Review and Giveaway {Yoplait} - CLOSED

Contest closed.  The winner is Jennifer DeLorey.  Congratulations, Jennifer!

Did you know that "Yoplait" products are now part of the General Mills family {made in Canada since 1971}?  This is exciting news for me {as a Life Made Delicious Ambassador} because my family loves Yoplait products.

Now that September is here, we are slowly getting into our "Back to School" routine, and Yoplait products are definitely a part of our daily lives.  

Personally, I am making an effort to not "skip breakfast" and to get more calcium into my diet.  So, I have started to have a bowl of yogurt and granola each morning.  I really enjoy the strawberry Yoplait Source.  {It is only 35 calories per serving and has no added sugar.}

And, my boys love Yoplait MiniGos and Tubes in their school lunches.  They make great after school snacks too.  {You have to love a snack that contains no gelatin, no artificial flavours, and no artificial sweeteners.}

How do you get into a "Back to School" routine?  I have a great prize package (valued at $50) that will help:  4 free coupons to re-discover some of Yoplait’s yummiest products around, a lunch bag, a Post-it note dispenser, a journal, and a pen.

To enter, just leave a comment answering this question: "What is your favorite yogurt flavour?"  {Don't forget your email address if you don't have one linked to your profile.}


The rules {I am a mom... I can't help it.):

1) Contest closes on October 15th at midnight.
2) I will use Random.org to choose the winner.
3) The winner will have 72 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.
4) Make sure that you log in {with a profile linked to an email address} or that you include your email in your comments because if I can't contact you, you won't be able to win!
5) Contest open to Canadian Residents only.  {Readers may enter across multiple blogs, but may only win one prize.} 

Good luck!

♥ 

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Disclosure – I am participating in the Life Made Delicious Ambassador Program by Mom Central Canada on behalf of General Mills. I received compensation as a thank you for participating and for sharing my honest opinion. The opinions on this blog are my own.

{Fall} Book Page Banner

Don't you just love an easy, inexpensive, and fun craft you can do with the kids?  This simple {Fall} Book Page Banner makes a great Fall/Thanksgiving decoration.

You can make your own banner in three easy steps:

1)  Draw or print out pumpkins for the kids to color and cut out.

2)  Trim a book page, and cut a "V" shape out of the bottom.  Then, punch two holes at the top of the page.

3)  Use tape or glue to attach the pumpkins to the book pages.

String together with twine, and that's it!  Cute, right?

Are you decorating for Fall?  I would love to hear what you are making.  :-)

 ♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)
** If you haven't already "liked" me on facebook, I would love to have you join me here.


Update October 11, 2012.... look how my clever boys transformed our Fall Banner into a Halloween Banner.  Sweet, right?

Quick Tip {for Halloween}

I know Halloween is still more than a month away, but I wanted to share a quick tip that will save you a little money.  {And don't we all like a money saving tip?}  Last year, I made this for my son's lunchbox.

It is a box of Smarties wrapped in gauze {that you buy at the pharmacy}.  Cute, right?  This year, I plan to wrap the entire contents of the lunch boxes like this, but gauze is expensive.  

However, when I was at the grocery store last week, I saw a package of cheesecloth for $1.99.  Once I cut it into strips, won't it make great inexpensive wrapping for my Mummies?

I was so pleased with this discovery... I just had to share it.  I can already think of some other fun projects I can use it for.  I will be sure to share them with you soon.  :-)

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

** If you haven't already "liked" me on facebook, I would love to have you join me here.

Review and Giveaway {Pillsbury Chocolately Crescents} - CLOSED

Contest Closed:  The winners are Glogirl, Nicolth pickle, Tanya H. and Brenda Penton.  Thanks to everyone that took the time to enter.  :-)

As a Life Made Delicious Ambassador, I was recently sent a box of  the {new} Pillsbury Chocolatey Crescents to try.  I was excited because, now that two of my boys are in school, I am serving after- school snacks each day.  Most days we have something healthy, but sometimes a rainy afternoon calls for a "special treat".  :-) 

The verdict:  these chocolatey crescents are delicious, and received "three thumbs up" from my boys.

And... what is a treat if you can't share it?  So, I have four coupons to give away to four {Canadian} readers who would like to try a box of Pillsbury Chocolatey Crescents for {free}.  Just leave a comment below, and I will pick four people {at random} on Monday morning {September 24}.  The coupons expire on October 31, 2012, so I will send them out as soon as I pick the winners.

Don't forget to leave your email address.  If I can't contact you, you can't win.

♥ 

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Disclosure – I am participating in the Life Made Delicious Ambassador Program by Mom Central Canada on behalf of General Mills. I received compensation as a thank you for participating and for sharing my honest opinion. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Scarecrow Paper Doll

How adorable is this Scarecrow Paper Doll? You can beat a simple, old-fashioned paper craft, and your kids / students are going to love this one. Download the template, print it, colour it, cut it out, and play with it for hours. It's the perfect fall craft.

I love that you can change its clothes too! Just print the scarecrow onto card stock. You can download the template I designed from my Etsy Shop for 99cents US here.) You'll also need a craft stick for the back, a couple of googly eyes, and a piece of foam core for the nose.

OK, let's get started.

1) First colour the scarecrow and his shirts.

2)  Cut out the pieces.  {Be very careful you don't cut off the "tabs" on the shirts.}

3)  Tape the craft stick onto the back of the scarecrow.

4)  Use glue or tape to attach the eyes and nose.

Now the scarecrow can be used as a puppet, and you can change his shirts {using the tabs} whenever you want.  Fun, right?

Isn't it adorable? Kids will love designing the clothes for this scarecrow paper doll. I remember playing with paper dolls when I was a little girl... and I may have played with this one too! ;-)

♥ 

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

You may also be interested in these FALL crafts for kids.

5 {Easy and Inexpensive} Fall Crafts and Activities

The kids are back to school, the weather is getting cooler, and the days are getting shorter -- Fall has definitely arrived.  But... don't despair... "embrace" Fall with these 5 {easy} and {inexpensive} crafts and activities. 

Click on the links {below} for full tutorials and free printables.


1)  Homemade Birdfeeders {3 ways} - Kids will love making these simple birdfeeders, and they'll be helping the birds get ready for winter too!

2)  {Printable} Fall Checklist - Print off this list, hang it on the fridge, and have fun completing all the Fall adventures.

3)  5-Minute {no-sew} Pumpkin - Kids and adults will love making this simple piece of Fall decor. It's easy, inexpensive, and totally adorable!

4)  {Easy} Paper Bag Kites - It's a craft and a fun excuse to get outside. Your kids are going to love this one!

5)  DIY Fall Wreath - This is a perfect craft for moms. All you need is a glue gun and little bit of patience. You don't have to be super-crafty to make this one!

What is your favorite thing about Fall?  I think mine is our annual trip to the pumpkin patch. 

Happy Fall!

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

** If you haven't already "liked" me on facebook, I would love to have you join me here.

Simple Side Dish {oven grilled veggies}

Am I the only one who struggles to come up with dinner ideas every night?  If you're like me, you'll love this {simple} side dish -- oven grilled vegetables.

It is super-easy {especially if you cut up all the vegetables ahead of time}.  I usually cut up a red pepper, a small/medium zucchini, and a small container of fresh mushrooms... but you can use whatever vegetables are popular in your house.

Put all the vegetables in a large glass baking dish, and drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.  Then, add some spice... I add pepper, basil, and oregano.  Mix together and bake at 425 degrees for 30 minutes {stirring once about half way through the cooking time}.

That's it!  Easy and delicious!  What is your "go to" easy side dish?  Thanks for sharing... I can use all the inspiration I can get.  :-)

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

** If you haven't already "liked" me on facebook, I would love to have you join me here.

Fall Wreath {with Monogram}

I guess it is time to accept the fact that summer is over {sigh}, so in an effort to "embrace fall", I made this beautiful Fall wreath for my front door.

Isn't it pretty?  It is actually a combination of two projects I did before.  I have included links to the tutorials {below}.

Click here to find out how to make the Twine Monogram.

Click here to find out how to make the Felt Flower & Grapevine Wreath.

How do YOU embrace Fall? Do you have a Fall wreath hanging on your front door?

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

5 Back to School Traditions

Today was the first day of school for my two oldest boys.  It was a sad day for me {and their little brother}, but a very exciting milestone for them. 

Here is what the day entailed...

1)  Special Pancake Breakfast {complete with colored milk in a wine glass}

2)  First Day Photo {holding a photo from the first day of school the year before}

3)  Gift for the Teacher {tutorial can be found here}

4)  Gift for Classmates

5)  After School Treat

Do you have a special "Back to School" tradition at your house?  I would love to have you share it with me.

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)
 

Ice Cream for Supper {Party}

As many of you know, my boys and I have been working on our Summer Checklist over the last couple of months.  Last weekend, we completed the last item ... an "Ice Cream for Supper" party.  Here are a couple of pictures:

Fun, right?  The boys looked forward to it all summer, and it was a good way to transition into Fall/Back to School.

Now, it is time for us to get to work on our Fall Checklist.  Have you printed off a copy?  {It's free!}

♥

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

** If you haven't already "liked" me on facebook, I would love to have you join me here.

Fall Checklist {with free printable}

Can you believe tomorrow is the first day of September???  It makes me sad to see summer come to an end, but I know that Fall is filled with fun activities too.  So... to get us in the mood, here is the Fall Checklist {2012 Edition} that I put together for our family.

Sound fun?  You can download and print a free copy here.

You can use it "as is", or you can make a fall activity tree {like we did last year}.  You can find all the instructions you need here. 

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

♥

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

PS (If you have never heard of "Booing/Ghosting", you can read about it here.)
 

** If you haven't already "liked" me on facebook, I would love to have you join me here.


Sharing the fun with:

Backyard Camping

Fall is fast approaching, but it isn't too late for a little "backyard camping" adventure.  We recently set up a campsite in our backyard, and we had a fantastic time.

We didn't have a fire pit, so we improvised with a fire projected onto a screen, and a "real fire" of lit candles.

We even had S'mores... because really, what is a camp out without S'mores?  :-)

Have you ever camped in your backyard?  If not, what are you waiting for?  The cool fall evenings are just around the corner.

♥

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)
 

** If you haven't already "liked" me on facebook, I would love to have you join me here.

Homemade Boats

As part of our Summer Checklist, we "crafted" boats to float down a river by our house.

I gave the boys basic supplies {like lids, milk containers, paper, straws, playdough, and toothpicks}, and they started building.  I offered a few ideas and suggestions, but they did most of it on their own.

When they were finished building, we tested them out in our pool to see if they would float.

Then, the next day, we took the "successful sailing vessels" to the river.

When we were finished, we used a butterfly net to scoop them out of the river, and we enjoyed a little picnic.  It was a great way to spend an afternoon.  We sure are going to miss summer.  :-(

♥

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)
 

** If you haven't already "liked" me on facebook, I would love to have you join me here.

{Life Size} Self Portrait

Here is a quick little post about an activity that your child will love... creating a life size self portrait.  It is a perfect rainy day creative endeavour.  :-)

This is so easy and lots of fun!  All you need is some "banner" paper and crayons.  {I got a big roll of paper at IKEA, but I have also seen it at Walmart.}

Here's what to do:

Mom - Get the child to lie down on the paper, and trace the outline of their body onto the paper.  {Be careful... this can be a very "ticklish" part.}

Child - Color the picture to look like you.

That's it!  My boys were very proud of their drawings.  Cute, right?

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)
 
** If you haven't already "liked" me on facebook, I would love to have you join me here.

Simple Scavenger Hunt {with printable}

This week, the boys and I went on a simple Scavenger Hunt {on a trail near our house}.  We packed our clipboards, pencils and picnic, and off we went.

I decided to keep things simple -- I made a list using words for my six year old and added little pictures for my younger two boys.

You can download a {free} version of the list I made here.

The boys had a great time "checking off" all the things on the list, and I really enjoyed our walk through the woods.  :-)

Have you ever taken your little ones on a Scavenger Hunt?  If not, why not print off my list and give it a try?

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Teaching a Child to Ride a Two Wheeler {Tips}

Last weekend, my five year old and my six year old learned to ride their bikes without training wheels.  They both picked it up within an hour, and I thought I would share a few tips that might come in handy when you are teaching your little one.

1)  Get the gear - When learning to ride a bike, a child will fall, so make sure they are prepared.  We went to the dollar store and got a set of knee pads, elbow pads, and wrist pads.  I think we saved ourselves from a lot of scrapes.  Also, a proper fitting helmet should always be worn.

2)  Pick the right place -You need to look for a place that is flat and soft.  {We used a local baseball diamond, and it worked really well.}

3)  Need for speed - In order to get their balance, a child needs a little speed.  A little push goes a long way.

4)  Hold the child, not the bike - We started out holding onto the back of the bike, but it was making it difficult for the boys to "feel" the balancing of the bike.  When we started holding onto the child instead of the bike, it really helped.

5)  Be patient - Riding a bike is difficult {and a little scary} for little ones.  Be patient, and give them lots of encouragement.

Check out the "thumbs up" from my proud "bike riders" {and their three year old brother who will have his training wheels a little longer}.  :-)

Do you have a great tip for teaching a child to ride a bike?  I'd love to hear it.

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)