Au pairs from Westport, Weston, Wilton, Norwalk, Ridgefield, Greenwich and New Canaan gathered together at Levitt Pavilion in Westport 
Thursday July 19th to learn a Brazilian dance and listen to the music of Quarteto Olinda Riverswing. Forro music originated in the northeast province of Brazil. The music is lively, accordion driven and danceable music for all people. A good time was had by all.
Monthly Archives: July 2012
Fish Fun
Fun With Fish!
Fishing is a great summer activity! Watch out for little fish when you are at the pond, lake or beach with the kids this summer. Also visiting an Aquarium or even looking at the fish in a pet store can be fun.
~At the library!
Fish is Fish by Leo Lionni
A Fish Out of Water by Helen Palmer
The Fish Who Could Wish by John Bush – use this to encourage children to think up their own “wishes” – draw them on big sheets of paper.
How Many Fish? By Caron Lee Cohen
McElligot’s Pool by Dr. Seuss – Read this and then create your own way-out fish to add to the collection. Use lots of different craft supplies and have lots of fun.
One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish by Dr. Seuss
The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister
Swimmy by Leo Lionni – Use this book to start a conversation about safety rules.
~Crafts
Fish Curls
You will need colored paper strips, a stapler, glue and a pencil.
- Cut 2 1”x12” strips from the same colored paper. Staple the strips together to make the fish head and tail.
- Curl the strips of the tail around a pencil.
- Choose several different colored strips for curling to fill in the inside of the fish shape. Wind each one around a pencil to make the curls.
- Lay the fish outline on a table and arrange the paper curls inside the outline. Glue in place
- You can use string or yarn to hang these fish.
~Snacks
Make an Edible Aquarium
What You Need:
¾ cup boiling water
1 pkg. (3 oz.) JELL-O Berry Blue Flavor Gelatin
Ice cubes
½ cup cold water
½ cup chopped strawberries
4 bite-size fish-shaped chewy fruit snacks
Make It:
ADD boiling water to gelatin mix in medium bowl; stir 2 min. until completely dissolved. Add enough ice cubes to cold water to measure 1-1/4 cups. Add to gelatin; stir until slightly thickened. Remove any unmelted ice. If gelatin is still thin, refrigerate until slightly thickened.
PLACE berries in 4 clear plastic cups; cover with gelatin. Press fruit snacks into gelatin until completely submerged.
REFRIGERATE 1 hour or until firm.
Recipe from http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/aquarium-cups-51476.aspx
Fish Jokes to Share!
https://blogs.aupairinamerica.com/cha/wp-content/uploads/sites/67/2012/06/laughing-man1.jpg
• What part of a fish weighs the most? The scales!
• What kind of fish is good on toast? A jellyfish!
• What’s the difference between a piano and fish? You can’t tuna fish!
• Why are some fish at the bottom of the ocean? Because they dropped out of a school!
• Where does a fish keep its money? In a river bank!
• How do you keep a fish from smelling? Cut off its nose!
• What do you call a fish without an eye? A fsh!
Summer Activities for Children:
Plan lots of fun activities to keep the kids occupied and prevent them from being bored. Use these ideas:
~ Teddy Bear Picnic – Host a picnic for your kids and their favorite stuffed animal friends. Spread a blanket in the back yard or on the floor in the house. You can’t go wrong with a teddy bear picnic.
~ String Painting – Get string and cut it into various lengths. Dip the string lengths into bowls of paint and get creative.
~ Make a Nature Collage – Go for a walk and collect things from nature – flowers, acorns, leaves, grass, etc. Once you’ve collected everything, glue them onto paper or cardboard to make a collage.
~ Food Jewelry – String macaroni, Cheerios, noodles, or straws on string. You can make necklaces, bracelets, anklets or even belts!
~ Make a Playhouse – Get a large appliance box like a refrigerator. Paint and decorate the box – preferably outside in the back yard. Cut out a door and windows, and voila, you have a play house!
~Bubbles – Blowing bubbles is always lots of fun.
~ Play I Spy – To play this game simply choose an object within eyeshot and state the color of the object “I spy with my little eye, something yellow ” Each person takes turns guessing what object you spied. Whoever guesses the object gets to go next. For emergent readers you can also use the first letter of the object as the clue, “I spy with my little eye, something that starts with ‘n’”.
~ Play Hide It – Hide an object in an obvious place. For example, place your cell phone on top of the television. The first person to find it gets to pick the next object and hide it. The only rule is that the object cannot actually be “hidden”; it must be in a visible place.
~ Water! -On a hot day nothing is more refreshing than water, for both drinking and playing. Children of all ages love running through a sprinkler. School age children enjoy water squirters and water balloons. For children up to about age six, a large paintbrush and a pail of water can keep them happy and busy as they ‘repaint’ the house.
Fun Local July Activities for Your Host Children and You
Tuesday July 3 – Fireworks off Compo Beach
Monday, July 9 through Monday, July 16 – Meditation Vacation Station
Toquet Hall will be hosting a series of free meditation workshops for students. Taught by Westporter Laura Meisels, no experience is needed, and students can drop in. Come learn some techniques for becoming more relaxed and balanced.
Where: Toquet Hall, WestportWhen: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PMWho: Contact Kevin Godburn (Toquet Hall Director) at 203-341-1155 or at toquethall@hotmail.comHow: Just drop in!Cost: FreeWednesday, July 11 – The Magic of Lyn
Regarded as a pioneer in her field, Lyn Dillies ignites each show with her stunning array of astounding illusions, laced with suspense and excitement. This performance takes place indoors due to technical requirements that cannot be fulfilled at our current temporary stage.Where: Saugatuck Elementary School Auditorium, 170 Riverside Ave, Westport, CT 06880When: 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM (get there early)Who: Levittpavilion.comHow: The Levitt Pavilion provides 50+ FREE nights of entertainment every summer.Cost: FreeFor more info: call 203-221-2153Sponsored by the Westport Young Woman’s League
Saturday, July 14 – Family Fun on the Farm
Bring the kids for an afternoon of good old-fashioned fun and games, local food trucks, pie-making, ice cream, musicians, animals and prizes.There will be a kids’ auction with opportunities to win classes, workshops, and lots of other exciting items that your children will love!
Where: Wakeman Town FarmWhen: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PMWho: Westport Parks and RecreationCost: Free admissionFor more info: visit wakemantownfarm.orgSunday, July 15 – Point to Point Compo Beach Swim
Westport Weston Family Y’s 34th annual Point-to-Point Compo Beach Swim is one of Westport’s longest-running annual sports events. The event last year drew more than 120 participants. This year’s event will also include a “Kids’ Swim,” a fun, shallow-water event.Where: Cannons at Compo Beach, Westport, CTWhen: 9:30 AM (registration starts at 8)Who: Westport Weston Family Y, call for more info at 203-226-8981How: Register online at www.westporty.org or in person at the Family Y’s Member Services Desk through July 13.Cost: The advance registration fee is $35, Kids’ Swim is $15. All proceeds help support the Family Y’s annual fundraising effort, the Strong Kids Campaign.For more info: Non-resident registered swimmers and spectators will be allowed into the park free of charge for the duration of the race.
