Bonding with The Beatles (and a giveaway from Netflix)

winner: Courtney Comeau

I've always loved music, and I have been a huge fan of The Beatles since I was a child. I have many memories of listening to Beatles' albums with my Dad as he explained the evolution of their music and the huge impact it had on so many other artists. Now, I am the mom of a new generation of Beatles fans, and together, we are celebrating the new Beatles inspired "Beat Bugs" on Netflix. Check out my boys' cover of the show's theme song All You Need is Love.

Seriously... how cute are my boys?

With the new Netflix original series Beat Bugs, my family is singing along to classics such as Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, Help, Blackbird, and All You Need is Love. The Beat Bugs (five charming and energetic bug-like creatures) are totally adorable, and the show is full of kid-friendly story-lines and Beatles music re-recorded by today's top artists, including Pink, Sia and Eddie Vedder.

If you love The Beatles, you need to check out Beat Bugs with your kids. And... if you don't already subscribe to Netflix, I have a three month subscription card to give away to a lucky reader. To enter, all you have to do is:

1) Create your own family cover of "All You Need Is Love", and post it on social media using #BeatBugs. (Feel free to tag me too!)

2) Email me the link to your social media post. (Send it to EastCoastMommy@gmail.com.)

3) I'll select a winner the morning of Wednesday, August 17, 2016.

Note: This subscription is for Netflix Canada, so the contest is open to Canadians only.

I hope you watch this great new show with your kids, and I can't wait to see your videos!

♥ 

Gina Bell (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.

Tips for Celebrating Canada Day

This year, we are spending our Canada Day camping with family. My boys are super excited, and I am looking forward to celebrating with them. How are you planning to commemorate July 1st? Today I am sharing a few tips that are guaranteed to make your Canada Day celebration a success.

Start with a trip to the dollar store to pick up simple decorations, plastic cups, and sparklers. If you poke a hole in a plastic cup, you can protect little fingers from the heat of the sparkler.

You'll also want to stock up Canada Day t-shirts. Anything red and white will do!

Finally... supplies for a Canada Day BBQ are a must!

Of course, I am hoping for a sunny day, but in case it rains or we need a little time to wind down and relax, I'll pack everything we need for a movie a night.

In keeping with the Canada Day theme, we'll likely be streaming some Canadian Netflix content. 

Here are a few of my favorites:

For the family (filmed in Vancouver) - Diary of a Wimpy Kid. This is a favorite with my boys, and my husband and I think it is funny too.

For the kids (produced by a Canadian studio) - Super Why. My boys loved this when they were little, and it's educational too.

For the grown ups in the mood for romance (starring a wonderful Canadian actress) - About Time. Who doesn't love a romantic comedy?

For the grownups in the mood to laugh (starring some terrific Canadian comedians) - Arrested Development. It's always good for a laugh.

However you decide to celebrate, I hope you have a fantastic Canada Day filled with BBQs, community events, fireworks, family, and Canadian pride!

♥ 

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Disclosure: I receive compensation as part of my affiliation with Netflix.... however (as always) the opinions on this blog are my own.

Simple Paper Viking Helmet

My boys were so excited to hear about the new (third) season of "Dragons: Race to the Edge" on Netflix, that we decided to make a simple craft to celebrate. I love watching my boys dress up and "pretend", so I am always willing to craft a new item for their costume box. Today, I am sharing the simple instructions for this paper Viking helmet.

To make your own Viking hat, follow the steps and graphic below.

Step 1: Cut two strips of card stock and cover both strips with tin foil. Secure with tape. One strip should be long enough to wrap around the child's head, and the other strip (which will be the top of the helmet) should be shorter.

Step 2: Fit the long strip around the child's head, and tape in place.

Step 3: Use tape to attach the shorter strip to the helmet.

Step 4: Draw horns on a piece of white card stock, and tape to the sides of the helmet.

If your kids are fans of the "Dragons: Race to the Edge" series, you are going to want to check out the announcement that inspired our little craft.

I love this little DIY Viking helmet, don't you? If you make one, let me know. I always love hearing from people that have made crafts from my tutorials.

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Tools for Getting Kids to Talk

Getting kids to talk about difficult issues and/or things that are bothering them can be tough. I try very hard to keep the lines of communication open with my boys, but it is definitely a challenge. Today, I am sharing some of the tools I use to keep my boys talking.

1) Ask Specific Questions - Children (especially as they get older) can be very vague when answering questions, but asking specific questions can help. 

e.g. If you say, "How was your day?", a likely response will be "good". However, if you say, "Tell me one good thing that happened at school today.", you may get a response that contains actual information. Follow up questions are always fantastic too.

2) Schedule One-on-One Time - Kids are more likely to open up during quiet one-on-one sessions, so try to find time to be alone with them each day... even if it is just a few minutes at bedtime when you are tucking them in.

3) Find an Excuse to Sit and Talk - In our house, we have after-school snacks, and it gives us some time to sit and chat before everyone starts to play, head to sports, or watch TV. We've had some wonderful talks while enjoying a special after-school treat.

4) Make it a Habit - Try to keep the lines of communication open every day. If kids feel comfortable talking about the little things daily, they will be more likely to talk about the big issues when they arise.

5) Use Books, TV Shows and Movies - Favorite books, TV shows, and movies can provide fantastic segues into difficult conversations. Netflix is host to a variety of family-friendly shows that explore a range of real-life issues with equal measures of humour, angst and heart. No matter your situation, chances are there's a show and episode that can kickstart a dialogue around the topic just by watching it together.

Here's a quick Netflix reference guide:

For little kids:
Topic: Sibling Rivalry  Watch: The Hive (Ep. S1E1: Babee's Room)
Topic: Following the Rules  Watch: Puffin Rock (Ep. S1E6: Story Weather/ Baba's Adventure/Rock Music)
Topic: Responsibility  Watch: VeggieTales (Ep. S1E1: Puppies & Guppies/Sorry We're Closed Today)

For big kids:
Topic: Teamwork  Watch: Project Mc² (Ep. S1E3: Smart is the New Cool)
Topic: Self-Love  Watch: The Adventures of Puss in Boots (Ep. S1E13: Star)
Topic: Peer Pressure  Watch: Fuller House (Ep. S1E6: the Legend of El Explosivo)

For teens:
Topic: Actions have Consequences  Watch: The Fosters (Ep. S1E1&2: Pilot & Consequently)
Topic: Body Image  Watch: Glee (Ep. S1E16: Home)
Topic: Self-Improvement  Watch: Unbreakable Kimmie Schmidt (Ep. S1E4: Kimmy Goes to the Doctor!)

How do you keep the lines of communication open with your children? As my boys get older, I know it will get more difficult, and I can use all the help I can get.

♥
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.

PS (Another fun idea is to create an open dialogue using a journal. You can read all about it here: http://eastcoastmommyblog.blogspot.ca/2012/07/mommy-and-me-journal.html)

5 Secrets to Getting Siblings to Agree

As a mom of three boys that are very close in age, I often find it challenging to get a consensus... on anything. Even picking a movie on family movie night can be difficult. Today I am sharing a few simple tips on getting siblings to agree.

1) Teach compromise - Disagreements aren't always bad. It can be difficult and painful for parents, but learning to compromise is a life skill worth teaching. (And when it doesn't work... you can always try the four other options below.)

2) Take turns - This seems obvious, but it does work. Kids really want to feel that things are "fair", so keep track, and give everyone a chance to have their own way.

3) Get creative - In the past, my husband and I have had to get creative when trying to get our boys to agree. We have even made decisions based on mathematics! e.g. Everyone's first choice gets a 3 points, everyone's second choice gets 2 points, and everyone's third choice gets 1 point. Then, I add up all the values, and the winner is clear.

You could also "make it a game" using a fortune teller. Netflix has one that you can download here.

4) Let everyone win - Sometimes (not always) the best solution is to find a way to let everyone "win". e.g. On a recent vacation, my boys couldn't agree on a movie, so they watched Netflix movies on different devices.

5) Make suggestions that everyone can live with - Sometimes parents have to step in and become mediators. e.g. When choosing a movie for family movie night, I try to make suggestions that everyone will be happy with. (Below, I share a few Netflix titles that kids will have no trouble agreeing on.)

My boys are buddies, and they get along most of the time, but these tips are really helpful on the occasions when they can't agree. What works for you when you are trying to get your kids to agree on something? Leave your suggestions in the comments below. Thanks!

♥

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.

7 Simple Ideas for LEGO Lovers (and new LEGO shows on Netflix)

I have three boys, and they all love LEGO. It really is the perfect toy. It's colourful, and the possibilities for creating are limitless. So... today, I am sharing some of my favorite ideas for LEGO lovers!

1) Make LEGO treats - LEGOs' simple shapes and bright colors make them perfect for creating easy and fun snacks. Rectangle cookies, coloured icing and Skittles can be used to create yummy LEGO cookies. You can also bake LEGO cupcakes (using LEGO chocolate molds) and LEGO cakes (using the "step by step" instructions found here).

2) Make LEGO crafts - You can melt old crayons in LEGO molds to create new bright and cheerful LEGO crayon bricks. You can also design your own LEGO minifigure using the free printable here, or you can make your own life size LEGO (using the tutorial you can find here).

3) Visit LEGOland - If you want to take your LEGO love to the next level, you can plan a trip to LEGOland. Check out my my top 10 LEGOland tips here.

4) Celebrate the holidays with LEGO - With a little imagination, it's easy to incorporate LEGO into holiday celebrations. For St.Patrick's Day my boys used our LEGO to build a leprechaun trap, and at Christmas our "Elf on the Shelf" built himself a LEGO chair.

5) Throw a LEGO party - LEGO makes a perfect party theme. It's a great source of inspiration for games, food, and party favours. When my boys turned four and six, I threw them a fantastic LEGO party, and you can check out our all the DIY LEGO PARTY details here.

6) Organize your LEGO - With mountains of mini figures, LEGO kits, and loose pieces/bricks. I have found a perfect solution for our LEGO organizing needs. Click here to find out what works for us.

7) Watch LEGO shows on Netflix - On March 4, Netflix launched two new shows: LEGO Bionicle and LEGO Friends. My boys are already big fans of LEGO Bionicle.

Do your little ones love LEGO as much as my boys do? Will they be watching LEGO Bionicle, LEGO Friends or both?

♥
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.

10 Netflix Movies the Whole Family Will Enjoy

Every Friday night, we have "family movie night" at our house. We have pancakes for supper, and we snuggle up on the couch and watch a movie together. It is one of my favorite family rituals, but it can sometimes be difficult to find movies that everyone agrees on... so, today I am sharing a list of 10 movies that the whole family will enjoy (and they can all be found on Netflix).

Some of our favorite Netflix movies are:

1) Inside Out
2) Alvin and the Chipmunks Chipwrecked
3) Despicable Me 2
4) Home
5) Diary of a Wimpy Kid
6) Penguins of Madagascar The Movie
7) Lilo & Stitch
8) Mr. Peabody and Sherman
9) The Pacifier
10) How to Train a Dragon 2

We all look forward to our family's "night in", and we try to make it extra special when we can.

Here are some simple ideas for creating a fun-filled family movie night:

1) Make movie night a tradition by having it on the same night every week. It gives everyone something to look forward to.

2) Pair your movie with a favorite meal. (We always have pancakes for supper on movie night, but Pizza Friday would be fun too.)

3) Pick a good family movie... one that everyone will enjoy. If consensus is difficult, let the kids take turns making the selection.

4) Use special dishes. (I have popcorn bowls from the dollar store that we only use on movie nights.)

5) Set the scene with a special sign or two. We have a “Movie Snacks” sign and a “Now Playing” sign that we use.

6) Get comfy. PJs are the perfect attire for family movie night, and it makes the transition to bedtime (after the movie) easier.

7) Have movie snacks. Popcorn is always a good choice, but pick whatever your family enjoys.

It’s also fun to “mix it up” some weeks by adding something special. E.g. Choose a fun theme, have an outdoor screening, make a craft to go along with the movie, or bake a special treat.

Does your family have a favorite movie to watch together, or do you have a special "family night in" tradition? I'd love to hear about it!

♥
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.

My Best is the Best I Can Do... and that's OK

I am not big on New Year's resolutions, but I do believe that a new year is a perfect opportunity to take stock of your life and reflect on improvements that can be made. Like all moms, I struggle with trying to do everything well (which we all know is unrealistic). I know that I can't be perfect, so this year, my resolution is to cut myself a little slack. I am going to try to accept the fact that my best is the best I can do, and it is good enough. Who's with me?

Moms are notoriously hard on themselves, and on each other. So, this year, let's make a pact... let's do our best to support other moms and to remember that we are all doing our best, and we are all doing a fantastic job. You can even send this post to someone that needs a little reminder.

And, if you need some help staying positive and motivated, Netflix can help. Check out this fantastic list of inspiring titles that you can stream on Netflix now.

9 inspiring tales from Netflix:

1) The Short Game
2) On the Way to School
3) Generation Earth
4) My Lucky Elephant
5) Soul Surfer
6) Planet Earth
7) McFarland
8) Patch Adams
9) Mission Blue

I haven't seen all these movies yet, but I am adding them to my 2016 Netflix viewing list. I can use all the inspiration and positivity I can get.

♥ 

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Disclosure: As part of the Netflix #StreamTeam, I am given special perks and gifts, but all opinions in this blog our 100% my own.

Bedtime Excuses... and ways to win the bedtime battle

Is your child a bedtime staller? Sometimes the excuses kids come up with are hilarious, but other times they are enough to drive a parent to the brink of insanity. We all need quiet time to ourselves at the end of the day. Am I right?

I recently asked some of my readers to share some of the excuses their kids have used to stay up later, and here is what they had to say...

"Mommy my eyes aren't tired yet, and sissy needs to go to bed before I do 'cause she's a baby." (from Katie R.)

"My hair hurts. I can't feel my ears. Are you sure it's bedtime, the time changed?" (from Jill W.)

"I didn't feed the rats!" (from Jaymie M.)
My youngest's favorite excuse is, "I had a bad dream." Though the fact that he says it two seconds after I leave the room, and before he has fallen asleep, leads me to believe that he is not being 100% honest with me.

My middle son likes to come downstairs because he "needs an extra kiss", which I know is an excuse to get up and check the score of the hockey game on TV, but I let him get away with it because... what mom can resist a kiss from her son?

My oldest, who also likes to come downstairs to get a peak at the score of the hockey game, can often be heard using the excuse, "I need to put my book in my backpack".

In addition to these tried and true reasons for avoiding bedtime, my boys are big fans of the "just one more show" excuse... and now I have a solution.

Netflix and DreamWorks Animation just launched Dinotrux Favorites, an entire episode of the latest hit all in a nice little 5-minute package -- letting your little negotiator think they’re getting away with the age-old ‘just five more minutes’ ploy. Clever, right?

Which category of bedtime staller do you have? I think my boys fall into a lot of these categories.

In addition to this new solution from Netflix, I have also found it helpful to make sure bedtime follows a consistent routine and to provide adequate time to unwind before bed. Bedtime stories are key in this house! What works with your bedtime stallers? Do they have some hilarious excuses you'd like to share? Leave them below so that I can take a look.

♥ 

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Disclosure: As part of the Netflix #StreamTeam, I am given special perks and gifts, but all opinions in this blog our 100% my own.