Sunday, December 11 was the International Holiday Party for the Suffolk County Cluster of Au Pair in America.  Each au pair brought a dish from their country for the International Feast.  There were dishes from Germany, Thailand, France, Poland, Slovakia, Bolivia, Croatia, Peru and the USA. 

Each au pair brought a wrapped gift for the gift exchange.  The gifts were placed under the tree as the au pairs arrived.  After our wonderful feast, we gathered around the tree for the exchange, numbers drawn from a basket determined who, went 1, 2, 3 and so on.  Everyone enjoyed their gifts.

Cindy Garruba, Suffolk Community Counselor, handed out her gifts to each au pair.  A snow scraper, knit gloves, an ornament to remember their holiday in the USA and some candy kisses. 

Pictures around the tree, holiday music and lively conversation was enjoyed by everyone.  Happy Holidays!!

Sunday, December 3rd 2011 the Suffolk County Cluster of Au Pairs decorated a tree for Stony Brook Village’s Promenade of Tree. 

The theme of the tree is “We Bring the World Together!”  The decorations have been made by au pairs from this year’s au pairs, as well as au pairs from previous years. 

Santa Claus arrived at 2 PM on a fire engine.  Children lined up for a chance to tell him what they want this year for Christmas.  Santa will be available every weekend till Christmas for the children.  There is a red mailbox outside the Stony Brook Post Office just for letters to Santa.  The trees are on display until January 1st.  The APIA tree is right in front of the Brook House Restaurant, just to the right of the Post Office.  Hope you visit Stony Brook and visit our tree!!

Ghouls and goblins will take over the night. But even scary creatures need to be safe and celebrate Halloween right. Halloween’s greatest hazards aren’t vampires and villains, but falls, costume mishaps and automobile collisions. The Red Cross wantsyour family to have a safe Halloween so we’re providing these tips,

the Lucky 13:

1. Map out the route that you plan to roam, so adults are assured you will find your way home!
2. From the bravest of superheroes to the noblest of knights, everyone should remember to bring their flashlights!
3. If you visit a house where a stranger resides, accept treats at the door and, please, don’t go inside.
4. When you get ready to put on your disguise, use face paint instead of masks, which will cover your eyes.
5. Always remember, before you embark, to wear light-colored clothing  to be seen in the dark! (And remember to use reflective tape, even on bikes, and brooms and the edges of your cape!)
6. Whether you walk, slither or sneak, do it on the sidewalks and not in the street.
7. As you roam through the neighborhood collecting your treats, please look both ways before crossing the street! (And speaking of streets, the corners are the place for trick or treaters to cross no matter their pace.)
8. Wigs, capes and costumes are flammable attire, so avoid open flames to prevent a fire!
9. Use a glow stick instead of a candle so your jack-o-lantern isn’t a  safety gamble!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
10. You may fly on a broom or a space ship from Mars, but please be on the lookout for drivers in cars! (Between parked cars is no  to hide, be sure that you’re seen whether you’re a clown or a bride.)
11. Monsters and zombies should stay off the lawn, and only visit homes with their porch lights turned on!
12. You may be dressed as a werewolf, a cat or a frog, but be cautious around strange animals, especially dogs.
13. For additional information on how you and your family can be prepared for emergencies on Halloween or on any day of the year, please visit www.RedCross.org

Angsumalin Jittangkoon, nicknamed Tan, arrived in the USA back on October 12 2009.  After spending 2 years here as an Au Pair in America, it is time to go home to Thailand.  Her host family will miss her, as will her friends and her Community Counselor, Cindy Garruba.  Cindy says “Tan has been a wonderful addition to our cluster!  She has participated in most of our activities and did many of the volunteer activities as well!”  

At the Cultural Fair at the Children’s Museum.  Tan even dressed in traditional Thai costume!

Tan receives her Completion Certificate at her last Cluster Meeting!  We will miss you and wish you all the best in your future!

Au Pairs and Host Families Pick Their Own Veggies all over Suffolk County, LI.

The farms have more than just fresh vegetables, they are a family fun destination!  Picnic grounds, corn mazes, farm animals to feed and pet, music, arts and crafts.  Click on a link and find a farm near you to explore!  Don’t forget to eat your veggies, too!

http://www.pickyourown.org/nylongisland.htm

Some of the Long Island Au Pairs went to the Long Island Ducks Baseball game this past weekend.

What better way is there to spend a summer afternoon than watching the All American past time?  The Au Pairs got to experience the game up close at the family friendly Ducks Stadium.  The professional baseball team won the game, scored some home runs, and gave a great show to the au pairs for their first ever baseball game.  In between innings, there are silly contests with fans from the stands.  Sons tried to break water balloons over their dad’s heads, hot dog costumed people ran a race, a father and son placed bocce bowling, and even a karoke singer got a few cheers from the au pairs!

At the 4th Inning Au Pair in America’s name was displayed on the jumbo screen!

 Kristina (Germany) and Oral (Israel) wore their APIA baseball caps and enjoyed the experience of watching the game!

It was Bruna’s last cluster meeting, she had experienced baseball at the Yankee – Met game earlier this summer!

Do you want to see a cowboy show here on Long Island? 

Cowboys and cowgirls will ride into Old Bethpage Village Restoration Saturday for an event billed as the “Gunfight at the Gulch,” the group’s second Long Island match of the season. http://www.nassaucountyny.gov/agencies/Parks/wheretogo/museums/central_nass_museum/old_bethpage_rest.html

Gunfight at the Gulch

WHEN | WHERE 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Old Bethpage Village Restoration, 1303 Round Swamp Rd., Old Bethpage

INFO islandlongriders.com or email joe@islandlongriders.com

ADMISSION Included with general museum admission of $10 ($7 ages 5-12)

Spectators look on as mounted contestants will compete in fast-action, timed events using two .45 caliber single action revolvers each loaded with five rounds of specially prepared blank ammunition — like the stage props used in Hollywood movies — to pop balloons. 

WHAT YOU’LL SEE

As part of the match, participants dress in period clothing, replete with boots, chaps and cowboy hats, in keeping with the Old West spirit.  Courses of fire are set in a variety of patterns, with the first five balloons arranged randomly and the last five positioned in a straight line known as a rundown. Riders score points based on accuracy and time, and at the end of the match, which usually consists of four “stages,” the rider with the best total time, including any penalties such as missed balloons or overturned barrels, is declared the winner.

For over 40 years Earth Day has mobilized and motivated people and organizations around the world to demonstrate their committment to environmental protection. 

REDUCE, REUSE & RECYCLE!!

Visit http://www.earthday.org/ 

 Some Earth Day Activities for Kids at http://www.epa.gov/region5/publications/happy/happy.pdf

Materials:

• paper
• printer
• something to color with
• pencil with eraser at the end (unsharpened is best, I think)
• push pin or straight pin
• optional:  a small bead (like a pony bead)
• optional:  green paint

Instructions:

• Optional:  paint your pencil green so it looks like the stem of a flower.
• Optional:  you can print the B&W template on yellow paper.
• Take the circle and crimp it along the lines to make an orange cup shape.
• Fold the rectangular template piece on the dashed line to make a square decorated on both sides.
• Glue the square together so you have a square decorated on both sides.
• Cut on the diagonal dotted lines (don’t cut all the way into the middle). 
• Bend each corner to the center dot, but don’t crease your folds. 
• Place the cup in the middle of the pinwheel.
• Push a pin through the center into the eraser of a pencil (don’t push it super tight)
• Optional:  put a bead in between the eraser and the paper … some people find it spins a bit better this way… I’ve never noticed the difference (maybe it’s the type of pencil eraser?  I use fresh, unsharpened school pencils)
• Place it in a vase or pot and decorate your springtime table.

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