Thanksgiving is about many things—fall, history, sharing, and of course gratitude. But the most important element is that many hands cook and then eat an elaborate meal together; that simple communal act can be a profound thing. Those sitting in the living room watching the parade and the game are missing out on some of the fun. Sharing a kitchen with kids is not easy, but if you are doing any cooking this year, think about giving your little ones an age-appropriate task or two. They will share the pride as you all sit down to eat. And don’t limit yourself to the cuisine of 17th Century America—or even 1950’s America. Incorporate special foods from your family and culture, to pass to the next generation, like the beautiful Jollof Rice below.
Wishing you all a joyful feast.
Laura MacGregor
UChicagoGRAD Parenting Community Coordinator
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Featured Activity Theme: Pie
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Read: Seed, Sprout, Pumpkin Pie by Jill Esbaum or The Humble Pie by Jory John.
Create: A paper plate pie. A perennial favorite here! Paint outside of paper plate brown for crust, inside orange (tempera paint). While wet, sprinkle with cinnamon. Squeeze some white flue in center, then put on a couple cotton balls, pulled apart, as the whip cream. So cute, you’ll want to eat it.
Explore: Take a family walk, ending at La Boulangerie or the Whole Foods Bakery. Buy a couple of kinds of pie, then share bites to choose your favorite.
Watch: Sing along with Miss Lauren. Apple Pie, Me Oh My!
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Cooking with Kids: Jollof Rice
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| This is a special occasion dish made in several West African countries—this is a Nigerian version. Shared by parent (and student) Bisola-Mariam.
Sauce: 1 large tomato & 1 red pepper, coarsely chopped; 1 each whole habanero and jalapeno pepper, stems removed; 4 cloves garlic; 1 T minced garlic; 2 C water,
Rice: 1/3 C olive oil, 1 diced red onion, ¼ C tomato paste, 1 t each salt, paprika, curry, cumin, thyme; 2 ¼ C basmati rice, 1 T bouillon paste
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Combine sauce ingredients in blender or food processor until smooth. Heat oil in large saucepan, sauté onion and salt. Add tomato paste and spices. When well combined, add rice and bouillon and coat well with paste. Stir in sauce, cover with a tight-fitting lid and simmer 20 minutes on medium/low. Turn off heat and let sit for 20 minutes (important!) Fluff rice and serve with green onions and cilantro (optional).
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Parenting Community Updates
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Unless otherwise noted, all of our events are free and open to all UChicago-affiliated families. Share with your friends! No weekly events this week.
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| Stories in the Bookstore
Tuesdays through December 19, 11:00–11:45 a.m., Campus Bookstore (970 E 58th St, 2nd Floor)
Stories, songs, fingerplays and snacks for all ages!
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"Crafternoons"
Fridays through December 12, 3:30–4:30 p.m., UChicagoGRAD HQ (970 E 58th St, 3rd Floor)
Features a simple craft for little children, a more complicated one for big kids and grown-ups, as well as a coloring corner, toys for pre-crafters, and drinks and snacks for all. A nice way to end the week!
Family Mixer
Saturday, December 13, 3:00–5:00 p.m., UChicagoGRAD HQ
Connect with fellow families at this free monthly gathering; enjoy some spooky crafts and seasonal snacks. Our December mixer will be a little early in the month, to compete less with all your holiday plans.
Parent Write-In .
Saturday, December 6, 10am-5pm (2 sessions), UChicagoGRAD HQ and Grad Lounge
Student and postdoc parents can utilize this twice-quarterly free service: we watch your children as you do academic work in an adjoining space. Children must be at least 9 months old. Registration at signupgenius.com/write-in
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Ideas from your Neighbors
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Shared by Hyde Parkers and UChicago offices
EVENTS:
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| Interfaith Thanksgiving Celebration
Thursday, November 27, 11:00 a.m., Rockefeller Chapel (Woodlawn & 59th)
A lesson on “The Common Bond” in the beautiful chapel. Followed by a shared meal, below..
Thanksgiving Meal
Thursday, November 27, 12:30–3:00 p.m., Augustana Lutheran Church (55th & Hyde Park)
Co-sponsored by Hyde Park Village & Augustana —a meal with live music. Appetizer, Dessert, & Beverage Potluck--bring a favorite appetizer, dessert, wine, bubbly or other beverage to share. Free.
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Hyde Park Holly Day
Saturday, December 6, 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m., Multiple locations throughout Hyde Park
This elaborate annual fair includes carving demos, a movie matinee, crafts, performances, a live reindeer, and photos with many characters, including Soul Santa & Mrs. Claus. Free; pre-registration requested.
Logan Center Family Saturday
Saturday, December 6, 2:00–4:00 p.m., Logan Center for the Arts, 60th & Drexel
Art activities, including “Kidpreneurs”--a holiday market featuring art made by kids! Free; $10 family donation appreciated if you are able.
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Center Day
Saturday, December 13, 1:00–4:00 p.m., Hyde Park Arts Center (51st & Cornell Ave)
Create art, watch performances and shop the holiday art sale. Free event.
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Smart Museum Family Day
Saturday, December 13, 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m., Smart Museum of Art (56th & Greenwood Ave)
A collaboration with the Obama Presidential Center exploring the concept of community with art inspired by artist Theaster Gates and Chicago’s South Side. Families will create mixed-media collages using found materials, family photos, handwritten notes, and symbolic objects. Registration preferred, but walk-ins welcome as space allows.
Physics with a Bang!
Saturday, December 13, 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., Kersten Physics Teaching Center, Rm 106 (57th & Ellis Ave)
A free science event for the entire family! Enjoy fast, loud, surprising and beautiful physics demos, plus lab tours!
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ONGOING EVENTS:
Chicago Public Library Weekly Events are all free, and include stories, Lego nights and more! Select Blackstone, Bessie Coleman and the downtown Harold Washington Library for the locations closest to us.
HPNC Tot Lot M, W, F, 9:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. (55th & Kenwood). A great open play space, Fall Quarter Tot Lot Runs through Dec. 19. You will need to purchase an annual pass, which gives you access to all programming. (You can pay monthly, or buy a single day pass)
Hello Baby Weekly Activities (St. Lawrence Ave. & 61st) Hello Baby features open play M–F 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., with activities (stories, music, etc) every day except Wednesdays. Aimed at young children, the grant-supported center is entirely free.
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Do you know of a family event, or have a fun activity or recipe suggestion for the newsletter? Email
lmacgregor@uchicago.edu
Laura MacGregor
UChicagoGRAD Parenting Community Coordinator
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