DIY Music Party

My boys LOVE music.  So, when my oldest son turned five, a "Music" party was a no-brainer.  Of course, the goal was to plan something:  fun, memorable, and not expensive.  Here is a peek at our DIY Music party.

When the gates arrived, my son greeted them with a pair of "rock star" glasses and a backstage pass.  (I used self laminating luggage tags from the Dollar Store to make personalized back stage passes.)

Activity #1 - Decorating guitar shaped cookies - Each child decorated some to eat and some to take home.  I had some ziploc bags with pre-printed name labels so there wouldn't be any confusion when it was time to go home.

Activity #2 - Making musical instruments - We made guitars out of kleenex boxes, stickers, markers, elastics and rulers.  I used pre-printed name labels again to make sure everyone could identify their guitar at the end of the party.  

Activity #3 - Karoke - Every child had a chance to sing while the other children played instruments.  At the end of every performance, "The Star" received a medal.  

The Drum Cake -  My boys always look forward to their cake.  This one was super easy to make.  I decorated the sides with Smarties and Ovation (mint and chocolate) sticks, and topped the cake with two lollipop "drum sticks".  

Here is another cake that would work.  I got the idea here.  (I made this one for my middle child when he turned three.)

Don't you just love it when a party comes together?  :-)

♥

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

*** If you like this post, you might like this one about Unique Loot Bag Ideas or these 5 Truly DIY Parties for Kids.

SIMPLE Science Experiment - Cause and Effect

Last week, my son (who is in Grade Primary) had a "Scientist" visit his classroom.  He was fascinated, and since then, he has been asking to do a science experiment at home.

Because the other two boys (3 and 22 months) were involved, we decided to keep it simple.  I explained that we were going to put vinegar in a bottle and add some baking soda, and when they mixed together, they were going to create gas/air.  I asked them what they thought would happen.  Then, we did the experiment.

We used:

• a plastic bottle
• vinegar
• baking soda
• a balloon
• funnel (to fill the balloon with baking soda)

What we did:

1. We poured about 1 1/4 cups of vinegar into the bottle.
2. We filled the balloon (about 3/4 full) with baking soda.
3. We attached the balloon to the top of the bottle -- making sure there was a tight seal.

 4.  We carefully dumped the baking soda into the bottle and watched as the balloon filled with air.

Fun, eh?  I thought it was a great, simple lesson on "Cause and Effect", and the boys LOVED it.

♥ 

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

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Super Fun Giveaway - CLOSED

June 14, 2011 {edit} ... and the winner is... comment #7...Jennifer Verge!  Congratulations!

As a mom of three boys, it isn't always easy to find cute accessories. However, at Easter, I found (and bought) the most adorable "little man ties" from a crafty mom who runs an online boutique called Baby D.  

My boys LOVE music so the cute guitar fabric was perfect and, of course, they looked ADORABLE -- see for yourself {shameless I know!}.  

 

Baby D  has tons of great stuff -- the ties are my favorite, but I also really love the suspenders.  

So, ready for the good news????  When I let Baby D know how much I loved the guitar ties, they sent me one to give away to one of my readers.  How nice is that???

Want to win this 9 inch tie ($19 value)?  Just leave me a comment telling me which Baby D product is your favorite.  I will select one lucky reader on June 14, 2011 (contest closes at midnight on June 13, 2011).  Easy!  Just the way I like it.  :-)

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 me a comment telling me which Baby D product is your favorite.
3. Contest is open to Canadian and US residents only.
4. This contest is not being hosted or sanctioned in any way by facebook.
5. Prize will be accepted as awarded.

Making Magnets: Three Ways

My fridge has become a catch-all for pictures, appointment cards/invites, notices, and artwork. I thought it would be fun to make some super cute (not to mention... easy, quick, and inexpensive!) magnets.  I am already feeling more at peace with the chaos covering my fridge.  :-) 

Check out the three magnet projects I did, and let me know what you think.

Project #1:  Clothespin magnets

You'll need:

• clothespin
• magnet strip (I cut mine from a roll)
• ribbon
• button (or other embellishment)
• glue gun

  

Directions:

1)  Using your glue gun, glue the ribbon to the outside of the clothespin.  Add a button for embellishment.

2)  Attach a strip of magnet to the back of the clothespin.

Project #2:  Photo magnets

You'll need:

• Pictures
• Photo Magnet paper (I got mine at the Dollar Store)
• Scissors

Directions:

1)  Cut the paper to the rough size of the photo.

2)  Remove the paper from the back of the magnet paper, and attach photo.  Cut out the picture.

Project #3:  Photo pockets

You'll need:

• Labels or stickers
• Magnetic Photo Sleeves

Directions:

1)  Attach labels or stickers to identify the contents of the photo sleeve.  Then, use the sleeve as a "pocket" for loose papers that you might need to keep handy.  I like to use mine for appointment cards, birthday invites, etc....

Which is your favorite?


♥ 

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Super Summer Checklist

We had our first sunny day yesterday, and it got me thinking (and excited) about summer.  I LOVE summer!  So.... I made a "to do" list today... and it doesn't involve cleaning the dust bunnies out from under my couch.  :-)  Here is a list of:

50 fun things the boys (including my handsome husband whenever possible) and I are going to do this summer.

1) Celebrate Canada Day

2)  Read a book outside

3)  Have a teddy bear picnic

4)  Go to a splash pad

5)  Swim in our blow up pool

6)   Go to a farmer's market

7)   Go to the library

8)   Make homemade bubbles

9)   Play pirates

10) Have family movie night – outside

11) Collect shells at the beach

12) Build a sandcastle

13) Swim in the ocean

14) Visit a wildlife park

15) Draw with sidewalk chalk

16) Run through the sprinkler

17) Play baseball

18) Play soccer

19) Ride our bikes

20) Take a ferry boat ride

21) Spend time at a cottage

22) Do a science experiment
23) Watch fireworks

24) Go on a nature walk

25) Make cookies

26) Play mini golf

27) See a play

28) Have a superhero birthday party

29) Make play dough

30) Play hopscotch

31) Camp in the backyard

32) Take a trip to Halifax

33) Take a trip to PEI

34) Play with our giant Frisbees

35) Make an obstacle course

36) Fly a kite

37) Go on a scavenger hunt

38) Make a summer craft

39) Ride Theodore Tugboat

40) Play street hockey

41) Visit a museum

42) Attend the Antigonish Highland Games 

43) Paint with chocolate pudding

44) Have ice cream for supper

45) Roast marshmallows 

46) Make a collage

47) Mail a letter

48) Take a bubble bath

49) Have pancakes for supper

50) Have a PJ day

 

The boys decorated our lists, and we bought some cheap frames at the dollar store.  Every time we do something on the list, they "check" it off by putting a sticker over the number.  This is already so much fun!

You can download a pdf version of our list here.

What is your favorite summer activity?  Did it make my list?

♥ 

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

PS...**You can find the 2013 version here.**

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Double Duty Felt Flower

This craft is great because the end product can be used in two ways -- as an adorable felt flower ring (for a child or an adult) or as a tiny ponytail holder for a little girl with fine hair.

You'll need:

• Hair Elastic (the small ones -- about the size of a Cheerio) 
• Scrap felt
• Button
• Scissors
• Needle & Thread
• Paper and Pen (to make a template for the flower)

Directions:


First, cut two tiny flowers out of felt. (Use a paper template to make it easier.)

Second, sew the button onto the middle of one of the flowers, and stitch the two felt pieces together (button side up).

Third, sew the elastic onto the back of the flower.  (For the ring, or fine hair, use a tiny elastic.  But for thicker hair, you can use a bigger elastic.  I have a big one for myself!  :-)

That's it... easy as 1, 2, 3! 


These are so easy, you could make a bunch for Christmas gifts or for party favors (for a birthday, a shower, or a destination wedding)

♥ 

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Learning through Planting

Let me start out this post by being perfectly honest.... I know NOTHING about gardening.  {Seriously!}  However.... I have been wanting to plant something with the boys for a long time.  So... armed with some advice from a friend, the boys and I headed to Canadian Tire and the Dollar Store to collect the things we needed.  We bought: Three pots... one for each boy Potting soil Watering Can Seeds We are growing Nasturtium.  The seeds are big (which made for easier planting), and the flowers will be bright yellow and orange.  Also, the package says they are "very easy to grow and tolerant of drought and poor soil".  Sounds foolproof, right?  We'll see!  lol First, the boys filled the pots with soil. Second, the boys planted the seeds 1 inch apart and 1 inch deep.  They loved pushing the seeds down into the dirt. Third, the boys watered their seeds.  (These plants like damp watering and full sun.) That's it!  Not sure how successful this will be... but I will keep you posted.  :-)  If nothing else, the boys learned something, and we had a fun afternoon planting seeds! **Update (June 26):  Look what we did!  The plants grew, and we moved them outside.  Fun, eh?  Maybe next year we'll tackle a real garden.  :-) ♥  Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy) ** If you haven't already "liked" me on facebook, I would love to have you join me here.