Las Vegas UK Mums

Happy Birthday, Sir Henry Royce!

noreply@blogger.com (Las Vegas UK Mums) — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 17:10:00 +0000

Today is the birthday of Sir Henry Royce, car designer and manufacturer who co-founded, with C.S.Rolls the Rolls-Royce motor company. Henry was born in 1863 in Alwalton, Huntingdonshire where his family ran a flour mill. In 1884 Henry began an electric fittings company, and began making cars in 1901. In 1904 Henry began his partnership with Charles Rolls, and the first Rolls-Royce was made.

Celebrate Henry's birthday today with some car-themed crafts! Older children can make cereal box cars or model cars. Younger kids can do some colouring pages
or make a car puppet.

Image credit: (AutoBlog)

Las Vegas UK Mums March Family Outing - Spring Brit Picnic

noreply@blogger.com (Las Vegas UK Mums) — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 16:49:00 +0000

Spring is here, let's get together for a Brit Spring Picnic! Sunday, March 28th will be 77* in lovely Las Vegas, so find the footie, bring some boiled eggs and parcels, get the kiddies in the car and you're off!

Events are open to members and potentital members of LVUK Mums. For event location or additional information, contact me at the address on the right side of the screen.

Image credit: (The Guardian)

English Football League Formed 1888

noreply@blogger.com (Las Vegas UK Mums) — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 18:35:00 +0000

England has a long history with football. Kings from Edward II, Edward III, Henry IV, Edward IV, Henry VII and Henry VIII passed proclamations banning football, as it was believed that young men should spend their time preparing for battle rather than playing games. Over time, as football continued to grow in popularity, teams became more and more professional. The first of these, the English Football League, was formed by Aston Villa's director William McGregor today in 1888. The season started a few months later with 12 clubs - six from Lancashire (Preston North End, Accrington, Blackburn Rovers, Burnley, Bolton Wanderers and Everton) and six from the Midlands (Aston Villa, Derby County, Notts County, Stoke, West Bromwich Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers). The first winner of the league title was Preston. Some of the beginning rules were the same as today, each team played the other in two matches, one at home and one away.

Celebrate football in your house today - you can enjoy the great Spring weather we are having and kick around the ball. If you feel like staying inside, try a few crafts such as this football pillow, Franky Football buddy, or a frisbee football. Bigger kids can do a football crossword puzzle or word search. Finish it off with some football cookies!

Image credit: (Spartacus Educational)

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

noreply@blogger.com (Las Vegas UK Mums) — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:00:00 +0000

Nearly 12% of Americans report being of Irish descent, but all Americans will be celebrating today! St Patrick's Day is arguably the most-celebrated tradition from across the pond in the United States. St Patrick was a Roman Britain who was kidnapped by Irish raiders and transported to Ireland as a slave. After his escape, he became a priest and was determined to convert the Irish to Christianity. The symbolic 3-leaved clover was believed to have been used by St Patrick to teach the Irish about the Holy Trinity.

Celebrate St Patrick's Day today by making a paper plate shamrock, pot of gold or handprint rainbow. Older children can practice some Irish slang or do a word search. Finish the day by making some Irish soda bread, corned beef and cabbage and oatmeal cookies!

Image credit: (Sarah Snodgrass)

Happy Mothering Sunday!

noreply@blogger.com (Las Vegas UK Mums) — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 16:45:00 +0000

The tradition of Mothering Sunday is believed to have begun in the 16th century, when people would visit their mother church, which meant that most mothers would see their children on this day. Historians also believe that servants were given the day off, so that they could visit with their mothers. As Europe became more secularized, the holiday became more associated with appreciating mothers than visiting the Mother Church. Children would pick wild flowers along the way to give them to the church or their mothers.

Many traditional cakes are eaten for Mothering Sunday. Modern celebrations include the Simnel cake or Mothering Sunday Buns with raisins and butter icing. I can't find a recipe for these, so if you have one, please post in comments below! In Northern England and Scotland, carlings are eaten.

Make mum feel special today with a coffee filter paper bouquet or younger children can make a handprint heart. A personally decorated card and breakfast in bed will make her feel special too!

Image credit: (BTInternet)

Planet Uranus Discovered: 1781

noreply@blogger.com (Las Vegas UK Mums) — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 16:45:00 +0000

While standing in his backyard in Bath, German born Frederick William Herschel discovered an object in the sky which he believed at first was a star or a comet. As Herschel continued to observe and make calculations, he determined the object had a circular orbit and called his discovery the 'Georgian Star', after King George III. Eventually the planet was known as Uranus. In 1782, he was appointed as the King's Astronomer and moved to Datchet. In addition to his work as an astronomer, Herschel was a musician and composer.

Celebrate the heavens today by making an origami star or do some space coloring. Older children can make a solar system hanging mobile and read some facts about all of the planets.

Image credit: (Bryn Mawr)

Penny Loaf Day

noreply@blogger.com (Las Vegas UK Mums) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:45:00 +0000

Today is Penny Loaf Day. This holiday originated in the 17th century in Newark, Nottingham, when a man named Hercules Clay dreamt for three nights in a row that his house would burn down. He moved his family out on March 11th and shortly thereafter, his house was burned down during the English Civil War. To give thanks for his unbelievable luck, he created a fund of £100 to buy Penny Loaves of bread, boots and shoes for the poor each year on the 11th of March. To get the bread, the poor had to listen to a sermon first. Although the funds are gone to give bread today, the sermon is still delivered in Newark.

To celebrate, watch a video on making bread and then try some of these family-friendly bread recipes . In the spirit of the day, make an extra loaf of bread and donate it to a local shelter. Older children can make bread dough beads and talk about how grains keep us healthy, while younger children can play with bread themed items in a sensory table or tub, such as oats, corn, barley, measuring cups, funnels and spoons or play Bread Basket Upset.

Image Credit: (Moonimama's Memoirs)

Happy Birthday, Kenneth Grahame!

noreply@blogger.com (Las Vegas UK Mums) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 02:02:00 +0000

Happy birthday, Kenneth Grahame! Grahame is the Scottish author of the much loved children's book The Wind in the Willows. The story of Mole, the Water Rat, Badger and Mr. Toad is believed to have originated in bedtime stories that Grahame told his son. The story tells of the adventures of the wandering friends with underlying references to kindness, patience, hard work and loyalty. Although hard to believe, the book was panned by adults and children alike when published. Luckily, Grahame sent a copy of the book to US president Teddy Roosevelt, who loved it. Sales increased soon after!

Go to the library or you can read the story online. Older kids can do a worksheet or make some wildlife crafts and younger ones can make a toad mask or do some coloring to celebrate Grahame's birthday today!

Image credit: (Telegraph)

LVUK Mums is on Facebook!

noreply@blogger.com (Las Vegas UK Mums) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 18:06:00 +0000

LVUK Mums is on Facebook! Become a fan to learn about UK traditions in the USA, join in the discussion boards, and provide reviews of Las Vegas UK businesses and events!

Was Shakespeare a Catholic? The Historical Sources Revisited

noreply@blogger.com (Las Vegas UK Mums) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 15:00:00 +0000

Join Thomas McCoog, Archivist, British Province of the Society of Jesus in London as he presents his lecture "Was Shakespeare a Catholic? The Historical Sources Revisted" at UNLV. McCoog presents evidence in this free lecture.

One of the most controversial areas of recent Shakespeare scholarship concerns his religion: was he a Catholic? Shakespeare lived during an age, the end of the sixteenth century, when to be a Catholic involved persecution, fines, imprisonment, and sometimes execution. His possible Catholicism has been advanced as one of the principal reasons that we know so little about his personal life. There is considerable evidence of the activities of the Jesuits around Stratford-upon-Avon and also of other Catholic influences upon his life, but does the evidence warrant a claim that Shakespeare was a Catholic?

The lecture is co-sponsored by the UNLV Department of English. The event is Wednesday, March 10 at 7:30 p.m in the Marjorie Barrick Museum Auditorium on the campus of UNLV.

Image Credit: (Occidental College)

Happy St. Piran's Day!

noreply@blogger.com (Las Vegas UK Mums) — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 16:00:00 +0000

Happy St. Piran's Day, the National Day of Cornwall! St. Piran's Day has been observed since the late 19th/early 20th century as a way for people to celebrate Cornwall, similar to other national celebrations. Saint Piran is the patron saint of tin-miners and was a 6th century abbot and said, believed to be of Irish descent. He is credited with re-discovering tin-smelting when his tin rose out of his black hearthstone and settled on the surface in the form of a white cross, creating the image used today in St. Piran's Flag. The Cornish celebrate the day by marching across the Penhale sand dunes to St. Piran's cross, carrying daffodils to be placed at the cross.

Many Cornish immigrants came to the United States looking for mining work in the 18th and 19th centuries. Some of these settled areas still celebrate St. Piran's Day, such as in Southwest Wisconsin and Grass Valley, California.

The Cornish also settled in Nevada, not surprising due to our mining industries. To celebrate St. Piran's Day in Las Vegas, big kids can try speaking Cornish, completing a mining word search or make a castle. Younger kids can listen to Jack and the Beanstalk, which is set in Cornwall, or try their hand at colouring pages. Make some Cornish pasties or crab soup, and have some puddings or pastries for desert.

Image credits: (BBC, Wikipedia)

Celebrating St. David's Day!

noreply@blogger.com (Las Vegas UK Mums) — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 16:00:00 +0000

The Welsh have honored March 1st as St. David's Day since the 18th century. Dewi Sant, St. David, was a Celtic monk who helped spread Christianity in Wales in the 6th century.

Traditionally, school children performed concerts or eisteddfadau, reciting poems and singing. Some schools are open for a half day only to extend the celebrations. Daffodil and leek emblems are typically worn to honor St. David. Daffodils commonly bloom in March, and leeks are the personal symbol of St. David. Additionally, in the Welsh language the words are similar: Cenin (leek) and Cenin Bedr (daffodil, literally "Peter's leek"). In the South of Wales, young men wear leeks while young girls wear daffodils, but in North Wales the daffodil is the most popular. The Welsh traditional costume consists of a long wool skirt, white blouse, woolen shawl and Welsh black felt hat.

To celebrate St. David's Day in Las Vegas, pick up some dadffodils. Big kids can make traditional costume craft or a clay dadffodil magnet , while younger children can do some coloring pages. Finish off the celebration with some traditional Welsh dishes such as welsh rarebit, welsh cakes or Bara Brith, or visit Whole Foods to pick up ingredients for a goat cheese and leek quiche.

Image credits: (Clare Matson, Richard)

A Night at the Dogs: UK Theatre in Las Vegas

noreply@blogger.com (Las Vegas UK Mums) — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 16:48:00 +0000

Join the British National Theatres of America as they present A NIGHT AT THE DOGS by Matt Charman

'This year’s Verity Bargate Award came up with a gifted winner in Matt Charman’s keen, quick A Night at the Dogs' The Observer, UK

A NIGHT AT THE DOGS, Matt Charman’s award winning first play, will make its U.S. debut at the Backstage Theatre on the 2nd March, 2010, directed by Jo Cattell. The cast will include Sam Welbourne, John Brady, Martin Andrew, Miles Coleman and Andrew Sefia

Carl has put together a dog-racing syndicate, a ‘leg each’, with his fellow car mechanics. Excitement infuses the characters as they all await for their newly purchased dog, which they hope will fulfill their dreams, bringing them respect and wealth. Danny, Carl’s younger brother, isn’t convinced and has chosen to not be a part of it all, even though Carl is determined to convince him. Anticipation builds as the group readies themselves for the arrival of Rick with the dog, however it is short lived with the appearance of “Punchy Paul”, their brutish manager and unexpected fifth member of the syndicate. The mood quickly changes as it becomes apparent Paul has other concerns and is determined to make someone, anyone, pay for the apparent rape of his child.

A NIGHT AT THE DOGS is an intense black comedy, with sharp dialogue that keeps the temperature rising throughout. Fast paced, funny, yet brutally dark, A Night at the Dogs by 25 year old Matt Charman was chosen from over 700 submissions in Soho Theatre’s nationwide hunt for the best new play by a first-time playwright, the UK Verity Bargate Award 2004.

Performances: 2, 3, 9 & 10th March 2010 at 7.30pm at the Backstage Theatre, CSN (Cheyenne Campus) Las Vegas. Tickets will be available to purchase at http://www.bntofa.org/ and at the door. Ticket price: $12.00

For Further Information contact Jo Cattell at T: 702-497-0159 or jo@bntofa.org

Happy Birthday Lord Baden-Powell!

noreply@blogger.com (Las Vegas UK Mums) — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 16:00:00 +0000

February 22, 1857 is the birthday of Lord Robert Baden-Powell, lieutenant general in the British Army and founder of the Scout movement. Baden-Powell served in both India and Africa from 1876 to 1910, and wrote several books on military reconnaissance. Upon his return to England, Baden-Powell discovered these books were being read by boys and youth organizations. Based upon those earlier books, he wrote Scouting for Boys in 1908, a guidebook for exploring the wilderness.

The book is described as including "practical instructions on how to light fires, build a boat, or stalk animals (or men), it includes sections on chivalry, self-discipline, self-improvement, and citizenship. Indeed, the book brims with Baden-Powell's philosophy of life, one that replaces self with service, puts country before the individual, and duty above all".

Baden-Powell tested the ideas put forth in the book in August of 1907 at Brownsea Island in Poole Harbour, with a group of boys. The boys participated in camping, nature observation, woodcrafts, chivalry, life saving skills and patriotism. The Brownsea Island adventure is viewed as the origins of the scouting movement. The Girl Guides (or Scouts) began a few years later in 1910.

Locally, we have the Girl Scouts of the Frontier Council and the Las Vegas Area Boy Scouts. You don't have to be in the scouts to celebrate today - there is lots of wilderness in Southern Nevada to explore! Practice tracking animals in the backyard (even if it is the family dog!) and identify plants, animals and birds in your neighborhood. Older children can learn to make fires and build an emergency shelter.

Image credits (ScoutBase UK, Scouts)

February Sunday Lunch

noreply@blogger.com (Las Vegas UK Mums) — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 15:49:00 +0000

It is time for our monthly Brit family Sunday Lunch! We will be meeting on Sunday, February 28th - the whole family is welcome. For location and additional information, visit our group page. If you are not a member and would like to join, please send an email to the address on the right hand side of the page. Looking forward to seeing everyone and meeting some new families!

Savings on Boots products at Target

noreply@blogger.com (Las Vegas UK Mums) — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 00:37:00 +0000

It is not too difficult to find certain British products in the United States. You can find Boots products in the Las Vegas area at CVS and Target. If you are a member of the Boots Club, you can get a coupon for $1 off any Boots product at Target. The coupon is good until 31 March, 2010. Click here to sign up for the Boots club.

Image credit: (Boots)

USA Sevens Rugby Event in Las Vegas

noreply@blogger.com (Las Vegas UK Mums) — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 04:11:00 +0000

The USA Sevens Rugby event is quickly approaching, and the Las Vegas Brit community is getting excited! The USA Sevens Tournament will be held at the Univeristy of Nevada, Las Vegas' Sam Boyd Stadium next weekend, on February 13 and 14th, 2010. USA, New Zealand, France, Australia, England, South Africa, Wales, Scotland, Samoa, Fiji, Argentina, Japan, Canada, Chile, Kenya, and Guyana will all have teams in the event. Keep up with all of the event details at the USA Sevens Twitter page.

Celebrate the tournament early with UKLV at their Official UKLV Rugby 7s Kickoff Party on Wednesday, February 10th. The first 800 tickets are free.

January Family Outing

noreply@blogger.com (Las Vegas UK Mums) — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 14:08:00 +0000

It has been a busy few weeks, and I apologize for not posting much!

Please join us this Sunday, January 24th for our monthly Family Outing. Bring the entire family and meet for some food and conversation. For location and additional information, visit our group page. If you are not a member and would like to join, please send an email to the address on the right hand side of the page. Looking forward to seeing everyone and meeting some new families!

Peter Rabbit Returning to BBC

noreply@blogger.com (Las Vegas UK Mums) — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 15:59:00 +0000

An old favorite is returning to television - the BBC has announced that Peter Rabbit and friends will be making an appearance in 2011 in 52 new episodes. The new episodes will take on a PC edge - Peter will no longer be running from a rake-toting Farmer McGregor, nor will Peter's father be baked in a pie. The new series will have more action and more color, as designers say they are attempting to keep up with today's kids. British broadcasters report they are spending more on pre-school shows, such as Beatrix Potter, but less on children’s programming in general.

I am happy to hear that Peter is coming back, but hope that the remake is not too different from the classic! We will have to wait and see. If you don't have the books, you can visit Kids' Corner to view and listen to the stories online, or visit the official Peter Rabbit site, which has lots of information on Beatrix Potter and games for the kids. Leave a comment below and share your favorite Peter Rabbit tale. I always liked Miss Moppet!

Thanks Kidoinfo for the pic.

Happy Boxing Day!

noreply@blogger.com (Las Vegas UK Mums) — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 20:56:00 +0000

It's Boxing Day and we are heading off with the LVUK Mums Group for a celebration! Will be sure to update later with some pics.

Boxing Day is not celebrated much in the United States, although some Americans near the US/Canadian border celebrate. Boxing Day is a great time to spend with family that couldn't make it together on Christmas and recuperate from the big festivities from the day before. Historically, on Boxing Day the servants would have the day off and UK families would eat cold cuts or leftovers and play board games or cards.

How are other expats celebrating Boxing Day? Leave a comment below!

My apologies for not posting much lately, the entire house has been sick with the stomach flu and we are just now getting back to normal. Hope that everyone enjoyed Christmas and is counting down to New Year's! Don't forget to submit your posts for the LVUK Mums 2010 New Years Baby Tour!

Thanks AmoeBlog for the Boxing Day pic.

The LVUK Mums 2010 UK New Years Baby Tour!

noreply@blogger.com (Las Vegas UK Mums) — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 14:58:00 +0000

You've got your resolutions planned and the champagne bought. But it's not New Years without the New Years Baby! The custom of using a baby as a symbol of the start of the New Year began in Greece around 600 BC by parading a baby in a basket to honor Dionysus, the God of Wine.

Not to be outdone, join LVUK Mums in the 2010 UK New Years Baby Tour! You know your baby is the best looking on the block, so show off your New Years Baby (or big kid!) and link to your post below. Don't have kids? How about a vintage picture of yourself in UK gear? Add the badge to your blog and make sure your post includes a photo of your baby dressed in their best Union Jack/England/Scotland/Ireland/Wales wear and a bit about what your plans are for 2010. The tour will run from December 17-January 31st. If you don't have a blog and would like to submit a photo, email it to the email address listed on the right hand side of the page.

Pencil it In: December 21-27

noreply@blogger.com (Las Vegas UK Mums) — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 14:38:00 +0000

Here are upcoming events for the week of December 21 - 27:

Not exactly a UK event, but a great place to go with the family. The Nevada Ballet Theatre presents The Nutcracker at Paris Hotel and Casino. The show runs December 18-24th.
Happy Christmas to everyone on the 25th!
LVUK Mums is hosting a Boxing Day Celebration for UK expats and their families on Saturday, December 26th. For more information or to join the group, visit our webpage.

Remembering the Boston Tea Party

noreply@blogger.com (Las Vegas UK Mums) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 22:05:00 +0000

On December 16, 1773, colonists in Boston boarded ships carrying taxed tea from the UK and threw it overboard in an act of revenge against the British Government. The Boston Tea Party was a central event in the American Revolution, as the crisis grew and the Revolutionary War began near Boston in 1775.

How can you celebrate the Boston Tea Party with your children? Older kids can make boats , do a history activity or put on a play. Younger children can make a simple boat or color some activity pages. Post a link in the comments below to show off your artwork!

Thanks to Wikipedia for the picture!

British Airways Strike

noreply@blogger.com (Las Vegas UK Mums) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 18:00:00 +0000

My mother-in-law called the other day and told me that she is getting worried over the British Airways strike that is brewing. She and my father-in-law are scheduled to arrive in Las Vegas in just a few days, but if British Airways employees get their way, that may not happen.

Over 12,000 cabin crew have planned a strike to occur between December 22nd and January 2nd, the peak of the holiday travel season. The strike is related to staffing and budgets, as British Airways reported a record £401m loss in the 12m prior to March 2009. A hearing occurred today in London as the airline attempts to bar the crew from participating in the strike. The hearing is scheduled to continue until Thursday to arrange a deal between the two parties.

Are your holiday plans going to be disturbed if British Airways does go on strike?

Thanks to the Guardian UK for the photo!

Pencial It In: December 14-20th

noreply@blogger.com (Las Vegas UK Mums) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:07:00 +0000

Here are upcoming events for the week of December 14 - 20:

Looking for a date night? UKLV is hosting a Crimbo party on Thursday, December 17th at 7p Aurora at the Luxor.