Tag Archives: celebrate

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

St. Patrick’s Day is observed on March 17, because that is the feast day of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland.  It has become a holiday all around the world, where everyone can share in the fun and be Irish for the day.

Fun Ideas with the Kids

St. Patrick’s Day Recipes

  • Rainbow Cupcakes
  • Irish Soda Bread
  • Corned Beef & Cabbage
  • Fun Facts

    • The color green is also commonly associated with Ireland, also known as “the Emerald Isle.”
    • One estimate suggests that there are about 10 000 regular three-leaf clovers for every lucky four-leaf clover.
    • Legend says that each leaf of the clover means something: the first is for hope, the second for faith, the third for love and the fourth for luck.

    Valentine’s Day! February 14th!

    Globe Heart

    Valentine’s Day is February 14th!

    Au Pairs give loving care to their host families every day. Au Pair in America has provided 27 years as the world’s most experienced intercultural childcare program.

    Au pairs become full-fledged family members, sharing a cultural exchange experience that often leads to a lasting relationship with the host family.

    Au Pairs come to the USA for cultural exchange and to provide childcare to busy families. They stay for one year and then have the option to extend for a second year. Au Pairs are 18 to 26 years old when they arrive in the USA. Please check out www.aupairinamerica.com for more information!

    Au Pairs will be making Valentine cards with their host children. Here’s how:

    What you’ll need:

    • 8.5 x 11 construction paper or card stock in various colors and/or patterns easy-homemade-valentines-kaboose-craft-photo-350-fs-IMG_9049_rdax_65
    • Valentine and/or heart stickers
    • Scissors
    • Pinking shears (optional)
    • Glue stick or white craft or school glue
    • Glitter (pink, red, white)

    How to make it:

    1. Begin by cutting a piece of construction paper or card stock into four equal pieces.
    2. Fold quartered paper in half to make a card.
    3. For the easiest version, appropriate for preschoolers, use stickers to decorate or cut out hearts from a different color of construction paper or card stock to glue onto your cards. Experiment with different patterns, florals look great contrasted with stripes on a solid background.
    4. Younger children love glitter! Use a bottle of glue to “draw” on a heart or phrase (such as “Be Mine”). Sprinkle glue generously with pink, red or white glitter and let dry over night. Tap off excess glitter when completely dry.
    5. For the older set, let them use pinking sheers to cut out heart shapes and glue onto cards. Again, use contrasting patterns and colors to create a charming design.
    6. Once glue is dry, cards may curl up a little. Place cards between the pages of a heavy cookbook or phone book and leave over night.

    Valentine's Day

    Thanksgiving – an American Holiday

    Thanksgiving, a uniquely American holiday, dates back to the first European settlers in North America.

    After much hardship, illness and hard work, the Pilgrims were finally able to celebrate a successful harvest which they shared with their Native American friends who had helped them through their difficult beginning in America.

    Today this day is set aside to feast and to give thanks-something we can all share, as we too celebrate our cross-cultural friendships.

    Some activities to share with the children :

    Maple-Nut-Berry Popcorn Balls ( for children ages 3 and older): Add some chopped walnuts and  raspberries, blueberries or blackberries. Add enough melted butter to lightly coat popcorn. Stir. Pour maple syrup over the warm popcorn and stir until all the corn, nuts and berries are covered. Shape the sticky corn into balls and place on a plate to refrigerate until the syrup hardens.

    Thanksgiving cards and place cards: Fold a piece of paper in half, place a leaf on the inside and close the card. Use a crayon to rub lightly across the front of the card in the area where the leaf is. The shape of the leaf will appear on the outside. Remove the leaf. Write a name on the front for a place card, or a message inside for a Thanksgiving card. Older children might want to make more sophisticated designs using more than one leaf.

    Make a chain of paper doll (adults should do the cutting): Fold a piece of paper back and forth over and over again with a width between folds of 2-3 inches. With the paper folded cut out a shape of a person, make sure that the hands and feet touch the fold, but don’t cut through the fold. When you unfold the paper there will be a line of people holding hands. Children ages 3-10 can color the figures to look like Pilgrims(men wore big white collars, belts with buckles, and buckles on their shoes, pants to their knees; women wore white hats and aprons over solid color dresses) or Native Americans (draw feather headdresses  and brightly colored geometric patterns on their clothes).

    Tree of Thanks: This Thanksgiving tree is bound to become a new holiday tradition.

    Trace leaves onto autumn colored craft’s paper and cut out. Punch a hole into the stem of each paper leaf. Measure and cut a 2” length of wire or twine for each leaf. Thread it through the hole and bend the ends to make a hook for hanging. Place the tree branches in a pot or vase. Let the children or/and guests choose a leaf or two and ask them to jot down things that they are thankful for.

    It’s time for Goblins and Ghosts….

    Going trick-or-treating?

    Below are tips to help make the festivities fun and safe for trick-or-treaters

    Alphabet letter S Swords, knives, and similar costume accessories should be short, soft, and flexible.
    Alphabet letter A Avoid trick-or-treating alone. Walk in groups or with a trusted adult.
    Alphabet letter F Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags to help drivers see you.
    Alphabet letter E Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them. Limit the amount of treats you eat.
    Alphabet letter H Hold a flashlight while trick-or-treating to help you see and others see you. Always WALK and don’t run from house to house.
    Alphabet letter A Always test make-up in a small area first. Remove it before bedtime to prevent possible skin and eye irritation.
    Alphabet letter L Look both ways before crossing the street. Use established crosswalks wherever possible.
    Alphabet letter L Lower your risk for serious eye injury by not wearing decorative contact lenses.
    Alphabet letter O Only walk on sidewalks whenever possible, or on the far edge of the road facing traffic to stay safe.
    Alphabet letter W Wear well-fitting masks, costumes, and shoes to avoid blocked vision, trips, and falls.
    Alphabet letter E Eat only factory-wrapped treats. Avoid eating homemade treats made by strangers.
    Alphabet letter E Enter homes only if you’re with a trusted adult.
    Alphabet letter N Never walk near lit candles or luminaries. Be sure to wear flame-resistant costumes.