A Cleaner House in 3 Easy Steps

Keeping a house "clean and tidy" when you have 3 busy boys is no easy feat.  I rarely have a full day to do a major clean (and I don't love cleaning), so I find it easier to do a little bit every day.  I have also resolved to get more organized in 2015.  Want to join me? Here's the plan...

Before I had kids, my house was almost always sparkling. However, the arrival of my three busy boys has changed things a lot.  I no longer have time to be a Domestic Diva.  It simply isn't a priority for me.  I am aware that my boys are only going to be young for a short time, and I don't plan on wasting it by fretting over a pile of unfolded laundry sitting on the living room floor.  (Read more about, "why my house is messy and I don't mind" here.)

That being said, I can't stand a house that is a disaster either.  I am more of a Serene Superstar.  I don't need everything spotless all the time.  A dish in the sink won't drive me crazy. I clean on my old schedule, and I prioritize.

A clean kitchen is always a priority for me.  It's the room that gets the most use in my home, and I can't let the kitchen mess get out of control.  Before I sit on the couch at the end of the day, all my dishes go in the dishwasher, all the counters are wiped clean, and the floor is swept.

My new Frigidaire dishwasher is key for me.  I don't need to prewash my dishes, and when I am in a hurry, I can use the 30-minute Quick Wash feature.  (A busy mom needs all the timesaving features she can get!)

What is your cleaning personality?  Do you have any fantastic cleaning/organizing tips you can share with me?

♥ 

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Disclosure: I am part of the Frigidaire Canada Ambassador program with Mom Central Canada, and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group.  The opinions on this blog are my own.

Hockey Wall Art {free printables}

My boys love to play hockey, and my husband and I spend countless hours at the rink... so I thought it would be fun to make some cute DIY hockey artwork for us to hang in our offices.  I plan on printing one of these pictures for each of us and putting them in simple black or white frames. {Scroll down for printing instructions.}

For a Dad with one child

For a Dad with more than one child

For a Mom with one child

For a Mom with more than one child

To print your own printable 8X10 copy of this DIY artwork: pick the version you want to print and right-click on the photo.  Then, save the photo to your computer, and print it like a regular 8X10 picture.  I always send my printables to my local office supply store where I can print great color copies for $.39.

Do you know a hockey mom or hockey dad that might like to hang one of these pictures in their office or home?  I think they would be great for mother's day or father's day too!

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

PS (Please download and print any of these pictures for your personal use; however, I still retain copyright.  If you share one of my photos, please include the link to this post.  Do not share multiple photos, and under no circumstances should you resell my work.  Thank you!)

2014 Year in Review {free printable}

*** Find an updated 2021 version here.***

Every year, my boys fill out a simple year in review questionnaire.  It is a great way to look back at the past year, and set some goals for the year ahead.  Here is the questionnaire I designed this year.

To print this questionnaire for your kids: right-click on the picture above, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 8X10 photo.

I love our traditions of filling out an annual year in review questionnaire, don't you?

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Last Minute {handmade} Stocking Stuffer Ideas

I just love handmade gifts, don't you?  And these handmade stocking stuffer ideas are easy, inexpensive, and lots of fun.

1)  Tree shaped crayons - Recycle old crayons (using a dollar store silicone mold) into these adorable festive crayons.  You can find all the details here.

2)  Polar Express bells - Add a little Christmas magic by giving your little one a bell from Santa's sleigh.  You can find the details and free printable tags here.

3)  Santa coupons - I have two versions of free printable Santa coupons on my blog.  You can find bedtime pass coupons here and extra story coupons here.

4) Skittles Ornaments - Clear ornaments are perfect for filling with treats. My boys loved these Skittles ornaments, and the tags are super-cute. You can download the tags for free here.

5) Snowman Gum - If you can work a Sharpie, you can make these adorable snowmen stocking stuffers. Find the full "how to" here.

Which of these handmade stocking stuffers is your favorite?  This year, I am really excited about the Santa coupons.

Merry Christmas!

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Stocking Stuffer Idea {free printable}

Last week I shared a fun stocking stuffer idea -- free printable coupons that allow the recipient to stay up an additional 15 minutes at bedtime.  The coupons were such a hit that I decided to make another version -- a coupon for an extra story at bedtime.

To print the coupons, right-click on the picture above, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 8X10 photo.

Fun, right?  I know my boys would love to find these in their stockings... and I'd love the extra cuddle time on the couch. ;-)

♥

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

5 Easy Christmas Crafts for Kids {with free downloadable templates}

It's not too late for a little Christmas crafting with the kids.  These 5 simple Christmas crafts are easy, inexpensive, and super-cute.

1)  Toilet roll tree - This little tree is totally adorable, and the toilet roll allows it to stand on its own.  Draw a simple tree shape onto cardstock, cut it out, color it, and add sparkly stickers.  Then, cut a piece of toilet roll for the tree trunk, cut a couple of slits halfway down the sides, and insert the decorated tree into the trunk.

2)  Santa beard - This Santa beard is just as fun to play with as it is to make.  Download the template here.  Then, cut out the beard, add a popsicle stick, and have the child cover the beard with cotton balls.

3) Gingerbread Man - This little ornament is adorable and easy to make.  Download the template here.  Then, have your little crafter decorate it with crayons, googly eyes, yarn scrapes, and buttons.

4) Tissue paper wreath - I love this simple tissue paper wreath, and it's a wonderful craft for the kids to do on their own (while you wrap some presents).  Cut a circle out of the centre of a paper plate, and then have the kids crumple tissue paper squares, dip the tissue paper in glue, and attach them to the wreath.

5) DIY gift bags - I love a practical craft, and these DIY gift bags are fantastic.  The kids can add a tree or reindeer to a plain brown bag (from the dollar store), and then use it to wrap a special Christmas gift.  

All 5 of these Christmas crafts are perfect for kids of any age.  I've done them all with larger groups too, and they are always a big hit!

Enjoy, and Merry Christmas!

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Simple Neighbour Gift {Christmas Potpourri with free printable tags}

Just in time for the weekend -- a simple, last minute neighbour gift.  I absolutely love this easy and inexpensive DIY Christmas gift.

For the potpourri container: I started with a red plastic cup, used electrical tape to create a belt, and added a yellow button.

Then, I added a bag of potpourri (one orange, 1/2 cup fresh cranberries, 1 tbsp whole cloves, 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg, and 3 cinnamon sticks) and a cute gift tag.

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

Don't forget to make an extra package for yourself.  A pot of this potpourri simmering on the stove is guaranteed to make your house smell like Christmas.

I made a bunch of these packages, and my boys did a great job delivering them to our neighbours. 

Do you love this simple DIY Christmas gift as much as I do?  

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)