Quick Tip Tuesday #17 - Ready-to-go bags

I hate being late, and I am always rushing to get the kids to their lessons and sports activities on time.  One of the ways I keep myself organized is to always have "the bag" (for each activity) ready to go.

For example, I have a swimming bag with the boys towels, bathing suits, and bathing caps.  When they get home from their lessons, I wash everything, and as soon as it is clean, I stick it all back in the bag.  This way... I always know where everything is, and it is always ready to go when we are.

Who doesn't love one less thing to worry about?

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Fajita Friday... and a great giveaway from Old El Paso - CLOSED

*Winner is Lori's Place.

Every Friday I let the boys have pancakes for supper.  It has become a bit of a tradition in our house -- ending the week with pancakes for supper and a family movie.  The boys love their pancake supper, but my husband and I aren't keen on them, so this week we decided to start our own tradition... Fajita Friday!

And because the kids weren't sharing our dinner, I made the Old El Paso "hot & spicy" version, and they were delicious!  Don't you just love it when a plan comes together and everyone gets what they want?  I even added a little "Mexican Flair" to my boys' family movie night snacks.  How cute is this margarita glass full of Skittles?

Old El Paso wants to help you "spice" things up on your dinner table, so they have put together an "Old El Paso Prize Pack" (worth approx $75), and I have one to give away to one of you lovely readers.  Just enter below, and you will be on your way to your own #TacoTuesday or #FajitaFriday Fiesta.

To enter, just leave a comment below letting me know which you prefer... #TacoTuesday or #FajitaFriday.  (Don't forget to log in or leave me your email address.)  This contest runs until September 30th, 2013, and is open to Canadian residents only.  {You may enter across multiple blogs, but you may only win one prize.}

Good luck!

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

PS (You can always check out the Old El Paso Canada Facebook page for delicious meal ideas, and you can follow this campaign on Twitter with the hashtag #YouMexiCAN.)

Disclosure – I am participating in the Old El Paso Ambassador Program by Mom Central Canada on behalf of Old El Paso. I received compensation as a thank you for participating and for sharing my honest opinion. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Rules {I am a mom... I can't help it}:

1. The winner of the contest will be chosen by the Random Number Generator.
2. To enter the contest, you must leave a comment on this post.  Contest is open to Canadian residents only.
3. This contest is not being hosted or sanctioned in any way by facebook.
4. Contest closes on September 30, 2013 at 11:59pm.
5. Prize will be accepted as awarded.
6. Winner will be contacted via email (so make sure to log in or leave your email address) and will have 48 hours to respond.  After 48 hours the prize will be forfeited, and another winner will be selected. 

Halloween Lunchbox Notes... free printable

I know it is early to start sharing Halloween ideas, but I know some people are already "pinning" ideas for the Spooktacular Day!  So, in an effort to keep up with my lovely readers, I thought I would share my Halloween Lunchbox Notes with you today.

You can download a free 8X10 jpg here.

Cute, right?  My boys love jokes!  What would your little ones think of these adorable lunch box notes?

♥

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

5 Tips for Getting Kids to Eat Their Lunches

I have been hearing from a lot of moms that are worried because their little ones aren't eating their lunches.  I had similar concerns when my oldest son started school, and I think it is a pretty common problem.  I am not an expert, but I thought I would share a few things that worked for my boys.  So...  here's my best advice for getting your kids to eat their lunches.

1)  Make it easy - Buy containers that are easy to open, and practice opening them at home.  If children need to wait for someone to help them open containers, they are likely to run out of time, and they won't finish their lunches.

2)  Pack what they like - As much as you would like them to eat a perfect lunch, the truth is that they are not likely to eat things they don't like.  Work with them to come up with healthy options that they want to eat.

3)  Eat more at snack time - From my experience, kids want to eat their lunch as fast as they can so that they can get outside and play with their friends.  In the past, my boys have tried to eat bigger portions of their lunch at snack time so that there was less to eat at lunch time.  If this is an option for your little ones, you should give it a try because it worked for my boys.

4)  Save dessert for last - The rule in our house is... "the treat in the lunch box doesn't get eaten until all the healthy food is gone".  This is a big motivator for my boys.  If they break the rule, there is no treat in the lunch box the next day.

5)  Don't worry - If you little ones eat a healthy breakfast and a healthy supper, don't freak out if they don't eat every bit of food you pack in their lunch boxes.  They'll eat if they are hungry, and the best you can do is pack them a healthy lunch and hope they eat it.

I hope you find one or two of these tips helpful.  Do you have a tip that works for you?  I'd love to have you share it in the comments.  

♥

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Peanut Butter Teddy Bear Cookies

Every summer, my boys and I have a "Teddy Bear Picnic", and we always eat homemade peanut butter "Teddy Bear" cookies.  We bake them and decorate them together, and the boys love them.

Want to make them for your own picnic?  Here's what you do:  

Cream together: 

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

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. 

Once they have cooled slightly, you can add the eyes (chocolate chips) and nose (a Smartie or M&M).  Then, after they have cooled completely, you can add an "icing" mouth.

Cute, right?  All you need are these cookies, a blanket, some teddies, and some cute kids to have a picnic with.

Enjoy!

♥

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Make Packing Lunches Easier

Now that we are back to school, I thought I would share one of my favorite lunch making tips. I buy lunch staples in bulk when they are on sale, take them out of their packages, and put them in plastic containers from the dollar store.

This tip helps save money, makes lunch items quicker to access, and frees up space in the cupboard.  

I also have lots of fruit, yogurt, and cheese strings "ready to go" in my fridge, and individually wrapped homemade treats in my freezer.

Do you have a tip to help make packing lunches easier?  It is one of my most dreaded tasks, and I can use all the help I can get. Thanks!

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Loop-de-loop Paper Airplane... with free printable template

Sometimes a simple craft is the most fun, and my boys loved this paper airplane that flies in circles.  All you need is a piece of card stock, a pencil, some crayons, a pair of scissors, and a paper clip.

First, you'll need to print the template I have drawn for you.  (You can download it here.)

Then:

1)  Cut out the airplane and color it.
2)  Fold your airplane in half (along the dotted line).
3)  Measure about 1/2" from the centre, and fold down the wing.  Repeat for the other side.
4)  Add a paper clip to the nose.
5)  Fly away!  :-) 

Old-fashioned paper planes are fun too... especially if the kids get out their markers and give them some cool designs.

Do you have little ones that would enjoy an afternoon of flying paper airplanes? Would they enjoy this paper airplane template?

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)