Once there was a lot of hearts putting on a band. Here are the instruments that they used. A violin, a viola, a guitar, an electric guitar, a drum, an electric piano, a piano, and a bass, a flute and cymbals, and a maraca. And a few singers and dancers. Some wear glasses some wear hats. On Valentine’s Day, they sing a song called “love,” and anyone who hears it falls in love.

Harvey, I always love reading your stories, but this one is particularly wonderful. First, I love the idea of a bunch of hearts getting together to play music. A big part of the success of a story is coming up with a strong premise. Second, I love the little details you threw in, my favorite of which is, ‘Some wear glasses and some wear hats.” That’s the sort of thing that lets the reader really connect with your band of singing, dancing, instrument-playing hearts. Also, it’s worth noting that your heart band is so much better than the lonely one those darn Beatles sung about back in the 60s. Why have lonely hearts when you can have the opposite?

Here is Sydney’s collage of things that are in love:

Sydney, I think I can confidently state that this is the first time that Animal the Muppet and the Dowager Countess of Downton Abbey have ever been included in the same collage. Which makes you officially ground-breaking, which makes you eligible for any number of emerging artist grants. Looking more deeply into your work (may I safely refer to it as a “two-dimensional installation piece”?), I am struck by the intense love emerging from the blue SUV. Those Muppets are letting their love flags fly. As for the Downton bunch, including them was shrewd indeed. Though there is, technically speaking, love within this group, it is the type that can only be discerned when run through the filter of dry British wit. Kudos for revealing the stunning (and often baffling) range and flexiblity of the love spectrum. As for the lone cardinal perched on his snowy bough? Of course you are stating that the purest and most essential form of love is self love. That without sufficient regard for self, we cannot possibly extend our love outward.

Or were you just saying that you love snow globes? It’s impossible to get a fix on your true intentions, and that’s precisely what makes you such a worthy artist.

Harry made his Bobbledy coloring page into a Valentine’s card for his grandparents.

Hooray for Harry! What an excellent coloring job. You colored in the eagles SO MUCH BETTER than Robbi did. Perhaps if you have some free time at some point, you could swing by and give her some pointers? Wonderful job with your color selection! And with refusing to adhere to the limits of the line. And three cheers for adding extra hearts! If Robbi knew a thing about love, she would have added them herself.

In response to the final question in the KidQuiz (Who is your special Valentine?):

Harry said:

My special Valentines are my grandparents because they are so nice to me. Well, everyone in my family are also my Valentines.

Harry, you are a true gentlemen. I can see that you heart is big and generous. I like you, Harry, and I hope that we can be friends. I hope you have a wonderful Valentine’s Day.

We also got a bunch of submissions via the Instagram #bobbledyvalentines hashtag:

Here are some beautiful pieces of heart art from Conrad and Beckett. 

And here is a string of hearts they made from their creations.

Here are the boys at work. Have you ever seen such industry?

Here is Alden’s version of the eagles in love. (Again, I will note how much better she did than Robbi; we may have to consider getting a new illustrator around here).

Here is the artist at work. She seems to be enjoying herself.

Thanks to all of you who participated this week! We sure had fun reading your stories and looking at your drawings cutouts and such.

The real question is: who will be your Valentine? It’s an important question, not to be taken lightly. After much deliberation, I have made my choice. Here she is.

I am a lucky, lucky guy indeed.

As for the Bobbledy expert of the week, it was a tough call, but the prize must go to…

Beckett and Conrad our Valentines experts!

Why? Because in addition to making beautiful art, they did it together, which seems perfectly in line with the theme of the day. As much as a lone cardinal in a snow globe might embody the essence of self valuation as the keystone of successful partnership, Valentine’s Day is all about reaching out to someone else and letting them know that you love them.

Just like we love you guys! And so we’re letting you know.

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!

Check back tomorrow for a new theme. It’s going to be a doozy!