Felicitas' Au Pair in America Blog

From me to all who read this page

 

A little history about Saint Valentine’s Day

Every February we celebrate Valentine’s Day by giving flowers, candy and cards to those we love. We do this in honor of Saint Valentine. You may be wondering, “Who is St. Valentine”? Time to brush up on your Valentine’s history!

Legend has it that Valentine was a priest who served during third century Rome. The Emperor at that time, Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those that were married. With this thought in mind he outlawed marriage for young men in hopes of building a stronger army. Supposedly, Valentine, decided this decree was not fair and married young couples in secret. When Emperor Claudius II found out about Valentine’s actions he had his head cut off making him a martyr of love.  Another legend has it that Valentine was an imprisoned man who fell in love with his jailor’s daughter. Before he was put to death he sent the first ‘valentine’ himself when he wrote her a letter and signed it ‘Your Valentine’, words still used on cards today.

Perhaps we’ll never know the true identity and story behind the man named St. Valentine, but this much is for sure…February has been the month to celebrate love for a long time, dating clear back to the Middle Ages. In fact, Valentines ranks second only to Christmas in number of greeting cards sent.

For some fun children’s activities including crafts, coloring pages, games, puzzles and poems go to:

http://www.dltk-holidays.com/valentines/index.htm

http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/valentines-day/

Global Warming Protest---Snowmen revolt.

Winter  is  here  and  the  next  two  months  may  bring  ice  or  snow  to  our  area.   Here  are  some  tips  on  how  to  prepare  your  car  and  yourself  for  this  weather  excursion.

http://www.aaaexchange.com/Assets/Files/200711281238140.HowtoGoonIceandSnow.pdf

Au Pairs perform at the Cultural Fair

Au Pair in America’s  Cultural  Fair  held  in  Glen  Echo  Park  on  April  9th  was  a  truly  great  event  and  a  success  in  every  way.    Several  clusters   in   the   Washington  Metropolitan   area   joined   together   to   make   the   Fair   the   success  that  it   was.    The  setting   in  the  historic  Spanish  Ballroom   could  not  have  been  better.   Several  hundreds  of  visitors  were  able  to  circulate   and   examine  the  tables  that  were  set  up  for  each  country  represented,   and  groups  of   au  pairs  joined   in  presenting   the  dance  and  costumes  of  their  native  lands.    One  au  pair  commented   later   that   she  felt   like  “being  at  home”   when  she  saw  the  presentations.    There  was  face  painting,   child’s   coloring    and   special  staging  arranged  for  picture  taking  at   our  own   paper- mache  Eiffel  Tower.    Six   VAA  families   made  the  effort  to   attend,  along  with  their  au  pair,  and  we  are  very  thankful   for  their  presence.    We  are  also  thankful   and   appreciative  of  the  many   au   pairs   who   volunteered   their  valuable   time    to   help   in   the   event.   Our  Director,   Ruth  Ferry,  and  our  Regional  Program  Manager,   Yasmine  Osman,  came  down  from  Stamford,  Connecticut   to  be  with  us   and   were  likewise   impressed   with  all   the   effort   that  went  into  this  event—-celebrating  the  25th  Anniversary   of   the   origins  of   this  program   approved   by   the   United  States  Information  Agency—-the   first   of   its  kind.    We   think  it   is   the  best.

To  get  some  idea  of   the  spirit  involved   in   this  shared   undertaking   please   click   on   this   video   beautifully  prepared  by   CC  Christine   Connally:   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfPhVn2SGD0&feature=player_embedded