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DRIVING SAFETY TIPS

Posted by: rcronin | January 19, 2012 | No Comment |

SAFETY TIP OF THE MONTH

Even experienced drivers can have difficulty driving in snow and ice! Although we have had a mild winter thus far, it’s only just begun! We could be hit by snow or ice at any time over the next few months. It’s important to keep in mind that even the best au pair driver may not have experience driving in this type of weather, as many of our au pairs come from countries that never see snow and ice. It will be best to let her get used to it or have her avoid driving in altogether (although, I know that’s not always possible :).

Here are some helpful tips from The Weather Channel:

Driving in Snow and Ice

The best advice for driving in bad winter weather is not to drive at all, if you can avoid it.

Don’t go out until the snow plows and sanding trucks have had a chance to do their work, and allow yourself extra time to reach your destination.

If you must drive in snowy conditions, make sure your car is prepared (TIPS), and that you know how to handle road conditions.

It’s helpful to practice winter driving techniques in a snowy, open parking lot, so you’re familiar with how your car handles. Consult your owner’s manual for tips specific to your vehicle.

Driving safely on icy roads

Decrease your speed and leave yourself plenty of room to stop. You should allow at least three times more space than usual between you and the car in front of you.
Brake gently to avoid skidding. If your wheels start to lock up, ease off the brake.
Turn on your lights to increase your visibility to other motorists.
Keep your lights and windshield clean.
Use low gears to keep traction, especially on hills.
Don’t use cruise control or overdrive on icy roads.
Be especially careful on bridges, overpasses and infrequently traveled roads, which will freeze first. Even at temperatures above freezing, if the conditions are wet, you might encounter ice in shady areas or on exposed roadways like bridges.
Don’t pass snow plows and sanding trucks. The drivers have limited visibility, and you’re likely to find the road in front of them worse than the road behind.
Don’t assume your vehicle can handle all conditions. Even four-wheel and front-wheel drive vehicles can encounter trouble on winter roads.
If your rear wheels skid…

Take your foot off the accelerator.
Steer in the direction you want the front wheels to go. If your rear wheels are sliding left, steer left. If they’re sliding right, steer right.
If your rear wheels start sliding the other way as you recover, ease the steering wheel toward that side. You might have to steer left and right a few times to get your vehicle completely under control.
If you have standard brakes, pump them gently.
If you have anti-lock brakes (ABS), do not pump the brakes. Apply steady pressure to the brakes. You will feel the brakes pulse — this is normal.
If your front wheels skid…

Take your foot off the gas and shift to neutral, but don’t try to steer immediately.
As the wheels skid sideways, they will slow the vehicle and traction will return. As it does, steer in the direction you want to go. Then put the transmission in “drive” or release the clutch, and accelerate gently.
If you get stuck…

Do not spin your wheels. This will only dig you in deeper.
Turn your wheels from side to side a few times to push snow out of the way.
Use a light touch on the gas, to ease your car out.
Use a shovel to clear snow away from the wheels and the underside of the car.
Pour sand, kitty litter, gravel or salt in the path of the wheels, to help get traction.
Try rocking the vehicle. (Check your owner’s manual first — it can damage the transmission on some vehicles.) Shift from forward to reverse, and back again. Each time you’re in gear, give a light touch on the gas until the vehicle gets going.
Sources: National Safety Council, New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, Washington State Government Information & Services

***
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Thanks For Enjoying the Holiday Meeting

Posted by: rcronin | December 13, 2011 | No Comment |

It was great to see everyone at the December Au pair meeting At Macy’s. I felt very festive after Seeing the holiday Light show and Walking through  Dickens village and experiencing “the 3d version of  Christmas Carol”.

Please check out the Video below and the Pictures and be sure to have a fun and safe American Holiday Season

under: Au Pair Meetings, holiday Ideas
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Whether you are looking for that perfect gift for a friend , colleague or even your host Family or Au pair it can be impossible if that person ” HAS EVERYTHING”..

Gifts for a picky or particular person can be tricky when they have a particular style or Brand they like especially if finding something may end up costing you a fortune.

but there are some simple solutions that are actually more personal and unique that solve the perfect gift issue.

THE GIFT OF TIME:

While the Person who has everything may have a budget to buy what ever their hearts desires the job that supports it may leave them with little time to enjoy them . Giving the gift of time can be the perfect solution.

Using a gift certificate making program found on your home computer give the gift of your time and  make the life of your busy Friend easier..

Ideas include:


Free school pick up of your kids to be used in a pinch

Free cup of coffee and listening ear

Home baked goods made on demand to help out with a pending holiday or event

Free Babysitting services to be redeem when required

Free pick up of those essential items when you are busy

HOME MADE  or UNIQUELY YOU GIFTS:

Make a home made dinner for the family

something that is easily frozen or stored is best like a lasange can make for a relaxing home made option after a long day at work. Use a throw away holiday container found at many supermarkets to make it look more festive .

If you know your Friend or Family member is going away over the holidays and you are not . Give the gift of pet or house sitting over the break. The reassurance of know there beloved pet or house is well taken care of is reassuring and also a much cheaper option than many services that are on offer. Make it special by making a gift certicate detailing the offer many computer program like word offer  creative easily designed certificates that can be printed from home.

If you have a special skill or service this can also be used such as

Free Halloween costume made by me

Spanish Tutoring provided by me

Free Unique birhday Cake made by me

For more gift Ideas please check out these websites
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THANKSGIVING 101

Posted by: rcronin | November 22, 2011 | No Comment |

Wikipedia  Definition    

Thanksgiving Day, known informally as Turkey Day, is a harvest festival celebrated primarily in the United Statesand Canada. Thanksgiving was a holiday to express thankfulness, gratitude, and appreciation to God, family and friends for which all have been blessed of material possessions and relationships. Traditionally, it has been a time to give thanks for a bountiful harvest. This holiday has since moved away from its religious roots.

In the United States, Thanksgiving Day falls on the fourth Thursday of November. In Canada, it is celebrated on the second Monday in October.

The precise historical origin of the holiday is disputed. Although Americans commonly believe that the first Thanksgiving happened in 1621, at Plymouth Plantation, in Massachusetts, there is strong evidence for earlier celebrations in Canada (1578) and by Spanish explorers in Florida (1565).

Traditional Thanksgiving Foods….

When we talk about Thanksgiving, the traditional celebration feast automatically comes to our mind, in its entire splendor and grandeur. The annual occasion of Thanksgiving is, in fact, considered as a day to feast, celebrate and give thanks. The dinner is usually served in the afternoon. Friends and family members get together to commemorate and rejoice the occasion and indulge in a variety of mouth-watering delicacies, like stuffed potatoes, casseroles and desserts. What tops the list is the traditional turkey recipe, which is considered as the main course of the meal, served along with the innumerous side dishes. The recipes to prepare these dishes are usually handed down from generation to generation. The little influence that we see in the preparations is due to modernization as well as intermingling of cultures.

Contrary to the popular belief, the pumpkin pie, cornbread, roasted turkey and all the Thanksgiving paraphernalia that we see on the Thanksgiving Dinner table do not owe their root to the original Thanksgiving meal of the Pilgrims. In 1621, a harvest festival was celebrated by the colonists or the Pilgrims, to thank God for saving their lives and guiding them through their journey in Mayflower and the following years of draught at Plymouth. After the rain that marked the end of the draught and revived the crop of corn and other fruits, they decided to celebrate the day with their neighbors or Massasoit, the chief of the Native Indians or Wampanoags, and his family. He came with all his extended family that constituted ninety people and stayed for three days.

Colonists were, of course, in bad shape and there were only four grown up married ladies left to do all the cooking. Thus, General Bradford sent four of his soldiers to hunt for fowls, who brought such a large number with them that it could feed the whole village for a week. Wampanoags also helped in supplementing the food supplies by contributing five deer they had killed and probably other supplies out of courtesy. The food listed in Winslow’s account consists of corn meal, fish such as bass and cod and wild fowls or turkeys. Other things that were not listed, but were available to residents of Plymouth in those days and were probably a part of the feast were lobster, rabbit, chicken, squashes, beans, chestnuts, hickory nuts, onions, leeks, dried fruits, maple syrup and honey, radishes, cabbage, carrots, eggs, and may be goat cheese.

Potatoes were unavailable in those days and butter and oil were scarce. There were no ovens, so though pumpkin stew and pudding may have been served, there was no scope to prepare pumpkin pies. Women who did the cooking were born and raised in England and probably experimented with their cooking by adapting their cooking methods to the native foods available to them. Roasting was the preferred method of preparing meats and poultry. But roasting on a spit over a fire took hours and required constant monitoring by someone who also turned the spite every now and then, so perhaps roasted venison was served with boiled fish and fowl or turkey. It is not unlikely that few of these birds may still have an overlooked birdshot embedded inside them.

Indian corns do not pop well, so there were no popcorns on Thanksgiving table, though corn may have been ground into meal for bread and thickener. Though cranberries were available to the colonists, cranberry sauce could not possibly have been served, because they had no access to sugar. Though honey or syrup could have been used to sweeten the cranberries, it required a lot of labor. Since there were four ladies cooking all day, to feed the crowd of about 150 people, they could not have find time to do all that work. In short, the Thanksgiving meal for the pilgrims would have consisted of roasted venison, stewed or boiled fowl, lobster and fish, corn and wheat breads, stew of dried fruits and perhaps pumpkin, one or two boiled vegetables and only water to drink.

Traditional Activities  

Thanksgiving Day parades are held in some cities and towns on or around Thanksgiving Day. Some parades or festivities also mark the opening of the Christmas shopping season.

to find out information on The Macy’s thanksgiving day parade click below

http://www1.macys.com/campaign/social?campaign_id=98&channel_id=1&LinkType=Homepage&cm_re=1.2.2-_-HOMEPAGE_INCLUDE_1-_-CATEGORY%20–%205125%20–%20:get%20the%20details

Many football games are played and watching them is a popular activity. Some people have a four-day weekend so it is a popular time for trips out of town and to visit friends and family.

For this Thursdays Football schedule click below

http://www.nfl.com/schedules

Television and radio      

While not as prolific as Christmas specials, which usually begin right after Thanksgiving, there are many special television programs transmitted on or around Thanksgiving.

Daytime television is a popular time slot for several Thanksgiving specials. NBCcurrently carries the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade nationwide by official license from Macy’s; NBC also carries theNational Dog Show immediately after the Macy’s Parade, followed by Miracle on 34th Street. CBS carries unofficial coverage of the Macy’s parade and an NFL game; on odd-numbered years when CBS has the Dallas Cowboys game, the East Coast sees repeats of its daytime programs during the afternoons (on even-numbered when they have the Detroit Lions game, the West Coast programming is shuffled so that the extra time airs in late night hours). ABC has no daytime Thanksgiving specials; neither does FOX, although Fox also carries an NFL game.

In prime timeABC currently airs A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and “The Mayflower Voyagers” from This is America, Charlie Brown; until 2005 and again since 2008, A Charlie Brown Thanksgivingaired on Thanksgiving night (though in 2006 and 2007, the network moved this to the Monday before so that they could compete head-to-head with CBS, who airs regularly scheduled programming, in aratings war, as Thanksgiving lies within the November sweeps period). On Thanksgiving night, Fox usually carries a feature film; NBC’s programming varies each year. Additionally, some series have over time featured Thanksgiving-themed episodes and specials, including WKRP in Cincinnati’s famous episode “Turkeys Away”. Music specials by popular artists are popular in the days leading up to Thanksgiving and on Thanksgiving itself.

Cable stations usually carry marathons of their popular shows on Thanksgiving Day. The 1939 film version of The Wizard of Oz is often aired on Thanksgiving Day on Turner Broadcasting owned outlets (either TBS or Turner Classic Movies).

On the radio, the Friday before Thanksgiving has, in recent years, been the benchmark and standard date for adult contemporary music stations to switch over to full-time Christmas music.

Black Friday….  

Black Friday is the day following Thanksgiving Day in the United States, traditionally the beginning of the Christmas shopping season. While the origin of the term is debated, it is today associated with special sales and promotions that retailers use to encourage shoppers to use the holiday weekend for shopping.

want to know where the deals are this black Friday click the link below

http://bfads.net/

Thanksgiving traditions

Every family has Thanksgiving traditions. In and of themselves, these traditions speak volumes about the family. Keeping traditions intact from generation to generation can prove to be a challenge for anyone, let alone the modern families of today,

When we settle into our seats to celebrate Thanksgiving, it can be easy to lose focus on what the holiday is all about.

It should be more than eating turkey. Or watching football on TV. Or getting up early to start our holiday shopping. Or sleeping in late. Or getting a day off from work.

True, those can be part of Thanksgiving, but there is a deeper meaning to the holiday.

It is about gratitude and hope — and being grateful for what we have, even if it seems small. If we look around us, there may be plenty of people who have it worse off than we do.

For those who are terminally ill, it could mean one last gathering with family and friends.

For those who have suffered a severe physical injury, it can be a chance to visit with family and friends that they normally might not see.

For a homeless person, it might mean being invited to share in a rare hot meal.

For those with aging parents, it can be a chance to celebrate one more Thanksgiving together.

For parents who have loved ones in the military, it may mean more time has gone by with no bad news from war zones.

For those who are serving in the military, it may mean a chance to visit with or at least talk to loved ones who have missed them.

Those who do not have such extreme circumstances should stop to think about what we have been given, and what we can give back.

If we are blessed with good fortune, the best thing we can do is share it with others.

Reach out to those who may be suffering and offer them a helping hand during their difficult time. Let them know you are there for them. You may find that helping others can offer a deeper meaning to your own lives.

under: Uncategorized, holiday Ideas

THE WINNER OF BEST COUNTRY GOES TO …. CROATIA/BOSNIA

Posted by: rcronin | November 14, 2011 | No Comment |

Thank you to everyone who came out the the 4th Annual  Cultural Care World Fair. It was our biggest and BEST event yet .

The food was AMAZING on Sample was Empanadas, Croatian Soup , Rice and Beans, Vegemite Sandwiches, German potato Salad, Guacamole, Swedish Meatballs, Danish Pork meatballs, Mexican Lemon Pie, German Candy,  homemade Caramel from Argentina and SOOOO MUCH MORE I heard many people say they would be skipping dinner , there were a few Dad’s who went back for 2nd’s and Thirds and plenty of others who  Washed  it down with  Colombian coffee, Swedish mulled fruit drink, South African  Milo , and good old fashioned Poland spring.

Kids enjoyed having their face painted from the Swiss Au pairs, Kicking soccer Balls with the German Au pairs, Making rice crispy treats with the Croatian Au Pairs, learning facts and history from the Austrian and Polish Au Pairs. Singing with the South African Au pairs Cuddling Koala’s with the Aussie Au pair, having there hair braided by some German Au pairs and filling their Passports with Stamps and Stickers as they Traveled the world.

A BIG THANKS  GOES OUT TO ALL THE AU PAIRS FOR THEIR AMAZING EFFORT. AS WELL ALL THE HOST FAMILIES FOR ATTENDING AND MAKING THIS EVENT A GREAT SUCCESS.

CONGRATULATIONS GOES  TO THE BOSNIA / CROATIA TEAM FOR THEIR AMAZING EFFORT AND FOR WINNING BEST COUNTRY . EACH AU PAIR RECEIVED $75 CASH  as a reward for there effort

Please take a look at all the pictures and video and we look forward to seeing you all next year for our 5th celebration…

under: Au Pair Meetings, Uncategorized
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REINFORCING GOOD TABLE MATTERS…

Posted by: rcronin | November 8, 2011 | No Comment |

With the holidays coming up, your family will most likely be attending at least one family dinner that is formal or semi-formal in nature.  Culturally, there may be differences in what is considered to be good manners at the dinner table, so families should review with au pairs what kind of behavior may be expected at the table as this could vary from country to country.

It’s also important to reinforce these with children as well and to make sure that au pairs are expecting the same manners of children that parents do.  Obviously, a toddler can’t be held to the same expectations as an older sibling in school, but there are some general rules that can start to be enforced at an early age.

TODDLERS

If they are self-feeding, these wee family members should:

  • Always wash their hands before and after a meal
  • Say “please” and “thank you”
  • Not throw food

PRESCHOOLERS

As children grow, their ability to comprehend rules and expectations increases. Preschoolers should:

  • Properly use utensils, not hands, to eat at the table
  • Wait until everyone is served before eating
  • Keep their opinions about bad-tasting food to themselves, especially when they are guests at a Thanksgiving table
  • Ask to be excused from their seats when finished eating

GRADE-SCHOOLERS AND OLDER

In addition to the manners above, your holiday feast will be more enjoyable when kindergarten, grade school, and high school children practice good table manners such as:

  • Not bringing toys or books to the table
  • Sitting up nicely in their seats
  • Taking small bites and chewing with their mouths closed
  • Not slurping food or drink
  • Laying their napkins in their laps and using them to wipe their mouths
  • Properly using knives (butter knives for the younger kids) and fork to cut their own food
  • Joining in the holiday conversation and speaking pleasantly
  • Taking dishes to the kitchen or sink after being excused from the table

REINFORCEMENT

To follow the rules, your kids need you to explain what table manners are expected of them. Here’s how to ensure that your youngster not only picks up, but retains, his etiquette lessons for this Thanksgiving’s spread:

  • Begin with the general concept of manners and associate proper holiday dinner behavior with how she makes others feel
  • Start with one rule at a time, choosing which behaviors are deal breakers and which you can ignore
  • Teach by example and show your kiddies the good manners you’re advocating
  • Be consistent and nip bad table behavior in the bud every time
  • Give lots of praise; children respond to positive reinforcement, so recognize when they are practicing  good manners

Practice makes perfect, so begin teaching tableside behavior as soon as possible to ensure a pleasant Thanksgiving for everyone.

under: Parenting Tips, holiday Ideas
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13 Halloween Safety tips

Posted by: rcronin | October 13, 2011 | No Comment |

To keep it fun, everyone needs to stay safe. Here are 13 helpful tips to make sure your kids have a healthy and happy Halloween.

  • Have adult supervision. Accompany your kids if you don’t think they’re old enough to trick-or-treat on their own.
  • There is safety in numbers. If they’re old enough to trick-or-treat without an adult, tell your kids to stay in a group.
  • Map out your plan. Designate a route before your kids begin trick-or-treating, and make sure they stick to it.
  • Take the long way ’round. Have your kids trick-or-treat in areas where there are a lot of people around. They should also avoid taking short-cuts through alleys and parking lots.
  • Try tick-or-treat-friendly homes. Ensure your kids only visit houses with lights on. And, you might also suggest the houses they visit have some sort of Halloween decoration on the porch.
  • Stay outside. Make sure your kids don’t go inside someone’s house. They can get their candy from the porch.
  • Remain visible. Dress your kids in a bright costume so others can see them. If their costume is dark, have your kids wear reflective strips or carry a glow stick or flashlight.
  • Remember, shorter = safer.Goes without saying but just in case you forget, ensure your kids’ costumes aren’t so long that they can trip over them.
  • Don’t cover the face. Instead of masks, have your kids wear make-up so they can see better.
  • Quality-check treats. Check your kids’ candy before they eat it. Throw out any candy that is not in its original wrapper or looks like it has been tampered with.
  • Say “no” to strangers.Tell your kids to never accept a ride or go anywhere with a stranger.
  • Obey the law. Encourage your kids to follow all the regular rules for walking around. That includes looking both ways before crossing, obeying all traffic laws and using cross walks and crossing lights where available.
  • Have a great time! Finally, make sure your kids have tons of fun and get lots and lots of candy.
under: holiday Ideas
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FALL DRIVING SAFETY TIPS

Posted by: rcronin | October 13, 2011 | No Comment |

LOOK OUT FOR DEER                      

The time from mid-October to December is considered “deer season.” You are most likely to encounter deer out and about during this time of year, and this is also the time of year when it is legal for those licensed to hunt them. During this time of year, it is more likely to see them running near or on the road, especially in and around wooded areas. Many of you live in, or drive through, these types of places, so always be on the lookout this time of year, whatever time of day or night during which you are driving!

Hitting a deer can be extremely scary and can do quite a bit of damage to your car (I’m the voice of experience) and the passengers in it. Unfortunately, if one does charge out in front of you, there isn’t much you can do, but if you are careful and alert, you will at least be able to anticipate what’s going on around you and be on the lookout for them!

Cars and deer can be a lethal combination. Each year the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that there are more than 1.5 million crashes in the United States involving deer, costing an estimated $1.1 billion in vehicle damage.

The average cost per insurance claim was $2,000, with costs varying depending on the type of vehicle and severity of damage, according to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.).

During deer season, which runs from October through December, there can be dramatic movements in the deer population with a significant number of deer darting onto highways and into suburban neighborhoods. Over this time period, more deer-vehicle collisions occur than any other time of year, so drivers need to be especially cautious.

The I.I.I. suggests the following defensive driving tips to avoid hitting a deer:

  • Be attentive from sunset to midnight and hours shortly before and after sunrise. These are the highest risk periods for deer-vehicle collisions to occur.
  • Drive with caution when moving through deer-crossing zones, in areas known to have a large deer population and in areas where roads divide agricultural fields from forestland. Deer seldom run alone. If you see one deer, others may be nearby.
  • When driving at night, use high beam headlights when there is no oncoming traffic. The high-beams will better illuminate the eyes of deer on or near the roadway.
  • Brake firmly when you notice a deer in or near your path, but stay in your lane. Many serious crashes occur when drivers swerve to avoid a deer and hit another vehicle or lose control of their cars.
  • Do not rely on devices such as deer whistles, deer fences and reflectors to deter deer. These devices have not been proven to reduce deer-vehicle collisions.
  • Always wear your seat belt. Deer-vehicle collisions can result in serious injuries. People tend to underestimate how much damage collisions with animals can cause.
DON’T SLIDE ON THE LEAVES                    
Autumn’s leaves are beautiful to see, but when wet or in piles, they present driving hazards unique to the season. The Car Care Council reminds drivers to prepare for fall driving conditions by having their vehicles’ tires, brakes and wipers checked before heading out.

Most motorists know that puddles or standing water can cause loss of control, and they adjust their driving accordingly. But fewer drivers, especially inexperienced ones or drivers new to an area with heavy foliage, are aware of the dangers of wet leaves.

A single layer of wet leaves can make braking, steering and stopping difficult. This effect is particularly dangerous at intersections and is intensified at downhill stop signs. Acceleration can be affected, too. Fishtailing can result on leaf-strewn interstate entrance ramps and other areas where hard accelerations may be necessary.

Even when dry, leaves can present a challenge. Piles of leaves can obscure potholes, curbs and street markings and even present a fire hazard should leaves contact a hot muffler or tailpipe.

The Council reminds motorists that tires can affect the car’s ride, handling, traction and safety, and that they are a critical connection between the car and the road in all types of driving conditions. To maximize tire life and safety, check the inflation pressure and the tread depth, and inspect the sidewalls for cracks or punctures. As a general rule, tires should be rotated every 6,000 miles and balanced.

The brake system is the car’s most important safety system. Brakes are a normal wear item for any car, and brake linings, drums and rotors, as well as brake fluid, should be checked at each oil change.

To help ensure the performance and safety of wipers, blades should be replaced every six months or when cracked, cut, torn, streaking or chattering. Windshield wiper fluid should be checked monthly, and only washer fluid should be used.

BE SAFE

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Fun and Easy Halloween crafts

Posted by: rcronin | October 4, 2011 | No Comment |

As Halloween Draws near Halloween Crafts can be a fun way to keep your Children busy and also an inexpensive way to make your house the spookiest on the block

Here are a few fun easy Ideas as well as a fun video as well as  some links to website with other fun Ideas. Check out my tips next week when we will feature fun Halloween snacks and foods to brighten up your dinner table…


Have some friends over and make spooky bracelets for each other this Halloween.

What you will need:

Fun Foam (White, yellow, black, and green)

Spooky Bracelet Free Halloween Pattern

Thin ribbon (optional)

Rick Rack

Velcro, positive and negative

INSTRUCTIONS:

Print and cut out the spooky bracelet pattern, then trace the pieces on the desired color of fun foam. Cut those pieces out.

The ghost has rick rack in the center of the bracelet band - glue the ends of the rick rack under the band. Now glue on your ghost and the center of the band. Give him a little bow and you can use a paper punch to punch out some eyes out of black. Or, alternatively, use small half black beads. Now glue on a small piece of velcro on one side of the bracelet and the opposite velcro piece on the inside of the band.

Glue together the bat the same way. Just put the moon on first and then the bat. Paper punch some yellow eyes. Repeat the instructions given for the ghost.

Here is a NO COST and VERY EASY craft for ages 2 to adult.
(Supervise young children with scissors, marker, and needle)

Materials

  • 2 white plastic grocery bags
  • Scissors
  • Black magic marker
  • White thread and a needle.

General Instructions

    Cut the handles off of one grocery bag. Save them.If the bag has any store markings on the front, cut off the front of the bag.

    Roll the second grocery bag and the front from the first grocery bag, into a ball. Place this into the center of the first grocery bag and bring the edges together to form the head.

    Using one of the bag handles, wrap it around the head and tie into a knot. Fluff out the ends of the handle to form arms.

    Use the magic marker to make eyes and mouth.

    With threaded needle, insert needle through the head (into both bags so thread won’t pull out) to form a string to hang your ghost.

These handprint and footprint ghosts are so effective - and, if you remember to date them, a great way of “capturing” a memory of your child. They make great invitations for a Halloween party, too!

You will need:

Black paper
White paint
Black pen

Instructions:

Print a white handprint onto the black paper, keeping your fingers together. Leave some space and print a white footprint.

When the paint is dry, draw on some ghostly faces. The fingers/toes form the bottom of your ghost.

Cut out the ghosts, leaving a thin rim of black paper around the edge.

Why not punch a hole through the top, tie through some string and hang them as decorations this Halloween?

Links to FREE Halloween coloring sheets and activites

http://www.makingfriends.com/color/color_blackcat.htm

http://www.makingfriends.com/color/color_halloween_frog.htm

http://www.makingfriends.com/color/phrase_halloween.htm

http://www.allfreeprintables.com/halloween/jacklantern.shtml

http://www.allfreeprintables.com/halloween/bear.shtml

LINKS TO GREAT HOME MADE CRAFT WEBSITES

http://www.allfreecrafts.com/halloween/index.shtml#decorations

under: Tips for Au pairs, holiday Ideas
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 Au pair Nomfondo T-Bear myeza , Havertown Policeman  Officer Flynn, LCC Rebecca Cronin

Au pair Nomfondo T-Bear myeza , Havertown Policeman Officer Flynn, LCC Rebecca Cronin

This week Mainline Au pairs meet with local Havertown Policeman Officer Flynn. Au pairs had discussion’s about Bus safety, Driving safety, personal safety,information for obtaining an PA license and rules for using and International Drivers license.

There were lots of great questions asked by many of the newly  arrived Au pairs from countries such as South Africa, Austria, Finland , Germany and many more.

Au pairs were  also given information about car seat safety including handouts to ensure proper installment and use.

Area LCCs Rebecca Cronin , Pinky Rotzell, Kathleen Hassinger, Carol Steinbrecher and Amy whitaker would like to thank Officer Flynn for his informative talk and hope the information provided will protect the Au pairs and their host children during the year here in America.

Here is a short video of some of the Au pairs for your enjoyment

under: Au Pair Meetings
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BACK TO SCHOOL LUNCHES TOO GOOD TO TRADE…

Posted by: rcronin | September 8, 2011 | No Comment |

BACK TO SCHOOL is here !!! and as you finish your back to school shopping  next on the list after getting your kids on a good sleep routine is to make a fun yet healthy school lunch that is too GOOD to trade.

So here are some fun Ideas to spice up their lunch box and make  your child the envy  of all of  his/her lunch table friends.

Surprise your kids on the first day of school with this too-cool-to-trade lunch idea.

Ingredients
  • 2 slices of bread (one white and the other whole wheat, roughly the same size)
  • Cookie cutters, 1 large and 1 small (ours measure 3 1/4 inches for the hand and 1 1/2 inches for the heart)
Instructions
  1. Set the 2 slices of bread on a cutting board. Cut out the centers of each with a large and a small cookie cutter.
  2. Swap the center cutouts, so the wheat bread has a white bread design and the white has the wheat, then assemble your sandwich.

How do you turn a sandwich into a fun snack? Make it a stick-wich!

Ingredients
  • bread
  • cheese
  • lunch meat
  • grape tomatoes
  • lettuce
  • pickles
  • olive
Instructions
  1. Cut up cubes of bread, cheese, and lunch meat (we ordered 1/2-inch-thick slices of ham and turkey at the deli counter).
  2. Slide the cubes onto a skewer with other foods your child likes, such as a grape tomato, a piece of lettuce, a pickle, or an olive.
  3. Set out a side of mayo or mustard for dippin.

Introduce your kids to the art of sushi rolling with these easy sandwiches. The tortilla does double duty as a rolling mat and a tasty wrapper.

Ingredients
  • 2 cups cooked sushi rice
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1/4 cup chopped green onion
  • 4 (10-inch) flour tortillas
  • 4 sheets nori, or 2 cups spinach leaves
  • 1/2 cup grated carrot
  • 1 cucumber, peeled, seeded, and cut lengthwise into 4 spears (we used the European variety)
  • 1 (8-ounce) package imitation crabmeat
  • Soy sauce packets

for more fun School lunch Ideas click on the following links

FUN SANDWICHES

FUN SALADS

FUN FRUIT SNACKS

FUN TREATS

under: Uncategorized

BACK TO SCHOOL BUS SAFETY TIPS

Posted by: rcronin | September 5, 2011 | No Comment |

Back to School time is upon us already! Soon, those yellow buses will be out everywhere and it is important as caregivers AND as motorists that safety be a top priority. Here are some tips to remember, courtesy of the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Parents [and Au Pairs, too!]

  • If your children’s bus stop is not near your home, walk the route to that stop with them until they are familiar with it.
  • Make sure your child knows what time the bus is scheduled to arrive and make sure he or she gets to the stop early, so the child can avoid rushing. Children in a rush are less likely to follow safety practices.

Children

  • Wait for the bus in a safe place. Avoid horseplay that could cause you to fall into the street.
  • Never run to or from the bus.
  • Do not push or shove when getting on or off the bus.
  • Learn about the “danger zone.” That’s a 10-foot wide area on all sides of the bus, where the driver cannot see you. When you get off the bus, step outside of the danger zone until you can see the driver’s face.
  • Only cross in front of the bus where the driver can see you.
  • Never run behind the bus, or bend down to pick up an object. The bus driver may think you’ve crossed safely and start to move.
  • Do not distract the bus driver so that he/she may get you safely to and from school.

Motorists

  • Drivers traveling in either direction on a two-lane road must stop when a school bus activates its flashing lights and stop sign.
  • Drivers traveling in the same direction as a school bus on a four-lane road must stop for a stopped school bus. Drivers travelling in the opposite direction are not required to stop.
  • Pennsylvania law requires vehicles to stop even when the bus is stopped to load/unload students on private property.
  • Anyone convicted of passing a stopped school bus can be fined as much as $230for the first offense, and as much as $575 for the second offense. The individual will also have their license suspended for between 1 and 12 months.


School Bus Laws

  • If a school bus has stopped and is operating the alternately flashing red lights, all drivers meeting, orovertaking the school bus shall stop at least 20 feet from the school bus.
  • Motorists may not proceed until the school bus either turns off the flashing red lights or resumes motion. This law does not apply to motorists on a divided highway, if the school bus is on the opposite side of a divided highway from the motorist. A divided highway means a highway that is divided into two or more roadways by an intervening space or barrier, such as a concrete or grassy median.
  • School bus drivers may report a violation of the above code section.
  • Only a vehicle registered as a Class M vehicle, that is used to transport children between one or more schools or licensed child care centers or to and from designated areas and is designed for carrying 15 passengers or less must have seat belts and or child safety seats for each of the occupants as required by Maryland’s child safety seat laws.

Current School Zone Laws

  • In general, the Code sets certain speed limit maximums, depending upon on the particular roadway, which is applicable to both public and private school zones.
  • 30 mph in business districts and on undivided highways in residential districts.
  • 50 mph on undivided highways, other than in residential districts.
  • 55 mph on divided highways.

However, the Code also provides either the State Highway Administration or a local authority the ability to establish a school zone around any school and set maximum speed limits for that particular school zone.

  • School zones must be designated by signs and may include flashing lights.
  • Signs designating a school zone indicate the maximum speed limit applicable.
  • A sign may also be posted indicating that fines for speeding in the school zone are doubled.
  • In a school zone where a crossing guard is posted, the maximum may not exceed 35 mph during the hours posted on the sign.
under: Uncategorized

August Au pair meetings lots of Fun

Posted by: rcronin | August 11, 2011 | No Comment |

It was great to see everyone at the Meeting on Sunday for our Mainline Group  and to meet all the New Au pairs who have just arrived . Congratulations to Shelia who won a $10 gift Card for  correctly answering  all the questions on the  Summer safety Quiz .

Take a look at the picture below of how great you all look  in our group picture

A big congrats to the Philly Au Pairs who meet last night at Go Vertical and did an AWESOME job of scaling the walls Rocking climbing …

under: Au Pair Meetings
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Tips for Travelling Vacations with Tweens and Teens

Posted by: rcronin | August 11, 2011 | No Comment |

Top 10 Tips

  1. Start planning early and get the teens and tweens involved.  What is the theme of the trip — seeing family? relaxing at the beach?  exploring a national park?  soaking in history?  a Disney escapade?   Each family vacation has its own personality.  If you want history but teens and tweens want thrill rides its a lot better to negotiate early and get aligned on what the family is doing.  The worst distraction on any family vacation is the disaffected, disinterested teen.  They will be much more engaged if they have a had a big impact on shaping the plan.
  2. Take teen and tween personal space requirements seriously.  It may have been fine to jam everyone into one motel room when the kids were young but expecting teens and tweens to share beds may be unrealistic.  Consider house or condo rentals as they can often be more relaxing and cheaper than hotels while offering more privacy and space that can keep distractions from sibling disagreements to a minimum.  They often have multiple bathrooms – another plus if you have a teenage girl in your midst!
  3. If renting a vehicle, make sure you have enough room in back.  Teens and tweens take up a lot more space than toddlers.  Don’t ask them to squeeze into back seats you wouldn’t sit in yourself.  Particularly if you are planning a lot of driving, the comfort of the back seat passengers will minimize complaints from the peanut gallery.  Remember too, teen and tween suitcases fill up fast so make sure you have enough room for all the luggage.  Even a family of 4 might benefit from an SUV!
  4. Be flexible and give teens and tweens activity options.  The more they get to pick activities the more engaged they will be.  Of course, every trip will have some mandatory stops whether it is grandma’s house or Mount Rushmore.  But in between – let the teens pick between a day at the beach or a hike in the woods.  Let them pick the burger restaurant with the singing waitresses over fancy food. If you do a good job with research ahead of time, and ask the locals for pointers as well, you’ll know what options you are willing to let them consider.
  5. Be realistic about electronics.  While its nice to think that a vacation means leaving electronics behind, the reality is that many teens and tweens will be happier if they can check in on facebook or send a text from time to time.  With teens and tweens the meaning of life centers on connections with friends.  Set expectations and negotiate up front.  Our experience is that if they know they get to connect in with buddies regularly they are less distracted when they are offline.  Realize that if mom is tweeting from the road or posting to her blog it is pretty hard to tell the kids they can’t do so as well.
  6. Pick some activities where they can explore on their own.  Even teens and tweens that don’t hang out  together at home will instantly bond if it means they get some independence.  Whether its letting them do their own thing at a mall for an hour or visiting a waterpark where they can run wild on the waterslides, teens and tweens enjoy the opportunity to do their own thing without mom and dad on top of them.  And surprisingly,  parents might just enjoy some time to talk one on one as well.  As the saying goes, absence makes the heart from fonder.
  7. Make sure they pack appropriate clothing.  Many parents of teens and tweens expect their kids to pack their own bags.  The risk here is that your teen overlooks things like raincoats or hiking boots and ends up with too many tee shirts and not enough underwear.  Don’t assume teens and tweens know what to bring, so don’t be afraid to look over their shoulders or take responsibility for doing some of the packing yourself.  A little supervision up front will avoid loads of distractions later when everyone is set for an adventure only to find that one member of the party is missing a critical piece of gear.
  8. Set music and video ground rules early.  Will mom and dad pick the tunes for the first hour of the drive- then the teens?  Will each teen or tween get equal time?  Or will the teens and tweens resort to headphones for the whole trip.  Wasting time and energy arguing about music and videos on the road is pointless so get it out of the way early.
  9. Let them sleep in sometimes.  Teens and tweens need their sleep.  Build in a morning or two when they can ease into the day at their own pace.  If mom and dad are up early they can go for a walk or find Starbucks.  A well rested, cheerful teen is a wonderful thing!
  10. Feed them regularly.  Teens and tweens seem to need food constantly.  At the same time, they may not eat as big a breakfast as mom and dad (because they were not really awake at breakfast time) so they may be starving when mom and dad are still full.  Make sure there are opportunities for healthy snacks.  Keeping an eye on energy levels is a  great way to ensure that everyone is cheerful and helps to avoid cranky distractions.

Distraction free family vacations with teens and tweens takes planning, negotiation, and an appreciation of the fact that they are no longer kids who will dutifully go along with whatever mom and dad say.   With the right attitude, family vacations with teens and tweens can make memories for a lifetime.

MaryT is a fairly new member to TwitterMoms but is finding their new travel channel is a great place to hang out and meet new family travel tweeps and bloggers!  Check out all the other great Top 10 tip lists on their site as well.

under: Uncategorized

READING WITH YOUR CHILDREN

Posted by: rcronin | July 27, 2011 | No Comment |

One easy way to keep your kids busy is by reading aloud to them!  Research shows that children who read or are read to for 20 minutes a day do better in school.  Even children as young as six months old can benefit from being reading and looking at books. 

Read to your host kids in English to help you practice your language skills, and read to them in your own language too, to expose them to a second language early.  Reading together can be a great activity before nap, bedtime or even just on a rainy day!  This can also be a good thing to suggest for the kids to do to keep busy while you clean up from lunch or even if you need a few minutes to run to the bathroom!

The following information comes from “The More You Know“:

BUILDING READING SKILLS IN CHILDREN

Reading aloud, introducing print materials to your children and encouraging positive reading experiences all have a beneficial effect on a child’s learning and literacy. Children who are read to at least three times a week are almost twice as likely to score in the top 25 percent in reading than those who are read to less than three times a week. As a result, reading to kids can have lasting effects on their educational level in the future.

Literacy starts at an early age; parents should begin reading to their child at six months of age. Infants learn most through sight and sound, reading facial expressions and movements. Therefore it is important to gesture, talk, smile, and sing to young children. They will eventually recognize that the words have specific meanings. Also, introduce children to books when they are babies- soft, washable books or touch and feel stories are a great way to introduce a child to reading in a way that is fun and interesting.

As infants grow into toddlers, parents should engage them in conversation about different objects, pointing out colors, names and shapes. Books with rhymes and poems help peak children’s interest and also familiarize them with words and phrases. As a child begins school, parents should expand their library to include books with more words rather than pictures.

Around the age of four, children will begin to sound out words on their own. If they want to try reading themselves, encourage them. While most children are reading by the age of seven, each child begins developing reading skills at different times. Parents should not be discouraged if their children are reading at a later age- keep encouraging them and remain positive.

Knowledge about reading and writing go together; as children learn one, they are learning the other. When kids are toddlers, give them crayons and paper to write on. Drawing at an early age helps build muscle control, and soon your child will begin to write letters. Eventually, with the help of teachers and parents, children begin to learn the correct spelling of words. Therefore, reading skills are only a part of a larger learning process that progresses from talking, listening, reading and eventually to writing.

WHAT YOU CAN DO…

Learning to read starts in the home. By creating a comfortable atmosphere for children to read, parents can influence their learning abilities for the future. Here are a few tips that will help develop your child’s reading skills and foster an environment that makes learning both fun and interesting for your child.

  • Set aside time
    Try to read to your child everyday for 30 minutes. At first, read for only a few minutes at a time for several times a day, the gradually increase reading sessions as your child grows older.
  • Make it visual
    Point to words as you read them in order to familiarize your child with what different words look like.
  • Be enthusiastic
    Read various kinds of stories to your child, using different voices and changing your intonation in order to make the story more exciting. Singing the lyrics is also a good way to keep the attention of infants and toddlers.
  • Repeat
    Read your child’s favorite stories over and over again.
  • Keep a collection
    Make sure your home has plenty of reading materials that are age-appropriate for your child. Keep a collection of books, magazines and newspapers available in the house.
  • Involve your child
    Talk to your child about what you are reading; point out objects in pictures and talk about what is going on in the story. When your child gets old enough, ask questions as to what is going to happen next, what objects are in the pictures, and point out new words. Remember not to stop too often that your child forgets what is going on in the story.
  • Set a good example
    Show your children that reading is important to you as well. Read books yourself and ask your child to join you.
  • Visit the library
    Take trips to the library with your child and let them pick out a book for story time.
  • Read everything
    Reading is not just limited to books. Read street signs, cereal boxes, letters - anything you and your child see throughout the day.
Many local libraries and bookstores have free “story times” throughout the week.  Why not team up with some of your au pair friends and take your kids to a story time?

LIBRARIES STORY TIMES ON THE MAINLINE

Story Time
Bala Cynwyd Library
Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m.
Registration Required.
Call (610) 664-1196 to sign up.

All ages.

Story Time with Miss Gwen
Belmont Hills Library
Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m.
All ages.

Story Time
Bala Cynwyd Library
Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m.
Registration Required.
Call (610) 664-1196 to sign up.

All ages.

Story Time
Penn Wynne Library
Wednesdays at 11:00 a.m.
Ages 1 - 3.

Story Time
Bala Cynwyd Library
Fridays at 10:30 a.m.
Registration Required.
Call (610) 664-1196 to sign up.

All ages.

Story Time with Miss Gail
Ardmore Library
Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m.Ages 0 - 3.

Story Time with Laurent
Bala Cynwyd Library
Thursdays at 10:30 a.m.
Registration Required.
Call (610) 664-1196 to sign up.

All ages.

Story Time with Laurent
Bala Cynwyd Library
Thursdays at 3:00 p.m.
Registration Required.
Call (610) 664-1196 to sign up.

All ages.

Story Time
Penn Wynne Library
Thursdays at 4:00 p.m.
Ages 3 - 5.


Story Time with Miss Gail

Ardmore Library
Mondays at 10:30 a.m (except 2/15)
Ages 0 - 3.

under: Parenting Tips, Tips for Au pairs
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Being smart with Social media

Posted by: rcronin | July 27, 2011 | No Comment |

Think Before You Post!

As social media outlets such as Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, and others continue to dominate the way that so many of us are communicating, it’s important to make sure that personal safety is kept in mind when sharing information.  As much as we may think we are simply communicating with our “friends” online, there are ways that the information you share can be accessed by an entirely unintended audience.  Here are a few helpful tips to share with your au pairs to help keep them safe:

] Do not upload photos which show the outside of the host family home or provide any indication of where they live (i.e., mailbox, license plate #, street signs)

] Do not announce when you and your host family will be away on vacation.  Wait until everyone returns so that you don’t make their home vulnerable in any way.

] Do not post pictures of the host children anywhere, even if you are in the photo, unless you have permission from both host parents

] Do not post personal information such as your email address, phone number, or address online

] Remember that when you post a comment or share an update, this information (even if not written in English) is now public and it can be viewed, read, and shared by anyone who gains access.  This includes your natural family, host family, and even LCC!

Social media sites can be a great way to connect and share information, but it’s important for au pairs to always consider their own safety, proceed with caution and think before they post!

under: Tips for Au pairs
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FUN AND FREE!!!

Posted by: rcronin | July 14, 2011 | No Comment |

The Haverford Kiwi yogurt is offering up to 8 oz of yogurt and toppings free Next week be sure to check it out for it’s Grand Ppening at 392w Lancaster Ave.

For more info www.kiwifrozenyogurt.com

under: Tips for Au pairs
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It sure is HOT!!! so here are some tips for Families to ensure every one stays safe and cool during this Summer heat wave…


Schedule physically strenuous activities for cooler times. And yes, that includes walking around the theme parks. Walking around in the heatand humidity can make ALL parts of your body sweat, and that includes your poor feet. When feet are wet,blisters can develop, so try to wear socks that are not 100 percent cotton. If you feel a hot spot developing, find a place in the shade to sit down. Take off your shoe and sock and inspect your feet. Put a bandage on the tender area, and let your feet dry. Dry feet are happy feet!


Dress in light, loose, cotton clothing. Natural fabrics like cotton are much cooler than most synthetics (though there are new high-tech synthetics made specifically to keep you cool). Protective hats (Wide-brimmed) keep the sun out of your eyes and provide some cooling shade. Loose fitting clothes allow air to circulate, keeping you cooler. The fewer clothes, the better, but make sure to be appropriate to the circumstances

Never leave children or pets inside a car, even if the windows are open.


drink, drink - WATER and Non-Alcoholic drinks!! DON’T wait until you feel thirsty -STAY HYDRATED. In hot weather, as much as 3-4 quarts per day are recommended whileexercising. Avoid opening the refrigerator or freezer. Food should be safe as long as the outage lasts NO MORE than 4-6 hours. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which are diuretics — substances that increase water loss via the urine

Use sunscreenof SPF 15 or higher (the most effective products say “broad spectrum” or “UVA/UVB protection” on their labels). You can get painful sunburn even on a cloudy day, so slather on the sunscreen every morning before you start out. Don’t forget lips, ears, back of neck.

Replace Salt and Minerals

Heavy sweating diminishes salt and minerals from your body. These are necessary and must be replaced. A sports beverage (like Gatorade) can replace the salt and minerals you lose in sweat. However, if you’re on a low-salt diet, talk with your doctor before drinking a sports beverage or taking salt tablets.


IF YOU ARE OUTSIDE PLEASE READ THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HEAT STROKE AND EXHAUSTION AS IT CAN BE LIFE THREATENING ESPECIALLY  TOCHILDREN…

Heat exhaustion: This condition often occurs when people exercise (work or play) in a hot, humid place and body fluids are lost through sweating, causing the body to overheat. The person’s temperature may be elevated, but not above 104 F.

Heat stroke: Heat stroke, also referred to as heatstroke is a life-threatening medical condition. The person’s cooling system, which is controlled by the brain, stops working and the internal body temperature rises to the point where brain damage or damage to other internal organs may result (temperature may reach 105 F or greater).

Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke Symptoms

Heat exhaustion symptoms

  • Often pale with cool, moist skin

  • Sweating profusely

  • Muscle cramps or pains

  • Feels faint or dizzy

  • May complain of headache, weakness, thirst, and nausea

  • Core (rectal) temperature elevated-usually more than 100°F-and the pulse rate increased

Heat stroke symptoms

  • Unconscious or has a markedly abnormalmental status (dizziness, confusion, hallucinations, or coma)

  • Flushed, hot, and dry skin (although it may be moist initially from previous sweating or from attempts to cool the person with water)

  • May have slightly elevated blood pressure at first that falls later

  • May be hyperventilating

under: Uncategorized

JULY 4TH CELEBRATIONS IN AND AROUND OUR AREA

Posted by: rcronin | June 28, 2011 | No Comment |

As JULY 4th draws near do you know when and where the best place to see fireworks is?

Check below for a listing of all the hot spots in Montgomery county and Philadelphia

Ambler/Lower GwyneddPhoto courtesy of malfet_

July 1 (rain date July 2), dusk

Wissahickon High School, 521 Houston Road, Ambler 19002

Abington/Glenside/Jenkintown

July 2 (rain date July 3), dusk

Abington Senior High School, 900 Highland Ave, Abington 19001

Conshohocken

July 3, dusk

Sutcliffe Park, West 9th & Freedley Street, Conshohocken 19428

Lower Providence

July 4, dusk

Eagleville Park at the Lower Provodence Township Complex, 100 Parklane Drive, Eagleville 19403

Narberth

July 4, 9:30pm

Narberth Park, Chet Tyson Pavillion, 80 Windsor Ave, Narberth 19072

Pottstown

July 4, dusk

Memorial Park, 701 Farmington Ave, Pottstown 19464

Skippack

July 4, dusk

Palmer Park, Between Heckler Rd & Creamery Rd, Skippack 19474

Upper Merion

July 4 (rain date July 5), dusk

Heuser Park, W Beidler Rd & Geerdes Blvd, King of Prussia 19406

PHILADELPHIA JULY 4TH

What better way to add to the excitement of tasty treats and musical beats than to enjoy our fabulous fireworks display! Wawa Welcome America! will feature three fireworks shows that will light up Philadelphia’s night skies. Now that’s icing on the cake!

Saturday, June 25, 2011
Penn’s Landing
Columbus Boulevard at Chestnut
approx. 9:30 p.m., following a performance by Aaron Neville

Saturday, July 2, 2011
Penn’s landing
Columbus Boulevard at Chestnut
approx. 9:30 p.m

Monday, July 4, 2011
Philadelphia Museum of Art
Benjamin Franklin Parkway
approx. 11:00 p.m, following Philly’s 4th of July Jam (time is subject to change)

Steps of Independence Hall, 6th and Market Streets

10 a.m. – 11 a.m.

Celebrate our nation’s birth with a patriotic salute! Music, speeches and a reading of excerpts from the Declaration of Independence will pay tribute to the history of our nation.

Historic Philadelphia

11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

This year, the route has expanded, winding through the nation’s most historic mile, featuring 3,500 patriotic and multicultural marchers, musicians, dancers and floats. All five U.S. military branches will be represented.

Independence Visitor Center

12:30 p.m.

Join us as we celebrate America’s birthday and sample delectable treats from hometown favorite Tastykake.

Liberty Bell Center, 500 Market Street

1:45 p.m.

The Liberty Bell rings out symbolically to commemorate Independence, sponsored by Descendants of the Signers of the Declaration and Sons of the American Revolution.

Benjamin Franklin Parkway, 20th and Eakins Oval

12 p.m. – 7 p.m.

The day-long festival features seven blocks of exciting and educational activities, games, entertainment and food for sale for the whole family! Philadelphia is the place to be on the 4th of July!

Benjamin Franklin Parkway, 20th and Eakins Oval

7 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Four-time Grammy award-winning band The Roots will headline Philly’s 4th of July Jam! The band and the Festival musical director ?uestlove will perform their set as fireworks go off.

under: holiday Ideas
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As a company that prides itself on customer service we really listen and take notice of our customers.

I wanted to share a  blog with you that I am happy to say is  as Happy host family of mine

The Rix Family

Sierra Rix  is an avid writer and  published an article on her happy experience as a Host Mom. Click on the link below to hear more about how having an Au pair has changed her life..

http://www.themomreviews.com/2010/03/moms-most-wanted-accessory-extra-set-of.html

under: Uncategorized

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