Play Cafe

Here is a fantastic way to spend the morning, and a great way to add some fun to lunch -- have the kids create their own "Cafe".

To set up our "cafe", my boys made their own lunch menu and place mats {using self laminating sheets from the dollar store}.  Then, they helped me set the table, and I took their "orders".

It was really fun {and easy}, and the boys are still proudly using the place mats they made.  :-) 

♥ 

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

* You can find me on facebook here.

5 Simple Summer Crafts

Sometimes a "quick and easy" craft is exactly what little ones need on a summer afternoon.  These 5 cute and simple crafts that my boys made at camp are perfect to keep little hands busy.

Suncatcher:  This one involves glue, so my boys loved it.  Pour a thin layer of white glue into a plastic lid, add some "treasures", and allow to dry completely.  Peel out the suncatcher, attach a string, and hang it in a window.

Magnet Movers:  Draw a road on a piece of paper.  Then take two "attracting magnets" and attach one to a pom pom creature, and one to a folded paper "handle".  Put the creature on the top of the paper and the other magnet on the bottom of the paper.  The kids will have a great time moving the pom pom creatures around "like magic".

Noisemaker {Kazoo}:  Decorate a toilet paper roll, and secure some wax paper to the top with an elastic.  Easy Peasy!

Silly Frog:  Draw a simple frog on card stock, color it and cut it out.  Then, cut a slit for a party favor "tongue".  Simple and silly!

Handprint Art:  The possibilities for handprint art are endless, but this little crab is adorable.  Cover two little hands in red paint, press to paper and add a couple of googly eyes.

Have you ever made any of these?  I remember a couple of them from my childhood.  :-)

♥ 

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Teddy Bear Picnic

Yesterday, we "checked" one more item off our Summer Checklist... "Have a Teddy Bear Picnic". All you need for a perfect afternoon with your little one is: a teddy bear, a blanket, and the perfect snacks!

Seriously... what is more fun than eating outside with your teddy bear?

For the main course {wink}, we had peanut butter sandwiches.

And for dessert, we made peanut butter teddy bear cookies.  They are easy, cute and super-fun!

To make these adorable cookies:

Cream together: 

• 1 cup butter 
• 1 1/2 cups peanut butter
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup packed brown sugar

Then, beat in two eggs.

In a separate bowl, mix:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

Mix wet and dry ingredients together. Then, let the kids roll a 1-inch ball (for the face) and two smaller balls (for the ears). Flatten slightly.

Bake in a preheated 325 degree oven for about 10 - 11 minutes or until cookies begin to brown. Do not over-bake. 

Have you ever had a Teddy Bear Picnic with your little ones?

♥ 

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

{Easy} Outdoor Play

It's summer, and the boys and I are all about taking advantage of the wonderful summer weather.  Here are a couple of the easy and inexpensive outdoor actitivities we have been doing. 

DIY Target Practice {made from a Dollar Store Tarp}:

Earlier in the summer, I saw a fun target practice at Family Fun.  {You can see their version here.}  I knew my boys would love it, so I got out my twine, scissors, duct tape, pizza pans, and a dollar store tarp and went to work.  It took about 10 minutes to put together, and the boys love it.  Such a simple and fun idea.

Water Play:

My boys love playing with water in the summer.  {I considered buying a water table but decided against it because of limited storage space.}  So... on hot afternoons we get out our spray bottles, measuring cups, and plastic dishes and we make our own "water fun".  A bowl of soapy water and some sponges make a great "kid car wash" too.

The boys also like to get out their paint brushes and "paint with water".  Such a fun, refreshing, and "no mess" activity. 

I hope you are enjoying your summer.  What is your favorite "simple" outdoor play idea? 

♥ 

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

* You can find me on facebook here.

ECM Kids' Craft Club {4 month membership}

The launch of the East Coast Mommy Kids' Craft Club {four months ago} was a huge success, and I am now ready to launch the next four months.  If you know someone who enjoys getting mail and likes to make crafts, now is the time to join!  {The deadline for signing up for this round is Wednesday, August 15.}

The price for a four month membership remains {unchanged} at $25 {including Canadian Shipping}. 

The themes for the next four months are:
August 20 mailing - Playing with Puppets
September 20 mailing - Fall Fun
October 20 mailing - Happy Halloween
November 20 mailing - Christmas is Coming

Need a little more info....

1)  As a member of the club, each month (for four months) your child will receive:

•  mail addressed to him/her
• a personalized letter with fun info/ideas
• all the supplies he/she will need to make the "craft of the month"
• a little surprise

Note:  The craft will always be simple (taking less than 30 minutes to complete), the craft will be designed for ages 3-8 (with assistance required in the younger age categories), a link to an online step by step tutorial will be provided, and the kit will contain everything you need to complete the project (with the exception of scissors, glue, tape and crayons).

2)  The cost for a four month membership is $25 (including Canadian shipping).  Payment (via Cash, Cheque made payable to Gina Bell or email money transfer) must be received before a kit is sent out.  Payments can be sent to EastCoastMommy@gmail.com.

3)  The kits will be sent out on the 20th of each month, and I will post a full tutorial on the blog at that time.
 
Along with payment, I will also need your child's name, age, and full mailing address.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me. 

♥

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Birthday Letter {to my five year old}

Today my "middle" son turns five.  It sounds so old... more like a little boy than a preschooler.  {big sigh}  I am amazed at how fast my boys are growing up, and so grateful for the opportunity to be part of their journey.

As you probably already know, I have a tradition of writing the boys a "Birthday Letter" each year on their birthdays.  It is my way of documenting and remembering the little details of my boys' personalities at different ages.  Here is a snapshot of my sweet "second born" son at five. 
 

To my sweet five year old boy,

Here are a few of the reasons why you are the most special five year old in the whole world...

• You are very clever, and extremely funny.  {Daddy and I are always amazed and amused by the things that come out of your mouth.}
• You are so excited about starting "Big School", and you were a superstar at your Preschool graduation.
• When you grow up, you want to be a hockey player, a race car driver, and "parachuter".  {I think you might be trying to give me a heart attack!  lol}
• You love playing with dogs, watching for birds, and picking up worms.  :-)
• Your favorite shows are "Jake and the Neverland Pirates" and "Wild Kratts", and your favorite color is "red".
• You are very kind and generous.  If you have a special treat, you always give me a bite without me even having to ask.  {You also give sweet and gentle hugs and kisses.}
• You are fun, full of personality, and people are drawn to you.  {I can totally see why!}
• You still love your special "blankie", suck your thumb, and twirl your hair when you are tired.
• You love to sing and dance, and you put all your emotions into every word and step.

You are a very special little boy.  Happy Birthday my kind-hearted sweetie!

Love,

Mommy

xoxo

ECM Kid's Craft Club - #5 {Silly Fan and Glasses}

Welcome to the 5th edition of the {East Coast Mommy} Kid's Craft Club {an easy and inexpensive way for kids to have fun crafting and experience the excitement of getting their very own mail}.  If you want to join the club, you can find more info here, or email EastCoastMommy@gmail.com, and I will send you the details.


For everyone who is already a member... let's get started on this month's craft.  This month we are making a fan and silly glasses!

Ready with all your supplies?

Let's make the fan first.  All you have to do is color the "smiley face".  Then, have an adult help you make accordian folds until you have a fan.  Fun, right?

Now, let's make the glasses.

1. Cut out the glasses.  {An adult will probably need to help cut out the centres.}
2. Decorate the glasses with the fun "summer" stickers in your kit.  {Use as many as you like.}
3. Use tape to secure the clear cellophane over the holes.  Trim as needed.
4. Twist the pipe cleaner onto the glasses, try them on, and bend the ends around your ears.

That's it!  I hope you enjoyed these crafts, and I hope you are enjoying your summer!  {Don't forget to leave me a comment, or send me an email.  Your comments help me improve the club, and I love hearing from you.} 

♥ 

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Don't forget... Assist young children when using scissors, and be careful of the small parts included with this kit, as they can be a choking hazard for children under three".)