Blueberries are readily available during the month of July. You can find them for sale in the supermarkets as well as the local farmer’s markets. Blueberries are great when added to cereal or ice cream and also make great pies, cakes and muffins. Why not try and make something together with your kids using blueberries! 
Tag Archives: Au Pairs in New Jersey
Presidents Day is February 15
School is probably closed today! President’s Day is a Federal holiday created to commemorate the births of former Presidents George Washington (Feb. 22) and Abraham Lincoln (Feb. 12). Throughout America, Presidents’ Day is observed by big sales in the stores, closed schools and banks and no mail delivery.
Things to do with children: The United States has had more than 40 presidents. How many can the children name? Who has been president during their lifetime? Take a look at American coins and bills; who are the Presidents pictured on each coin and bill?
https://blogs.aupairinamerica.com/cha/wp-content/uploads/sites/67/2012/06/abraham-lincoln.jpg
Au Pairs go Cruising!
More than 50 Au Pair in America au pairs from New Jersey recently enjoyed a sunset cruise on the Circle Line. The views from the boat towards the Manhattan skyline were fantastic and everyone got great photos of the “Big Apple” and Statue of Liberty. The cruise was a great way to appreciate the awesome architecture of New York while meeting other participants of the Au Pair in America program.
Celebrate Mother's Day
Mother’s Day is Sunday May 11th. It is a day to celebrate and pamper Mom. Help the children make cards or gifts or plan a special meal or other surprise for Mom. Below is a link with ideas for you to do with your host kids. Don’t forget to call your own Mom too!
http://www.pinterest.com/aupairinamerica/mother-s-day/
Essex Fells Au Pair Wins Volunteer Award
Elena (Eli), a second year Au Pair from Macedonia, recently won third prize in the Au Pair in America Volunteer of the Year contest. Eli, who donated her time to a local nursery school, wrote a lovely essay about the experience and the contribution it has made to her time here in the US as part of the contest entry.Eli is pictured here at a recent cluster meeting, where her fellow Au Pairs celebrated the accomplishment with her!
Au Pairs Learn About Volunteerism and Feed The Homeless.
At a recent gathering in Glen Ridge, Au Pair in America Au Pairs learned the role of volunteerism in American culture AND helped feed the homeless. Working together, these young visitors from around the world made over 225 brown bag lunches for the clients of St. John’s Soup Kitchen in Newark. The project enabled them to “give back” to the community they currently call home.
Louis Comfort Tiffany was born today!
Born in 1848, Tiffany (whose father started the Tiffany jewelry store), was a very fine painter but is best known for his work in stained glass. You can see many examples of his work at the Metropolitan Museum of Art — why not make a trip to NYC to check them out? http://gonyc.about.com/od/photogalleries/ig/Metropolitan-Museum-of-Art/Autumn-Landscape.htm
In the mean time, you can make your own “stained glass” by following these easy instructions — and this is a perfect use for broken crayons. Spread out newspaper and make crayon shavings (a small pencil sharpener is perfect for this). Cover the ironing board with newspaper and sprinkle the crayon shavings on a square of wax paper. Cover with another square of wax paper and more newspaper. Press the paper with a warm iron until the wax of the crayons is melted. These look beautiful hung in the window or you can add a frame made out of construction paper.
Host Families and Au Pairs Go On Safari
Au Pairs and Host Families enjoyed an evening of minigolf in late June at the Safari miniGolf grounds at the Essex County Recreational Facility in West Orange. The gathering was a social event sponsored by Au Pair in America Community Counselors from around Essex County. Some participants showed the skills of professionals, while others enjoyed their first experience at the game. Nevertheless, everyone enjoyed the camaraderie and companionship of spending time sharing a little bit of American culture and fun!
Cherry Blossom Season arrives in New Jersey!
The cherry trees are beginning to bloom at Branch Brook Park in Newark. There are many events and activities being organized in conjunction with this beautiful display of nature; L
earn more about them by checking out this link: http://www.branchbrookpark.org/Calendar.aspx
Meeting and Greeting at the September Cluster Meeting
Over 50 young women from around the world, who are all participants in the Au Pair In America cultural exchange program, met recently at the Glen Ridge Community Center. Many of these Au Pairs are newly arrived to New Jersey and were excited to meet the other participants in the program, both new and established, for fun and refreshments. The Au Pairs are living in Glen Ridge, Montclair, Verona, Essex Fells, the Caldwells, and West Orange and will stay one year, providing childcare, taking classes and learning about American life.