Seventy-five au pairs from the Chicago area enjoyed an afternoon together at the Indiana Dunes.  The weather did not cooperate, but au pairs had no trouble making the day fun!

Au pairs in the western suburbs got together to make a blanket for Project Linus.  Project Linus provides security blankets for children who are ill or experiencing  trauma.  We will be collecting fleece for a major Project Linus Initiative planned for the fall 2012.  Contact aupairdupage@gmail.com for more information.

Au Pairs work hard all week long.  They provide childcare for their Host Families for up to 10 hours a day and 45 hours a week.  They have fun with the children; taking them to the park, playing games, reading, helping with homework, driving to activities and so much more.  So when the work week is over, Au Pairs love to take a break and relax.

On Friday, April 16 three Au Pair in America clusters from the western suburbs gathered at Expression Dance Studio in Westmont for:  “Au Pair Dance Night Out.”  They were joined by their local Community Counselors Maria, Pat and Pam, and one very brave set of Au Pair parents for some dance lessons and a whole lot of fun.  The au pairs learned a few “smooth latin moves” and how to have fun, and look good out on the dance floor.  One Au Pair commented:  “Dance Night was so much fun, we should do this again very soon.”

The Naperville Cluster gathered for one of their monthly cluster meetings to “give back” to a local charity.  They exercised their creativity and generosity by putting together beautiful baskets to give to families in need through the  Naperville Loaves and Fishes organization.  A fun time was had by all.

Au Pairs in the Chicago area are challenged to find fun and interesting things to do with children while indoors during the cold, winter months.  Au pairs are encouraged to provide interactive child care and to have a new activity planned for the children in their care.

Muddy Hand Cookies

2/3 cup butter

1 cup sugar

2 tsp vanilla

2 eggs

2 ½ cups flour

½ cup unsweetened cocoa mix

½ tsp baking soda

¼ tsp salt

Cream butter, sugar and vanilla together. Add eggs one at a time and mix well. Place all dry ingredients in a bowl, mix thoroughly and then add to butter mixture. Blend together thoroughly.

Chill dough in wax paper until firm; about 2 hours.

Roll dough to ¼” thick on floured surface.

Lay your hand on the dough and cut around to make your hand print.

Bake  on an ungreased cookie sheet at 350F for 6-8 minutes!

ABC’s of Winter Fun

A is for Art – try drawing, painting or gluing
B is for Baking – bake a dessert together for dinner
C is for Clay – Use non-hardening clay or play dough to shape and mold
D is for Dance – put on a lively tape
E is for Exercise – be sure to get some everyday
F is for Friends – invite some over
G is for Greenhouse – find a local greenhouse to visit to enjoy the sights and smells
H is for House – make a playhouse from a large appliance box
I is for Ice skating – take the children to a local rink
J is for Jigsaw puzzle – be sure to pick one that isn’t too difficult
K is for Kitchen science – try a safe experiment
L is for Library – borrow some new books
M is for Movie – make one with a video camera, or watch one
N is for Necklace – make one out of cereal or macaroni
O is for Origami – learn to make simple paper creations
P is for Puppets – socks make easy and fun puppets – put on a show!
Q is for Quiet Time – everyone needs some of this
R is for Reading aloud – choose a good book and a comfortable place to sit
S is for Seeds and Suet – put out food for the birds and watch them eat
T is for Tent – make one from old blankets and chairs
U is for Unplugged – do a day with no TV
V is for Variety – try something new everyday
W is for Walk – take one in any weather (be sure to dress appropriately)
X is for Xylophone – make your own with glasses, water and a metal spoon
Y is for Year – make a calendar or scrapbook to remember the year
Z is for Zoo – visit the animals

Indoor “Drive-in” Movie

Help your child to decorate a box as a car so he can sit in it to watch a movie. Make movie tickets. Consider inviting a couple of other kids to join in.

Choose a new or old favorite movie for a special ‘cold afternoon treat’.

Serve appropriate snacks to eat during the movie.

Au Pairs were among the thousands of people enjoying the mild weather to watch the parade and fireworks!

Pumpkins rot quickly, so now is the time to carve one, just in time for  Halloween.

If you weren’t able to visit one of our recommended Pumpkin Farms, its time to head to the grocery store to choose a pumpkin!   Tip! Limit the size the children choose by telling them they have to carry their own.

A "first" for many au pairs-they had never carved a pumpkin in their home country

Seeing that I live right in the city, 20 floors above Michigan Avenue, going to a pumpkin patch every fall is a big deal to my 4 1/2 year old.  We drove by a vacant lot selling pumpkins on North Avenue on Saturday, which of course started the questions-“Mommy, when are we going to pick punkins (sic)?  Can I get a reaaally big one?”

So, here are three pumpkin farms that friends have recommended to me: Bengston’s Pumpkin Fest in Homer Glen; Goebbert’s Pumpkin Farm in Barrington; and Johansen’s Farms in Bolingbrook.

I have no financial interest in any of these farms, nor have I visited any of them.  But would love your input. 

What is your favorite local Pumpkin Patch?

A "first" for many au pairs-they had never carved a pumpkin in their home country

Angela (CHA) and Ginny (CHL) will meet their au pairs downtown for a performance of the Midnight Circus in Franken Plaza-aka Daley Plaza

Kathy K. (CHG) is hosting a costume party for her au pairs.  The cluster will vote and decide the winner!

Sandee (CHF) is having a pumpkin carving party and her au pairs will be in costume.

Maria (CHR) is hosting a costume party with ghoulish snacks and games at her house.  They will top off the evening with a hay ride and trip to the haunted forest.