Tag Archives: Boston area

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!

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!

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

Patti’s April Meeting

Farewell Hilda!

Farewell Hilda!

Cake and Ice Cream

What could be better for celebrating  spring!!

Monday night we gathered at my home to welcome in Spring!!

This was Hilda’s last meeting after being a part of our group for two years.   We were so fortunate that her mother was visiting and was able to join us!   After introductions we settled down to the business of the up coming cultural fair, au pair marketing and the Boston Walk for Hunger.   It was a good time to talk about spring activities for the children and I was able to take them to the APIA site and show them the seasonal calender and Kids Corner, many of the girls did not know that these resources were so available to them!   A short discussion on disciplining children took place and an informative sheet was passed out with some additional info.  We then sang Happy Birthday to May and some said tearful good-byes to Hilda.

Princess Warrior battles Harvard "nerd"

Princess Warrior battles Harvard "nerd"

To end the evening the girls were given a choice of two games to play,  Au Pair Bingo or  using aluminum foil to design a dress (thank you counselors from our FACEBOOK page for the idea).   The costumes that were created were so inventive and the girls had so much fun!

More Cluster Photos!

Cultural Fair April 30th

2010 Cultural Fair
2010 Cultural Fair

Boston Children’s Museum

11:00am – 2:00pm

On April 30th  Au Pair in America will be hosting their 2011 Cultural Fair at the Boston Children’s Museum.

Au Pairs from many of the countries Au Pair in America recruits from will be bringing our worlds together with fun activities, maps, music, flags and much more!

Sometime soon au pairs will be receiving an email inviting them to participate.  Please take a moment to look at last years photos below.  We hope to make this years event the best ever!!

2010 Cultural Fair

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)

Dr. Martin Luther King Day

Dr. Martin Luther King

Dr. Martin Luther King

Martin Luther King Day is a federal holiday held on the third Monday of January. It celebrates the life and achievements of Martin Luther King Jr., an influential American civil rights leader. He is most well-known for his campaigns to end racial segregation on public transport and for racial equality in the United States.

Each year schools, federal offices, post office and banks across America close as we celebrate the birth, the life and the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  It is an occasion for joy and celebration for his life and his work toward nonviolent social change in America and the world.

It took many years for Congress to decide to celebrate the holiday.  In the years leading up to the official decree many African-Americans celebrated the birthday themselves with a few states declaring King’s birthday a state holiday.

The bill was finally passed by both the House of Representatives and the Senate and was signed into law on November 2, 1983.  The first national celebration of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday took place January 20, 1986.

To learn more about Dr. King and his life visit these websites.

http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/martin-luther-king-day

http://www.answers.com/topic/martin-luther-king-day

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AU PAIR IN AMERICA!!

Au Pair in America Celebrates 25 Years!

Au Pair in America was established in 1986 as the first federally approved au pair program in the United States.  We have established high standards of excellence, partnering with the U.S. government, international partners, our U.S. field network, AIFS staff and orientation team to provide a quality cross-cultural experience for over 87,000 au pairs from around the world and thousands of American families.  Join us in celebration.