Summer Reading List

One of the items on our summer checklist this year is... make a summer reading list.  First, the boys and I came up with a list, and now we will get the books from the library and read them together.  Today I am sharing our new summer reading list.

Fun, right?  Don't you just love seeing your children reading during the summer months.  I know I do!

To download a copy of our list, right click on the picture above, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular photo.

Or... why not try making your own list?  I bet your little ones have tons of great ideas.

I think creating a summer reading list is a great way to encourage kids to read (and help prevent the "summer slide").  What are your best tips?

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Jake and the Neverland Pirates Party Loot Bags

Loot bags are always a challenge for me when I am planning a party for my boys.  I want to give the guests something that goes with the party theme, but I like to choose something that won't end up in the garbage as soon as they get home.  Here is the loot bag idea that I came up with for my son's Jake and the Neverland Pirates party.

I found reusable cups at Walmart for $1 each.  Then, I added a little bag of cookies, a beaded necklace, and a gold coin.  I made custom tags on Picmonkey, but if you would rather something you can just print easily, you can use the generic "pirate booty" tag that I designed.  Just right-click on the picture below, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4 X 6 photo.

Cute, right?

I hope the party guests will really like this Jake and the Neverland Pirates loot bag.  I know my little birthday boy is excited to share them with his friends.  

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Simple Pirate Hooks

I am planning a Jake and the Neverland Pirate party for my youngest son, and I thought it would be fun to make pirate hooks for all the party guests.  After the party, the hooks (that don't go home with our guests) will be added to our "dress up bin".  We love playing pirates!

Want to make your own pirate hooks from cups and tin foil?

1)  Start with a square piece of tin foil.
2)  Roll up the tin foil and "squish it".
3)  Cut a little hole in the bottom of the cup.  Make sure it isn't too big.  The tin foil needs to fit tightly in order to stay in place.
4)  Place the foil through the hole, pull through, and twist into the shape of a hook.

That's it!  Do you have a little pirate that would love dressing up with this pirate hook?

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

You might also like this pirate party post.

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)