Yearly Archives: 2012

December 21 is the First Day of Winter

5293796856_8300b780a6 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 – 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.

Au pairs *** do not *** hibernate this winter-call a new au pair or someone you haven’t met yet and go get a hot chocolate.

Photo: Flickr Photosteve10

Making Plans for New Year's Eve in Times Square?

New-Yorks-Times-Square-on-004

If you are planning to visit NYC during the holidays, check out all the links on the right side of the page under “Travel Links for Au Pairs.” There are lots of links with info on visiting NYC.

I just found out that Times Square has it’s own website with lots of great information. Check out the FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) HERE.

Mini-Gingerbread Houses and Igloo

A fun holiday activity to do with kids is making gingerbread houses.  You can buy kits with prebaked gingerbread and all the supplies or you can make your own using graham crackers.  Graham crackers are sold in the cookie/cracker aisle at the store.  The advantage to assembling your own supplies is that you can mix in some healthy decorations as opposed to all candy in the kits.  You can also let kids unleash their creativity.  There is no rule about how the houses must look, so they can build whatever they like.

Graham Cracker Houses

Here are the supplies to gather to make your own mini houses:

  • box of graham crackers
  • store bought whipped white frosting
  • wax paper or foil (to cover the surface you work on)
  • plastic knife (to spread the frosting)
  • decorations (candies, mini pretzels, cereal, the possibilities are endless)

Set up a work space on the table for each child with their supplies

gingerbread house 1 gingerbread house 2

Mini Marshmallow Igloos

Another super easy and fun option is to make an igloo.

Here are the supplies you will need:

gingerbread like igloo

Mini Marshmallow Igloo

Simply let the child cover the outside of the cup with white frosting and place marshmallows on the frosting.

Holiday Lights Displays in the Maryland/DC Area

train

Here is a list from About.com of local places with beautiful Christmas light displays:

ZooLights at the National Zoo
Rock Creek Park. Washington, DC. November 23-December 9, Friday, Saturday and Sunday only. Open nightly December 14–January 1 (except Dec. 24, 25 and 31). The National Zoo presents a seasonal display of thousands of sparkling animated lights, winter-themed crafts, ice sculpting demonstrations, choral groups, and storytellers. See Photos of ZooLights

Festival of Lights at the Mormon Temple
9900 Stoneybrook Dr., Kensington, Maryland. (301) 587-0144. November 30, 2012 – January 1, 2013. Dusk to 10 p.m. nightly. Nativity scene is open each evening from 6 to 9 p.m. Live musical performances begin at 7 and 8 p.m. See Photos of the Mormon Temple Festival of Lights

Winter Festival of Lights at Watkins Regional Park
301 Watkins Park Drive, Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Friday, November 23, 2012 through Tuesday, January 1, 2013. HOURS: 5-9:30 p.m. daily. $5 per car;  $10 for multi-visit passes for cars and vans (good for three visits). The festival is FREE on December 25. You may bring canned food items to donate to local food banks for the holidays. Winter Festival of Lights is Prince George’s County, Maryland’s spectacular drive-through Christmas light display featuring more than a million twinkling lights. See Photos of Winter Festival of Lights at Watkins Regional Park

Symphony of Lights in Columbia
Symphony Woods, Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, Maryland. (410) 740-7840. November 19, 2012 – January 6, 2013. Hours: Open 7 days a week from 6-10 p.m., including holidays except CLOSED December 31st for the Midnight at 7 event. $20 per car. Symphony of Lights is a spectacular drive-through display of more than 75 animated and stationary holiday lights. All proceeds from the Symphony of Lights benefit the services of Howard County General Hospital. See Photos of the Columbia Symphony of Lights

Lights on the Bay at Sandy Point State Park
Route 50, Annapolis, Maryland. (410) 481-3161. November 19, 2012 through January 1, 2013, 5-10 p.m., 5-10 p.m. An annual scenic drive through holiday lights show sponsored by the Anne Arundel Medical Center. Drive along the shore of the Chesapeake Bay and see more than 60 animated and stationary displays illuminating the roadway. $14 per car. See Photos of Lights on the Bay

Washington Monument Photo Contest

Please vote for your favorite Washington Monument photo. You may vote every day between now and November 25. The winner will be announced on November 26. The winner will receive an I Love DC Prize Pack.

Click HERE or on your favorite picture, to vote.

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1 - Chiara

2

2 - Sofi

3

3 - Alex

4

4 - Adriane

5

5 - Cecilia

6

6 - Ana

7

7 - Nan

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8 - Sherry

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9 - Fatima

10

10 - Eweline

Happy Diwali

What is Diwali?
Diwali, is one of the biggest Indian festivals and also a major occassion in Nepal. The festival has great religious significance for Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and the Nepalese.  In India, Diwali is now considered to be more of a national festival, and is enjoyed by most Indians regardless of faith. It is commonly celebrated by decorating homes with lamps and candles, bursting of firecrackers and sparklers, eating sweets and other mouthwatering dishes, praying to Gods and Goddesses, observing religious rituals, wearing new dresses and sending wishes and gifts to one another.

Diwali

When is Diwali?
Though the number of days of the celebration of the festival differ with different communities, the actual days of observance of Diwali are common and fall on exactly the same set of days across India and Nepal. It is observed generally in the months of October or November.  It is celebrated for five consecutive days at the end of Hindu month of Ashvin. Diwali is on November 13th, 2012.

What does Diwali mean?
The word “Divali/Diwali” is a variation of the Sanskrit word “Deepavali” which means “a continuous line of lamps” (The word ‘Deep’ means “light”, and ‘avali’ means “a continuous line”).   Thus, Diwali is the time to celebrate with lights.  Hindus and Sikhs alike regard it as a celebration of life and use the occasion to strengthen family and social relationships.  As one of the most important Hindu festivals, Diwali, marks the beginning of a new year in some Hindu calendars. For Hindus, the festival is not only the time to celebrate but also the time to worship.

Why is Diwali called the “Festival of Lights”?
This is probably because of the manner in which it is observed. The festival is traditionally celebrated with activities like bursting crackers, lighting rows of candles and diyas (earthen lamps) around individual homes, holding dazzling fireworks display and igniting colorful sparklers.

Today Diwali is celebrated across the world as the “Festival of Light,” where the lights or lamps signify victory of good over the evil within every human being . 

Happy Diwali!

City of Bowie International Festival is Tomorrow, 10/6

For the past several years our cluster has participated in the City of Bowie International Festival.  It is a wonderful event that brings thousands of people from all over the area who want to sample a variety of cultures from around the globe.  We provide free children’s activities.  Some years our  we have had over 700 children visit our booth!!!

It looks like we will have a nice fall day tomorrow and let’s hope the rain stays away.

Depending on when you stop by, you might join us to do one of the following:

  • writing your name in Thai
  • learning the colors in various languages
  • map games
  • flag games
  • temporary tattoos
  • getting your hand painted with the flag of Mexico, Italy, Peru, Colombia or Germany

The City of Bowie International Festival will be held on Saturday, October 6, 2012, 11 am-5pm at Allen Pond Park, Northview Drive, Bowie, MD 20716.

This event is FREE, Family-Friendly and open to the public. Hope to see you there!