Spy Party {pom pom target practice}

I am currently planning a DIY Spy Party for my middle son's 7th birthday. Given that he and his friends will be training to be spies, I knew I needed some sort of target practice, but I didn't want to give all the kids guns, so... I thought it would be fun to make some pool noodle pom pom shooters. I got the idea for a pool noodle pom pom shooter from FSPDT.  (You should totally check out her version if you get a chance.)

For our version, I used black balloons and "moustache/secret disguise" duck tape.  Cute, right?  I love how easy and inexpensive these were to make.  Here's all you need to do:

1)  Use a serrated bread knife to cut a pool noodle into short pieces.  I made mine slightly taller than the width of the duck tape.

2)  Cut the top off a balloon with a pair of scissors.

3)  Place the balloon onto the pool noodle, and tie the top into a knot.

4)  Secure the balloon to the pool noodle with duck tape.

These are perfect for my son's spy party, but they would be fun any time.  My boys have been playing with them ever since I made them.  Trust me... they will keep your little ones entertained for hours!

Do you have a little one that would like these pool noodle pom pom shooters?

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Celebrating the Last Day of School

Monday was the last day of school for my two oldest boys, and we had a lot of fun marking the special day.  Here is how we celebrate the last day of school in our home.

First, I always pick my boys up from school, and we go for ice cream.

Then, the boys run through a "finish line".

I think it is a lot of fun to have end of the year traditions, don't you?  I don't do grading gifts, but I did treat the boys to new books and a special treat.

How does your family celebrate the last day of school?

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Turquoise Summer Wreath

I don't get a lot of time to work on "grown up" craft projects, but yesterday I finished a new turquoise wreath for my front door.  It was really easy to make, and I love how it turned out.

Isn't it a fantastic summer wreath?  I really like the blue grapevine wreath, and the flowers are so bright and cheerful. 

Here is what the wreath looked like when I bought it...

Then, I spray painted it, and added some fun felt flowers (that I made using the tutorial you can find here).  These flowers are really simple to make.  All you need is some brightly colored felt, scissors, a glue gun, and a few buttons.  

I am really enjoying my new summer wreath. What do you think? If you make one, let me know how it turns out.

♥ 

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

You might also like the simple Summer wreath I made here.

Celebrating the Last Day of Preschool

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 Wreath

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)

Alphabet Crafts - Letter W

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)

Find more alphabet crafts here.

"Tote"ally Awesome Teacher Gift... with free printable tag

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)