Author Archives: Catherine McEaddy Holmes

Spring 2018 in Washington, DC

William Neuheisel

March 20th is the first official day of Spring, and the city is alive with so much to do. Take advantage of longer days and warmer temperatures to get outside and explore the city with your host kids. From cherry blossoms on the Potomac to Easter egg hunts at Hillwood or even Madame Tussauds, there truly is something for children of all ages. 

Activities from Some of Our Favorite DC Blogs

Kidfriendly DC

Tiny Beans

Capital City Au Pairs (That’s right- don’t forget that this blog has plenty of ideas too!)

About Travel DC

St. Patrick’s Day 2018

DCC Au Pairs having St. Patrick’s Day fun! (Photo: Scott Montgomery)

St. Patrick’s Day is on March 17th and has been celebrated in the US since 1737. St. Patrick is said to have given a sermon from a hilltop that drove all the snakes from Ireland. Traditional icons of the day are the shamrock, leprechaun, the color green and the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

Celebration Ideas

Washington, DC commemorates St. Patrick’s Day every year with a variety of festivals and parades held in the weeks leading up to the holiday. Here are some ways you can celebrate:

  • Celebrate the season at a one of the St. Patrick’s Day parades in DC, Maryland, and Virginia.
  • Ireland on the Wharf: Celebrate the beauty and tradition of the Emerald Isle with bagpipers, Irish dancers, live music, and plenty of family-friendly activities on March 10 at DC’s Southwest Waterfront
  • Au Pair in America’s St. Patrick’s Day pinboard has lots of creative suggestions for crafts, baking, and other fun ideas.
  • Take your picture in front of a green fountain! The White House was designed by Irish architect James Hoban. Traditionally, the White House fountain has been dyed green on March 17th in celebration of the holiday.

    On March 15, 2018, the fountain on the South Lawn of the White House turned green in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day. (Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks)

2018 Options for Those Last Few Education Hours

Do you know how many total classroom hours you need to complete in your first year?

Image: Alan Cleaver (Flickr)

Au pairs are required to earn at least six academic credits during their year by completing classes/courses at accredited US post-secondary colleges and universities.

6 academic credits = approximately 8 CEUs = approximately 80 classroom hours 

(The absolute minimum accepted is 72 hours.)

Certain combinations of classes can leave you just a few hours short of the requirement. Here are several options for completing those last few hours. Information listed is correct as of February 28, 2018, and is subject to change. Consult the university websites for full information.

Virginia International University Saturday Museum Classes

Students spend 5 hours participating in an interactive, themed museum tour facilitated by ESL instructors.

  • Credits: 5 hours (.5 CEUs)
  • Cost: $40 (+$20 for new VIU students)
  • Schedule: Held almost every Saturday morning (10:30 am or 11:30 am)
  • Location: DC-area museums

Virginia International University Grammar Tune-Up

Grammar Tune-Up is a special weekend course for au pairs and is designed to target common errors made by intermediate to advanced-level English learners. Students will gain confidence facing their trouble spots in grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation.

  • Credits: 15 hours (1.5 CEUs)
  • Cost: $120 (+$20 for new VIU students)
  • Schedule: April 7 and 14 from 9 am – 3 pm
  • Location: Fairfax, VA campus (4401 Village Drive)

University of Virgin Islands Experience America through Art Galleries & Museums

Students self-guide through a local museum over a 3 hour period and complete an outside assignment where they create a detailed pictorial report of the visit, due within 7 days of the course.

  • Credits: 5 hours (.5 CEUs)
  • Cost: $50
  • Schedule: Held on a Saturday (10 am or 1:30pm) in DC-area museums

Looking for longer classes that offer more credits? For a complete list of classes approved for your DC-area cluster, click on this link.

Presidents Day 2018

Photo: Bill & Vicki T (Flickr)

Presidents Day is a Federal holiday created to commemorate the births of former Presidents George Washington (Feb. 22) and Abraham Lincoln (Feb. 12). 

In 2018, Presidents Day is celebrated on February 19th. Throughout America, Presidents Day is observed by big sales in the stores and no mail delivery. School is probably closed on February 19th in honor of Presidents Day, too.

Presidents Day Fun Facts and Questions for Host Kids

  • The United States has had more than 40 presidents. How many can the children name?
  • Who has been president during their lifetime?
  • Take a look at American coins and bills; who are the Presidents pictured on each coin and bill?
  • Apostrophe or not? You’ll see references to the holiday as Presidents Day, President’s Day, and Presidents’ Day. Learn more about the confusion surrounding whom this holiday honors in this Washington Post article.
  • 10 things you may not know about Abraham Lincoln

Celebrate Presidents Day in DC

Valentine’s Day Activities

Image: JWI_ValentinesOwl

Valentine’s Day is a time of love, friendship, giving, and caring. Americans use Valentine’s Day as an opportunity to tell friends and family how much they care.  Celebrated on February 14th, children usually exchange cards at school on that day or one close to the holiday. 

Au Pair in America’s Valentine’s Day Pinterest Pinboard has lots of ideas for fun crafts and activities:

APIA’s Valentine’s Day Pinterest Board

Have a happy Valentine’s Day!

First Day of Winter is December 21, 2017

Photo: Bossi (Flickr)

Photo: Bossi (Flickr)

In the northern hemisphere, December 21 is the first day of winter. Also called the winter solstice, it’s the shortest day of the year. In Washington, DC, the sun will set at 4:49 PM on December 21, 2016.

Animals handle cold winter weather in a variety of ways: some travel to a warmer climate while others grow thicker fur coats so they can stay warm and active during the winter. Many animals hibernate during the coldest weather – they spend the warmer months eating and storing as much body fat as they can and then live off this extra weight as they sleep.

Even though it’s tempting to stay inside when it’s cold and dark, it’s important to get outside in the daylight. Eating healthy, exercising, and keeping a regular sleep schedule will also help you keep up your energy. Au pairs DO NOT hibernate this winter! Call a new au pair and meet her for hot chocolate. Bundle up, get outside, and enjoy the cold weather.

 

2017 Winter Vacation Battle Plan

Photo: m01229 (Flickr)

Photo: m01229 (Flickr)

During the last weeks of December, many host kids will have between ten days to two weeks off from school for winter vacation. The thought of having the kids home for multiple days during the winter can send even the most seasoned childcare giver into a panic. Cold weather, shorter days, extra sugar, later bedtimes, and visiting relatives can be a challenge, but with some pre-planning, you can provide your host kids with a vacation to remember.

Tip #1: Plan Ahead

Tip #2: Dress the Part

Winter has finally arrived in DC. It’s important to dress for cold weather and to make sure that your host children are dressed warmly too. If this is your first experience with really cold weather, ask your host parents for advice on staying warm. For more info, read this blog post from October: It’s Cold Out There! A 2017 Guide to DC Winter Weather.

Tip #3: Plan a Cozy Day Indoors

  • Staying home for the day? APIA’s Pinterest boards have loads of winter fun and holiday crafts and activities.
  • Help the kids organize their toys and rooms with these suggestions. With mom and dad’s permission, perhaps your host kids can donate some of the toys they have outgrown. This will create more room for the new toys from Santa.
  • Looking for a fun baking activity? Gingerbread is a delicious way to celebrate the season!

Tip #4: Make a Date

Playdates can be a great way for kids to socialize and work on the important skills necessary to being a good friend. Talk with your host family about planning a playdate over winter vacation. With their permission, you can use our cluster list to find an au pair who lives near you and has host kids who are compatible ages with your host kids. If hosting doesn’t work, you can also make plans to meet up at the library for a free story hour or crafting session.