Lunch Box Biscuits (school lunch HACK)

Making 15 school lunches each week makes me crazy, so I am always looking for ways to make my life a little easier. My oldest son isn't a big fan of sandwiches, but he loves homemade biscuits. Today I am sharing my lunch box biscuit recipe and a school lunch HACK that I find really helpful!

Here's the recipe I use...

Ingredients:
2 cups all purpose flour
4 tsp baking powder
3 tsp white sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup cold butter
1 large egg
2/3 cup 2% milk

Directions:
1) Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
2) In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt.
3) Use a pastry cutter to cut in the butter until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs.
4) Whisk the eggs and the milk together in a small bowl.
5) Add the egg mixture to the flour mixture and stir (just until moistened).
6) Move biscuit dough to a well floured surface knead/fold about 15 times. Roll to 3/4-inch thick, and cut with a 2-1/2-inch biscuit cutter. You'll end up with a dozen biscuits. (Note: I always roll the dough out on a piece of wax paper for easy clean up.)
7) Place on lightly greased baking sheet or Silpat, and bake for 8-10 minutes.

Now, here's my secret shortcut...

I let the biscuits cool completely. Then, I cut them in half, butter them, individually wrap them, and stick them in a freezer bag. I leave them in the freezer, and I just take them out as I need them for lunches. Simple, right?

My oldest son likes to take a biscuit, rolled up (preservative free) ham or organic pepperoni (from the farmer's market), and some yogurt. I add some fruit, and we end up with a lunch that we are both happy with.

Do you have any school lunch HACKS you'd like to share? I can use all the help I can get!

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

PS... You can find more of my family favourites here.

5 Minute (no-sew) Costumes

Dressing up and imaginative play are important parts of childhood. I love filling my boys' dress up bin with fun costumes, but I don't like to spend a lot of time and money doing it. Today, I am sharing two costumes you can put together in about 5 minutes, and there is no sewing required!

The key to this no-sew mad scientist costume is an oversized white t-shirt. All you need to do is cut a slit up the front of the shirt, and you have a perfect no-sew lab coat. Add some test tubes or pens to the pocket of a plaid shirt, some silly glasses or goggles, and some yellow rubber gloves and you've got a fantastic costume. Crazy hair and black socks add to the look too!

A no-sew explorer costume is one of the easiest costumes you can put together. My son already had a white golf shirt and khaki shorts, so we added a dollar store hat and a pair of binoculars. It is a simple costume that uses stuff you already have lying around the house. You can't beat that!

Seriously.... how cute are my boys? :-)

I love how simple these no-sew costumes are, don't you? They are perfect for a dress up bin or a last minute Halloween costume. Pretty fun, right?

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Find more no-sew costume ideas here.

Tissue Paper Turkey

Holiday crafting is always a lot of fun, and today I am sharing a bright and cheerful tissue paper turkey craft. It's easy to make, it uses simple supplies, and it's perfect for Thanksgiving.

To make this adorable turkey craft:

1) Use white glue to cover a paper plate with 1-inch tissue paper squares. Use Fall colors like green, orange, red, and yellow.

2) Use white glue to attach a round head (cut from brown construction paper), two googly eyes, a yellow beak, and a red snood.

3) Cut two feet from a piece of orange construction paper and attach to the paper plate with glue.

This craft is fun to craft, and it makes great holiday decor for Thanksgiving. Hanging it on a window creates a beautiful stained glass effect too. Happy Thanksgiving!

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Preschool Theme: Fall

I teach a weekly class of 3 and 4 year olds, and each week we have a fun Preschool theme. Today I am sharing three easy and inexpensive Fall crafts that Preschoolers are guaranteed to love!

To make a beautiful fall tissue paper wreath:

1) Cut the centre out of a paper plate.
2) Cut several one-inch tissue paper squares in lovely fall colors.
3) Have the Preschooler crumple the squares of tissue paper, dip them in white glue, and attach them to the paper plate. Continue until the entire plate is covered.
4) Punch a hole in the top of the wreath, and insert a ribbon for hanging.

To make a simple Cheerios bird feeder:

1) Attach a button to the bottom of a pipe cleaner (to prevent the Cheerios from falling off).
2) Have the Preschooler thread Cheerios onto the pipe cleaner.
3) Make a loop at the top of the pipe cleaner, and hang in a tree for the birds to enjoy.

To make an adorable scarecrow puppet:

1) Print the template that you can find here for only $0.99US.* (You can use a photocopier to enlarge it to the desired size.) 
2) Have the Preschooler color the puppet, and use glue to attach two googly eyes.
3) Cut out the puppet.
4) Use tape to attach a dowel or craft stick to the back of the puppet.

And check out this simple video...

Aren't these three Fall crafts totally adorable? I think they are perfect for Preschoolers (and older kids too). What's your favorite thing about Fall?

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Fairy Houses {from dollar store bird houses}

This simple craft is a fantastic way to spend an afternoon and a wonderful way to embrace a little childhood magic. Who wouldn't love to make (or find) a delightful fairy house (made from a dollar store bird house)? ... and the best part was what we did with them.

We started with some dollar store bird houses and paint. I set everything up, and my boys came up with their own fairy house designs.

We added "a fairy lives here" signs to the front of the houses with Mod Podge, and sprayed them with outdoor sealer to protect them from the elements.

Then, we secretly placed them in different parts of our town.

Later, we returned to the site where we had placed one of our houses, and we found two new houses (that someone else had made), and some trinkets that people had left behind for the fairies.

My boys had a fantastic afternoon painting their houses and "playing spy" as they secretly tried to place their houses without anyone seeing them. Pretty fun, right?

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

DIY Movie Party

If you read this blog on a regular basis, you know that I love an easy and inexpensive DIY party. I feel that putting a little time and effort into party details really makes a party feel special. Today I am sharing a few tips for throwing an awesome DIY movie party.

First, it is important to set the stage with a little DIY decor. I made some simple signs using foam core and duct tape, covered a table with a tablecloth that went with the theme of our movie (which was Mighty Ducks), and set out some treats and party favors.

Making guests comfortable is key. We invited out guests to wear PJs and bring pillows and sleeping bags.

A party also needs some fun treats. We made some popcorn, and served treats in little condiment containers. The kids had a fantastic time picking out their favorite goodies at our concession stand.

And, of course, every guest needs to leave a party with a party favor. We had an outdoor movie, so we gave out glow sticks. We also had a "half sleepover" theme, so we gave out poptarts with "breakfast for tomorrow" tags.

A movie theme is perfect for family movie night, a birthday party, or a special night with friends. This is an annual event for us, and my boys and their guests always have a wonderful time. We can't wait to do it again next year!

♥Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

7 Tips for Surviving "After School" with Kids

The stress of managing after school snacks, homework, supper, extra curricular activities, and bedtime routines can be enough to send parents to the brink of insanity. September always leaves me feeling anxious and overwhelmed. Today, I am sharing a few tips that I find helpful this time of year.

1) Don't over-schedule your family -- This is tough for me because I have three boys that want to be in everything! However... in order to cope, children and parents need to work together to choose extra curricular activities and a schedule that is manageable.

2) Use a family calendar -- I could not function without the calendar on the inside of my kitchen cupboard. I use it to record everything I need to know about the schedules of everyone in my family – including appointments, gym days, theme days at school, meetings, extra-curricular activities, family birthdays, vacation plans, work deadlines, and more. I would be absolutely lost without the ability to glance at my calendar every morning and see the day’s agenda.

3) Plan weeknight meals -- I like to plan a weeks worth of meals and do most of my shopping on Sunday. I also use my slow cooker, prep meals in the morning, and have things in the freezer for the really busy nights.

4) Pack a bag of healthy snacks and water  -- I like to pack almonds, fruit, cheese strings, sandwiches, and yogurt tubes. Everyone is in better cheer with a full belly, and there is no temptation to grab fast food or over-priced junk out of a vending machine.

5) Use “Ready to Go” bags -- Pack bags containing everything needed for particular activities. For example, after every swimming lesson, I wash my boys’ bathing suits and towels and put them right back into the “swim bag”. This way, I am not scrambling to find things every time we head out the door.

6) Do homework "on the go" -- Packing homework and books is also helpful, especially when children are being dragged to the activities of their siblings. Getting homework done before supper makes life a lot easier.

7) Make sure everyone gets enough sleep -- It is sometimes a struggle, but I try very hard to adhere to strict and consistent bed times. It has been my experience that well rested children are much easier to get along with.

Trying to get back into a routine this time of year can be really tough, but investing time getting organized can really pay off. Do you have any tips for taming the after-school chaos? I can use all the help I can get!

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Dollar Store Puzzle HACK

I love a clever idea that solves a problem, don't you? Recently... my problem was that my 8 year loved doing large puzzles, but doing them on the kitchen table was a pain because it took him several days to complete a puzzle and we needed the table for eating and doing homework. We needed a puzzle surface that we could move around.

We started with an old cork board that used to hang in our playroom. Then, we purchased some felt castors from the dollar store, and we attached them to the back of the cork board with hot glue.

Now we have a puzzle surface that we can set on top of our kitchen table, leave on the floor, or slide under our couch for storage.

I absolutely love our new dollar store puzzle solution. We just purchased our second 500 piece puzzle, and my son and I can't wait to get started.

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Lunchbox Smoothies (school lunch HACK)

Recently, I saw a post for lunchbox smoothies at One Good Thing by Jillee, and I knew I needed to make a batch of lunchbox smoothies for my freezer. I LOVE the idea of making a big batch of smoothies at the beginning of the week, sticking them in the freezer, and popping them in the lunch bags each day.

To make your own Lunchbox Smoothies, start with a big batch of your favorite smoothies. 

Here's the recipe I use:

4 cups frozen strawberries
2 bananas
1 cup orange juice
1 cup vanilla yogurt
1 tbsp honey

I blend everything together, and I end up with 5 cups for lunches, and a few extra glasses to drink right away.

For the drinks I freeze, I use BerNARdin Freezer Jars and Lids 236 ml. They are great for freezing, and they are easy to open.

I store the smoothies in my freezer, take them out in the morning, and they are ready to drink by lunch time.

Fun, right? Do you have any fantastic school lunch ideas? My boys are super-fussy, and I am always looking for new ideas and inspiration.

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

PS (You can find more school lunchbox hacks here.)

Soft and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie Tart

Yesterday was my boys' first day of school, and I promised to make them a special after school snack. They LOVE chocolate chip cookies, so I thought it would be fun to make them a giant chocolate chip cookie. Today, I am sharing my recipe for a delicious, soft and chewy chocolate chip cookie tart.

To make this easy and impressive cookie tart... start with my favorite soft and chewy chocolate chip cookie recipe (which you can find here). Then, scoop out a dozen cookies, and press the rest of the cookie dough into a well-greased tart pan. I cooked my chocolate chip cookie tart for at 325 degrees for 45 minutes... but I would suggest 40-50 minutes (depending on your oven).

This giant cookie was a huge hit with my boys. It makes a fantastic after school snack, and is perfect with a glass of cold milk or a hot cup of tea or coffee.

I highly recommend giving this yummy treat a try in your house. It will not disappoint. (My boys have already requested that I make it again.)

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

First Day of School 2015 {our traditions continue}

The first day of school is a huge milestone for kids, and in our house, we always mark the occasion with a few family traditions. This year was no exception.

We always start the day with a special breakfast... pancakes and drinks in fancy glasses.

Then, we get ready for school, and I get the boys to pose for pictures holding pictures from the year before. The boys are always excited to look back at how much they have changed from the previous year.

After the pictures, the boys head for the bus, and I meet them at their school and help them find their classes. They always bring treats for their friends and treats for their teachers.

Finally, when the school day is over, we always have a special after school treat. I love sitting around the kitchen table, eating cookies, and talking about the boys' day.

Do you have special first day of school traditions? It's a sad day for me, and it is hard to say good bye to summer, but making the first day of school a fun occasion helps us get through!

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

First Day of School Treat (free printable tags)

The first day of school is a big deal for kids, so I always like to pop an extra special treat in each of my boys lunch boxes. This year, I made their favorite chocolate chip cookies, and added a cute little note.

The note would be cute attached to a pre-packaged snack too.

In fact, I put together a bunch for my boys' to take to school on the first day to share with their friends. Cute, right?

This is an easy and inexpensive way to make the first day of school special. I love the idea of my boys passing out little treats to their classmates on the first day of school. If you would like to do this for your little ones, you can download the tags for free by: right-clicking on the picture below, saving it to your computer, and printing it like a regular 4X6 photo.

Isn't this a cute treat for the first day of school? What special "goodie" did your little one request in his/her lunchbox?

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Pool Noodle Craft Projects {dollar store crafts}

I love dollar store crafts, and pool noodles from the dollar store are among my favorite dollar store crafting materials. Pool noodles are fun, inexpensive, and versatile, and today I am sharing some of my favorite pool noodle craft ideas and tutorials.

1) Lightsabres - My boys are huge Star Wars fans, so it is no surprise that these super-cute pool noodle lightsabres continue to be a huge source of entertainment in my house. To make them, you just need: pool noodles, duct tape, electrical tape, stickers, and the tutorial that you can find here. 

2) Poppers - These pool noodle poppers are easy to make and super-fun to play with. They also make fantastic prizes and party favours. Check out the full pom pom popper tutorial here. 

3) Boats - My boys loved making these simple pool noodle boats. You can read about our boating adventure and get the full tutorial here.

4) Wreaths - Pool noodles make fantastic and inexpensive wreath forms. You can find the tutorial for making a pool noodle wreath form here.  And you can find a tutorial for my Halloween pool noodle wreath here. 

5) Holiday decor - Pool noodles provide great inspiration for holiday crafting. Pick up a bunch of pool noodles during the summer months so that you will have them on hand when needed. You can find the tutorial for my pool noodle witch legs here.

6) Party decor - DIY party decor can really make a party feel special, and pool noodles can be transformed into fantastic party props. For example, I turned a pool noodle into a palm tree for my son's pirate party. You can find the full tutorial for my pool noodle palm tree here and pool noodle garland here. Fun, right?

I just love pool noodles. They really are one of my favorite crafting materials... and they are so inexpensive! Do you have a fantastic pool noodle creation? I'd love you to share it in the comments (below).

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)