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Harvard University Tour 2013

Touching John Harvard's shoe for luck!

Touching John Harvard's shoe for luck!

Au Pairs from the Boston area gather each year to tour the hallowed grounds of Harvard University.  On a beautiful September day over 80 girls came to Cambridge to learn about student life and the diversity of one Americas oldest and most prestigious schools.

Tour guides provided us with historical facts and stories.  Did you know that the statue of John Harvard (which by the way is not John Harvard, but a student who was asked to model, in the absence of any known pictures of John) is the 3rd most photographed statue in the country?   Want to guess what the top two are?    Needless to say the day was full of interesting facts and sights of Harvard!

click here for pictures  —-> Harvard Tour 2013

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

PLAY BALL!

So many farewells!

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!

More Pics Here!

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 A few arrivals at the boat house

More Pics Here!

GET READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL!!

Super Bowl Sunday – February 5th

Can it get any better?       Tom Brady

Can it get any better? Tom Brady

GO PATS!!

This year’s game features the New England Patriots vs the New York Giants.

The Super Bowl is the annual American Football championship and a popular time for friends to gather in front of the TV. Each year millions of people watch the game, the half-time show – or just the commercials!  People will be talking about the commercials for days.

The Vince Lombardi Trophy is awarded to the winner.

Au Pairs Celebrate the Holiday Season!

“Ho Ho Ho” was frequently heard echoing through the Concord Scout House during our recent Holiday Gala!

Patti's cluster visit Santa

Patti's cluster visit Santa

With over 150 au pairs attending, the hall was filled with laughter and merriment. Starting with a full buffet that included foods from all over the world and the famous au pair punch, we moved on to a surprise visitor from the North Pole who made the rounds to hear from all of you! Photos with the big jolly man were taken with each of the clusters and then we were on to a Yankee Swap that was filled with true confessions and lots of laughter. We ended the evening with intrepid groups of au pairs from several countries who got up on stage to sing a holiday song from home. They were all fabulous and we have the photos and videos to prove it!

Holiday Gala Pictures

We wish you all A Very Merry Christmas

and a Happy New Year!

November Line Dancing Kicks It!

Au pairs came together on a cold and darkening evening to dance the chills away, have fun, and get some exercise in the process! We saw several techniques that au pairs brought from their own dancing styles to incorporate into the traditional Line Dancing steps. With master instruction from an experienced cowgirl, everyone was dancing in no time at all! Check out our photos on photobucket!

Celebrating International Adventures at Barefoot Books!

Vennesa telling Tales from Namibia

Vennesa telling Tales from Namibia

This weekend Barefoot Books invited our au pairs to participate in their International Fair to launch their new Atlas.   It was a beautiful weekend in New England and families and children drifted in throughout the day.  Our Mexican au pairs, Ana and Elisa, started the morning off with Mexican stories and making flags.   They also got to enjoy a belly dancer who stopped by to entertain the children.

After lunch Venessa from Namibia shared some stories from her country.  She added to the fun by dressing in a traditional native dress!   In the craft room  Susan and her friend, both from the Czech Republic helped the children decorate eggs and look at pictures of beautiful Prague.   Later some African drummers and dancers helped the children dance to the beat of their music!

Barefoot Books November 4th Pics

Barefoot Books World Fair Blog

Apple Picking in October

Taste Testing!

Taste Testing!

Macoun, Macintosh, Granny Smith. What are they? They’re all tasty and all picked by many of the au pairs attending Patti and Melinda’s  October cluster meeting! Under sunny skies and a very brisk wind, au pairs enjoyed cider and apple cider donuts together while we greeted several new au pairs. We then said goodbye to Alicia Cornellisen and Franzi Goerisch who shared their advice about having a great experience this year.

Then it was into the apple orchards for those who wanted to try their hands at picking. And pick they did, as you can see from the photos! Bites were taken and bags were filled to overflowing with the apples that they had reached high for! Some au pairs decided to skip the orchard and they retreated inside to enjoy the gift shop and various samples. As both activities were wrapping up, a huge rain cloud overhead burst, the winds began to blow harder, and we all ran for cover.

Luckily, the apple picking was pretty much done! Now the pie baking begins!

More Pics Here!