Teacher Totes and Tags

I adore teachers, and I love giving them gifts they can actually use. This year, I purchased some adorable tote bags for some of my boys teachers, and today I am sharing the sweet gift tags I designed to go with them.

I made a few versions of the tags, so they work for all types of teachers. This is a great gift for the last day of school, Christmas, or teacher appreciation.  

To download the tags for free: right-click on one of the pictures below, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4X6 photo.

Aren't the free downloadable tags adorable?

I think this is a fantastic teacher gift, don't you?  My boys are excited to share these gifts.  What is your favorite teacher gift to give/receive?

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy) cfac00aeaf0dba942083d18e93ae8c96ff7c1e8eddb9b02e36

Class Treats {Have a Cool Summer!}... with free printable tags

Sometimes simple ideas are the best, and I think this is a delightful end of year class treat.  Two of my boys have decided that this is the treat they want to share with their classmates on the last day of school.  Today, I am sharing the adorable tags for these Freezies... for FREE.

To download a copy of these tags: right-click on the picture below, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4X6 photo.  (There are three tags on every photo, so they are very cheap to print!)

I purchased a box of giant Freezies at Walmart for $4.97, so it really is an inexpensive way to share a fun treat with an entire class.

Do your little ones enjoy bringing class treats on the last day of school?  I think this is a simple and inexpensive option that the kids will love!

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Celebrating the Last Day of School

Monday was the last day of school for my two oldest boys, and we had a lot of fun marking the special day.  Here is how we celebrate the last day of school in our home.

First, I always pick my boys up from school, and we go for ice cream.

Then, the boys run through a "finish line".

I think it is a lot of fun to have end of the year traditions, don't you?  I don't do grading gifts, but I did treat the boys to new books and a special treat.

How does your family celebrate the last day of school?

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Celebrating the Last Day of Preschool

Today was my 4 year olds last day of Preschool, and like all milestones, it was a cause for celebration.  Here's how we marked the occasion:

First, my little guy brought presents for his friends and his teachers.  Every celebration needs gifts, right?

Then, we made sure to get a picture of my son with his teachers.  I think a child's first teachers hold special places in their hearts forever, don't you?

Finally, I surprised him with a Preschool Finish Line after school.  He loved it!  We even had to tape it back together so he could do it again.

When my little guy started Preschool, he cried at drop off for months.  He only attended Preschool two days a week (for a couple of hours each day), but it took him a long time to let me leave without crying.  It's funny how life come full circle.  Today, on his last day, he was all smiles... and I was the one with tears in my eyes.  

I have no idea how I am going to survive his first day of "big school" in September.  Anyone have any tips for this sad Mommy?

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Last Day of School 2013 {Family Traditions}

Tuesday was the last day of preschool for my three year old, and today my two older boys went to pick up their report cards.  We have two special traditions for the last day of school.  First, I pick the boys up at school and take them for ice cream.

Then, the boys get to run through their "finish lines".  {This was the first year my three year old was able to run through a finish line, so he was super-excited!}

Do you have any special end of year traditions?  I just love hearing about the fun things other families do! 

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Last Day of School {traditions}

Friday marked the last day of school for my six year old, and our summer is now offically underway!  :-)  Here's a peek at how it went down.

First, we went to get ice cream.  Here are pictures from this year and last year.  {Fun, right?}


2012

2011

Then, my six year old got to run through his "Grade One Finish Line" banner.  He really loved this!

I think traditions are an important part of childhood.  Do you have any "end of year" traditions with your little ones?

♥ 

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

* You can find me on facebook here.

Last Day of Preschool

Today was the last day of Preschool for my four year old, so I made him a "Preschool Finish Line" banner to run through when he got home.

He LOVED it!  {...and it was super easy!}  I just printed the letters out on my computer, cut them out, and attached them to the paper banner using double sided tape.

He enjoyed it so much that he asked me to tape it back together so that he could do it again.  :-)

Fun, right?

♥

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)
 

** If you haven't already "liked" me on facebook, I would love to have you join me here.

Simple DIY Graduation Treats

My 4 year old is graduating from Preschool this month, and he will be starting Grade Primary in the fall.  This is a big milestone in our house, so {of course}, we need to mark the occasion with a special treat.  Today on the blog, I am sharing the DIY graduation treats we are making for his friends on graduation day.

Want to make these adorable {and delicious} graduation caps?

1)  First, gather the supplies.  {We used: a chocolate cake mix and chocolate icing, red candies, square chocolate cookies, and strawberry Fruit by the Foot}

 

2)  Using a mix, bake "mini" chocolate cupcakes.  {You can follow the directions on the box, but instead, I like to add 1 cup water, 1/2 cup cooled melted butter, and 3 eggs to the mix.  Then, I bake the "mini" cupcakes at 350 for about 15 minutes.}  

3)  To assemble the graduation hats:

• Cut a strip from the "Fruit by the Foot" to resemble a tassel.
• Attach the fruit strip and a red candy to the top of the chocolate cookie using a little chocolate icing as "glue".
• Turn the cupcake upside down, add a little frosting, and place the cookie on top.

We also put these cute bubbles together for his classmates.  I found some cute "owl" ribbon, and attached a note that says "Owl miss seeing you at preschool!" 

Cute, right?

Do you have any special milestones coming up this summer?  What special treats will you be making?

♥  
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

You may also like this sweet graduation treat (with free printable tags).

Last Day of School

Today was the last day of Grade Primary for my oldest son.  Where did the year go? 

I have seen a number of "Welcome Summer" banners around the blogosphere, so I thought I would adapt the idea and make a "Grade Primary Finish Line" banner.  {So much fun!}

My son was sad to say goodbye to his very first teacher, but excited to run through his banner and head out for ice cream. Now we are all ready for the carefree days of summer! :-)

♥

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)