Shootin' the Ninjas

Old Man Winter likes to make us suffer in February. Monday, he decided to dump nearly a foot of snow on us, which meant school was cancelled Tuesday. Wednesday. AND Thursday for good measure.

They finally went back today.

While Justin and I attempted to work at home (Tuesday was a success and a teeny bit of Wednesday, by Thursday, we both gave up and took part-day vacay), I often found myself doing crafts with the kids to keep them busy.

For Tyler, his crafts were his Valentine's - both his box, which he has to complete at home, and his Valentine's. He had zero interest in helping me with either now that he's found his favorite movie on the DVR - "Thunderstruck," where a boy somehow steals Kevin Durant's basketball skills {totally cheesy but perfect for a 6-year-old}.

So while I did the arts and crafts, he dictated what he did and didn't like. He did help a little bit with the Valentine's but not an ounce with the box - except he did pick out a couple inspiration pictures from Pinterest, but then left it to me to make it come to life.

The box was actually pretty easy - we had a Nike shoe box on hand and since it was already orange, I turned it into a basketball with black electrical tape. I used the tape to also write his name along the side of the box.

We had planned on doing an entire basketball court - think Iowa State - but when I saw the shoebox was already orange, I decided to go for "easy," especially when I realized I wouldn't be getting help (while I used Pinterest for inspiration, I made all of mine from scratch, with items I already had on-hand).

I created the backboard out of a little American Girl box covered with white paper. I drew the red square on with a marker. I created the hoop out of a yellow pipe cleaner and made the net from brown string.

The backboard is attached to the box with plastic black knives! I wrapped them in electrical tape. As a finishing touch, we added a small basketball from one of Tyler's games. He wanted it on the rim, but it pulled the backboard over.

He's hoping his classmates "dunk" his Valentine's. If their Valentine's are big like mine, they won't fit.

Tyler is giving Ninja Valentine's {coordinates with his black and red Halloween costume}.

They are wrapped Hershey bars {and for the classmate with gluten and dairy allergies, she is getting a wrapped box of Skittles}.

I used red and black paper to cover the candy bars. The faces are tan scraps of paper, cut into ovals, and I free-handed the eyes {using Ninjagos as the inspiration since that used to be Tyler's baseball team name}.

I made belts out of scraps of ribbon. I hot glued them on.

On the back of each Ninja will be a small printed saying that he will sign (lyrics from "Kung Fu Fighting"):

From a fainting, to a slip
And a kickin' from the hip...

Wishing you a 'King Fu Fighting'

Ninja-loving Valentine's Day!

Oh-hoh-hoh-hoah

I may put swords on them, still debating. Tyler wants me to with my metallic Sharpie.

Since I already had everything on hand to make the little Ninjas, they cost me about $20 and that was just for the candy ($4 for packs of 6 candy bars). I used this as my starting inspiration.

Next up, making Ashlee's Valentine's - she's totally stealing the Olaf ones from Pinterest as she's in LOVE with Frozen...and I need to bring water bottles to Tyler's party. Of course, they can't go plain. Stay tuned for my "Love Bugs." Pinterest inspiration not needed.