"You've Got the WRITE Stuff" Valentines

Candy-free Valentine's treats are perfect for sharing with classmates. My kids have a strict nutrition policy at their schools, and allergies are always a concern, so I tend to stick to non-edible treats. Today, I am sharing the simple Valentine "treat" my 10 year old is sharing with his friends this year. I'm also sharing the adorable tags that you can download for free.

I purchased inexpensive Valentine's Day pencils and little "game" notebooks at our dollar store. I placed the items in bags covered with hearts, and I added a "You've Got the WRITE Stuff" tag.

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

My 10 year old loves his Valentine's Day treats, and he can't wait to share them with his friends.

Do your kids give out Valentine's Day treats or cards to their friends? What are they sharing this year? I love this simple idea, don't you?

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Funny Valentine... "Thanks for putting up with my CRAP!"

Maybe I have lived in a house with four boys too long, but I think this is a silly and funny idea for Valentine's Day. It's kind of the "anti-Valentine". Isn't this a clever, non-mushy, not-too-sentimental idea for Valentine's Day? I love this roll of toilet paper packaged up with ribbon and a note that says, "Thanks for putting up with my crap. Happy Valentine's Day!"

Funny, right? This would be fun for a friend, a parent, or a spouse.

To print the note I designed: click on the picture below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4X6 photo.

Then, stick the note and a roll of toilet paper in a clear cellophane bag... and tie it with a ribbon.

Do you know someone that would appreciate receiving this funny Valentine? Who would you give this silly gift to?

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

A {SPEC}TACULAR Valentine's Day Treat

I like to give my boys Valentine's Day treats, but I don't want them to have too much sugar. So, this year, I decided to make them a special little Valentine using cute and inexpensive heart-shaped glasses that I found at the dollar store. I'm also sharing the free printable tags I designed, so you can share this treat with your kids too!

I found these glasses for $1.25 a pair at the dollar store.

Then, I put the glasses in a clear plastic bag with the cute tag I designed that says, "I think you are {SPEC}tacular!" Cute, right?

To download the tag I designed: click on the picture below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4X6 photo.

I have a pair for each of my boys, and I'll get them a little chocolate too.

These heart-shaped glasses would make cute class Valentines too. Who would you share this cute Valentine with?

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Chocolate Peanut Butter Valentine's Day Cookies

My family loves the combination of chocolate and peanut, so on Valentine's Day, these chocolate peanut butter cookies are a big hit. The delicious peanut butter cookies pair perfectly with the peanut butter filled chocolate hearts. They are easy to make too!

The kids will love helping you bake these cookies too!

To make these cookies, you can start with your favourite peanut butter cookie recipe. Here is the one I use (because it is simple, delicious, and only dirties one bowl):

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/4 cup all purpose flour

Directions:

1) Preheat oven to 375 degrees. 

2) In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to combine butter, peanut butter, and sugars.
3) Add baking soda and baking powder, and beat until combined.
4) Add egg and vanilla, and beat again.
5) Stir in flour.

6) Scoop dough onto a cookie sheet.
7) Bake at 375 degrees for 8-12 minutes.
8) Push peanut butter filled chocolate hearts into cookies while they are still soft (i.e. before they are completely cooled).
9) Transfer to wire rack to cool.

Check out this video to see exactly how we did it. I did the scooping, and my 8 year old placed all the chocolate hearts.

Are you a fan of chocolate and peanut butter? Who will you make these delicious Valentine's Day cookies for? I'll definitely be baking a batch for my boys on February 14th!

♥

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

2018 NETFLIX Stream Guide for Families... there's something for everyone!

When it comes to family entertainment, Netflix* has something for everyone. I love that every person in my house can find something they want to watch (that is age appropriate)... and they can watch it on any device... so there is no fighting! 😄 Today, I am sharing some fun suggestions for family streaming in 2018.

FOR YOUNG KIDS:

Trolls: The Beat Goes On started streaming on January 19. My boys loved the movies, and I know they are going to enjoy this one!

Llama Llama starts streaming on January 26. I loved reading these books to my boys when they were little, and I know it is going to be a great series. I love that it is voiced by Jennifer Garner too!

Adventures of Puss & Boots Season 6 starts streaming on January 26. The past five seasons have been popular with my boys, so I know the new season will be a hit too!

FOR OLDER KIDS:

If your kids are ready for something a little darker, they'll love the new season of A Series of Unfortunate Events which starts streaming on March 30th. My entire family watched the first season, and we all loved it. The series is well written, and Neil Patrick Harris is perfectly cast as Count Olaf. 

FOR TWEENS AND TEENS:

Tweens and teens will love the new season of One Day at a Time which starts streaming on January 26th. It's a smart family comedy that parents and teens will enjoy watching together.

If your kids are old enough to deal with mature content, they'll love season two of Riverdale which started on January 18th. New episodes are released weekly, and they are super-fun to watch. (Adults will like it too!)

FOR ADULTS:

The second season of The Crown was released just before the new year. I haven't had a chance to watch it yet, but it is on my list. I LOVED season one!

For sci-fi fans, there is a new Netflix show launching February 2 called Altered Carbon. I haven't seen it, but it's getting a lot of buzz.

If you aren't faint at the sight of blood, and you have a quirky sense of humour, you'll probably want to put Santa Clarita Diet on your "binge list". Season two will be coming out later this year, so if you have seen season one yet, you better get watching!

What's on your "watch list" for 2018? Do you have a favourite from 2017 that I might have missed? I always love a good Netflix recommendation. Happy Streaming!

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

*Disclosure: I receive special gifts and perks as part of my affiliation with Netflix.... however (as always) the opinions on this blog are 100% my own.