Tips for Back to School Shopping...and a chance to win a Sears gift card

Last week I received a gift card from Sears*, and it was a perfect excuse for a Back to School shopping extravaganza.  I usually avoid clothes shopping with my boys, but I thought it would be fun to let them pick out a couple of special items this year.  I followed a few "back to school shopping tips", and we had a great time.

Here are my top tips for shopping with kids:

1)  Keep it short.  -- Little ones do not love browsing.  Pick one store, and when they start to get tired, leave.

2)  Plan ahead.  -- Make sure the children are well rested and well fed before you leave the house.  Tired and hungry children do not make very good shopping companions.  (A few snacks in your purse might come in handy too.)

3)  Make it fun. -- If you want the kids to stay interested, make it about them.  (This is not the time to hang out in the ladies section looking for the perfect pair of pants.)  I let my boys pick out two shirts each, and they really enjoyed choosing items that fit their personal styles and interests.

I think we all have special back to school shopping memories from our own childhood, and I think my boys had a great time picking out their own "just for school" new clothes from Sears.  My seven year old loves his "brand name" clothes and new backpack, my six year old is thrilled with his "sports team" shirts, and my four year old thinks his "graphic tees" are awesome.  

And, as a mom, I was really happy with the prices and selection at Sears' new Kids Room.  (I also love the KidVantage lifetime wear out warranty and Price Match Guarantee.)

What is your best "back to school shopping" tip?  Do you like taking your little ones with you, or do you prefer to leave them at home?

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

PS (You should totally check out the Sears "Back We Go" Facebook contest that's live now! Enter for a chance to win one of five weekly $500 Sears gift card prizes and 35 daily $50 Sears gift cards to put towards your back to school shopping! To enter the contest, "like" the Sears Facebook page and enter your info here. Good luck!)

*Disclosure: I am part of the Sears Back to School Blogger Campaign with Mom Central Canada, and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on the blog are my own.

Best Things to do in Prince Edward Island {with kids}

The boys and I just got back from a week and a half in Prince Edward Island {PEI}, and we had a fantastic time.  If you ever get a chance to vacation on the East Coast, I highly recommend including PEI in your vacation plans.

Here are {in my opinion) the best things to do in PEI with kids:

1) Visit Avonlea Village - My boys love Avonlea Village.  It provides great "old fashioned" fun for the whole family.  If your little ones love live music, live theatre, dressing up, and playing games... you should totally check it out.

2) Have a Cow's ice cream - No trip to PEI is complete without a stop at Cow's.  Trust me, this ice cream is delicious.  (PS... "Moo Crunch" is my favorite flavour.)

3) Attend the Gold Cup and Saucer Parade - If you happen to be in PEI during Old Home Week, you should make sure you attend the Gold Cup and Saucer Parade.  It is full of fun floats, characters, and music.  My boys thought it was great!

4) Play at the beach - PEI has some of the world's most beautiful beaches, so take some time to explore them.  My boys love swimming in the ocean and searching for sea glass.

5) Spend time with family - PEI is a great place to focus on family.  This year, we were lucky to have family from Ottawa, Halifax, and England join us.  I can't think of a better place for my boys to make memories with their cousins.

6) Visit Shining Waters - When the temperature rises, Shining Waters is the perfect place for the little ones to cool off.  There are rides, water slides, boats, a pool, and much more.  Children of all ages will have a blast!

7) Go camping - PEI has many excellent family campgrounds, and this year we stayed at Marco Polo Land.  It is a great place for kids.  My favorite part was our campfire snack... Reese Peanut Butter Cup S'mores.  Yum!

8) Take the ferry - Instead of taking the Confederation Bridge, we took the ferry.  It costs a little more, but it is definitely a highlight for the boys.  We like to pick the boat that has live music and Cow's ice cream.  :-)

Have you ever taken a trip to Prince Edward Island?  What was your favorite part?

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

First Day of School Card... from our Elf on the Shelf

Look at what our Elf on the Shelf {Elfie} sent my boys.  I am planning on surprising them with it on the first day of school.

Isn't it cute?

If you think your little ones would like to receive one from your eIf, you can right click on the picture below, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4x6 photo.

Enjoy, and good luck on the first day of school!

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Quick Tip Tuesday #13 - Labels for Kids

This is the time of year that many moms order name labels for back to school.  So today's "Quick Tip Tuesday" is a simple {but helpful} idea -- when you have multiple children, order labels that have all the children's names on them or just use their last name.

Then, when clothes (or other items) get passed down from one child to another, no "re-labelling" is required.

Clever, right?

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

PS (If you are interested in supporting me and this blog, I would love for you to considering ordering labels from me... here.  Thank you!)

Lemonade Stand {for Charity}

Teaching my boys to have compassion for other people is very important to me.  So, this year we had our second annual lemonade stand for charity.  The boys raised $83.85 for Cystic Fibrosis... a disease that their 9 month old cousin has been diagnosed with. They were very proud of the money they raised to help their little cousin.  :-)

Would you like to have a lemonade stand with your little one?  Here is a little checklist that might be helpful:

1)  Lemonade and cookies - You don't need cookies, but it adds something extra to the stand... and getting the kids to help bake the cookies is a good way to get them involved.

2)  Small glasses

3)  A cooler and ice

4)  A table and colorful tablecloth - I used two TV trays because they were easy to transport.

5)  Signs - Let people know what you are doing and what charity you are raising money for.  You can download our simple sign here.

6)  A container for donations

7)  A bag for garbage

I hope you have as much fun with your lemonade stand as we had with ours.

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

{The BEST} Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Peanut butter cookies are my favorite, but my husband loves chocolate chip cookies, so this recipe is a perfect compromise for us. If you don't have a peanut allergy, you should totally give them a try.

Here's how you make them: 

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 egg
• 1tsp vanilla
• 1 1/4 cup all purpose flour
• 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup peanut butter chips

Directions:

1) In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to combine butter, peanut butter, and sugars.

2) Add baking soda and baking powder, and beat until combined.

3) Add egg and vanilla, and beat again.

4) Stir in flour.

5) Stir in chocolate chips and peanut butter chips.

6) Spoon onto cookie sheet, and bake in preheated oven (at 375 degrees) for 7-10 minutes.

7) Transfer to wire rack to cool.

For a closer look, check out this video...

If you make these cookies, let me know what you think.  I don't think you will be disappointed.

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

You might also like the recipes here.

DIY Summer Gift {World's Greatest Bubbles Kit}

Who doesn't love a homemade gift, and this one is sure to bring a smile to the face of the lucky recipient.  Who wouldn't love a "World's Greatest Bubbles" Kit?  

All you need is a bottle of {light} corn syrup and a bottle of good quality dish soap.  (I like "Dawn".)  Tie it up with some ribbon and a recipe for bubbles (12 cups water, 1 cup light corn syrup and 2 cups dishwashing liquid), and you're done!

It's a great gift for a neighbour or friend, and it would make a great loot bag for a summer party.  You could also add some bubble wands and a bubble dispenser for a fun and unique birthday gift.

Do you know someone who loves bubbles?

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)