Yearly Archives: 2014

Holiday Party 2014

IMG_1570 IMG_1571 IMG_1572 IMG_1573 IMG_1574 IMG_1575 IMG_1576Westport Au Pairs had fun at an International Holiday party at my house last night. Au Pairs brought homemade tasty delights from their native countries. ( I should have taken a photo of all of the food!)  There were  Italian, Israeli, Brazilian, Colombian, South African and German pastries, puddings, pies, short breads, and even an egg salad!  It was deliciously fabulous and all gone by the time everyone left.

In addition to saying hello to our new arrivals, making some new friends and saying  fond farewells to Liliana, Kaysi, Britt, and Nicole,  Au Pairs showed off their creative talents by making holiday outfits from plastic bags, holiday wrapping paper, yarn and masking tape.  My husband could not believe the talent and team work required to pull this off.  It was great fun and a lot of laughs.

Yale University tour

 

APIA Au Pairs from throughout CT came together Saturday November 15th for a tour of Yale University.  Many of our Au Pairs braved the sunny but cold weather and attended the Yale vs. Princeton football game, which followed our tour.

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Pumpkin Carving at Compo Beach

Au Pairs from Westport and Redding, CT gathered at Compo Beach Tuesday morning Oct. 28th, to carve pumpkins, meet some new friends and catch up with others.  Au Pairs from Germany, Panama, Sweden, Thailand, Canada, Brazil, Spain, and Italy carved wonderful jack o lanterns to celebrate Halloween this Friday.  For many, it was the first time they had ever carved a pumpkin.  Some Au Pairs brought their host children and/or dogs to the event!  It was a fun event and a  glorious day to be outside!IMG_1531 IMG_1532 IMG_1533 IMG_1534 IMG_1535 IMG_1536 IMG_1537 IMG_1538 IMG_1539 IMG_1540 IMG_1541 IMG_1542 IMG_1543 IMG_1544 IMG_1545 IMG_1546 IMG_1547 IMG_1548 IMG_1549 IMG_1551

Halloween Safety

Halloween can be a lot of fun but it is also a time when safety should come first. Here are some tips:

Adult supervision is essential. Always accompany the children if they are going door to door to trick or treat

Try trick-or-treat-friendly homes. Ensure the children only visit houses with lights on. And, you might also suggest the houses they visit have some sort of Halloween decoration on the porch.

Stay outside. Make sure the children don’t go inside someone’s house. They can trick or treat on the porch.

Remain visible. Dress the children in bright costumes or have them wear reflective strips or carry a glow stick or flashlight.

Quality-check treats. Check the candy before they eat it. Throw out any candy that is not in its original wrapper or looks like it has been tampered with.

Say “no” to strangers. Remind the children to never accept a ride or go anywhere with a stranger.

 

Multi Cluster Brooklyn Bridge Walk

It was a beautiful day to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge Sunday October 5, 2014.  Au Pair In America Au Pairs from all over Fairfield County rode the Metro North train into New York City, met each other, took photos of the New York City Skyline, Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn and each other.  Then many of us had a lunch at the Pier One Park in Brooklyn, others walked back into New York City, visited Chinatown, Little Italy,  Ground Zero, and/or the Brooklyn Museum.  It was a glorious Fall day!IMG_1517IMG_1518 IMG_1519 IMG_1520 IMG_1521 IMG_1522 IMG_1523 IMG_1524 IMG_1525 IMG_1527 IMG_1528 IMG_1529 IMG_1530

Host Family Workshop 2014

Westport, CT Au Pair In America Host Families and Au Pairs gathered together at Compo Beach Sunday September 7, 2014 for our annual Host Family Workshop.  It was a wonderful opportunity to meet each other, make some new friends, hear about other cultures and connect to one another.  IMG_1481IMG_1483IMG_1486IMG_1487IMG_1488IMG_1489IMG_1490IMG_1491

Westport Au Pairs Meet Each Other

Westport Au Pairs from Germany, South Africa, the Netherlands, Sweden, France, Spain, Colombia, and Brazil got to know each other a little better at a bagel breakfast at my house this past Sunday.  Afterwards some went sailing, shopping, or to the beach.  IMG_1474IMG_1475IMG_1476IMG_1477IMG_1478IMG_1479IMG_1481It was a glorious last day before the beginning of school!

Fun Summer Multi Cluster Meetings

This summer Westport Au Pairs learned to paddle board on the Saugatuck River, attended a great concert at the new Levitt Pavilion, Westport’s premier outdoor theater and played miniature golf at Cove Marina.  Although summer is sadly coming to an end, we still have our bagel breakfast this Sunday and our  Host Family-Au Pair Get Together at Compo Beach Sunday September 7th.  Our Fall fun continues with a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge in October and a tour of Yale University in NovemberIMG_1468IMG_1472IMG_1469IMG_1471IMG_1470.  Stay tuned for the details.  Have a wonderful beginning of school, everyone!

Fun July Events in Westport

Westport Independence Day Fireworks will be Thursday July 3rd at Compo Beach at 9 p.m. (rain date Monday July 7). Everyone will be there and it is loads of fun. If you cannot walk or ride your bike down there, you will need to get a ticket to park. Tickets can be purchased at the Westport Police Department at 50 Jesup Road and at the Westport Parks and Recreation office at 260 Compo Road South in Westport. Tickets sales are limited and are on a first come first serve basis. Firework tickets are $35 per car and once tickets are sold out, shuttle passes will be available.
Carpool.
We are paddle boarding Wednesday July 9 at 10 a.m . (Be at the shop DownUnder 575 Riverside Avenue by 9:40 to sign some papers, get your board etc). There are 6 of us going from Westport and a few from Weston might be joining us, too..
S’mores in Stamford July 9 at 7 p.m. Check your email for  the flyer.
Westport Sidewalk Sales will be July 11-13th. Shop for bargains, get a jump on all of your Christmas presents! It is a fun town event – sale merchandise will be in front of the stores.
Sunday July 20th 7 a.m-11 a.m is The Westport Weston Family Y’s Annual Point-to-Point Compo Beach Swim, one of Westport’s longest running annual sports events. It gives swimmers a great opportunity to support the Y while competing in a highly regarded 1-mile open-water competition.7:00 am Registration and check-in begin
8:30 am Race begins
9:30 am Kids’ Swim begins

An awards ceremony will follow. All registered swimmers get an official Point-to-Point shirt. Non-resident swimmers and spectators will be allowed to park free of charge for the duration of the race. To register, visit www.westporty.org.

Thursday July 31 at 8 p.m. Multi Cluster Incendio concert at the Levitt Pavilion. Incendio in both Italian and Spanish means “fire” – a fitting name for this Los Angeles-based Latin Guitar-Jazz-World Fusion group whose sound is all about energy, exploration, and passion. Bring a blanket to sit on and get ready for a fun night.

Want to learn to sail, kayak or paddle board? John Kantor Sailing School at Longshore will rent boats, boards and give lessons. Longshore Sailing School | Longshore Club Park | 260 Compo Road South | Westport CT 06880 | (203) 226-4646 http://www.longshoresailingschool.com/