Each month, Au Pair in America provides a calendar full of fun activities and helpful information for everyone in the family.
Tag Archives: autumn
September 2017 Calendar Ideas
Each month, Au Pair in America provides a calendar full of fun activities and helpful information for everyone in the family.
Autumn Cluster Meetings
In September, our cluster joined hundreds of other APIA au pairs from all over DC, Maryland, and Virginia for a region-wide scavenger hunt. Au pairs were divided into teams and raced around the city to find the answers to as many questions as they could in the allotted time.
In October, we had a private tour of the Smithsonian building everyone in DC calls the Castle.
In November, we had a relaxing meeting with some calm “adult” coloring, talked about stress management, and then indulged in some sweet treats to celebrate all of our birthdays from the entire year.
Veterans Day 2016
Each year, we recognize our Veterans on November 11th, the day that World War I ended in 1918. Today, there are over 19 million Veterans in the United States. We all have a family member, friend, neighbor, or host parent who has served or is currently serving in the military.
Washington, DC will hold many ceremonies to honor veterans. Arlington National Cemetery has scheduled a patriotic ceremony honoring America’s military members and Veterans for Friday, November 11, 2016, at 11 a.m. A wreath -laying ceremony will take place at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, followed by a ceremony inside the Memorial Amphitheater, adjacent to the Tomb. The event will commence with a prelude concert by The United States Navy Band at 10:30 a.m., inside the amphitheater. This is a popular event, so advance planning is recommended.
Other ceremonies will take place at the Vietnam Memorial, the World War II Memorial, and the National Cathedral.
Learn more about Veterans Day here.
Celebrate Halloween 2016!
Halloween (or Hallow e’en) is a celebration observed in a number of countries including the United States on October 31st. Halloween has a special significance for children, who dress in funny or ghostly costumes and knock on neighborhood doors shouting “Trick or Treat!” Pirates and princesses, ghosts and witches all hold bags open to catch the candy or other goodies that the neighbors drop in.
Since the 800’s, November 1st is a religious holiday known as All Saints’ Day. The Mass that was said on this day was called Allhallowmas. The evening before became known as All Hallow e’en, or Halloween. Like some other American celebrations, its origins lie in both pre-Christian and Christian customs.
The most popular Halloween activities include trick-or-treating attending Halloween costume parties, decorating, carving pumpkins into jack-o’-lanterns, lighting bonfires, apple bobbing, playing pranks, visiting haunted attractions, telling scary stories, and watching horror films.
For more information and a “how-to” video on carving a pumpkin, click here. Find more pumpkin carving ideas, scary snacks, and other fun Halloween activities on the APIA Halloween Fun Pinterest board.
Halloween can be a lot of fun but it is also a time when safety should come first. Here are some tips for Monday:
Adult supervision is essential. Always accompany the children if they are going door to door to trick or treat
Try tick-or-treat-friendly homes. Ensure the children only visit houses with lights on. And, you might also suggest the houses they visit have some sort of Halloween decoration on the porch.
Stay outside. Make sure the children don’t go inside someone’s house. They can trick or treat on the porch.
Remain visible. Dress the children in bright costumes or have them wear reflective strips or carry a glow stick or flashlight.
Quality-check treats. Check the candy before they eat it. Throw out any candy that is not in its original wrapper or looks like it has been tampered with.
Say “no” to strangers. Remind the children to never accept a ride or go anywhere with a stranger.
How to Carve a Pumpkin
Halloween is just around the corner and many au pairs will be attempting to carve a pumpkin for the first time. Here is a video explaining how to carve a pumpkin (as well as some non-carving alternatives.) Continue reading
2016 Fall Fun for DC Kids
Graphics: JW Illustrations © JESSICAWEIBLE.COM
Looking for ways to get outside and enjoy the beautiful weather with the kids? Here’s a round-up from several great local blogs, Tiny Beans, KidFriendly DC, and Our Kids. Continue reading
Columbus Day 2016
Columbus Day is observed each year on the second Monday in October to remember Christopher Columbus’ arrival in the Americas on October 12, 1492.
This year, Columbus Day is on Monday, October 10, 2016.
Fall Craft and Activity Ideas
Se Image: Kathryn Connell (Flickr)
September 22, 2016 is the first official day of Fall! Looking for fun Autumn craft ideas? APIA’s Fall Holidays and Halloween Fun Pinterest boards have lots of creative ways to celebrate the return of cooler weather and many of the Fall holidays.
November Calendar Ideas
Each month, Au Pair in America provides a calendar full of helpful information and fun activities for everyone in the family.