Today was my 4 year olds last day of Preschool, and like all milestones, it was a cause for celebration. Here's how we marked the occasion:
First, my little guy brought presents for his friends and his teachers. Every celebration needs gifts, right?
Then, we made sure to get a picture of my son with his teachers. I think a child's first teachers hold special places in their hearts forever, don't you?
Finally, I surprised him with a Preschool Finish Line after school. He loved it! We even had to tape it back together so he could do it again.
When my little guy started Preschool, he cried at drop off for months. He only attended Preschool two days a week (for a couple of hours each day), but it took him a long time to let me leave without crying. It's funny how life come full circle. Today, on his last day, he was all smiles... and I was the one with tears in my eyes.
I have no idea how I am going to survive his first day of "big school" in September. Anyone have any tips for this sad Mommy?
♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)
Canada Day is just around the corner, so I wanted to share the adorable Canada Day wreaths my boys made from paper plates and tissue paper.
Aren't they cute? I am sharing the full tutorial over at CBC Parents. Come on over and see how easy it is to create your own Canada Day Decor.
Happy Canada Day!
♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)
My 4 year old and I are getting close to finishing our "crafting our way through the alphabet" adventure. Yesterday we made a Windsock craft and did some Letter W printing practice.
To make a wind sock:
1) Color a piece of white card stock.
2) Roll the card stock into a tube, and tape in place.
3) Punch some holes in the top of the tube, and add a pipe cleaner handle.
4) Tape strips of tissue paper to the bottom of the tube.
Cute, right? I think this is a great summer craft. My little guy had a fantastic time running around the yard... and telling me which way the wind was blowing.
After our craft, we did a bit of printing practice. To practice writing the letter W with your little one, right click on the picture below, save it to your computer, and print.
Interested in more "letter w" crafts? With some construction paper, crayons, scissors, glue and googly eyes, you can easily make this "letter W walrus".
How cute is this worm made of Cheerios? Twist the end of a pipe cleaner into the shape of a head, and glue on two googly eyes. Then, have the child thread the Cheerios onto the pipe cleaner, and when the child is finished, twist the end to secure the Cheerios.
Fun, right? Next up, the letter "X"!
♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)
My 4 year old has spent the last year with two fantastic preschool teachers, so on his last day (Thursday), he is bringing them each a special gift. Each of his teachers will receive a pretty summer tote bag with a tag that says, "Have a 'Tote'ally Awesome Summer!"
Cute, right? I think it is the perfect bag for trips to the park or beach this summer.
If you would like to download and print the 4X6 tag I designed, just right-click on the picture below, save it to your computer, and print it like a normal photo.
I love how bright and cheerful this little tag is, don't you?
What is your best teacher gift to give/get? I always like giving things that are useful. Gift cards and special notes are always great choices.
♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)
Our school year is winding down, and today I am sharing the class treats my 6 year old is sharing with his friends on the last day of school. He is bringing large freezies with little tags that say, "Have a cool summer!"
Cute, right? I love how simple this idea is, and my little guy is anxious to share these fun treats with his classmates on Wednesday.
To download the tag I designed, just right click on the 4X6 picture below, save it to your computer, and print it like any other photo. (I designed it so that three tags fit on one 4X6 photo.)
Here are all our treats ready to go!
The only thing better than these class treats are the lazy days of summer that are sure to follow!
♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)
My 4 year old and I are continuing to craft our way through the alphabet, and yesterday we had some fun with the letter V. We made a Vase craft (with thumbprint flowers), and we did some letter V printing practice.
To make the vase craft:
1) Draw a simple vase shape on a piece of paper.
2) Color the vase.
3) Use paint to make "thumbprint" flower petals.
4) Add stems and leaves to the flowers (with crayons), and glue buttons onto the centre of the flowers.
Cute, right? After our craft we did a little printing practice. If you want to practice printing the letter V with your little one, you can right-click on the picture below, save it to your computer, and print it.
Interested in more "letter v" crafts? Check out this simple "letter v" volcano. Draw a letter V and add some lines to make a volcano. Then, scrunch up bits of tissue paper, and glue them onto to the paper to create lava.
V is also for Valentine's Day, so you could add heart stickers to a V.
And, this "v is for vase" craft could not be cuter. Decorate a vase shape, and make a flower using cardstock, crayons, a picture of the child, and paper straw stem (secured with tape). Cut a couple of slits above the vase, and insert the flower. I love this one!
Fun, right? Next up... the Letter W!
♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)
Find more alphabet crafts here.
As a mom of three boys, I am often asked, "Are you going to try for a girl?" I always find it a strange question because I feel extremely blessed to have three healthy boys, and I wouldn't trade them for the world. So... to answer the question... "no, I am not going to try for a boy", and here are 5 reasons I LOVE being a mom to my sons:
1) My boys love to move. -- Although I find it exhausting at times, I love that my boys are so active. My guys love to play sports, chase each other around the yard, and dance around the house. PS (Little boys make awesome dance partners.)
2) My boys play the best games. -- My house is full of LEGO, mini sticks, light sabers and race cars. We may not have a single princess dress, but our dress up box is brimming with Jedi robes, super hero capes, pirate clothes, and hockey jerseys.
3) My boys are best friends and they build fantastic forts together. A few blankets, pillows, and chairs can keep them entertained for hours.
4) My boys don't fight about clothes. -- I don't have to fight about what they wear to school each day. My boys are happiest in jeans and t-shirts. Add ball caps and sneakers, and they are good to go! (and... having three boys means lots of "hand-me-downs"... score!)
5) My boys give big hugs and heartfelt kisses. -- They are also awesome cuddlers... and they love their mom!
And on top of all this, I can save time when I am trying to get somewhere because I don't need to use their names. I can just say "come on boys", "hurry up boys", and "don't forget your coats boys". :-)
♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)
