Not everyone remembers their dreams but, if the children are old enough to tell you about their dream, it might be fun to create a dream log with words and or pictures. Children who have scary dreams may be helped by reading There’s a Nightmare in my Closet by Mercer Mayer or The Berenstain Bears and the Bad Dream by Stan and Jan Berenstain.

When a child loses a tooth the Tooth Fairy comes during the night to take the tooth and leave a surprise.  The surprise varies by family, but is often money.  What is the tradition in your country when a child loses a tooth?  Losing teeth can be exciting or upsetting.  These books may help the children understand the experience:  Little Rabbit’s Loose Tooth by Lucy Bate, Andrew’s Loose Tooth by Robert N. Munsch.

In the US we most often eat potatoes baked or fried. However, almost every culture has its own way of preparing potatoes – introduce your family to potatoes as you know them.

Potatoes are also useful for many craft projects. Cut one in half and carve a simple design into the cut end, then dip it in paint and use it for printing.  Or cut an end off a sweet potato and let it sit in shallow water for several days. It will start to grow into a beautiful vine.

Davy Crockett was born in 1786. He was a hunter, a trapper, an explorer, a soldier, a State Legislator, and a Congressman and is a symbol of the frontier in the United States.  He was killed at the Alamo in the famous battle that helped to bring independence to Texas from Mexico.

Today wecelebrate “southpaws”, another name for people who are left handed.  Right handed people operate in the left side of the brain. Left handed people use the right side. Therefore, only left handed people are in their right mind….:) heehee

How to make S’mores:

Ingredients:

• Chocolate candy bar (Hershey’s or your favorite) broken into pieces
• Honey Graham Crackers
• Marshmallows

Instructions:

• Break off a square of graham cracker
• Add a piece or two of chocolate
• Toast a large marshmallow over the campfire or grill
• Put the hot marshmallow on the chocolate
• Top it with another graham cracker to make a sandwich

Enjoy your delicious gooey treat!!

Note: You can also make S’mores in the microwave. Just put all the ingredients together as described above and pop them into the microwave on high for 10 to 20 seconds (start with 10 seconds and check – marshmallows can explode if microwaved too long). Be sure to put your s’mores on a paper plate or towel to avoid a mess.

Keep them informed of where you are going and when you will be home. Let them know if you are staying out overnight.

How much you eat is as important as what you eat.  The US is known for its “supersizing”, especially in restaurants.  It’s Ok to ask for a to-go box and take home that food you couldn’t finish at the restaurant.  Rent the movie “Supersize Me”.