50 Old Fashioned (1970s/80s) Summer Vacation Ideas

Organized sports, camps, scheduled vacations, and parent-organized playdates are great summer activities, but don't we all miss the slower, free-range summers of our childhoods?

The “lazy” days of summer provide the perfect opportunity for kids to assert their independence and engage in free play. Parents benefit from being able to take a break from planning and entertaining, and kids learn decision making skills, negotiating skills, how to build relationships, and how to use their imaginations and foster their creativity. An old-fashioned summer can be good for everyone’s physical and mental well-being.

Here are 50 “old school” 70s/80s summer ideas:

1. no schedule
2. neighbourhood freedom
3. no electronics
4. play outside
5. spend time with cousins
6. swim
7. bike
8. play hide and seek until dusk
9. play flashlight tag
10. build forts
11. fish
12. dance in the rain in bathing suits
13. splash in puddles and plastic pools
14. blow bubbles
15. make mud pies
16. read books outside
17. cloud watch
18. star gaze
19. hang out in someone’s shed / clubhouse
20. trade stickers
21. tent in the yard
22. catch fireflies
23. slip and slide in the backyard
24. roller skate
25. catch frogs
26. play old school lawn darts
27. play hop scotch
28. enjoy family meals
29. drink from the hose
30. have watermelon seed spitting contests
31. eat boiled hot dogs
32. eat bologna or PB&J sandwiches
33. make homemade ice cream and popsicles in plastic molds
34. make frozen chocolate covered bananas
35. drink kool aid and tang
36. drink lemonade in Styrofoam cups
37. eat half cooked cakes made in easy bake ovens
38. walk to the store and buy candy
39. eat rocket popsicles
40. wash your hair with shampoo in the lake (which totally counts as a bath)
41. have a bon fire 
42. pick berries
43. learn jump rope rhymes
44. play with neighbourhood kids
45. buy ice cream from a guy on a bike
46. play Red Rover
47. play Simon Says
48. listen to the radio on the back deck
49. play clapping games like “Miss Mary Mac”
50. parents holler when it's time to come home... when the street lights come on

Do any of these things remind you of your childhood? What would you add to my list?

♥ 
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

You may also be interested in these FIFTY ideas for summer fun!

Funny Valentine... "Thanks for putting up with my CRAP!"

Maybe I have lived in a house with four boys too long, but I think this is a silly and funny idea for Valentine's Day. It's kind of the "anti-Valentine". Isn't this a clever, non-mushy, not-too-sentimental idea for Valentine's Day? I love this roll of toilet paper packaged up with ribbon and a note that says, "Thanks for putting up with my crap. Happy Valentine's Day!"

Funny, right? This would be fun for a friend, a parent, or a spouse.

To print the note I designed: click on the picture below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4X6 photo.

Then, stick the note and a roll of toilet paper in a clear cellophane bag... and tie it with a ribbon.

Do you know someone that would appreciate receiving this funny Valentine? Who would you give this silly gift to?

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

How I Convince my Husband to Watch MY Shows on Netflix

With three young (and very active boys) our family is always on the go and very busy. It's often a struggle for my husband to go out together, so we do a lot of "at home" date nights. We'll order in food, or snuggle up and watch a show or movie at the end of the day. Our biggest problem then becomes: "Who decides what we watch?" We definitely have different tastes, so today I am sharing the THREE ways I convince my husband to watch MY shows on Netflix:

1) Careful Selection - When my husband and I first started dating, I convinced him to watch "Terms of Endearment" by telling him it was a comedy. Apparently, it wasn't his kind of movie, and it took years for him to trust my choices again. Lesson learned -- don't try to get your spouse to watch shows that you know he isn't going to like.

These days, I am much more careful with my suggestions. Recently, we have found some great selections that we both really enjoy. "Atypical" and "Ozark" are our current favourite binge-worthy shows.

2) Trickery/ Positioning - Phrases that work: "I heard this is really good", "This is a lot like that other show you like", "Let's try one episode, and if you don't like it, we won't watch any more."

3) Treats - When all else fails, bribing my husband with tasty sweet treats always works. Wine and chips work well too!

How do you convince your spouse to keep you company on the couch? What is your current favourite binge-worthy show?

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

13 Reasons Why Our Kids Have It Way Better Than We Did

Seriously... our kids have no idea how much easier their lives our than ours were when we were children. Am I right? This generation doesn't realize the extent to which technology has changed the way so many things are done. Below I am sharing 13 reasons why our kids have it way better than we did.

1) We had to go to the library to do research for a school project... and kids today have Google.

2) We had to remember phone numbers (or use a phone book!)... and kids today have all their friends' contact info in their phones.

3) We had to call our friends... and kids today can avoid countless awkward conversations by sending texts.

4) We got busy signals and had to try for hours to get a message to a friend... and kids today can call, text, snapchat, and/or email anyone at any time.

5) We had to dial phones... and kids today just lightly tap numbers on a screen.

6) We had to tape our favourite songs off the radio (complete with the DJ talking over the beginning of the songs)... and kids today can use countless apps to create playlists of their favourite songs.

7) We had to live with the terrible "red eye" and "closed eyes" pictures (that we only discovered after we got our films developed)... and kids today can take perfect selfies with great lighting, angles, and filters.

8) We had to type things over or try to use correcting tape... and kids today can just "backspace" away their mistakes.

9) We had to get up and turn the channel when watching TV... and kids today use remotes from the comfort of the couch.


And Netflix* has really made life easier (and more entertaining) for our kids.


10) When we went for a long drive we had nothing to do but look out the window... and kids today can download their favourite Netflix shows onto their iPads for countless hours of entertainment.

11) We had to watch commercials... and kids today can watch any Netflix show (commercial free) any time.

12) We only had cartoons on Saturday mornings... and kids today can watch any cartoon on Netflix whenever they want.

13) We had to take turns with our siblings deciding what show to watch... and kids today can watch their favourite Netflix show on any number of iPods, iPads or TV screens in the house.

Can I get a "hell yeah!"? 😀 What would you add to this list? 

♥

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

*Disclosure: I receive special gifts and perks as part of my affiliation with Netflix.... however (as always) the opinions on this blog are 100% my own.

Strong Female Role Models Aren't Just Important for Little Girls

Yesterday was International Women's Day, and my social media feeds were filled with images of moms, daughters, sisters, and girlfriends. I saw a lot of people writing about the importance of teaching their daughters to be strong women, and it got me thinking about the fact that it is equally important for me to teach my sons to honour and respect the women in their lives.

If my boys learn to honour women when they are young, they will grow into respectful men... and it is my job to make sure it happens. Here are a few things I am doing:

1) From an early age, I have always taught my boys that there are NOT "boy things and girl things". My boys craft and bake, and they play sports on co-ed teams.

2) My boys see that my husband respects me, listens to me, values my opinion, and treats me with kindness. His example is teaching them how they should treat the women in their lives (now and in the future).

3) My boys are lucky to have wonderful women role models all around them.

4) My boys see strong women in the entertainment they watch.

I want my boys to see examples of strong women at home, in their community, and in the entertainment they watch. Studies have shown that role models from the entertainment they choose can have a lasting effect. Here are three of my boys' favourite Netflix shows that feature strong female role models:

A Series of Unfortunate Events

Dragons Race to the Edge

Trollhunters

I'm always reading and hearing about children being bombarded with negative images via social media, so I am grateful to Netflix for providing me with positive options for my boys. Who are some of your favourite female role models?

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Disclosure: I receive special gifts and perks as part of my affiliation with Netflix.... however (as always) the opinions on this blog are 100% my own.

DIY Gift (using dollar store socks)

Recently I saw some cute socks at a craft show, and I instantly wanted to make my own DIY version. Today I am sharing the easy and inexpensive way I transformed dollar store socks into an adorable gift.

To make these fun socks, you are going to need: dollar store socks, cardboard from an empty cereal box, and dimensional fabric paint. 

Then:

1) Cut two pieces of cardboard to the width of the recipient's foot, and insert them into the socks. This will give you a flat and easy-to-work-with surface to write on.

2) Write your message on the socks.

3) Allow the fabric paint to dry according to package directions. My paint said to leave it for 4 hours, but I left mine overnight to be safe.

4) That's it!

This craft could easily be adapted for anyone based on their interests. What about?

If you can read this, bring me beer.
If you can read this, bring me coffee.
If you can read this, bring me cookies.
If you can read this, bring me chocolate.
If you can read this, bring me a book.
If you can read this, bring me a crossword puzzle.
If you can read this, go bug daddy.

Fun, right?

I am loving these socks. I wonder if anyone will bring me wine if I wear them?

Can you think of someone that would enjoy receiving these DIY socks as a gift? What would you write on them?

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

5 Reasons I Love Being a Mom of Boys

As a mom of three boys, I am often asked, "Are you going to try for a girl?"  I always find it a strange question because I feel extremely blessed to have three healthy boys, and I wouldn't trade them for the world.  So... to answer the question... "no, I am not going to try for a boy", and here are 5 reasons I LOVE being a mom to my sons:

1)  My boys love to move. -- Although I find it exhausting at times, I love that my boys are so active.  My guys love to play sports, chase each other around the yard, and dance around the house.  PS (Little boys make awesome dance partners.)

2)  My boys play the best games. -- My house is full of LEGO, mini sticks, light sabers and race cars.  We may not have a single princess dress, but our dress up box is brimming with Jedi robes, super hero capes, pirate clothes, and hockey jerseys.

3)  My boys are best friends and they build fantastic forts together.  A few blankets, pillows, and chairs can keep them entertained for hours.

4)  My boys don't fight about clothes. -- I don't have to fight about what they wear to school each day.  My boys are happiest in jeans and t-shirts.  Add ball caps and sneakers, and they are good to go!  (and... having three boys means lots of "hand-me-downs"... score!)

5)  My boys give big hugs and heartfelt kisses. -- They are also awesome cuddlers... and they love their mom!

And on top of all this, I can save time when I am trying to get somewhere because I don't need to use their names.  I can just say "come on boys", "hurry up boys", and "don't forget your coats boys".  :-)

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

10 Reasons my House is Messy {and I don't mind}

I grew up in a house that was never messy.  My sweet mom literally vacuums her way out of the house each day (True story.) She is an immaculate house keeper... and I am not.  I do my best, but I have learned to not stress out over a messy house.  Today I am sharing 10 reasons my house messy... and I don't mind.  Can you relate???

1)  My children are incapable of eating over a plate.  The war against Cheerios and toast crumbs is not one I can win.

2)  Teeth brushing involves out-of-control tooth paste spatter.  Our sink is large, but seems to be a target that no one can hit.

3)  Building forts requires a lot of blankets, all the cushions off the couch, and a general state of chaos in the living room.

4)  Someone is always hungry and looking for a meal or snack.  A spotless kitchen before bedtime is a pipe dream.

5)  Crafting and being creative is a messy (and necessary) part of childhood.

6)  We have too many books, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

7)  LEGO is hard to contain.

8)  Laundry is never ending.

9)  Kids are only little once.  There will be time to clean when my children no longer want to play with me.

10) Snuggling up to read a story is more fun (and more important) than a spotless house.

Some days I wish my house was perfectly clean and tidy, but for now, I think I'll just enjoy the finger prints on my windows.  I know some day they won't be there, and I'll miss them.

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)