FREE Fall Print

Don't you love updating your decor when the seasons change? It really is a fun way change things up, and it's easy and inexpensive to do. Today, I am sharing a FREE Fall print that  you can download, print, and pop in a dollar store frame. Cute, right?!?

To print a copy of the "Fall Menu" print I designed: click on the photo below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 8x10 photo.

I put mine in a white wooden frame from the dollar store, but it would look great in a black frame too. You could even paint a frame orange or red to add a nice fall feel to it. It's totally up to you!

What do you think of my free Fall print? I think it looks super cute and high-end in the wooden dollar store frame I found. No one would guess that it was free! 😀

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

You might like the Fall crafts and activities here too!

First Day of School Photos - 2021

Today was our first day of school, which is always a bittersweet day for me. I'm so proud of the young men my boys are becoming, but they are growing up way too fast. Here's a peak at our morning!

We always start our day with pancakes in the shape of their grades. This year my boys are in grade 7, grade 9, and grade 11. Not sure how I have two kids in high school!

Then, I take a picture of each boy holding an 8x10 picture of them on the first day of school the previous year. We have been doing this since preschool, and it's one of my favourite traditions.

Here's my "baby"!

Here's my oldest!

And here's my middle son!

The morning of the first day of school is always chaotic, so I'm grateful every time I manage to get them to stand for a quick picture. :-)

I can't wait for my boys to get home after school. It's always fun to share a special treat and hear about their day. 

Happy first day of school!!!

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

You might also like the school lunch ideas here.

Simple Weeknight Chicken, Broccoli & Peppers Pesto Pasta

Who doesn't love a simple recipe that comes together quickly... and that everyone loves? This pesto pasta is a staple in my house, and my boys love it. I think it's pretty good too! 😀 I can't believe I haven't shared this recipe before because it really is the perfect simple weeknight supper. Give it a try and let me know what you think.

For this dish, you'll need:

• a head or two of broccoli
• a red pepper
• 2-3 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1 box of pasta (I like bowtie pasta, but any variety works)
• 1 jar of pesto (I like the PC Basil Pesto, but any variety works)
• salt, pepper and additional seasoning (if desired)

Then:

1) Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

2) Season chicken and place in the oven for approximately 25 minutes.

3) Drizzle oil over cut up brocolli and peppers, season with salt and pepper, and place in the oven for approximately 20 minutes.

4) While the vegetables and chicken are in the oven, boil water and cook the pasta.

5) Drain the pasta, and cut up the chicken.

6) Place the hot drained pasta, cut up chicken and vegetables back in the pot the pasta was cooked in. Add a jar of pesto, stir, and serve. 

7) Top with pepper and grated parmesan if desired.

Here's a short video explaining how quickly it comes together.

This really is one of my family's favourite suppers... and it's super-easy to throw together on a busy weeknight. Give it a try and let me know what you think.

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

You might also be interested in the recipes you can find here.

EVERYTHING You Need for BACK TO SCHOOL

Heading back to school after the summer break can be overwhelming, but I'm here to help. I've collected all the information you need for back to school (all in one place). Don't forget to click on the helpful links below for all the details.

Get organized - The best way to set yourself up for a successful school year is to get organized before it begins. Check out my best back to school organizing ideas here. 

Lunch ideas - Most parents detest making school lunches... but it's a necessary evil. Give yourself a fighting chance with my best school lunch hacks here.

First day of school treats - Bring treats and trinkets for classmates and teachers is a wonderful way to start the year off on a fun and positive note. My boys loved this while they were in elementary school. Check out some of our favourite treats (and free printable "punny" tags) here. 

First day of school traditions - My absolute favourite first day of school tradition are the pictures I take of my boys each year. I always have them take a photo holding an 8x10 from the first day of school the previous year. I explain more about all my favourite first day of school traditions here. 

Are you looking forward to getting back to routine and back to school? I hope you find these tips helpful. What's your best back to school hack?

♥ 
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

You might also enjoy the "back to school" video here.

40 Simple Animal Crafts Kids Will Love

Crafting is a wonderful way for kids to explore their creative side and to learn meaningful skills... in a fun way. It's especially effective when the crafts are cute and enjoyable to play with after they are made. Today, I am sharing 40 simple animal crafts that kids will LOVE!

In no particular order, here are the links to 40 fabulous animal crafts. 

Make sure to click the links for more information, step-by-step instructions, and free printable templates.

1) Monkey puppet made from a paper lunch bag

2) Lion mask made from a paper plate

3) Octopus made from a toilet roll

4) Sheep mask made from a paper plate

5) Bear puppet made from a paper bag

6) Caterpillars

7) Paper Dog pupppet

8) Paper plate duck puppet

9) Dog made from the letter D

10) Alligator made from the letter A

11) Bunny made from the letter B

12) Cat made from the letter C

13) Elephant mask made from a paper plate

14) Elephant made from the letter E

15) Elephant puppet with a finger for a trunk

16) Fox made from the letter F

17) Frog with noisemake tongue

18) Handprint goldfish

19) Iguana made from the letter I

20) Jellyfish made from the letter J 

21) Jellyfish that can move and swim

22) Ladybug made from the letter L

23) Ladybug (love bug) with a picture of the child

24) Mouse made from the letter M

25) Bird in a torn paper nest

26) Owl made from the letter O

27) Owl with handprint wings

28) Pig made from the letter P

29) Pig with clothespin feet

30) Shape pig

31) Three little pigs puppets and houses

32) Rabbit crafts

33) Snakes

34) Shark

35) Turtle puppet made from a paper plate

36) Unicorn made from the letter U

37) Worm made from Cheerios

38) Walrus made from the letter W

39) Beaver made from a paper lunch bag

40) Zebras

Aren't these animal crafts adorable? They are all simple to make, and you can create them with really basic craft supplies. When it comes to kids, crafts don't need to be complicated to be educational and fun. Happy crafting!

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

You may also be interested in this collection of crafts for kids.