Au Pair in America – Rhode Island

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.

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”. 

 

 

 

 

 

  

  

 

　

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On Sunday evening, January 23, our cluster meeting was scheduled at the Bank of Ameirca Skating Center at Kennedy Plaza.  Frigid, below-zero temperatures drew most of us across the street, though, where there is a warm, toasty Starbucks at the Biltmore hotel, just steps away from the skating rink.  It was a very comfortable place to be on a cold, winter, night.  There were a few who immersed themselves into winter sports, though, despite the cold weather.  Three au pairs (all from Thailand) not only enjoyed skating on Sunday, but also spent sometime snow-tubing earlier in the day!  They really enjoyed immersing themselves in our cold, winter weather.  We said “Farewell”  to Jade, from South Africa, who has successfully completed two years with Au Pair in America and is now moving on to her next exciting adventure!  Our next meeting is scheduled indoors, and it won’t matter how cold it is outside.  We’ll be enjoying a Zumba class….and the heat will be on!!!

View more photos at: http://www1.snapfish.com/snapfish/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=3640394017/a=13509975_13509975/

Our January meeting was held at Madeira Restaurant (www.MadeiraRestaurant.com). It was a great way to start the new year — The food was incredibly delicious, and it looks like some of our au pairs will be returning to Madeira to enjoy more of that wonderful Portuguese food! We have two au pairs celebrating January birthdays – Aylin on January 1, and Nathalie on January 27. Unfortunately, neither Aylin or Nathalie could join us for dinner on this particular evening — so we are sending our birthday wishes to you via our blog. Happy January Birthday Aylin and Nathalie! We’ll look forward to seeing you in February – details of our February meeting will follow by e-mail.

Our December au pair meeting at the Glen Manor House in Portsmouth was very festive! The French chateau was beautifully decorated, and each of our au pairs had photo opportunties with Santa himself! This was a wonderful environment for our holiday meeting and gift exchange. To view more photos of this event, click on the link listed under "photos" on the right side of this page.