On April 6th the Baltimore and Annapolis clusters met in downtown DC and were given a private tour by the owner “Eddie” from DC by Foot. Eddie treated our group to a wonderful educational tour of the various monuments on the National Mall to include the Washington Monument, the WWII Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial. We learned some great facts to include that the term “Mall” does not mean a shopping mall but rather means “open space” and the Lincoln Memorial takes after the Greek Parthenon which translates to “perfect unity.” Lincoln was remembered in history as a great unifier of our country and the 36 pillars that adorn the Lincoln Memorial represent the 36 states that were part of the Union at the time. Our group was able to see the first signs of the Cherry Blossoms (a gift from Japan) come to life throughout the city on a wonderful sunny day. These delicate blossoms signify the beginning of spring! Something we in the DC area have been looking forward to after a long cold winter.
Tag Archives: Annapolis
Au Pairs receive hands on instruction on CPR and First Aid
This past Saturday, au pairs from the Annapolis cluster met for hands on training provided by the American Red Cross. The Annapolis Evangelical Lutheran Church graciously offered their space for this event. The au pairs received instruction on First Aid and CPR. With the help of dolls these young ladies were able to put into practice what was taught during the 5 1/2 hour course. This program was designed to teach the participants how to recognize and respond appropriately to infant and pediatric emergencies such as cardiac arrest, recognize the signals of a breathing emergency, how to care for a child that is chocking, identify the signals of shock, and how to check a conscious person for life-threatening and non-life threatening conditions. This class provided participants with the knowledge and skills needed to know how to give immediate care to a suddenly injured or ill child until more advanced medical personnel arrive and take over. All participants received a certificate of training upon the completion of this class.
Au Pairs Gather for Holiday Festivities and Fellowship
The Annapolis, Baltimore and Columbia clusters all hosted holiday parties this month. The Annapolis cluster enjoyed a gift exchange and an international cookie swap where all the girls brought a baked good typical to their home country to share. Everyone went home with a bag of cookies from around the world. The Annapolis and Columbia clusters invited a Federal Marshal to attend to speak to the girls about personal safety when going out alone, with friends or when out with the children that have been entrusted to their care. Topics discussed included awareness of their surroundings, how to handle going shopping with children and what to do in case they find themselves to be a victim of a crime. Internet safety tips were discussed as well. The counselors presented the au pairs with a wonderful bright red umbrella with the Au Pair in America logo as our holiday gift to them. The Baltimore cluster had fun displaying their cheerful red umbrellas for the camera. It was a perfect day to hand out umbrellas as the weather was overcast and drizzly on Sunday. The cluster also did a Secret Santa gift exchange. Everyone left with a little gift, and feeling very much in the spirit of the season. We wish all the au pairs, the host families and their beautiful children a blessed and wonderful holiday, a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Taking the Kids to see the Holiday Lights in 2012
Take a break from the hustle and bustle of the busy holiday season. This great website offers 50-plus great places to see the holiday lights in 2012. Lights on the Bay outside of Annapolis are listed as Number 2! It is a drive-through holiday light show at Sandy Point State Park along the Chesapeake Bay, where there are stationery and animated displays including a glowing lighthouse, Navy midshipmen, oysters and blue crabs. Visit between November 19th and January 2nd. If you are traveling out of town to visit with family and friends this website offers many other places to check out the holiday lights to get everyone into the spirit. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!
Click HERE for 50+ Great Places to See Holiday Lights.
Au Pairs Enjoyed the Annapolis Summer Garden Theater
At the end of summer and before school officially began for children, au pairs from the Annapolis cluster met for ice cream on Main Street to welcome the new summer arrivals. Afterwards we enjoyed a wonderful show under the stars (it didn’t rain on us until the very last minute!) called Xandu at the Annapolis Outdoor Summer Garden Theater on Dock Street. We even had an opportunity to meet some of the local actors which was a great treat! 
Au Pairs Become "Urban Pirates"
Au Pairs with Au Pair in America from the Baltimore, Annapolis and Columbia clusters met at the Inner Harbor in Baltimore on July 15th to sail the Inner Harbor with the Urban Pirate ship (www.urbanpirates.com). We were greeted by some very authentic pirates and the au pairs and counselors were donned with appropriate costumes as we cruised the harbor on a beautiful sunny day taking in the city sights. Au Pair in America screens eager and skilled young women between the ages of 18 and 26 from around the world, who will join your family and care for your children during a mutually rewarding, year-long cultural exchange experience. Apply between July 16th and July 31st and save $500.00.
Counselors Patty, Natasha and Jan
February 2 – Today is Ground Hog Day
Traditionally, the groundhog is supposed to wake up on February 2, and come up out of his burrow. If he sees his shadow, he will return to the burrow for six more weeks of winter. If he doesn’t see his shadow, he remains outside and starts his year, because he knows that spring has arrived early. In the U.S., the “official” groundhog is kept in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania and is called “Phil.” Though not based in science, it is a fun US tradition. The movie, starring Bill Murray is hilarious!
Au Pair in America Holiday Party and International Cookie Swap
Sunday December 11th was the International Holiday party for the Annapolis cluster of Au Pair in America. Each au pair brought a cookie or sweet from her home country to share and all girls went home with a bag of treats from all over the world! Girls from Germany, Brazil, Ukraine and Thailand joined in the festivities. Each au pair brought a wrapped gift for the gift exchange. The gifts were placed under the tree as the au pairs arrived. We learned about each others customs and traditions and got to know each other a bit more! The Thai girls educated us on their New Year traditions as this is the big holiday that is celebrated in their home country. Later we gathered around the tree for the gift exchange, numbers were drawn to determine who went 1, 2, 3 and so on. Natasha Wrobel, Annapolis Community Counselor, handed out Christmas mugs for hot chocolate to keep warm over the upcoming winter months.
We also had the pleasure and honor of having a Federal Marshall visit with us to give the au pairs a safety briefing and practical tips when they are out with their host families children, out on the town alone or out with friends. It was very educational and informative.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!
Ice Cream in downtown Annapolis after Hurricane Irene
Despite Hurricane Irene the Annapolis cluster met in downtown Annapolis for ice cream. The weather was beautiful and so many people enjoyed the outside after being cooped up in their homes from the storm over the weekend.
Time Capsule Fair Has Been Canceled
Due to the severe weather from Hurricane Irene that is anticipated on Saturday, the event will be be canceled.
If you created a time capsule to take part, please contact me (contact info. below) to arrange to receive your goody bag.
In honor of the 25th Anniversary of Au Pair in America, we are sponsoring a time capsule fair. Families are invited to create a family time capsule and participate. Guests are also welcome to come see the time capsules on display, vote for their favorite and participate in the other family activities.
This will be a Fun Family Event featuring…
- Time Capsule Fair
- Story Times
- Back to School Organization Tips for Parents
- Temporary Tattoos
- Coloring & Crafts
- Door Prize Drawings
A Time Capsule is a container that includes items and information that share what it was like to live in a particular period of time. After the time capsule fair, you can seal up your capsule and mark it “Not to be opened until 2036.” It could be buried or just tucked away in your attic. It will be a lot of fun looking back at the items 25 years from now!
Download a Complete Time Capsule Activity Plan HERE
Time Capsule Fair Rules:
- Register HERE online (preferred) or the day of the event.
- You may use any container and include whatever items you choose.
- You may work together as a family to create one family time capsule or each child may create and enter their own.
- Each entry will have a 2’ x 2 1/2’ table space to display their time capsule and it’s contents.
- Backboards are allowed, but not required.
- Each family who enters the time capsule will receive a gift bag.
- Time capsules should be checked in and set-up between 1:00 and 2:00 PM to be included.
- Judging will take place at 2:30 PM.
- Award presentations and prize drawings will be held at 2:45 PM.
- If you want to take your time capsule home, it needs to be picked up by 3:30 PM.
For more information, please call Christine Connally at 301-860-1314 or email at cicaupair @ gmail.com (without the spaces.)