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It's almost Valentine's Day again!

Do you love to create food surprises on the holidays—or would you love to learn how? Read on!

If you need some suggestions for what to give your Valentine sweetheart, I've included fun ideas that say "I love you" in many ways. You will love these easy-to-make family Valentine's Day ideas and so will your loved ones. (Speaking of love, do you need to rekindle the love of learning in your homeschool? This short, quick read can help you do just that! How to Homeschool Independently: Do-it-Yourself Secrets to Rekindle the Love of Learning)

Breakfast:
Pancakes made in a heart shape. It's remarkably easy to do: just make a "V" with the batter! You can even make them a bit more delicious and add some chocolate, raspberries, or strawberries! Other alternatives include oatmeal with a drizzle of red-raspberry syrup in the shape of a heart.

Lunch:
Heart-shaped sandwiches or a heart-shaped pizza! Serve the sandwiches with red jello salad. The pizza? Well, it can stand alone or goes well with a yummy salad!

Dinner:
This one is easy! Heart-shaped meatloaf with red tomato sauce on top. These are so cute! And, you can even make individual portions. Or, consider this - ham is pink! You could cut out heart-shaped ham slices! Cut potatoes with heart-shaped cookie cutters to create heart-shaped french fries or potato chips. Make biscuits in a heart shape. Cut a sweet red pepper in just the right way, and get the shape of a heart - great garnish for green salad. Strawberry Soup is a naturally pink color – this one's a family favorite! I've included the recipe for you below in case you want to try it too!

Strawberry Soup

Ingredients:
1 bag, 20 oz. frozen strawberries
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup plain yogurt
1/4 cup sugar (or substitute)
1/8 teaspoon vanilla

Puree all ingredients in a blender, and pour into a serving bowl. Cover and chill 2 hours or more. Garnish with fresh mint leaves.

Dessert:
There are the usual heart-shaped cookies, of course. And you can use heart-shaped cupcake pans to make individual heart cakes. Without a pan, just bake one square and one round cake. Cut the round cake in two, and place each flat half on one side of the square cake to make a heart-shaped cake without the investment.

But, just how many ways can you say "I love you" today? Do you need some gift ideas for your family to help you round out your yummy meals from above? Here are some ideas you might not have considered.

• Plant a big kiss
  Create Giant Hershey's Kisses made with Rice Krispie Treats and funnels
• Give a bouncy ball
  "Have a Ball this Valentine's Day"
  "You Make My Heart Bounce"
• Give Hot Wheels cars
  "You Make My Heart Race"
• Give crayons
  "Have a Colorful Valentine's Day"
• Give ingredients to make s'mores
  "I Love You S'More Each Day"
  "The World Needs S'More Friends Like You"
• Give "Cutie" tangerines
  "I Think You Are a Cutie"
• Give cocoa mix with a mug
  "You Warm My Heart"
• Give a pen or pencil
  "You're Just Write for Me"
  "I Think You Are Just Write"
  "Write On, Valentine!"
• Give glow sticks
  "You Make My Heart Glow"

For links to these and more fun Valentine's Day ideas, follow my Pinterest Board Holidays - Valentine's Day: Helping Homeschoolers Have Fun During the Valentine's Day Candy Hearts Frenzy!