Moms Need to Get in the Picture

On a recent family trip to Disney, my eight year old insisted that we get a family picture taken with Mickey Mouse. So, after a long day at Magic Kingdom, we waited in line, and we had our photo taken with the famous mouse... and it is the WORST picture of me EVER.

When I saw the picture, I immediately thought I looked terrible. I was clearly tired, my lipstick had worn off, and the humidity had made my hair fuzzy. However, in hindsight, even though I am not a fan of how I look in the picture, I am glad we had it taken. When I look at the photo today, I see all my flaws, but I know that years from now I will only see how happy (and lucky) I was in that moment with my husband and children. And I know my kids will look at the picture and remember how much fun we had together on that day.

Like many moms, I hate being photographed. I am much happier behind the camera, but I am making a conscious effort to step out of my comfort zone and into family photos. It is important for my boys to have childhood photos with their mom. I want them to remember that I was there... that I was part of their favourite memories.

Photo Credit: Hilary Hendsbee

So today, I challenge you to “get in the picture” with your little ones.  I guarantee that years from now, you and your kids will be glad that you did.

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Mommy and Me Journal

I love the idea of encouraging my boys to practice their reading and writing in a "fun" way during the summer. I also like the idea of having a constant open line of comunication with them. So, I decided make Mommy and Me Journals for my boys.  It's a fantastic, easy and inexpensive idea!

The idea of the journal is that we use it to write notes back and forth to each other.  I write notes to my boys, and then I put the journals beside their beds... and they do the same.  They love our little "game", and their little notes make adorable bedtime reading for me.  :-)

This project is super-easy and inexpensive to make.  I bought cheap journals {$2.49 each}, and I used my computer to create a little labels that say, "Mommy and Me {our secret messages to each other}".  Then, I printed the labels onto photo paper and attached them with double sided tape.  Easy peasy!

How do you encourage your kids to read and write over the summer break from school? Don't you love the idea of a "Mommy and Me" journal?

♥ 

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

{Mother's Day} Banner

May 13 {Sunday} is Mother's Day, so here is an adorable, easy, and inexpensive decoration you can make with the kids.  I love using banners to decorate for holidays, and this one is made using the pages of an old book.  {A great recycling project.}

Cute, right?  Here's how you do it:

First, use your computer to print out the letters you need to spell "MOMMY".  {I used "Rockwell" font, but you can use whatever you like.}  

Then, cut five pages out of a book, and cut a triangle out of the bottom of each page {per the photo below}.

Now, the kids are ready to decorate the letters.  {My boys just used crayons, but you could add glitter or stickers if you want.}

Help the kids to cut out the letters, and use double sided tape {or glue} to attach the letters to the book pages.

To finish, use a hole punch and some twine to string the pages together.

I love how the banner turned out, and my boys are very proud of the decoration they made for me.  Happy Mother's Day to all of you wonderful mothers out there!  I hope your special day is full of hugs, kisses, and homemade cards/gifts.  :-)

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

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