Au Pair in America – Rhode Island

We really had fun bowling at Town Hall Lanes on Sunday night — it turns out that some of our au pairs are very skilled at duckpin bowling! Some expressed interest in returning on their own to do it again — you may want to sign up with Town Hall Lanes to receive coupons and special offers by e-mail: http://townhalllanes.com/emailSignup.asp
We welcomed Renata and Lilly to their first cluster meeting, and said good by to Meire, who is completing her term as an au pair and will be returning to Brazil. Gabriela, who was not able to join us on Sunday evening, will complete her year on December 5, and will be returning to Costa Rica. We wish you both the very best of luck, and will miss you!

Here is a famous illustration by Norman Rockwell, a 20th century American painter, which describes his vision of Thanksgiving

Most au pairs will be experiencing their very first Thanksgiving celebration this week. Thanksgiving Day in America is a time to gather with family and friends for holiday meals. It is a time of giving thanks for all of our blessings. There will be football games and parades, but “feasting” is the most significant activity that occurs on Thanksgiving Day. The main food for the feast is roasted turkey with dressing, usually accompanied by mashed potatoes, gravy, sweet potatoes, sweet corn, cranberry sauce , fall vegetables and pumpkin pie.

History of Thanksgiving -In 1621, the Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag Indians shared an autumn harvest feast that is acknowledged today as one of the first Thanksgiving celebrations in the colonies. For more than two centuries, days of thanksgiving were celebrated by individual colonies and states. It wasn’t until 1863, in the midst of the Civil War, that President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day to be held each November. Click HERE for more information about the history of Thanksgiving.

Halloween is celebrated on October 31st in the United States. It is a favorite family celebration – a time for traditions such as dressing in costumes, trick-or-treating around the neighborhood, and carving pumpkins. American children dress up in funny or scary costumes and go “trick or treating”. The neighbors are expected to respond by giving them small treats. Adults may also dress in costume for Halloween parties. The name “Halloween” comes from the Christian tradition. It is derived from “All Hallow’s Eve.” October 31st is the eve of All Hallows day, better known as All Saints Day. This is a day when the church celebrates and remembers the lives of the saints.

Most au pairs will be celebrating the American tradition of Halloween for the very first time this year. If you are looking for fun ways to celebrate with your children…here are some of the Halloween attractions that will be going on in the Rhode Island area:

Boo Bash: Providence Children’s Musuem; October 29, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM http://www.childrenmuseum.org/
Children can play bewitching games galore, have hands-on fun with imaginative arts and “witch crafts,” explore an eerie environment, mix it up in the mad scientist’s laboratory and much more. Come in costume and have a blast at the biggest Halloween bash around!

Costume Parade: Meet at the Gazebo in Pawtucket Park, Narragansett Parkway, Warwick, October 29 at 1:15 p.m. Participants will trick or treat (wear a costume and bring a treat bag) through the village to the Village Playground in Edgewood for games, goodies and music until 4 p.m. Free. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Evening of Horror: Mystic Performance Workshop, 40 Washington Street, Providence. Haunted house with spooky sounds, children’s activities and family activities, including apple bobbing, face painting and horror move scream. Last entrance to the haunted house is 6:45 p.m. 4 – 7 p.m. $8; $5 ages 12 and younger.

Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular: Roger Williams Park, 1000 Elmwood Avenue, Providence. 401-785-3510. RogerWilliamsParkZoo.org
Thousands of pumpkins set in a magical display or artistry. Carved jack-o-lanterns depicting people, places and scenes from popular culture to old time favorites and everything in between. Nightly 6-10 p.m. Ends November 6. Call or visit website for pricing.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
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Creepy, Crawly Family Fun Weekend: October 29, 2011 to October 30, 2011. Take a look at the gross, creepy and crawly things that make Halloween special with spooky activities and Museum creature features! Free goodie bags for each visitor. Location: Roger Williams Park, 1000 Elmwood Avenue. Time: noon-4 p.m. Cost: Free with Museum admission of $2. Information: www.providenceri.com/museum/special-events

Sue Shanley, Program Director at the Kent County YMCA is asking for our help at her annual children’s Santa’s Workshop Christmas Party. The party is held every year for Kent County YMCA members. Our group of au pairs has volunteered in past years and it has always been lots of fun! Sue will give each volunteer a specific responsibility such as: Greeting guests as they arrive, breakfast with Santa, photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, cookie decorating, making “candy houses“, making gingerbread houses, Polar Express, Holiday arts and crafts, serving donuts and cocoa, story reading. If you would like to volunteer for this event, please let me know as soon as possible so that I can confirm your participation with the Kent County YMCA. (BarbaraFetta@gmail.com or 401-949-2427). The event is being held Saturday, December 10, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon, but volunteers should plan to arrive by 9:00 a.m.

June Birthdays…. Happy Birthday Wishes to Ben, Natalia and Gabriel

aสุขสันต์วันเกิด

Feliz aniversario

¡feliz cumpleaños!

After a rainy week in Rhode Island, the sun came on brightly for our May 21 hike along Newport’s Cliff Walk.  Cliff Walk is  a 3.5 mile long path along cliffs – the Atlantic Ocean is on the left, and Newport’s most famous mansions are on the right. The view is absolutely gorgeous!  After our walk, many au pairs spent the rest of their day exploring Newport, our beautiful “city by the sea”. 

 

 

 

 

 

  

  

 

　

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The 2011 Providence Preservation Society Festival of Historic Houses will take place on Saturday, June 4, 2011, and several au pairs will be volunteering for the event!  The Spring Festival of Historic Houses is an annual fundraising event sponsored by the Providence Preservation Society — this year’s tour will feature homes on and around Blackstone  Boulevard.  Rhode Island au pairs and their community counselor will be working together as house guides…they will be welcoming and providing information to tour guests, and will answer any questions that guests may have about the history and architecture of the house.  When their volunteer shift is over, au pairs will have the opportunity to take the tour themselves, and to visit  some of the most extraordinary homes on the East Side of Providence. For more information about the PPS Festival of Historic Homes, click here: http://www.ppsri.org/events/view/82

The Cultural Fair sponsored by Au Pair in America at the Boston Children’s Museum was a huge success — and a very busy day.  The participating au pairs did a wonderful job representing their countries.  It was fun, entertaining, and educational for children and families who were in attendance, and it gave au pairs the opportunity to share their cultures and customs with all of us!!   

  Our April cluster meeting involved dinner at the Cheesecake Factory at Providence Place Mall.   Some au pairs brought friends along — it was so nice to have them as our guests.   Our newest au pairs, Fanny and Gabriela, had the opportunity to meet some of our group for the very first time.  It was a very enjoyable  evening!!!

Carina – March 9  . . . Alles Gute zum Geburtstag!

Hellen – March 31 . . .   Feliz aniversario!