Category Archives: Blog

Time Capsule Fair Has Been Canceled

Due to the severe weather from Hurricane Irene that is anticipated on Saturday, the event will be be canceled.

If you created a time capsule to take part, please contact me (contact info. below) to arrange to receive your goody bag.

time capsule

In honor of the 25th Anniversary of Au Pair in America, we are sponsoring a time capsule fair. Families are invited to create a family time capsule and participate. Guests are also welcome to come see the time capsules on display, vote for their favorite and participate in the other family activities.

This will be a Fun Family Event featuring…

  • Time Capsule Fair
  • Story Times
  • Back to School Organization Tips for Parents
  • Temporary Tattoos
  • Coloring & Crafts
  • Door Prize Drawings

A Time Capsule is a container that includes items and information that share what it was like to live in a particular period of time. After the time capsule fair, you can seal up your capsule and mark it “Not to be opened until 2036.” It could be buried or just tucked away in your attic. It will be a lot of fun looking back at the items 25 years from now!

Download a Complete Time Capsule Activity Plan HERE

Time Capsule Fair Rules:

  • Register HERE online (preferred) or the day of the event.
  • You may use any container and include whatever items you choose.
  • You may work together as a family to create one family time capsule or each child may create and enter their own.
  • Each entry will have a 2’ x 2 1/2’ table space to display their time capsule and it’s contents.
  • Backboards are allowed, but not required.
  • Each family who enters the time capsule will receive a gift bag.
  • Time capsules should be checked in and set-up between 1:00 and 2:00 PM to be included.
  • Judging will take place at 2:30 PM.
  • Award presentations and prize drawings will be held at 2:45 PM.
  • If you want to take your time capsule home, it needs to be picked up by 3:30 PM.

For more information, please call Christine Connally at 301-860-1314 or email at cicaupair @ gmail.com (without the spaces.)

August 3rd is Watermelon Day

Today is Watermelon day! Enjoy a cool, refreshing slice of watermelon. It’s a healthy treat on a hot day like this.

watermelons

Fun Facts from Watermelon.org
  • The first recorded watermelon harvest occurred nearly 5,000 years ago in Egypt.
  • Watermelon is 92% water.
  • By weight, watermelon is the most-consumed melon in the U.S., followed by cantaloupe and honeydew.
  • Early explorers used watermelons as canteens.
  • In 1990, Bill Carson of Arrington, TN grew the largest watermelon at 262 pounds that is still on the record books (1998 ed. Guinness Book of World Records).

    Maryland & County Fairs

    What is a Fair?

    According to Wikipedia:
    A fair (sometimes fayre) is a gathering of people to display or trade produce or other goods, to parade or display animals and often to enjoy associated carnival or funfair entertainment. Activities at fairs vary widely.

    Fairs are also known by many different names around the world, such as agricultural show, carnival, fete or fête, county fair, exhibition or state fair, festival, market and show. Flea markets and auto shows are sometimes incorporated into a fair.

    MD fair

    Howard County Fair
    August 6 – 13, 2011. Howard County Fairgrounds, 2210 Fairgrounds Rd. W., Friendship, Maryland. (410) 442-1022. Carnival rides, live music, farm animals, food.

    Montgomery County Agricultural Fair
    August 12 – 20, 2011. Montgomery County Fairgrounds, 16 Chestnut St., Gaithersburg, Maryland. (301) 926-3100. Livestock competitions and displays, monster trucks, lots of entertainment and food.

    Maryland State Fair
    August 26-September 5, 2011. Maryland State Fairgrounds, 2200 York Road Timonium, Maryland. (410)252-0200. The Maryland State Fair was named one of the top 50 fairs in North America. This year’s 11-day festival will feature swifty swine racing pigs, live thoroughbred horse racing, bull riding and barrell racing, concerts, agricultural fair tours, games, rides and more.

    Prince George’s County Fair
    September 8 – 11, 2011. Prince George’s County Equestrian Center and the Showplace Arena, Water St., Upper Marlboro, Maryland. (301) 579-2598. Carnival rides, live animals displays, family circus, fireworks, live entertainment, food.

    Anne Arundel County Fair
    September 14 – 18, 2011. Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds, Generals Highway, Crownsville, Maryland. (410) 923-3400. Monster truck rides, carnival rides and games, farm animals and exhibits, pig races, antique saw mill, pie eating contest, talent show and much more.


    Outdoor Summer Movies – DC Screen on the Green

    From About.com

    Screen on the Green is a favorite Washington, DC summer tradition. Bring a blanket to the National Mall on a warm night and watch a classic film on a gigantic movie screen. Films are shown on Monday nights beginning at dusk, around 8:30-9:00 p.m. People start to claim their spots on the lawn as early as 5 p.m. Movies play except in extreme weather and there are no rain days.

    ScreenontheGreenScreen on the Green 2011

    Mondays, July 25 – August 15

    Movie Schedule

    • July 25 – In the Heat of the Night
    • August 1 – One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
    • August 8 – Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
    • August 15 – Cool Hand Luke

    Location
    National Mall between 8th and 14th Streets, Washington DC.

    Transportation and Parking
    The best way to get to the National Mall is by Metro. The closest stations are Archives/Navy Memorial, Smithsonian and L’Enfant Plaza. Public parking is very limited in this part of the city. On-street parking in Washington, DC is restricted during the evening rush hour. Read more about parking near the National Mall.

    Screen on the Green Hotline: 1-877-262-5866

    Soccer Charity Event – July 31

    soccerIf the ticket price for the Manchester United vs. FC Barcelona exceeds your budget, consider attending the Mia Hamm Celebrity Soccer Tournament on Sunday, July 31, 2011 at  10am.  The game will be played at the Kastles Stadium at the Wharf at 800 Water Street, SW, Washington, DC.  The cost of the event is $25 .

    Click Here for all the details. You can pay online and to print a ticket at home.   This might be your best chance to meet some soccer stars and a few other celebrities.

    **If you get a picture of yourself with a celebrity, send it to me and I will post it on the blog.**

    July 24 is Amelia Earhart Day

    amelia earhartJuly 24 is Amelia Earhart Day

    Amelia Earhart became the first person, man or woman, to fly solo across the pacific. Another famous flight was her nonstop solo flight across the Atlantic in 1932, the first for a woman.

    College Park Aviation Museum is a great place to take the kids for hands-on learning about aviation. Visit their website for hours and upcoming events.

    Make Your Own Ice Cream

    July 18th is National Ice Cream Day! Celebrate by enjoying a few scoops of your favorite flavor or by making your own ice cream at home. Here is a simple recipe. You can change it up by adding a little chocolate syrup, a few chocolate chips, or using a flavoring other than vanilla.

    mixinbagIn a quart size zipper baggie, combine…
    1 cup of whole milk or half and half
    2 tablespoons of sugar
    ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

    In a gallon size zipper baggie…
    Fill ½ way with ice cubes
    Add 1/3 cup of rock salt (if you don’t have rock salt you can use table salt or kosher salt)

    Seal the small baggie carefully and place the inside of the large bag. Seal the large bag and shake the bags until you can see the mixture thickening (about 5 minutes.) It will be cold to hold, so you may want to carefully pass it back and forth between yourself and a partner.  Remove the small baggie and wipe the top off (to remove salt water,) unzip and enjoy!

    Air Quality Alerts

    Are you familiar with the Air Quality Index? Do you know what it means when you hear on the weather forecast or news that it will be a code orange or code red day? It’s a good idea to learn what these codes mean. Discuss the codes with your host parents, so you know when it’s a good day to take the kids outdoors and when it would be best to find indoor activities, due to poor air quality.

    aci graphic

    Here is a website where you can check on air quality in your area.

    National Blueberry Month

    blueberries

    July is Blueberry Month. It’s a great time to pick blueberries and prepare blueberry treats with your kids! In Maryland, blueberries are normally ready to pick in July.

    Check on this website for Pick Your Own Farms in our area. They have them listed by county.

    Easy Blueberry Cobbler Recipe

    ½ stick of butter or margarine
    ¾ cup sugar
    1 cup flour
    1 teaspoon baking powder
    1 cup of milk
    1 pint blueberries (rinsed and drained)

    Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Melt butter and pour into a 3 quart casserole baking dish. Mix sugar, flour and milk. Pour over the butter, but do not mix. Pour the blueberries on top, but do not mix.  Bake at 350 degrees F for one hour.  Serve with or without ice cream. Enjoy!

    Great Online Map of NYC

    I just saw this website and thought it would be great if you are planning a trip to NYC. I don’t see a map of Washington, DC available. But, they do offer other cities such as Boston and San Francisco.

    What I find interesting is that you can view the city like you would a mall directory. You can see what stores, restaurants and buildings are along the streets.

    Check it out here: http://www.citymaps.com/

    CityMaps

    Au Pair Contest: First au pair in my cluster to email me (or send me a message on Facebook) with the name of their favorite U.S. city to visit will win a prize. Contest is closed – The winner is Tina!!!