Tag Archives: winter

It is cold outside….

snowmanHere are some ideas to keep you busy during the winter  months:

A is for Art – try drawing, painting or gluing
B is for Baking – bake a dessert together for dinner
C is for Clay – Use non-hardening clay or play dough to shape and mold
D is for Dance – put on a lively tape
E is for Exercise – be sure to get some everyday
F is for Friends – invite some over
G is for Greenhouse – find a local greenhouse to visit to enjoy the sights and smells
H is for House – make a playhouse from a large appliance box
I is for Ice skating – take the children to a local rink
J is for Jigsaw puzzle – be sure to pick one that isn’t too difficult
K is for Kitchen science – try a safe experiment
L is for Library – borrow some new books
M is for Movie – make one with a video camera, or watch one
N is for Necklace – make one out of cereal or macaroni
O is for Origami – learn to make simple paper creations
P is for Puppets – socks make easy and fun puppets – put on a show!
Q is for Quiet Time – everyone needs some of this
R is for Reading aloud – choose a good book and a comfortable place to sit
S is for Seeds and Suet – put out food for the birds and watch them eat
T is for Tent – make one from old blankets and chairs
U is for Unplugged – do a day with no TV
V is for Variety – try something new everyday
W is for Walk – take one in any weather (be sure to dress appropriately)
X is for Xylophone – make your own with glasses, water and a metal spoon
Y is for Year – make a calendar or scrapbook to remember the year
Z is for Zoo – visit the animals

Make Your Own Play Dough

Play dough is the perfect modeling material for children. Their small hands can pat, poke, pinch, roll and knead it into many shapes. Keep it in an airtight container to use another day, or let it air dry into favorite shapes.

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Measure 2 cups of flour, one cup of salt and 4 teaspoons of cream of tartar into a bowl. Add 1/4 cup of oil to one cup of water in a separate bowl then add the mixture to the dry ingredients. For colored play dough, squeeze 10-20 drops of food coloring into the water before you add it to the mixture. Cook the dough at low heat in a wide pan, stirring constantly until it becomes rubbery. Remove the dough from the heat and knead it for a few minutes. When it cools the kids can play too!

Photo: Kevin Jarrett (Flickr)

Avoiding Homesickness this Holiday Season

Homesickness can be a problem during the holidays, even if it hasn’t been at any other time of the year. Au pairs often miss their friends and family, familiar places and their own traditions and customs. The holiday activities in the United States seem, and may actually be, different just at a time when an au pair would welcome something familiar. 

It is common for au pairs’ emotions to be close to the surface during the holidays. Her highs are higher, her lows are lower. The enormity of what she has done–actually living in another country (which is an amazing thing when you think about it!)–hits her and throws her into a self-protective mode.

Host parents can help her through this unfamiliar territory by talking to her about what your specific family activities will be (gifts, meals, visitors, religious services, in-home traditions, or none of these, as the case may be.) In the spirit of cultural exchange, ask her if she has any favorite holiday traditions or foods that you might be able to incorporate into your family’s celebration of the season. Let her know what you will be doing, when you will be doing it, and what she can expect. Talk to her about what has to be accomplished and get her involved and interested. Don’t expect her to just “know” what needs to be done. Give her some clear, agreed upon assignments. Make her feel a part of things. And, let her know her contribution is needed and appreciated.

Photo: Sheila Sund (Flickr)

How to survive in this Winter Wonderland!

A is for Art- try drawing, painting. gluing or modeling with clay

B is for Baking-make a special dessert for dinner

C is for Cocoa-mix some up to warm up, cool slightly to serve

D is for Dance-put on a lively tape

E is for  Exercise- try to do something active everyday

F is for  Friends-invite some over

G is for Greenhouse-stop to smell the flowers

H is for House-make one from a large appliance box

I is for Ice skating-find a public indoor or out rink

J is for Jigsaw puzzle- try making your own from magazine pictures

K is for Kazoo- make your own marching band instruments and have a parade

L is for Library- borrow some book to read- look for The Snowy Day by Keats

M is for Movie-make or watch one

N is for Necklace- make one with noodles, or fruit loops with licorice

O is for Ocean- put out beach towels wear a bathing suit and pretend to be there

P is for Puppets-make them with old socks and paper bags

Q is for Quiet time-everyone need one daily

R is for Reading aloud- do this everyday

S is for Seeds & Suet-feed and watch the birds and see how many you already know

T is for Tent-make one from blanket and chairs

U is for Unplugged-do a day without TV

V is for  Variety- try something new every day

W is for Walk-take one in any weather

X is for X marks the spot-hide a treat and create a treasure hunt with a map

Y is for Year- make a calendar or scrapbook

Z is for Zoo-visit the animals or make your own zoo with stuffed animals and blocks

CAR SAFETY TIPS

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Recommended items to have in the car in case of emergency:

  • Jumper Cables (these can be unsafe if used improperly, so be sure you know how to use them)
  • Flashlight
  • Flares
  • Reflective triangles
  • Bag of sand or kitty litter (to help if stuck in ice, snow)
  • Small shovel (for snow)
  • Extra windshield solvent
  • Blankets and extra clothing
  • Nonperishable food items and water (e.g.. snack bars)
  • Cell phone (do not use a cell phone while you are putting gas in the car; it can start a fire)
  • List of emergency telephone numbers on a card in the glove compartment (if you are a member of AAA, list that info too)
  • Snow brush and ice scraper

WINTER DRIVING TIPS

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You are likely to find ice and snow on the roads in many parts of the country. There are some basic rules to remember to stay safe in the car in difficult driving conditions:

  • Start early and take your time.
  • Accelerate slowly, especially on hills
  • Drive slowly to avoid having to stop while going up a hill, as it will be hard to start again.
  • Don’t make any sudden turns or stops.
  • Be sure that the mirrors and windows are always free of snow and ice.
  • If you skid, try to steer in the direction the car is sliding to regain control.
  • The changes in temperature sometimes cause potholes in the streets. If you don’t see the pothole in time to steer around it, apply the brakes before hitting the pothole and release them just before you reach the pothole. If you keep the brake on as you hit the pothole, it will do more damage to the tire.
  • Try to keep your gas tank at least half full.
  • If your wheels spin on ice, switch to low gear, even on automatics.
  • Leave extra space between you and the car in front of you.
  • Remember that bridges and exit ramps are icier than roads.
  • Ask what kind of brakes your car has and how to use them in case of a skid.

Photo: Doug Waldron

FLU SEASON

CHECK OUT THIS WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON FLU VACCINE,SYMPTOMS AND CLINICS IN YOUR AREA:WWW.FLU.GOV

Healthy Living For The Fall And Winter Seasons:


A few simple tips for au pairs to avoid the flu this season:

Keeping a healthy body, mind and spirit = balance

  • Get enough sleep
  • Eat healthily
  • Exercise regularly
  • Take some time each day to relax
  • Rest or slow down when you feel tired
  • Maintain a balance between work, rest, relaxation and your social life

Stay healthy and avoid spreading germs

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol based hand sanitizer
  • Shower regularly
  • Try not to touch your eyes, nose or mouth.  Germs often spread this way.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with the crook of your elbow or a tissue – not your hand
  • Put used tissues in a wastepaper basket
  • Avoid close contact with people who have cold or flu symptoms

Keep a clean and healthy home environment

  • Keep frequently touched surfaces clean.   These may include:

Ø     Kitchen counters

Ø     Computer keyboards and computer areas

Ø    Telephones

Ø    Doorknobs

  • Keep the children’s play area and toys clean.
  • Keep your bedroom as dust free as possible.  Vacuum regularly and empty your waste paper basket daily.

The Public Health Division is offering FREE flu vaccine at special clinics in the main DHS building from December 14 – 17.Please take time to go.It is better to prevent the flu than spending the Holidays sick and in bed!

FREE Flu Vaccine

WHEN:

Tuesday December 14 9 am – 12 pm

Wednesday, December 15 9 am – 12 pm

Thursday, December 16 9 am – 12 pm

Friday, December 17 12 pm – 3 pm

WHERE: Sequoia Plaza
2100 Washington Blvd.,  2nd floor
Look for signs to Arlington County Human Services

  • Vaccine will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Vaccine available for those 3 years of age and older.
  • Flu “shot” and nasal spray available.
  • Please wear a shirt or blouse with short sleeves that may be rolled up easily. The flu “shot” is given in the upper arm.
  • Free parking available on site.
  • For more information call the Arlington County Public Health Division 703-228-1621.
  • Vaccine will also be available in our Open Immunization Clinic, same location, Tuesdays 3:00 pm – 6:30 pm and Fridays 7:30 – 11:00 am.

* Vaccine Provided by the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA)