Preschool Graduation Treat...with free printable

Did I mention that my youngest boy is heading off to "big" school in September?  I can hardly believe it!  It is a huge milestone, and to mark the occasion, I came up with this simple Preschool Graduation Treat.

Isn't it cute?  I put this cupcake in a plastic drinking glass, popped it into a clear loot bag, added a cute tag, and tied it with twine.  

You can download your own copy of the tag I designed by right clicking on the 4X6 picture below.  Save it to your computer, and print it like a regular photo.  (There are two tags per print.)  With one hour photo processing, you can quickly put together enough treats for an entire graduation class of pint-size cutie pies!

I just love an easy and inexpensive treat idea, don't you?  These Preschool Graduation Treats are sure to be a hit on your little graduate's special day.

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

You might also like this sweet graduation treat.

Stuck on You {Review and Giveaway} - CLOSED

And the winner is... Kathleen Mc18 May 2014 23:42

Is it bad I want to keep one for myself? I love the flowers!

When I was a child, I could never find anything with my name on it.  I think that is one of the reasons why I am so in love with the adorable products from Stuck on You.

I was recently sent these stainless steel drink bottles for my boys.  Each boy picked their own design, and they are all totally cute!  And the good news... I have one to give away to one of you.  If you are the winner, you'll be able to choose your own name and design.  Cute, right?

All you need to do is leave a comment below (before June 5) letting me know which design you think you'd choose.  (You can find all the fun designs here.)  Easy peasy... just make sure you log in or leave your email address so that I can contact you if you win!

While you are there, you'll also want to check out all the other fun products from Stuck on You.  They have name labels, shoe labels, book labels, clothing labels, party in a cup, bag tags, backpacks, lunch boxes, library bags, wall art, height charts, t-shirts, wooden name puzzles, and more.

This contest is open World Wide, so everyone can enter.

Good luck!

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)
Disclosure: I received free products in association with this review and giveaway.... however (as always) the opinions on this blog are my own.

Contest 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 worldwide.
3) This contest is not being hosted or sanctioned in any way by Facebook.
4)  Contest closes on June 4, 2014 at 11:59pm.
5)  Prize will be accepted as awarded. 

6)  Winner will be contacted via email and will have 48 hours to respond. After 48 hours the prize will be forfeited, and another winner will be selected. 

18 DIY Party Themes and Tutorials

There are many fabulous kid party ideas on the web, but many are put together by companies and teams of designers.  The great thing about these DIY parties {that I hosted for my boys} is that there are are many easy and inexpensive DIY elements that are totally "doable" by real moms.  I even provide many free templates and printables.

Click on the links {party titles} below for all the fun DIY details.

1)  The ultimate DIY LEGO Party

2)  The cutest DIY Circus  and a sweet Carnival Party

3)  A stupendous DIY Super Hero Party

4)  A rip roaring DIY Race Car Party

5)  An out of this world DIY Star Wars Party

6)  A magical DIY Harry Potter Party

7)  An adorable DIY Monkey-Themed 1st Birthday Party

8)  A marvellous DIY Music Party

9)  A super DIY SPY Party and a simple DIY Spy Party

10)  A rootin' tootin' Cowboy Party

11)  A perfect DIY Pirate Party

12) A wonderful DIY Jake and the Neverland Pirates Party (perfect if you have an affection for Peter Pan and Neverland)

13) A heavenly DIY Hockey Party and a simple DIY Hockey Party

14) A Marvellous DIY Movie Party

15) Simple Backyard Olympics

16) Fun Pool Party (The shark cutout and pool noodle garland are adorable!)

17) Sweet "ice cream for supper" party (It requires very little prep, and it is a fantastic way to mark the end of summer.)

18) Epic DIY NERF battle (The details are easy and fun, and the party is action packed.)

Bonus.... this DIY tea party is easy and fun!

Aren't these DIY party themes fabulous?  I just love a good DIY party.  What was the theme of the best birthday party you have hosted?

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Alphabet Crafts - Letter J

This morning, my four year old and I continued "crafting our way through the alphabet", and we had some fun with the letter J. We made a Jet, and we did a little letter J printing practice.

To make the paper "jet", follow the tutorial here.  {I have also included a free printable template.}

It's a fun craft because the plane makes "loops" when it flies.

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

We even had some jam on toast for a snack while he was practicing his "J"s.

And if you are looking for a few more letter J crafts, why not try this simple "Letter J Jellyfish"? Start with a letter J, glue on a jellyfish, and finish by gluing on eyes and tissue paper tentacles.

Or create a jungle craft by drawing a palm tree on piece of paper and having your little one fill it with jungle stickers.

And it doesn't get much cuter than this "jack-in-the-box" craft. Glue a square to a sheet of paper, and attach a rectangle with a fastener that will allow the top of the box to open and close. Then, glue on a picture of the child and decorate the box with stickers. 

And how adorable is this jellyfish puppet??? Make a jellyfish attached to a popsicle stick, cut a slit in a paper plate, and let the jellyfish go for a swim!

Fun, right? Next up... the letter "K"! 

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Find more alphabet crafts here.

Moms Need to Get in the Picture

On a recent family trip to Disney, my eight year old insisted that we get a family picture taken with Mickey Mouse. So, after a long day at Magic Kingdom, we waited in line, and we had our photo taken with the famous mouse... and it is the WORST picture of me EVER.

When I saw the picture, I immediately thought I looked terrible. I was clearly tired, my lipstick had worn off, and the humidity had made my hair fuzzy. However, in hindsight, even though I am not a fan of how I look in the picture, I am glad we had it taken. When I look at the photo today, I see all my flaws, but I know that years from now I will only see how happy (and lucky) I was in that moment with my husband and children. And I know my kids will look at the picture and remember how much fun we had together on that day.

Like many moms, I hate being photographed. I am much happier behind the camera, but I am making a conscious effort to step out of my comfort zone and into family photos. It is important for my boys to have childhood photos with their mom. I want them to remember that I was there... that I was part of their favourite memories.

Photo Credit: Hilary Hendsbee

So today, I challenge you to “get in the picture” with your little ones.  I guarantee that years from now, you and your kids will be glad that you did.

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Alphabet Crafts - Letter I

Last week my four year old and I had some fun with the letter I. We made a paper Ice cream cone (with sprinkles), and we did a little letter I printing practice.

To make the ice cream cone craft:

1)  Cut a circle and triangle from white card stock.
2)  Have the child color the cone.
3)  Tape the "ice cream" and "cone" together.
4)  Have the child decorate the ice cream cone with "sprinkles" by crunching up bits of tissue paper and gluing them onto the card stock.

That's it! Cute, right?

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

My little guy even had some ice cream as a special "I" snack while he practiced his printing.

Looking for a few more letter I crafts and activities? 

Check out this adorable igloo craft. Draw an igloo shape on a piece of coloured paper. Then, use glue to cover the igloo with "ice blocks" (white squares of paper) and a picture of the child. Finish the project by using Q-tips and white paint to add snowflakes.

You could also have your child decorate a letter I with colourful stickers. "Peeling and sticking" is a great way to develop fine motor skills.

And have a look at this adorable "letter I" iguana. Start with an "I", and then add a head, tail, googly eyes, and a paper tongue.

Fun, right? Next up... the letter "J"!

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Find more alphabet crafts here.

Chocolate Banana Bread

About a year ago, I shared my mom's (no fail) banana bread recipe.  My boys love banana bread as an after school snack or as a treat in their lunches, so I use this recipe frequently, but this week I decided to "switch it up" a little.  I made Chocolate Banana Bread, and it was delicious.

Here's how to make it:

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees, and grease a large loaf pan.

2) Whisk together the following dry ingredients:
     2 cups of flour

     1/4 cup cocoa
     1/2 cup white sugar
     3 tsp baking powder
     1/2 tsp baking soda
     1/2 tsp salt
     1/2 cup chocolate chips

3) In a separate bowl, beat together:
     1 egg
     3/4 cup milk
     1/4 cup vegetable oil
     1 1/2 cup (approx 3 medium-sized) mashed ripe bananas 

     {mashing bananas is a perfect job for little helpers.}

4) Mix wet and dry ingredients thoroughly, and pour batter into prepared pan. Bake in preheated oven for 60 to 70 minutes.

Enjoy... and let me know what you think!

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)