Tag Archives: activities

September Cluster Meeting

Launching

Launching

Paddling on the Concord River

On a beautiful and warm September day, a large group of energetic au pairs rowed on the Concord River to the historic North Bridge. Most boats showed excellent technique, with only a few going around in circles and hitting the first stone bridge on the way before getting under it successfully. One of our au pairs biked over 8 miles to get to the meeting and then biked from the boathouse up to the North Bridge for the meeting. Everyone arrived safely and tying up at the dock, the boaters were admired by the tourists from around the world who were watching from the North Bridge.

After enjoying an energy snack of brownies and lemonade in a beautiful and peaceful field, we remembered 9-11 and its significance in our lives regardless of where we are from. Although many au pairs did not remember the specifics of the day, others had vivid memories of hearing the news.

Soon it was time to get back into the boats and fight a very strong current to get back to the boathouse. It was not easy and there were some panicky moments as one or two of the boats were pulled backwards, actually hitting the stately North Bridge or gliding uncontrollably into the woods on the riverside! Finally, all boats rounded the oxbow in the river with only one signaling distress. Eventually, Kevin of the Boat House took the rescue boat out to rescue these paddlers. It was quite exciting and as these tired au pairs motored back to the boathouse with their canoe in tow, it was clear that they had enjoyed the whole adventure! They joined the other au pairs who had already returned to the boathouse to share a few more minutes together before getting ready to start the week of a busy au pair.

view more pictures here!

Summer Evenings

At the batting cage!

At the batting cage!

Our end of summer cluster meeting was held at Kimballs Farm.   It was a perfect evening for ice cream and a perfect time to discuss classes and fall plans.  The meeting was to include practice (or try for the first time) golf, but a distant rumble of thunder and lightning changed the venue to the batting cages.  Amazing how many balls connected to the bats!!!   Way to go girls!

More pictures here ->  Cluster Pics

Play Ball!

Farewells

Farewells

On a perfect summer evening, au pairs from our clusters enjoyed an evening full of American traditions. Starting the evening off with a typical prebaseball dinner, we greeted several new au pairs who were just beginning their years here. Celebrating two birthdays, and enjoying cake and watermelon, we said farewell to members of the clusters who have successfully completed their year here in the USA.  Also, attending our meeting were two former au pairs visiting their families for the summer and offering encouraging words to the group.
Moving on to the baseball field, it was clear that the au pairs were ready to play ball! Luckily, we had heavy hitters and speedy outfielders, power pitchers, and speedy base-women to keep the game in constant suspense. After those few confusing moments about what to do once the ball is actually hit with the bat, runners began to take advantage of momentary outfield confusion to score heavily. The final scores were too high to keep track! More importantly, each au pair showed her talent at home plate and while warming up, had her photo taken for valuable future baseball cards. The Red Sox talent scouts will be calling soon!

click here for more pics ->  Baseball Pics

Cultural Fair at Boston Children’s Museum

IMG_0864May 1st was a day of cultural education and fun, sponsored by Au Pair in America at the Boston Children’s Museum. Over the course of the afternoon, hundreds of enthusiastic children and parents toured the exhibition, received earth and skin friendly tattoos, had their faces painted with country flags, and chatted with au pairs representing countries from around the world.

The Au Pair in America Cultural Fair was truly a multi-modal event.
Traditional dance in authentic costume highlighted the presentation by Thailand while the German au pairs entertained visitors with traditional German spring egg craft and painting.  South African au pairs proudly painted their country’s flag on little and big smiling faces alike, while a  colorful and tempting piñata dangled overt the Mexico booth.  Au pairs from many other countries served as international teachers of the culture and beauty of their homelands as well.  Photos of this great event are available on our cluster photos link below.

Cultural Fair Pictures

March Madness!!

Gathering in the Common Room

Gathering in the Common Room

March’s cluster meeting began with an informal gathering at the all purpose room.   Everyone introduced themselves to our two new au pairs.   Counselors talked about Boston’s Walk for Hunger and showed a short DVD about last years event.   April’s Cultural Fair  and au pair marketing opportunities were some other topics discussed.

Later a volleyball game in the gym soon turned into a fast paced game of basketball

More March Cluster Pics

Red and Blue Teams

Red and Blue Teams

February Skating on the Frog Pond

Lacing up!

Lacing up!

Under a bright blue sky and a warm winter sun, au pairs came out of hibernation today to enjoy ice  skating at the Frog Pond on the Boston Common.  Along with many other New Englanders young and old, our au pairs strapped on borrowed or rented ice skates and gracefully glided around the pond while gazing at the cityscape surrounding them. The golden dome of the State House, which is just a stone’s throw away, glistened in the background and park benches surrounding the Frog Pond were filled with interested spectators enjoying the activities on the ice.

Enthusiastic  au pairs came out to practice what was either a new sport for them or one that they had not practiced in quite a while. They hooked arms as they laughed their way through the throngs of other skaters.   We hope that this will be the first of many visits to the Frog Pond for these skating au pairs and those that were unable to attend will give it a try at another time.   Check out our photos of the skaters!

Ice Skating Pictures

MORE SNOWY DAYS COMING!

snowflakes1Here are some helpful tips on activities for you on cold, snowy or rainy days at home with the children.

Listen to Music and Dance Day
Don’t let the rain or snow stop you from being active. Put on a lively tape and dance around the house today.  Show the children some traditional dance moves from your country!

Tea Party Day

Mix up some warm cocoa or milk and invite the dolls or stuffed animals for a tea party

Art Day
Make today an art day – try drawing, painting, creating with glue or clay.

Make a necklace today– use a licorice “shoelace” (the really long thin ones) and cereal for young children and then they can eat the whole thing.  For something less sticky, use string instead of the licorice.

Puzzle Day

Do a puzzle or make one of your own. Find a fun picture in a magazine and glue it to lightweight cardboard. Cut into shapes.

Make a Pie

Pies are popular every day and are easy to make if you buy a prepared crust in the freezer or dairy section of the grocery store. Try this easy recipe;

Chocolate Pie

Purchase pre-made pie shell and Jell-O instant chocolate pudding.  Prepare pie shell per directions.  Let cool.  Prepare pudding, pour into pie shell, let set for an hour and voila!  Dessert is served!

Stamping
Rubber stamps and stamp pads are fun, but for a change try sponge and some kitchen utensils or cut shapes into a potato, apple, or orange. You could even let the child dip his or her hand into some water-based paint to make great pictures.

Treasure Hunt!
Pretend you are all on a desert island looking for treasure. Make a map or place clues around the house leading the children through the hunt. This can be done with pictures for non-readers – draw a picture of the television, then at the television place a picture of the stove. At the stove place a picture of a bed, and so on to the end. The “treasure” can be a treat to eat, or a new game to play.   Read books about pirates to add to the fun.

Make a fort today

Use blankets and couch cushions to make a fort and play inside.  Don’t forge to put everything away!

Make a picture frame
Glue 4 Popsicle sticks (available in craft departments) in a square to make a frame. Decorate the frame with glitter, lace, yarn, feathers, stickers, confetti or whatever you have on hand. Mount a picture from the back and be sure to date it! You can also
glue a magnet on from the back so that the picture can hang on the refrigerator. (This activity is suitable for children 3 and older)

January Snow Tubes Fly

Nashoba Valley Snow Tubing

Nashoba Valley Snow Tubing

On a cold and dark January night, several local clusters gathered to snow tube down Nashoba Mountain. Six clusters met in the toasty lodge for winter treats and hot drinks provided by their counselors before beginning an evening on the slopes. After group tickets were bought, the fun began! With old friends and new, au pairs bundled up and picked out their tubes. The music was loud; the squeals of delight were as well! Everyone had a wonderful time and most were already planning a repeat visit as they drove off.

snow tubing pictures

Holiday Partying with the Au Pairs!

“Ho! Ho! Ho!” were the operative words for close to one hundred au pairs at our multi-cluster holiday pot luck dinner party this past week.   Held at the historic Concord Scout House,  several Boston area clusters gathered for what has become an annual tradition of good food, good fun, and good cheer.

Santa's visit

Santa's visit

For more  pictures click -> Holiday Pictures

The evening started with the potluck dinner that reflected the diversity of au pairs that attended. We had appetizers from South Africa, India and Italy, salads from Italy and Colombia, desserts from Germany and Thailand, just to name a few.  The community counselors came through with delicious roast ham, lasagnas, and potato casseroles, and our famous Au Pair Punch!

Our special guest, Santa, arrived to circulate and hear what is on our au pairs’ wish lists this year.  Peals of laughter and lots of photo opportunities were a part of his extended visit. Then, it was on to the Yankee Swap during which we found out a lot that we did not know about each other, in addition to swapping gifts!  It was all in good fun though.

One of the nicest parts of our traditional party is the holiday singing that ends the evening. Each of our many countries’ languages was represented on stage as au pairs gathered together to sing their favorite holiday songs in their native languages to us. This is a wonderful tradition that you can experience now in our YouTube video here on the blog.

Au Pairs bring holiday cheer in song!

0511-0711-0615-2028_Abstract_Christmas_Tree_clipart_imageThen, after all the festivities, it was time to say, “Happy Holidays to all and to all a good night” as au pairs bundled up and made their way out into the starry December night.