Tag Archives: Lexington

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!

Au Pair in America at Barefoot Books

Barefoot Books
Barefoot Books

Summer is a time of travel and adventure for children and adults alike. So, how can we travel to experience this sense of adventure, yet stay right in town? If you live in our area, it’s easy! Just step into the world of Barefoot Books at 89 Thoreau Street, Concord.

With the help of our au pairs from Canada, South Africa, Thailand, and Brazil, children visiting the bookstore have had the chance to visit the rainforests of Brazil and the north country of Canada, they’ve learned about the elephants of Thailand, and they have traveled along with a child living on the veld in South Africa. Au pairs have read engaging stories to the children and they have also happily worked with the children to create crafts related to a different group of countries each week during the month of July . This summer program at Barefoot Books has paired au pairs who want to teach about their own countries with children from far and wide who have come to the bookstore to step into another culture with an au pair. 

Look at the photos to get your own view of our au pairs and the children at Barefoot Books. Join us in August to visit with au pairs from New Zealand and all of Europe. Welcome to another expression of cultural exchange provided by Au Pair in America!


More Barefoot Books 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

November Cluster Meeting

Yee Haw!

Welcome Au Pairs!!!

Welcome Au Pairs!!!

On a cold autumn evening last weekend, two clusters and our many guests enjoyed an evening of good old-fashioned line dancing with Cowgirl Mary Rinker at the Bay Path Barn. Although the barn was cold when we arrived, it soon heated up with the tunes of American country western favorites.  Au pairs, many in their boots and cowgirl clothing, seemed to get into the spirit immediately and the fun began when we tried out the first dances that Mary had taught us.

After 2 straight hours of line dancing, the au pairs were heated up and ready for a break!  We used the time to catch up with each other, to welcome our many new au pairs, and to say farewell to those that had finished their year in the USA!  All in all, we had a great time.  It was the perfect way to spend time together before heading out into the darkness.

Line dancing is particularly well suited for our gathering because all interested participants can learn the steps quickly and it requires no partner.  The best part is that the steps can be adapted to all sorts of music and it is great exercise. Language is optional as we just follow the demonstrations.  Everyone lines up, (that’s why we call it line dancing!) and the fun begins.  So, as we like to say at line dancing, “Yee Haw, Cowgirl!”

view photo album ->  Country Line Dancing

NOVEMBER DATES TO REMEMBER

1102Election Day

Would you like to know more about the American political system? Check out http://bensguide.gpo.gov/ for a simple presentation of information about the US government including elections. Talk to the children about what you learned and create an Election Day theme at home: decorate in red, white and blue (how about colored napkins on the table?) Put out an American flag, and serve red, white and blue snacks. Blue and white corn chips with red salsa, vanilla ice cream with strawberries and blueberries or layers of colored Jell-o served with whipped cream.

1107Daylight Savings Time Ends

Move your clocks back one hour before going to bed on Saturday night and enjoy the extra hour of sleep…

1111-1Veteran’s Day

A day to honor American veterans of all wars, Veteran’s Day is a federal holiday. You can find some suggestions of activities to do with children at www.va.gov/KIDS/.

1125Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving dates back to the first European settlers in North America. After hardship, illness and hard work, the Pilgrims celebrated a successful harvest that they shared with their Native American friends. This national holiday is a day to feast and give thanks. Visit this site to compare Thanksgiving to other harvest festivals: www.familyculture.com/holidays/thanksgiving.htm.

1126

Black Friday

Black Friday is the Friday after Thanksgiving and is the beginning of the traditional Christmas shopping season. Black Friday is not an official holiday, but many employees take the day off, which increases the number of potential shoppers. Many retailers open very early (typically 5 am or even earlier) and offer door buster deals and loss leaders to draw people to their stores. Merchants and the media use the term Black Friday to refer to the beginning of the period in which retailers are in the black (i.e., turning a profit).

Our October Meeting- Going Back in Time

Our October meeting was held at Minuteman National Park right within our cluster towns!  It was really nice to see so many of you there from both Melinda’s and Patti’s cluster on one of the first days of October.

Gathering at The National Park Visitor Center

Gathering at The National Park Visitor Center

We said farewell to two au pairs after their very successful years, greeted our many new au pairs, had a picnic, and heard one of very own au pairs play guitar, but there was even more!  We went inside to hear about the first days of the American Revolution that started right here!  We enjoyed a multi-media film narrated by Colonel Doolittle, a reenactment of the minuteman’s responses to the British, and a tour of the historic Hartwell Tavern, one of the places where colonists gathered.   This makes the Minutemen’s struggles towards their goal of independence that much more real for all of us. Many au pairs can now better understand why we have somany tourists arriving daily from all over the world!  They are coming to see where American freedom all began!

Hartwell Tavern

Hartwell Tavern

Melinda’s August Cluster Meeting

Staying Cool? Melinda's picture (2)

Last Sunday was a beautiful day and a record number of you shared a part of it together to greet new au pairs, say good bye to cherished departing friends, and discuss the ever-important topic: education.  After getting settled in, we chilled out of the heat and shared information and advice about what to take, where, how, and why!  It was an interesting meeting and experienced au pairs were so important telling us about course work, transportation, sleeping arrangements and good food on the weekends away, and much more.  Thank you all for sharing this vital information!  See you next month!

Melinda