Posted by Victoria Paton on Nov 21, 2011
Over 70 Au Pairs filled a room at the Potomac Community Center on Thursday night to better their winter driving skills with a presentation by AAA MidAtlantic’s Joe Beddick. Joe showed the girls a film with lots of vehicles slipping and sliding and also instructed the Au Pairs what to keep in their car: cat litter or ice melting salt, blanket, first aid kit. He alerted us all that there are some key things to pay attention to especially in winter: properly inflated tires, filling washer fluid, and more. Photos of what it means to clean off a car with snow i.e., no snow left on top and all windshields, lights and mirrors completely cleared off.
Each Au Pair departed with a AAA booklet on Winter Driving Safety and a custom-made Au Pair in America Ice Scraper to keep in her purse should she need to clear off a car.
I think we all learned a lot…and possibly just in time! 
Posted by Victoria Paton on Nov 13, 2011
What is the History of Thanksgiving in United Sta tes?
The initial “Thanksgiving” feast, held in 1621, was really a traditional English harvest celebration. The Pilgrims shared it with the Native Americans because they had taught the colonists to plants crops and hunt wild game. Without the Native Americans, the Pilgrims may not have survived the harsh winter and been able to celebrate their first harvest of plentiful crops in the New World. The colonists’ first harvest feast lasted for three days. Food was served all at once, instead of in courses, so people ate whatever they pleased in the order that they desired. The more important members at the feast were given the best pieces of meat, while the rest of the diners ate whatever was closest to them. Since the Pilgrims didn’t use forks or plates, they ate their meal straight off the table with spoons, knives or their fingers. They used large napkins to wipe their hands and also wrapped it around food when it was too hot to hold.
Nowadays, the day before the third Thursday of the month is the busiest travel day of the year (even more than Christmas). In America people of all religions, races etc. celebrate this holiday and they bring to it the foods that they enjoy at celebrations from their home countries. Turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, pumpkin pie, stuffing, cranberry sauce are all traditional parts of a current Thanksgiving meal. It is a very important occasion for families to gather together from all over the country.
A fun movie to rent at this time of year is “Planes, Trains and Automobiles” a comedy about a man trying to get home for his Thanksgiving meal. Lots of laughs. |
Au Pairs please note: While host parents and other workers are off for the day, it is NOT an Au Pair holiday off of work unless an Au Pair is given that day off by the Host Family…Au Pairs are to help the family in whatever way is needed as it is a busy day but, more importantly, Au Pairs should be part of this very American holiday! This may be your only time to join in a true American Thanksgiving! Enjoy.
– Victoria Paton
Thanksgiving story Posted by Silga Vasilevsky on N
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Posted by Victoria Paton on Oct 31, 2011
Posted by Victoria Paton on Oct 31, 2011
It was a dark and stormy night….actually it was a dark and beautiful night out in Dickerson at Markoff’s Haunted Forest. Au Pairs huddled together as they entered the forest which was described as the “scariest ever”. An experience none of the au pairs will forget!
Happy Halloween!
Posted by Victoria Paton on Oct 31, 2011
Potomac Shoreline Cluster Au Pairs (Bethesda, Cabin John, Glen Echo and Potomac) on September 20th visited the Cabin John Firehouse #10 on River Road for a lesson in fire safety including: when to phone 911, importance of a family having a meeting point outside the house in the event of a fire, locating 2 exits from the home, what to do in a power outage, what to do in the event of flooding roads etc.
After the girls asked questions and learned a lot of new and useful safety tips, several au pairs were selected to put on the fire gear in 1 minute or less. That gear is HEAVY!!
Then au pairs were invited to explore the fire trucks and to take photos. That was a lot of fun!
Posted by Victoria Paton on Oct 31, 2011
Victoria trained from May to October to do her first-ever 100 mile bike ride in Moab Desert, Utah – the “Moab Century” on 9/17/11.
She was raising money for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society via Team in Training Cycling in memory of her dad and aunt who both died young form Leukemia. Victoria exceeded her Fundrai
ning minimum of $3400 with donations from friends and family of $5600!!
Posted by Victoria Paton on Oct 31, 2011
I was so surprised and happy when a few au pairs came to me saying they wanted to organize a 5k walk for my Leukemia & Lymphoma ride in Moab Desert on 9/17/11. With a registration fee of only $5, a group of dedicated South African au pairs arrived at Starbucks in Potomac Village, set up a table and mapped out the route with Au Pair in America signs. We had about 20 walkers who came out on a Sunday noon – Au Pairs and Host families and a dog! Each walker received a water bottle, a kit kat for energy and a purple Leukemia & Lymphoma bracelet. With the registration fees and passers-by giving donations they raised an amazing $175!!
Thank you so much!
Posted by Victoria Paton on Aug 7, 2011
Join Au Pairs, Host Families, friends and others who want to help raise money for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society on Wednesday, August 10th 4-9pm at Potomac Pizza – Potomac Village only – where 20% of all eat-in or carry-out orders go directly to Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Potomac/Bethesda, Au Pair in America Community Counselor, Victoria Paton, is raising funds for Leukemia & Lymphoma by riding a 100 mile ride in Utah on September 17, 2011. She trains weekly (yesterday reaching her longest ever of 66 miles in Gettysburg, PA) and many Au Pairs said they want to help her raise money as their friends and family have also been affected by blood cancers. So we decided to eat some excellent American pizza and have a fun event also.
The event is open to the public, but Potomac Pizza requests that anyone wishing proceeds to go to Leukemia & Lymphoma Society print the attached flier or mention it at check-out.
Victoria replies to Host Family email on Blackberry at mile 34 rest stop near covered bridge
Print flier to take to Potomac Pizza http://potomac.patch.com/events/potomac-pizza-and-au-pair-in-america-fundraiswer-for-leukemia#pdf-7292310
Posted by Victoria Paton on Jul 5, 2011
Michelle and Amy Au Pairs from S. Africa Walked 5k for Autism
Michelle and Amy, both Au Pairs with Au Pair in America, from South Africa joined thousands of others on the 4th of July to walk 5k for Autism Speaks in Potomac to raise money for Autism research. Michelle said that she loved to participate in charity walks back home and was excited by the chance to help an American non-profit with her energy. Many Au Pairs are trained to care for children with Special Needs.
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AAA, affordable childcare, Au Pair, Au Pair in America, Au Pairs, Bethesda, Cabin John, Cluster activities, cluster meeting, cluster meetings, Educare, Glen Echo, host family, Potomac, potomac community center, thailand, winter driviing
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The announcers welcomed back the Au Pair in America group for the 12th year! A group of au pairs marched in the parade on Saturday 10/22/11 and gave prizes and coloring books to children along the route. While waiting for the parade to begin, the girls delighted in meeting the Chick-Fil-A cow. It was a wonderful day and and we were all proud to represent the au pairs of the Potomac Shoreline Cluster.
