Yearly Archives: 2013

Happy Easter and Happy Passover!

 
Eggs on tree, Germany
EASY HARD “BOILED” EGGS: Bake at 325 for 30 minutes. Remove with Chef’s Tongs and place immediately in an ice bath. Same temperature no matter how many eggs you… bake. Easy to peel.TIP: Place eggs on their side (so yolks stay in middle) in a mini muffin pan (so eggs don’t roll all over

 

St Patrick’s Day

“May your thoughts be as glad as shamrocks,
May your heart be as light as song,
May each day bring you bright, happy hours,
That stay with you all the year long.”

St. Patrick’s Day celebrates the Roman Catholic feast day of the patron saint of Ireland. St. Patrick died on March 17, 461. He was born in Roman Britain. He was kidnapped into slavery and brought to Ireland.  He escaped to a monastery in Gaul (France) and converted to Christianity. He went back to Ireland in 432 as a missionary. While Christianity had already taken hold in the country, tradition has it that Patrick confronted the Druids at Tara and abolished their pagan rites, making Christianity more widespread.

Patrick became a bishop and after his death was named Ireland’s patron saint. Celebrations in Ireland were understated though. When the Irish emigrated to the U.S., they created the bigger celebrations and parades known today.  Eighteenth century Irish soldiers who fought in the Revolutionary War held the first St. Patrick Day parades. The celebrations became a way for the Irish to connect with their roots after they moved to America.

For those of you brave enough to get through the crowds, take a train to NYC and watch the St Patrick’s Day Parade-lots of fun!

Fun Facts:

  • The shamrock: According to legend St. Patrick used the three leaf clover (or shamrock) to explain the Trinity.
  • Dyeing the river green: The practice of dyeing the river green started in Chicago in 1962, when city officials decided to dye a portion of the Chicago River green.
  • Corn beef and cabbage: This is an Irish American dish. Irish Americans were so poor they could not afford certain meals. On St. Patrick’s Day, the best meal they could afford was beef and cabbage. It became a staple for the holiday.

Kids activities including crafts, printable bookmarks and coloring pages to share with your kids : http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/st_patricks_day.htm

Spring is just around the corner

We may seem to be having an endless winter, but Spring will come soon.  This weekend temperatures may climb into the 5o degree mark!  This year Spring begins March 2oth, the signs of spring are already beginning.  Take your host kids on a nature hunt for the signs of spring in your garden and neighborhood!

March

MARCH IS:

  • Irish American Month – St. Patrick’s Day is March 17th.  Watch this blog for parade information closer to the date
  • Music in Our Schools Month – Does your host child play an instrument, help them practice, go to their concert, enjoy the music!
  • National Craft Month – How many craft projects can you do with your host kids this month?
  • National Nutrition Month – Help the host children eat healthy meals and snacks!
  • National Women’s History Month – Learn a little about Women’s History and share with your host kids: http://www.factmonster.com/womens-history-month/
  • Poetry Month – Read and write poems with your host children. http://www.storyit.com/Classics/JustPoems/index.htm
  • Red Cross Month – Au Pair in America offers scholarships for Au Pairs to take Red Cross Classes: http://www.aupairinamerica.com/resources/life_in_the_us/insurance.as

President’s Day

Here are some fun facts for President’s Week!

Click on the blue underlined words for more info on the fun fact!

  • At his inauguration, George Washington only had one tooth. Contrary to popular belief, he never wore false wooden teeth. However, at various times he did wear dentures made of human teeth, animal teeth, ivory and lead.
  • Thomas Jefferson and John Adams were the only two presidents to sign the Declaration of Independence. They also both died on the same day—July 4, 1826—the 50th anniversary of the signing.
  • At 5 feet 4 inches, James Madison was the shortest president.
  • Before he was president, Andrew Jackson was wounded in a duel at the age of 39. The bullet remained lodged in his heart until the day he died.
  • Zachary Taylor let his old Army horse, Whitey, graze on the White House lawn. Visitors took horse hairs as souvenirs.
  • James Buchanan is the only president to remain a bachelor his entire life.
  • While he was president, Ulysses S. Grant was arrested for riding his horse too fast and fined $20.
  • James K. Polk’s wife did not allow card playing, dancing, or drinking in the White House.
  • James A. Garfield could write with both hands. To entertain people he would write in Greek with one hand and Latin with the other.
  • Benjamin Harrison was terrified of electric lights. He would ask White House staff to turn them on and off for him.
  • Rutherford B. Hayes was the first U.S. president to use a phone at the White House. Alexander Graham Bell personally showed him how to use it and his phone number was 1.
  • Calvin Coolidge liked having his head massaged with Vaseline during breakfast in bed. He also rode his own mechanical bull and played “ding-dong ditch’em”—he would ring the White House doorbell and then run and hide.
  • Robert Todd Lincoln, son of Abraham Lincoln, was present at the assassinations of three presidents: his father’s, President Garfield’s and President McKinley’s.
  • All presidents receive code names from the Secret Service.  Ronald Reagan was “Rawhide,” George H. W. Bush was “Timberwolf,” Bill Clinton was “Eagle,” George W. Bush was “Trailblazer” and Barack Obama is “Renegade.”
  • Abraham Lincoln was a licensed bartender. He was co-owner of Berry and Lincoln, a saloon in Springfield, IL.

Valentine’s Day on the Shoreline

At a recent cluster meeting, we made Valentine’s cards for friends, our host families and of course, the kids.

What you’ll need:

  • 8.5 x 11 construction paper or card stock in various colors and/or patterns easy-homemade-valentines-kaboose-craft-photo-350-fs-IMG_9049_rdax_65
  • Valentine and/or heart stickers
  • Scissors
  • Pinking shears (optional)
  • Glue stick or white craft or school glue
  • Glitter (pink, red, white)

How to make it:

  1. Begin by cutting a piece of construction paper or card stock into four equal pieces.
  2. Fold quartered paper in half to make a card.
  3. For the easiest version, appropriate for preschoolers, use stickers to decorate or cut out hearts from a different color of construction paper or card stock to glue onto your cards. Experiment with different patterns, florals look great contrasted with stripes on a solid background.
  4. Younger children love glitter! Use a bottle of glue to “draw” on a heart or phrase (such as “Be Mine”). Sprinkle glue generously with pink, red or white glitter and let dry over night. Tap off excess glitter when completely dry.
  5. For the older set, let them use pinking sheers to cut out heart shapes and glue onto cards. Again, use contrasting patterns and colors to create a charming design.
  6. Once glue is dry, cards may curl up a little. Place cards between the pages of a heavy cookbook or phone book and leave over night.

Valentine's Day