Posted by Susan Brostowin on Nov 2, 2010
Election Day
Would you like to know more about the American political system? Check out http://bensguide.gpo.gov/ for a simple presentation of information about the US government including elections. Talk to the children about what you learned and create an Election Day theme at home: decorate in red, white and blue (how about colored napkins on the table?) Put out an American flag, and serve red, white and blue snacks. Blue and white corn chips with red salsa, vanilla ice cream with strawberries and blueberries or layers of colored Jell-o served with whipped cream.
Daylight Savings Time Ends
Move your clocks back one hour before going to bed on Saturday night and enjoy the extra hour of sleep…
Veteran’s Day
A day to honor American veterans of all wars, Veteran’s Day is a federal holiday. You can find some suggestions of activities to do with children at www.va.gov/KIDS/.
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving dates back to the first European settlers in North America. After hardship, illness and hard work, the Pilgrims celebrated a successful harvest that they shared with their Native American friends. This national holiday is a day to feast and give thanks. Visit this site to compare Thanksgiving to other harvest festivals: www.familyculture.com/holidays/thanksgiving.htm.
Black Friday
Black Friday is the Friday after Thanksgiving and is the beginning of the traditional Christmas shopping season. Black Friday is not an official holiday, but many employees take the day off, which increases the number of potential shoppers. Many retailers open very early (typically 5 am or even earlier) and offer door buster deals and loss leaders to draw people to their stores. Merchants and the media use the term Black Friday to refer to the beginning of the period in which retailers are in the black (i.e., turning a profit).
Posted by Susan Brostowin on Oct 7, 2010
Apples come in many varieties, colors, shapes and sizes. Some are wonderful to munch on, others are best when cooked. Regardless of the variety apple picking is a fun activity. If you do go apple picking you will almost certainly bring home more apples than you can possibly eat, but there are lots of fun things to do with apples, and many ways to eat them as well.
Applesauce is very simple to make. Remove the core and quarter the apples. If you leave the peel on during cooking it will give the applesauce a pink color. When the apples are very soft, remove any peel that is left, mash the pulp or put it through a sieve. Add sugar if needed.
Try making dried apple rings. They are easy and can be used as a nutritious snack. Peel, core and slice as many apples as you like into 1/8 inch rings (Macintosh or Golden Delicious apples work best). Dip each ring into a mixture of lemon juice and water to help the apples keep their color. Pull a piece of string through the center of each ring and hang in a dry, warm place. They take 1-2 weeks to dry and become chewy.
Posted by Susan Brostowin on Oct 6, 2010
The month of October brings exciting activities to the city of Salem, Massachusetts. There are many activities relating to the city’s history and penchant for things macabre, including walking tours, haunted houses, trolley rides, spooky performances, exhibits, harbor cruise and more. There will be the Derby Street Carnival on October 15 and a free concert on Saturday, October 30, starting at 8PM on a stage on Washington Street. Visit their website for all the details: http://www.hauntedhappenings.org/
In Southern New Hampshire, you will find Canobie Lake Park’s SCREEMFEST. The fun amusement park has been taken over by goblins and ghosts! It runs on weekends through the month of October. Visit here for all their details: http://www.canobie.com/SCREEEMFEST/index.html
Posted by Susan Brostowin on Sep 16, 2010
There will be a Civil War Encampment (people dress and act like they did during our Civil War) –a live history lesson. 
The program will run from Saturday to Sunday and feature camp life, cannon firing demonstrations every hour, blacksmiths, military drills, people walking around in period clothes, games for children and even a Saturday night pig roast. The weekend program begins 9am on Saturday and 9:30am Sunday. With programs lasting into the evening both days.
Location: Campagnone Common in Lawrence, Mass. Events are open to the public for free.
Posted by Susan Brostowin on Aug 22, 2010
Miscellaneous Expenses
At a recent new host family orientation, we discussed different ways to handle the little expenses that may come up. Things like when an au pair takes the kids out for ice cream or picks up a gallon of milk. Some families keep a cookie jar fund, a little cash that they set aside weekly or monthly for this kind of expenses. Here are some suggestions for avoiding problems with that.
Host Families
- It’s important to be clear about how long this money should last and what types of expenses are approved.
- Let the au pair know whether or not you expect receipts.
Au Pairs
- Only spend the money on approved expenses.
- If it is something you are not sure about, ask first.
- Put your receipts in the cookie jar in place of the money to avoid any confusion.
Gas and Fare Cards
Host families are responsible for the au pair’s transportation costs:
- to and from classes and cluster meetings
- driving the kids
It is a good idea to figure out how much gas an au pair will use for these trips and either put gas in the car or give a gas allowance. If your au pair is riding to classes or cluster meetings with another au pair, you should offer to share the cost of gas.
Au pairs are responsible for their own transportation at all other times. You should replace the amount of gas used for personal use.
Posted by Susan Brostowin on Aug 22, 2010
It is that time of year again when students of all ages get ready for the first day of school. Here are some tips to assist with the “back to school” transition and hopefully great start to the new school year.
MAKING THE FIRST DAY EASIER
- Remind your child that she is not the only student who is a bit uneasy about the first day of school. Teachers know that students are anxious and will make an extra effort to make sure everyone feels as comfortable as possible.
- Point out the positive aspects of starting school: It will be fun. She’ll see old friends and meet new ones. Refresh her positive memories about previous years, when she may have returned home after the first day with high spirits because she had a good time.
- Find another child in the neighborhood with whom your youngster can walk to school or ride with on the bus.
- If you feel it is appropriate, drive your child (or walk with her) to school and pick her up on the first day.
BACKPACK SAFETY
- Choose a backpack with wide, padded shoulder straps and a padded back.
- Pack light. Organize the backpack to use all of its compartments. Pack heavier items closest to the center of the back. The backpack should never weigh more than 10 to 20 percent of the your child’s body weight.
- Always use both shoulder straps. Slinging a backpack over one shoulder can strain muscles.
- Consider a rolling backpack. This type of backpack may be a good choice for students who must tote a heavy load. Remember that rolling backpacks still must be carried up stairs, and they may be difficult to roll in snow.
Tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics
Posted by Susan Brostowin on Aug 21, 2010
We had a perfect evening to share a picnic and watch the performance of Peter Pan at Prescott Park, Portsmouth New Hampshire. It was nice to catch up on everyone’s summer. We welcomed Kartina to our cluster; but we also had to say goodbye to Claudia and Coretta. They have finished their time as an au pair and were heading to California for their 13th month travel.
Posted by Susan Brostowin on Mar 17, 2010
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