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December 21 \u2013 First day of winter<\/span><\/strong> Animals handle cold winter weather in a variety of ways. Some travel to a warmer climate. Others grow thicker fur coats so they can stay warm and active during the winter. Many animals hibernate during the coldest weather \u2013 they spend the warmer months eating and storing as much body fat as they can and then live off this extra weight as they sleep.<\/span><\/p>\n Visit Earthplace, Westport’s own Nature Center, which has hiking trails suitable for young children, a great playground (open to the public after nursery school hours) and a wonderful place to learn about our local animals. <\/span><\/p>\n Or visit our Westport LIbrary, which has wonderful programs, books, films, art and toys for all to enjoy. <\/p>\n December 25 \u2013 Christmas <\/strong>Every family and culture has their own Christmas traditions. Embrace those of your host family and share some of your own.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n December 26 \u2013 Kwanzaa<\/span><\/strong> \u2013This festive, non-religious African-American celebration was started in 1966. It lasts for seven days. On each day a candle is lit and the day focuses on one of seven principles<\/span>. <\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n December 31 \u2013 New Year\u2019s Eve<\/span><\/strong>. Westport celebrates the New Year with First Night, an evening of family fun activities throughout downtown Westport from 4-10 p.m..\u00a0 Jugglers, musicians, face painters, dancers, comedians and all sorts of other artists will be performing.\u00a0 One button purchased admits you to all of the performances.\u00a0 Visit <\/span>http:\/\/www.firstnightww.com\/ for the schedule of events, information and where to purchase your button.<\/p>\n Chances are you will have to work tonight, so after the kids go to bed, sit down and watch Dick Clark\u2019s Rockin\u2019 Eve and think about how to make 2014 better. <\/span>Before they go to bed, you and the children can choose simple \u201cNew Year Resolutions.\u201d Or create a keepsake of the year that is ending by making a time capsule or a scrapbook of memories. Include what are cool, slang words, popular activities, clothes, games, names of popular songs or games, and a picture of the hottest toy. If you are making a time capsule, put a date on it and decide when they will open it \u2013 in a year, 5 or even 10. Don\u2019t forget to include a photo of you and the children! Tomorrow, the first day of the New Year, is a federal holiday.<\/span><\/p>\n \n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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