Au pairs in our cluster decked the rooftops in style, song and dance throughout the towns that we live in. Come see the fun for yourself! Thanks to Tiffany of New Zealand and Lexington.
Yearly Archives: 2012
While the storm goes through: Reading to Children
It is never too early to start reading to children. Children of all ages enjoy having stories read to them. Reading, cuddling up on a couch or reading before a child takes a nap or goes to sleep at night, is comforting for the child. This special time together builds a bond, take the time to read to the children in your life.
- Read slowly, this gives children time to thing about what you are reading
- Change your voice for different characters, or read in a softer voice from some characters,
louder for others. A sing song voice is fun for young children.
- Share a picture book with a child and have them tell you a story from the pictures!
- Read every day!
- Children have favorites, so don’t worry if they want the same story every day, but add a few others so they can develop new favorites.
- Talk about the story, ask the children what was their favorite part. Let them share the story back to you or their parents!
- Do arts and crafts about the story. Have them draw you a picture about the story.
- If the children are old enough to read themselves, have them read you a story. Alternate, you read, they read. This will encourage them to read more!
- Have fun, read stories about subjects you and the children enjoy!
- Turn off the TV and computer and read!
Au Pair in America at the Head of the Charles Regatta
One of the most well known competitions of the international rowing world took place this past weekend on the banks of the Charles River in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Over twenty au pairs gathered there to have hot chocolate and fudge brownies, while they people watched and cheered on their favorite teams rowing up the river in sculls, two person, four person, and eight member boats.
Olympic teams competed in fierce competition with their own best records, with each other, and with the increasing wind conditions. University teams such as the University of Washington and University of Virginia were au pair favorites and with all of the cheering and support, they both took first place in the Championship and Collegiate divisions respectively. Despite the cheering the cluster gave them, the Naval Academy did not fare as well.
Crowds estimated at over one hundred thousand lined the riverside from the Boston Harbor and the river basin all the way to Watertown, on both the Cambridge and Boston sides. To add to the festivities, the autumn foliage was in full display. It was a true New England day and as the sun began to sink, au pairs filtered off to enjoy the remaining Sunday evening fun.
Click here for pictures Pics of Head of the Charles
APPLE PICKING
Hayride into the Orchard
Our annual Host Family Event was held at Carver Hill Orchards in Stow, MA. Counselors were ready to greet and meet families with fresh apple cider and doughnuts, crafts for the kids, and information about au pairs cultural adaptation! Great Day!
2012 Olympic Games
Are you catching Olympic Fever?
WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THE OLYMPIC RINGS?
The Olympic symbol consists of five interlaced rings of equal dimensions, used alone, in one or in five different colors, which are, from left to right, blue, yellow, black, green and red. The Olympic symbol (the Olympic rings) expresses the activity of the Olympic Movement and represents the union of the five continents and the meeting of athletes from throughout the world at the Olympic Games.
Here are some resources and activities for your children below.
First things first:
Keep track of the Olympic events here is the official website for the games:
The games are on NBC. The viewing schedule:
http://www.nbcolympics.com/results-schedules/index.html
Olympic websites:
Kids Activities.net
This one has background info, crafts, games, and snacks.
http://www.kidactivities.net/post/Olympics-Theme-for-Kids.aspx
Project Britain:
This one has activities for older kids divided in subjects such as literacy, math, science, history, geography, art and design
http://projectbritain.com/olympics/teachingresources.html
Care.com
Information on indoor and outdoor activities including have an Olympic ceremony.
Teacher planet
Lesson plans, worksheets, and activities
http://www.teacherplanet.com/resource/summerolympics.php
DC Olympic website with links to
Athens Perseus project, National Geographic and food from Ancient Greece
http://erikafranz.wordpress.com/2012/06/12/summer-olympics-summer-adventures-for-the-family/
British links teaching about the Olympics
http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2012/apr/16/london-2012-olympics-teaching-resources
Printables
- 1. http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/summer_olympics.htm
- 2. http://homeschooling.about.com/od/freeprintables/ss/summerolympics_all.htm
PLAY BALL!
So many farewells!
“Save money for travel” and “Play Ball!” were two exclamations heard in equal parts at our July cluster meeting, a mixture of fond farewells, parting advice, and a great game of American baseball. Saying goodbye to 11 departing au pairs was sad, but it was made little bit easier by chocolate cake and watermelon, then a fantastic game of American Baseball.
Americans never think about how strange a sport baseball is until they try to explain it to those who have never played it or watched a game. Running from base to base and having to stop sometimes, but not at other times, is odd. “Three strikes and you’re out” is arbitrary. Distinguishing a strike from a ball is arbitrary.
Still, everyone showed amazing athletic skills, including strong batting, excellent speed covering most of bases, and great catching. The opposing pitchers were formidable. Chloe Haggard pitched consistently hittable balls even while injured and Kathi Lange was frightening in her windup and was even part of a key double play midway through the game.
With lightening in the distance and darkness falling, it was time to end the game. However, it is clear that our au pairs are ready to play more ball!
Rolling on the River in June!
On a beautiful day over Fathers Day weekend, our group of au pairs from all over the world met at the South Bridge Boathouse in Concord to enjoy an afternoon of rowing on the Concord River. The river itself is beautiful enough, but after piling into boats and getting a push off from the dock, the boats slowly made their way upstream to the historic North Bridge for photo opportunities. Although all the boats made it to the North Bridge dock, some were speedier than others. We welcomed some first time au pairs and said a fond farewell to Linda. After a discussion of summer safety for children and a summer snack at the Old Manse, next to the North Bridge, it was time to row against the current back to the boat house.
Whether quickly or slowly, all boats arrived safely. Unlike past years, no rescues were necessary for missing boats!
A 
Massachusetts Drivers License for German Au Pairs
For Au Pairs with A German Driver’s License– How to get a Massachusetts License
German au pairs may obtain a Massachusetts drivers license without having to take the test. Please follow the following instructions (first in German- then in English):
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GERMAN INFORMATION: In Massachusetts benötigen Sie für die Umschreibung Ihren Pass, Social Security Number, den deutschen Führerschein mit Übersetzung und einen Registerauszug des Kraftfahrtbundesamtes. Bitte beachtet, dass die Uebersetzung des deutschen Fuehrerscheins keine VerkehrsverstoeBe enthalten darf. Anträge für Registerauszüge vom Kraftfahrtbundesamt können unter http://www.kba.de/cln_015/nn_125874/DE/ZentraleRegister/VZR/Auskunft/vzr__auskunft__inhalt.html heruntergeladen werden (wenn der link nicht funktioniert, bitte copy and paste…). Bitte drucken Sie das Formular aus und senden Sie es an die angegebene Adresse, zusammen mit einer Notiz, dass Sie Ihren Registerauszug in Englisch benoetigen und dass er an Ihre amerikanische Adresse geschickt werden soll. Dies kann bis zu zwei Wochen dauern und sollte daher zuerst beantragt werden.
Die Übersetzung Ihres Führerscheins wird im Generalkonsulat (3 Copley Pl # 500; Boston) vorgenommen. Bitten bringen Sie dazu Ihren Führerschein und Ihren deutschen Pass mit. Eine vorherige Terminabsprache ist nicht notwendig; die Gebühr beträgt derzeit 22,- US $.
Umschreibungsstelle in Boston: RMV, 10 Park Plaza (Transportation Building, T-Station Boylston oder China Town), Tel.: 617-973-8860. Anträge für Umschreibungen deutscher Führerscheine können dort nach vorheriger Terminabsprache erfolgen. Die Gebühr betraegt $100.
Führerscheinübersetzung und Registerauszug dürfen nicht älter als 30 Tage bei Beantragung der Umschreibung sein!
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ENGLISH INSTRUCTIONS: In order to convert your German license to a Massachusetts license you will need your passport, social security number, German license with the official translation, and a clear German driving record from the “Kraftfahrtbundesamt.”
1. Do immediately: Get your German driving record. Click on the following link http://www.kba.de/cln_015/nn_125874/DE/ZentraleRegister/VZR/Auskunft/vzr__auskunft__inhalt.html (if link doesn’t work, please copy and paste…) Print out the form and send it to the given address. You also need to include a note saying that you need the document in English and that they need to send it to your American address. It takes about two weeks so this should be done first.*
2. Wait the required two weeks in the USA: Apply for social security number in person.
3. Once you have your social security number in hand: Get your license translated: German Consulate Boston (3 Copley Pl # 500; Boston). Please bring your German passport und license. It is not necessary to make an appointment. The fee is $22.
4. Finally: Convert your license: RMV 10 Park Plaza, Boston (Transportation Building, T-Station Boylston or China Town). Call 617-973-8860 to make an appointment. The fee is $100 for the cost of the license.
*Please note that the driving record and translation may not be older than 30 days in order to be able to get your license converted.
Blogger’s family finds their APIA Au Pair…
Blogging in the Wall Street Journal
The reporter John J. Edwards, III with the Wall Street Journal has been blogging with his readers about searching for an au pair. He announced his family’s decision to match with an au pair from South Africa using Au Pair in America! Check out his blog by clicking here to see how his family came to the decision to match with this girl.
GET READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL!!
Super Bowl Sunday – February 5th
Can it get any better? Tom Brady
GO PATS!!
Can it get any better? Tom Brady