Announcing Disney

At the end of the month, we are taking our boys to Disney.  We have been keeping it a secret (until now), but my husband and I wanted to tell them a month ahead so that we had 30 day to build excitement.  Here is how we told our boys, "We're going to Disney!"

We started by telling our boys that we had a little "family movie night" surprise for them, and we gave them 3 paper bags containing clues.

Bag #1 contained a bathing suit.
Bag #2 contained a picture of their cousins (who will be accompanying us on the trip).
Bag #3 contained a toy airplane.

Then, after a few guesses, the boys opened a big bag filled with Disney stickers, Disney tattoos, balloons, and a Disney Countdown (which you can read about here).

The boys and I are super-excited about our trip, and every day the anticipation is building. 

Have you ever surprised your little ones with a family vacation?  How did you break the news?

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Simple St.Patrick's Day Decor and Treat

I don't go overboard for St. Patrick's Day, but our family does like to do a few simple things to celebrate.  Today I am sharing the easy rainbow cupcakes I made with my boys last week.  I am also sharing my fun rainbow streamer St. Patrick's Day decor.

To make the cupcakes, my four year added frosting, marshmallow clouds, and candy rainbows (from the dollar store).  Aren't they adorable?

Then, after we made the cupcakes, the older boys and I made a fun "rainbow" garland for our kitchen window.  My six year old cut all the streamers, and I tied them at the top.  I just love how cheerful it is!

Do you do anything fun to celebrate St.Patrick's Day?  We still have time for a project or two, so I'd love to hear your ideas.

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

PS (In case you are new to my blog... click here for some of my favorite St. Patrick's ideas from last year.)

Disney Countdown

My husband and I are taking the boys to Florida in April, and we thought it would be fun to build anticipation with a "Countdown to Disney".  This countdown is super-cute, and it is easy and inexpensive to make.

Here's how I made our Disney countdown (per the photo tutorial below):

1)  I started with inexpensive pipe insulation (from the home improvement store), and I taped the ends together with lots of duct tape.  I also stuck a craft stick in the middle before taping to make it a little stronger.  (Note:  The weight of the paper chain caused the insulation to bend slightly, so I think next time I might try reinforcing the foam with an old wire hanger... but if you don't mind not having a perfect circle, this isn't necessary)

2)  I wrapped the insulation with black yarn... securing it with hot glue periodically.

3)  I cut two circles from foam core (from the dollar store) using an x-acto knife.

4)  I wrapped the circles with black yarn... securing it with hot glue periodically.

5)  I attached the two smaller circles to the larger circle using hot glue and yarn.

6)  I cut card stock (in yellow, red, and white) into strips that were two inches wide.

7)  I glued two buttons onto the top strip, and then looped the remaining strips to make a chain.

I love our Disney countdown, and my boys are enjoying ripping the links off each day.  I am too!  :-)

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Snowman Goodie Bag {with free printable}

My six year old recently went to a birthday party, and came home with a "snowman parts" treat bag.  I have seen similar ideas on Pinterest, and I knew I had to design my own version.  Here's what I came up with...

Isn't it cute?  My bag includes:  three marshmallows, two Skittles, two pretzel sticks, a piece of candy corn, and six mini chocolate chips.

I especially like the adorable tag I designed.  You can download the 4X6 version of the tag {for free} by right clicking on the picture below, saving it to your computer, and printing it like a normal photo.

I think this is a great idea for a loot bag, but it would be fun as a class treat or a special snack at home.  Would your little ones enjoy this "snowman parts" goodie bag?

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Alphabet Crafts - Letter E

Yesterday my four year old and I had some fun with the letter E. We made an Elephant mask, and we did a little letter E printing practice.

To make the elephant mask (per the photo below):

1)  Get the pieces ready for painting.  Draw two elephant ears on a piece of white paper, cut a strip from white card stock, and cut two eye-holes in a paper plate.

2)  Have the child paint all the pieces grey, and allow them to dry completely.  (I didn't have grey paint, so I mixed black and white... which my four year old thought was really fun.)

3)  Have the child cut out the ears and fold the trunk like an accordion.  Add a pink "snout" to the end of the trunk, and tape or glue the trunk in place.

4)  Tape or glue the ears in place, and add a craft stick to the back (to allow the child to hold the mask).

That's it! Cute, right?

After our craft, we did a little printing practice. If you want to practice printing the letter E with your little one, you can right-click on the picture below, save it to your computer, and print it.

If you are looking for other letter E crafts, you might want to try decorating an "E" with eyeballs.

Turning an "E" into an elephant is fun too.

Or you can make this adorable "egg" craft. Rip up a paper bag and glue the pieces onto a sheet of paper to make a nest. Then add a couple of eggs. If you cut one of the eggs in half, you can add a picture of your child hatching out of the egg. 

Fun, right? Next up... the letter "F"! :-)

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Find more alphabet crafts here.

Edible St.Patrick's Day Craft {Rainbow Necklace}

I don't go overboard when it comes to celebrating St. Patrick's Day, but my boys always like to do a few simple crafts and activities.  One of our favorites is this edible rainbow necklace.

Isn't it cute?  I never buy sugary cereal, so this is an extra special treat for my boys.  (It is great fine motor skills practice too.)

All you need is shoe string liquorice and a box of Froot Loops. Tie a knot in one end of the liquorice, and then have your child string the Froot loops onto it.  We did ours in a rainbow pattern (minus the purple), but you can do it however you want.

You can also use cording (instead of liquorice), and/or you can add a chocolate coin charm by gluing a bit of pipe cleaner to the coin.

This is a fun project, and it is 100% edible. Would your little ones enjoy this simple craft?  I think it is a perfect activity for a St. Patrick's Day party.

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Alphabet Crafts - Letter D

Yesterday my four year old and I had some fun with the letter D. We made a Dog puppet, and we did a little letter D printing practice.

To make the dog puppet:

1) First, fold a sheet of paper into thirds, and then fold it into an accordion. {Per below.} Note: You can tape the edges together after the first fold for a neater look, but it isn't necessary.

2) Cut out two black doggy ears and a black circle (snout), and glue into place.

3) Use glue to attach the doggy's eyes and nose.

That's it! Cute, right?  Stick your thumb in the bottom section and your fingers in the top section, and your puppy is ready perform.

After our craft, we did a little printing practice. If you want to practice printing the letter D with your little one, you can right-click on the picture below, save it to your computer, and print it.

If you are interested in more "letter d" crafts, check out this darling dog made from a letter d. Draw or use your computer to make a "D" on a piece of paper. Color the "D", and then use glue to attach an paper ear, a paper collar, a googly eye, and a button nose. 

A duck puppet is another simple option. Start with a half circle of card stock, glue on a head, beak, googly eyes, and feather. Then, tape a craft stick to the back. Cute, right?

You can also use stickers to decorate a letter "D". It doesn't get much easier than this simple craft, and kids love stickers!

Fun, right? Next up... the letter "E"! :-)

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Find more alphabet crafts here.