Author Archives: Heike

St. Patricks Day is coming up

imagesCAL2BJ2MMarch 17th: St. Patrick’s Day. This Irish holiday has been celebrated in the USA since 1737.  Traditional icons that mark the holiday:  Leprechauns, Pots of Gold, Rainbows, Shamrocks and the Color Green!  There will be local parades in many of our towns…Boston,(!!!) Stamford, Danbury and of course in NYC.  It might be fun to go and experience this tradition.

Info of the Boston St.Patrick’s Day Parade you will find here:

http://www.bostoncentral.com/events/boston_st_patricks_day_parade/p1130.php

Have you done any St. Patrick's Day crafting yet? Try this simple St Patrick Craft for the kids: a fun and colorful Shamrock Crown made with pipe cleaners and beads.

Activities on fun things to do with the kids for St. Patricks Day you will find here:


http://pinterest.com/aupairinamerica/st-patrick-s-day-shenanigans/

International Women’s Day

images
International Women’s Day (8 March) is a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future.
Annually on 8 March, thousands of events are held throughout the world to inspire women and celebrate achievements. A global web of rich and diverse local activity connects women from all around the world ranging from political rallies, business conferences, government activities and networking events through to local women’s craft markets, theatric performances, fashion parades and more.
The United States even designates the whole month of March as ‘Women’s History Month’.

Make way for Spring

make-way-for-ducklings-barbara-mcdevitt - Copy

clock-forward

March 10th: Daylight Savings Time. Be sure to set your clocks forward before going to sleep.  The kids maybe groggy this week as they adjust to the time change.  Please be sensitive to that as you go through the week.


March 25: Passover begins. Passover, also known as Pesach or Pesah, is a Holy Day, observed by several religions, began March 1 and lasts seven or eight days, depending on your beliefs.  It commemorates the exodus and freedom of the Israelites from Egypt.

March 31: Easter is an annual festival commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  It is always celebrated on a Sunday

Prudential center skywalk March cluster meeting

For our March cluster meeting we met with two other cluster of the greater Boston area at the Prudential center skywalk to enjoy the view over the whole city of Boston.

We welcomed a new aupair Marie from France to our cluster who just arrived last week in Boston South end.

Charlotte, Marie and Marine from France

Charlotte, Marie and Marine from France

P1080851 - Copy

Gloria and Joyce from China with Sammi from South Korea

Gloria and Joyce from China with Sammi from South Korea

Beatriz and Lu from Brazil

Beatriz and Lu from Brazil

Jana from Germany

Jana from Germany

To view all pix please go to Prudential center skywalk 2013

A little history about Saint Valentine’s Day

http://i.istockimg.com/file_thumbview_approve/9788836/2/stock-illustration-9788836-valentine-s-day-happy-kids-lovers-holding-hands-cartoon-illustration.jpg

On Thursday, February 14th we celebrate Valentine’s Day in the United States by giving flowers, candy and cards to those we love. We do this in honor of Saint Valentine. You may be wondering, “Who is St. Valentine”? Time to brush up on your Valentine’s history!

Legend has it that Valentine was a priest who served during third century Rome. The Emperor at that time, Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those that were married. With this thought in mind he outlawed marriage for young men in hopes of building a stronger army. Supposedly, Valentine, decided this decree was not fair and married young couples in secret. When Emperor Claudius II found out about Valentine’s actions he had his head cut off making him a martyr of love.  Another legend has it that Valentine was an imprisoned man who fell in love with his jailor’s daughter. Before he was put to death he sent the first ‘valentine’ himself when he wrote her a letter and signed it ‘Your Valentine’, words still used on cards today.

Perhaps we’ll never know the true identity and story behind the man named St. Valentine, but this much is for sure…February has been the month to celebrate love for a long time, dating back to the Middle Ages. In fact, Valentines ranks second only to Christmas in number of greeting cards sent.   For some fun children’s activities including crafts, coloring pages, games, puzzles and poems go to:

http://www.dltk-holidays.com/valentines/index.htm

http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/valentines-day/

Au Pair Snowman contest for our Boston cluster

Here they are the nominated snowmen: I will announce the winner soon. Remember when you vote  that it is about creativity include AIFS if possible…….

1.

Lynn from Germany with her snow woman

Lynn from Germany with her snow woman, what a sculpture 🙂

2.

Judith G from Germany with her defeated snowman

Judith G and Birgit from Germany with their defeated snowman who has a lot of details from Au Pair in Americal. Birgit took the picture of course.

3.

Sheri from Germany did this snowman in Boston downtown

Sheri from Germany did this snowman in Boston downtown with a splendid background

And the winner is…………..

Valentine’s Day cluster meeting

At our Valentine’s Day cluster meeting we welcomed a new aupair: Mari  from Panama who just arrived 2 weeks ago in Sharon.

Mari from Panama

Mari from Panama

We also had three aupairs to whom she we had to say good bye: Dany from Ecuador who is going to move with her hostfamily to MD, Megan from South Africa who will go back home as well as Hellen from Germany after two years of being an aupair with Au Pair in America.

They shared they experience as aupairs with us assured us that they will miss their lives in the US very much.

Kim from Germany, Lu from Brazil, Lovisa from Sweden and Dany from Ecuador

Kim from Germany, Lu from Brazil, Lovisa from Sweden and Dany from Ecuador

These four aupairs got a certificate for their completion of their education part during their aupair year. Every aupair needs to get 6 credits as a standart aupair or extraordinaire aupair of 12 credits as educare aupair while they stay in the aupair program. This government regulation gives aupairs the opportunity to experience college live in the US.

Dany from Ecuador, Mari from Panama and Hellen from Germany

Dany from Ecuador, Mari from Panama and Hellen from Germany

Beatriz and Lu from Brazil

Beatriz and Lu from Brazil

Petra from the Czeck Republic, Judith and Veronika from Germany

Petra from the Czeck Republic, Judith and Veronika from Germany

Linda from Germany with Lovisa and Caroline from Sweden

Linda from Germany with Lovisa and Caroline from Sweden

Katja from Germany who helped to create heart shaped Pizza bread pieces

Katja from Germany who helped to create heart shaped Pizza bread pieces

Having a great time chatting with each other and discuss experiences and give advise to newcomers

Having a great time chatting with each other, discuss experiences and give advise to newcomers

More pictures you can see here: Valentine’s Day Party 2013

Things for Kids to Do During a Snowstorm

Please check out this ideas for kids to do during a snowstorm:

http://www.ehow.com/info_10050250_things-kids-during-snowstorm.htm

Most kids love to play in the snow, but sometimes that wind and ice can get too violent for even the hardiest winter wonder child. However, there’s lots to do for kids stuck inside during a snowstorm, so it’s not difficult to keep them busy indoors while that snowman, snow fort and snowball fodder falls outside.

Things for Kids to Do During a Snowstorm thumbnail