Be sure not to miss the Festival of Lights at the Tuacahn Amphitheater this year. Everything is decorated with pretty lights and there are lots of things to do. You can sit on Santa's lap, enjoy good snacks and hot chocolate with an open fire, take a ride on the holiday train, or watch the live Nativity which includes live animals. Tuacahn is known for their outdoor amphitheater and the amazing productions they put on during the summer time. This is no exception. Bundle up and come!
For more info visit their site HERE.
Festival of Lights featured every Thurs, Fri, Sat, Mon until Christmas and is free to the public.
Santa will be there from 6:30 - 8:00
Live Nativity 7:00 & 8:00
$2 per ticket or $10 per family
Holiday Trainride
$1 per ticket
Tuacahn consessions will be open
Monday, December 8, 2008
Friday, December 5, 2008
1 Hour : Make It : Peppermint Ornaments
This is a fun ornament project from Martha Stewart that you can also eat! For little kids, use the project to talk about colors (red and white) and shapes (circles). With older children you can discuss taste and where peppermint flavor comes from.
How to:
Lay five or so peppermint candies in a circle to form a wreath; bond sides together with icing. Adorn front with cinnamon candies or mints. Let dry two hours before hanging. Loop twine around ornament; knot.
How to:
Lay five or so peppermint candies in a circle to form a wreath; bond sides together with icing. Adorn front with cinnamon candies or mints. Let dry two hours before hanging. Loop twine around ornament; knot.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
15 Minutes : Know It : Christmas in Italy
image via italylogue.com
We know the jolly old man, who rides a sleigh to bring us gifts, as Santa Claus but to Italians they know someone else...her name is La Befana. She is a good witch who rides on her broomstick to deliver gifts to good girls and boys after Christmas, on January 6. It was said that the three kings told her that baby Jesus was born but she was too busy and her trip to visit him was delayed. She missed the bright shining star and lost her way and has been flying around ever since (just like Santa Claus is always watching) leaving presents for the good girls and boys and a lump of coal for the bad ones. The Italian Christmas season is celebrated for 3 weeks and is filled with traditions for families and children. Some similar to American traditions and some not.
The celebrating starts 8 days before Christmas and is called Novena. Children go from house to house reciting poems and singing.
In some parts shepherds bring musical instruments into the villages, play and sing Christmas songs.
In the week before Christmas children go from house to house dressed as shepherds, playing pipes, singing and reciting Christmas poems. They are given money to buy presents.
A strict feast is observed for 24 hours before Christmas Eve, and is followed by a celebration meal, in which a light Milanese cake called panettone features as well as chocolate.
Presents and empty boxes, are drawn from the Urn of Fate - lucky dip, which always contains one gift per person. By twilight, candles are lighted around the family crib known as the Presepio, prayers are said, and children recite poems.
At noon on Christmas Day the pope gives his blessing to crowds gathered in the huge Vatican square.
In Italy the children wait until Epiphany, January 6, for their presents. According to tradition La Befana, a good witch, delivers them on her broomstick to all the good girls and boys.
info via santas.netIn the week before Christmas children go from house to house dressed as shepherds, playing pipes, singing and reciting Christmas poems. They are given money to buy presents.
A strict feast is observed for 24 hours before Christmas Eve, and is followed by a celebration meal, in which a light Milanese cake called panettone features as well as chocolate.
Presents and empty boxes, are drawn from the Urn of Fate - lucky dip, which always contains one gift per person. By twilight, candles are lighted around the family crib known as the Presepio, prayers are said, and children recite poems.
At noon on Christmas Day the pope gives his blessing to crowds gathered in the huge Vatican square.
In Italy the children wait until Epiphany, January 6, for their presents. According to tradition La Befana, a good witch, delivers them on her broomstick to all the good girls and boys.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
1 Hour : Visit It : Food Bank
The holidays are certainly a time for us to reflect on what we have been blessed with and to remember those who may be in need. Sadly, due to stressful economic times, too many of our community families are in want of basic necessities.
It's important for children (as well as adults) to understand how much we have been given and how vital it is to give back. That's why, along with having my kids help me collect food for our local food drives, we'll be taking a tour of our local food bank. Our food bank offers a special family night activity this month where they teach about local poverty and offer a tour of the food bank and a service activity.
At a time when toys run rampant and cookies abound remember those who find themselves a little hard on their luck this year and give back this holiday season.
Monday, December 1, 2008
1 Hour : Make It : Christmas Chain
With little non-calendar readers at our house, a Christmas chain to count down the days is absolutely necessary. Because everyone wants their fair chance to tear off the day's link, we have come up with this solution: A few days before December 1st, we go to the craft store where each of my children chooses his/her favorite Christmas scrapbook paper. We cut the papers into strips and then staple or tape the links together in a fair, alternating pattern. So, of course, whatever link is up on a given night is removed by the child who chose that paper. This system works beautifully for us because, I think, even the littlest can see that his turn will come with his own special paper.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
15 Minutes : Read It : Sleep, Black Bear, Sleep
image via bn.comSleep, Black Bear, Sleep is a wintery bedtime book written in rhyme. Each page says goodnight to a different animal in a different habitat, each drawn with a combination of human and animal details (for example, the gopher rests in an English cottage burrow). I am particularly impressed by the variety of words used for "sleep".
Friday, November 28, 2008
15 Minutes : Play It : Feathers
Today I found a feather and took a moment to play with my 16 month old son. I realized there was a lot he could learn and a lot I could teach from just one feather.
In just about 15 minutes:
We learned about SOFT as I brushed the feather up and down his arm, and forehead, cheek and neck.
We learned about TICKLING as I let the feather tickle his nose and ears.
We learned that feathers come from BIRDS that say "tweet tweet", "quack quack" and "cockadoodle doo"
We also learned about BLOWING as we blew the feather in the air and watched it meander to the floor. His attempt was more of an "s" sound but he sure had fun trying to catch it.
He thought it was ALL pretty neat. And I was reminded just how important these small teaching moments are.
Picture via flickr.com
Thursday, November 27, 2008
15 Minutes : Know It : Pilgrim-speak
The English language has changed a lot since 1620 when the Pilgrims arrived in America. We say, "Hi, how are you?" but the Pilgrims would have said, "Good morrow!" or "How now?" Try a couple of these out during Thanksgiving, and check out Plimoth Plantation (yes, that's the original spelling) for more Pilgrim speech.
Pray, pardon me. (Excuse me.)
Huzzah! (Congratulations!)
Fare thee well. (Goodbye.)
Mouser (Cat)
Breeches (Pants)
Pray, pardon me. (Excuse me.)
Huzzah! (Congratulations!)
Fare thee well. (Goodbye.)
Mouser (Cat)
Breeches (Pants)
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
15 Minutes : Make It : Napkin Origami
Here's some fancy ideas to spruce up the Thanksgiving table.
Put a child (or group of children) in charge of the napkins this year.
Click HERE for 26 other ways to fold a napkin.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
15 Minutes : Make It : Cornucopia
The cornucopia, meaning "horn of plenty", is a popular symbol of the harvest of Thanksgiving.
This activity provides a fun way for your child to learn by identifying different foods and creating it into something they can be proud of. It can be tailored to any age.
This activity provides a fun way for your child to learn by identifying different foods and creating it into something they can be proud of. It can be tailored to any age.
Materials:
1 sheet brown construction paper
Masking tape
Magazines
Scissors
Roll the sheet of brown paper to create a horn shape. Secure the edges with tape.
Go through the magazines with your child to find appropriate items to add to the cornucopia. Explain that the cornucopia holds food from a harvest: fruits and vegetables that have been picked.
Assist your child in cutting out the magazine pictures or have him tear out the pictures. Let him tape the food into the cornucopia.
1 sheet brown construction paper
Masking tape
Magazines
Scissors
Roll the sheet of brown paper to create a horn shape. Secure the edges with tape.
Go through the magazines with your child to find appropriate items to add to the cornucopia. Explain that the cornucopia holds food from a harvest: fruits and vegetables that have been picked.
Assist your child in cutting out the magazine pictures or have him tear out the pictures. Let him tape the food into the cornucopia.
craft via familyeducation.com
photo via allposters.com
Monday, November 24, 2008
15 Minutes : Know It : Thanksgiving Food
Image via marthastewart.com
In a survey conducted by the National Turkey Federation, nearly 88 percent of Americans said they eat turkey at Thanksgiving. The average weight of turkeys purchased for Thanksgiving is 15 pounds, which means some 690 million pounds of turkey were consumed in the U.S. during Thanksgiving in 2007.
The cranberry is one of only three fruits—the others are the blueberry and the Concord grape—that are entirely native to North American soil, according to the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers' Association.
According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the largest pumpkin pie ever baked weighed 2,020 pounds and measured just over 12 feet long. It was baked on October 8, 2005 by the New Bremen Giant Pumpkin Growers in Ohio, and included 900 pounds of pumpkin, 62 gallons of evaporated milk, 155 dozen eggs, 300 pounds of sugar, 3.5 pounds of salt, 7 pounds of cinnamon, 2 pounds of pumpkin spice and 250 pounds of crust.
More interesting facts at history.com.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
15 Minutes : Make It : Headdress Napkin Wrap
Ribbon and a couple feathers make the easiest Indian headdress I've ever seen. It starts out as a lovely napkin wrap at the child's plate, then becomes the post-feast activity.
Friday, November 21, 2008
1 Hour : Make It : Edible Thanksgiving Favors
Thanksgiving is only a week away. Here are some VERY cute and easy favor ideas for the table I saw on a morning show. I remember making Thanksgiving favors when I was young and LOVING it. It is a great family tradition. I loved these ideas because they are kid friendly.
For a better idea of what they look like and how to make them view the video HERE.
Place sugar ice cream cones in a steamer basket over hot water. Let each cone steam for a few minutes which will soften it. Carefully bend end up to form a cornucopia shape. Cone will harden quickly. Fill with a mixture of fruit shaped candies, nuts, pretzels, etc. If desired, place a ribbon around the opening of the cornucopia and attach a tiny name tag to serve as a place card.
Pilgrim Hat:
Dip large marshmallows in melted chocolate or almond bark. Set onto flat round chocolate covered cookies (chocolate covered graham rounds, fudge-striped cookies, chocolate ginger snaps, chocolate wafers, etc.). Let set until chocolate is hardened. Wrap marshmallow "hat brim" with a black ribbon. Using a rolling pin, roll out a yellow Starburst candy and cut into a square to form a "buckle". Attach to ribbon with a tiny amount of melted chocolate or icing.
Turkey:
Dip the bottom of a chocolate crème drop candy into melted chocolate or almond bark. Immediately attach the candy to the bottom of a leaf shaped or round cookie (I used Dare brand maple leaf crème cookies or you can use any round type cookie). Attach a candy corn point down to the top of the crème drop using melted chocolate. Attach a red hot candy to the side of the candy corn to become a "wattle". Adhere a small pretzel under the crème drop to create "feet". (Option: Instead of a crème drop you could also use a chocolate covered cherry, an unwrapped caramel, an unwrapped peanut butter cup or any other chocolate covered candy about 1" in diameter.)
Candy Acorn:
Mix together 1 cup of creamy peanut butter, ½ cup of margarine and 3 cups powdered sugar and mix well into a soft dough. Roll a 1" ball of dough into an acorn shape. Dip the top of the dough shape into melted chocolate or almond bark and press into finely chopped nuts to form the acorn cap. Break a stick pretzel in half and insert in top to create acorn stem. Set on was paper until chocolate has set. Display at each place setting with leaf cookie.
Indian Corn:
Create a dry mix of items that would resemble Indian corn with a mixture of fall colors. Use items such as: cold cereal, popcorn, nuts, candies, dried fruits, etc. Take a square (approximately 12" square for a large favor) of cellophane and place approximately 1 cup of mix in the center. Tuck cellophane around mix and fold in back if needed to wrap the mix into an oblong shape. Tie cellophane closed with tan string. Cut cornhusks (available in the Mexican food isle of grocery stores) into long strips with pointed ends. Wrap ends on corn husks around end of mix and tie with string. Wrap ends with a ribbon and tie a bow. Attach a nametag or small photograph if desired and set at each place setting.
Fall Leaf:
Divide homemade or purchased sugar cookie dough into three or four portions. Color each portion a fall color such as red, orange, terra cotta, copper, olive green, yellow, tan, etc. using paste food color. For brown color, use cocoa powder. For each cookie, press together several colors of dough and roll out so the colors mix slightly and the dough has a variegated look. Cut using a leaf shaped cookie cutter. Bake and cool. If desired, use melted chocolate or chocolate icing and a pastry bag with a writing tip to write the name of each guest on a cookie. Place a cookie at each place setting with several candy acorns. Tip: dust cookies with gold luster dust for a beautiful sheen. Luster dust is available at baking supply stores.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
15 Minute : Make It : Finger Paint Trees
Nothing is more fun during fall then making your own personal variation of a tree. A friend showed me a darling finger-painted tree from kaboose that my kids loved making. We also chose to add our own twist and glue on leaves from an inexpensive garland. Either way, the result is darling.
For detailed instructions for the finger-painted tree check here.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
15 Minutes : Play It : Sing About Leaves
An autumn variation of the familiar song:
The Leaves on The Tree
sung to: "The Wheels on The Bus"
Copyright © 2000, 2004 Barbara Pratt. All rights reserved.
The leaves on the tree are falling down,
falling down, falling down.
The leaves on the tree are falling down,
Red, yellow, orange, and brown.
(Note: Pretend to drop leaves from above your head as the color is mentioned in the song.)
The leaves on the ground go crunch, crunch, crunch,
crunch, crunch, crunch, crunch, crunch, crunch.
The leaves on the ground go crunch, crunch, crunch.
All through the fall.
(Note: Have the child/children pretend they are crunching leaves on the ground while singing this verse.)
(from fastq.com)
The Leaves on The Tree
sung to: "The Wheels on The Bus"
Copyright © 2000, 2004 Barbara Pratt. All rights reserved.
The leaves on the tree are falling down,
falling down, falling down.
The leaves on the tree are falling down,
Red, yellow, orange, and brown.
(Note: Pretend to drop leaves from above your head as the color is mentioned in the song.)
The leaves on the ground go crunch, crunch, crunch,
crunch, crunch, crunch, crunch, crunch, crunch.
The leaves on the ground go crunch, crunch, crunch.
All through the fall.
(Note: Have the child/children pretend they are crunching leaves on the ground while singing this verse.)
(from fastq.com)
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