March Break Science Fun {Color Changing Carnations}

A break from school doesn't need to mean a break from learning... especially when simple science experiments are so much fun. Check out this fantastic experiment I recently did with my boys - coloring carnations.

This is an easy experiment that teaches kids about how flowers/plants absorb water.  It's also fun for the kids to watch the flowers magically change color.

To do this experiment, you'll need: plain white carnations, glass containers, and food coloring.

1) Fill the glasses with water, and then add several drops of food coloring to each glass.  We added about 15 drops of food coloring to each container.  (We used blue, red, and green food coloring, and we found that the red food coloring had the best results.)

2) Then, make a fresh cut to each of the flowers, and put them in the containers.

After a few days, the flowers will start to change color.  The kids will be able to see how the water (and the food coloring) travels up the stem of the flower and into the pedals.

I love simple experiments that make kids curious about "how things work", don't you?  Have you ever done this colored carnations experiment with your kids?

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Easter Bunny Treats {with free printable tags}

Holidays are the perfect time to share treats with friends and classmates, but many schools discourage kids from bringing sugary snacks.  So, this year, my 5 year old will be sharing this non-candy Easter Bunny "treat" with his class.

Cute, right?  I found some inexpensive stretchable bunnies and bunny jumpers at the Dollar Store and Walmart, and I knew my youngest son would love them.

I packaged the bunnies in clear bags, and I designed a simple tag that said, "Some 'bunny' thinks you are a special friend."

To download the tags for free, right-click on the picture below, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4X6 photo.

I love this little Easter Bunny party favor, don't you?  It's inexpensive, sugar free, peanut free, and totally adorable!

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

THE BEST Cupcakes from a Mix

Impressive and delicious treats don't have to be labour intensive. I just made 36 cupcakes for my 5 year old to take to school, and they were easy to make and everyone loved them. Want to know my secret? I started with store bought cake mixes and icing!

To make the most delicious cupcakes from a mix, I always start with one of my favorite cake mixes. For white cupcakes, I use Duncan Hines Golden Yellow. For chocolate cupcakes, I use Duncan Hines Chocolate Fudge. You'll also need:

• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 cup melted butter (cooled slightly)
• 1 cup water

Instructions:

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2) Melt 1/2 cup real butter in the microwave, and let it cool slightly.
3) Fill two muffin tins with paper liners.
4) Mix a cake mix, 3 eggs, 1 cup water, and 1/2 cup melted butter using an electric mixer. {I mix the batter on low until it is combined, and then I mix it on high for one minute.}
5) Fill muffin tins with the thick, creamy batter. {I use an ice cream scoop to measure, and one cake mix makes 24 cupcakes.}
6) Cook for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle of a cupcake comes out clean.
7) Let cool completely before decorating.

I like to frost my cupcakes with Duncan Hines Buttercream icing (which is the only type of icing my 9 year old will eat). It is delicious, and has a great texture for decorating cupcakes. I use a piping bag and a large star tip to quickly decorate a huge batch of cupcakes.

Give it a try and let me know what you think. I am pretty sure you will agree that these are the yummiest and easiest cupcakes you have ever made.

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Shamrock Crafts

Holidays are fun, and perfect for crafting! How cute is this Shamrock headband that my 5 year old made for St. Patrick's Day?

My boys and I recently crafted three different types of Shamrocks. You can find all the fun details over at CBC Parents here.

Check them out and let me know which one is your favorite.

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Leprechaun Bait {with free printable tags}

Every year, my boys build a leprechaun trap in the hopes of catching a leprechaun (and his treasure) on St. Patrick's Day.  It is a fun tradition that my boys like to share with their friends, so each year, we make little packages of leprechaun bait for them to take to school to give to their classmates.

This year, I designed this adorable little tag that you can download for free.  To download the tag: right-click on the picture below, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4X6 photo.

Add these tags to little bags of "Lucky Charms" cereal, and you have adorable packages of leprechaun bait.

Aren't these bags of leprechaun bait sweet?  They are fantastic class treats, and they make fun St. Patrick's Day party favors too! 

Good luck catching a leprechaun!

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Leprechaun Paper Doll {free template}

I am so excited about today's post.  I designed an adorable leprechaun paper doll, and I am sharing it with you for free! It's an adorable craft, and it's perfect for St. Patrick's Day.

To make your own leprechaun paper doll (with changeable shirts):

1) Download the printable template here, and print it onto white card stock.

2) Cut out all the pieces (being careful not to cut off the "tabs" on the shirts).

3) Decorate the leprechaun and shirts.

3) Tape a popsicle to the back if you want your leprechaun to be a puppet.

That's it!  Isn't this leprechaun paper doll puppet adorable? The fact that you can change the shirts really ups the "cute factor", don't you think?  Happy St. Patrick's Day!

♥ 

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

PS (You can find 10 more EASY and INEXPENSIVE St. Patrick's Day ideas here.)

Homemade "Instant" Oatmeal

My youngest son likes oatmeal, but I don't like giving him the "just add water" packages, so recently, I have started making this homemade "instant" oatmeal in the microwave.  It literally only takes a couple minutes to make.

Here's what you'll need:

1/2 cup quick oats
3/4 cup 1% milk
1 tsp brown sugar
pinch of salt (optional)
1/2 tsp cinnamon

Then:

1) Mix oats and milk in a bowl, and microwave on high for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes.
2) Remove from microwave, add brown sugar and cinnamon, and stir.

That's it!  I cool mine down by adding a little milk, and sometimes I sprinkle a little more brown sugar  or a drizzle of real maple syrup on top, but these are both optional.  

This homemade oatmeal is perfect for busy mornings, and it is a favorite of my 5 year old. Give it a try and let me know what you think.

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)