Category Archives: Kids

Au Pairs Give Back to Their Community

Au Pair in America au pairs learned to make lavender sachets for cancer patients throughout the cancer support community, including Norma Pfriem Breast Care Center and the CT Challenge Center in Southport on Wednesday night April 3, 2013 at a little square in Fairfield. Owner of the unusual children’s boutique and creator of the Pink Pom Pom Project, Alexandra Wallace-Currie taught them how to create the pleasing fragrant bags that help patients undergoing chemotherapy treatments to relax.
The Pink Pom Pom Project was started by Alex two years ago when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Creating crafts for herself and others became her solace and passion. Alex has helped many similar patients by hosting crafting events and parties at her retail store to teach others to make sachets, frames, belts, hair accessories, knitted blankets and hats to donate to the sick. a little square, located at 1981 Post Road in Fairfield, sells unique children’s clothing, accessories and toys and a percentage of the profits goes to those battling illness.
The Westport and Fairfield au pairs had a wonderful time creating colorful sachets and funky picture frames to give to the Bridgeport Hospital patients, as well as gifts to their own host families.
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Au Pairs Participate in Touch a Trruck

The annual Touch a Truck benefit for the Westport-Weston Cooperative Nursery School Saturday March 23 had an international atmosphere again when, for the fifth year, au pairs from around the world participated in the fun, family event.  Au pairs from South Africa, Thailand, Germany, France and Namibia braved the cold weather and winds to face paint and tattoo the children who blew truck whistles and horns, explored bull dozers, busses, fire trucks and more, jumped in a bouncy house and had a great afternoon.

Kathy, Sofia, Janneke

Kathy, Sofia, Janneke

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Jana, Christina, Sofia, Kaysi, May and Franzi

Jana, Christina, Sofia, Kaysi, May and Franzi

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March Activities

Windy Days – March is known for its windy days. It would be a great day to fly a kite

Sidewalk Chalk– Take advantage of a mild day and head outside to draw on the sidewalk with chalk. Kids love to have their whole body outlined and then fill in the drawing with clothes and a face. If you still have ice or snow outside try white or colored chalk inside on construction paper or brown wrapping paper. The drawings can be made permanent, so they won’t rub off, by spraying with aerosol hair spray (best to spray outside, and certainly away from the children).

Saturday March 23 Westport-Weston Co Op Nursery School fundraiser Touch a Truck at the Coleytown Elementary School parking lot.  Join fellow au pairs and help face paint and apply tattoos!

March Cluster Meeting

With so many new arrivals and additions to our Westport cluster,  it was fun getting together at my house to meet and greet everyone and make some new friends!  IMG_0611IMG_0613IMG_0614IMG_0615

February Calendar:

February 2 – Ground Hog Day
Traditionally, the groundhog is supposed to wake up on February 2, and come up out of his burrow. If he sees his shadow, he will return to the burrow for six more weeks of winter. If he doesn’t see his shadow, he remains outside and starts his year, because he knows that spring has arrived early. In the U.S., the “official” groundhog is kept in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania and is called “Phil.” Though not based in science, it is a fun US tradition.  The movie, starring Bill Murray is hilarious! https://blogs.aupairinamerica.com/mdf/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2012/02/groundhog-300×214.jpg

February 3- Super Bowl Sunday!  The Super Bowl is the annual American Football championship and a popular time for friends to gather in front of the TV. Each year millions of people watch the game, the half-time show – or just the commercials!  People will be talking about the commercials for days. To learn more about football visit the “Life in the US” section of the Au Pair in America website http://aupairinamerica.com/resources/life_in_the_us/football.asp

February 12-Mardi Gras Mardi Gras, French for “Fat Tuesday” marks the end of Carnival and the beginning of the Christian fasting of Lent.  The biggest Mardi Gras celebration in the US is in New Orleans, Louisiana.  Rio de Janeiro in Brazil also has a huge celebration.  Ask a Brazilian au pair to tell you all about it.

February 13 Ash Wednesday – Ash Wednesday, in Christian churches, is the first day of the penitential season of Lent.  On Ash Wednesday some Christians have a smudge of ashes placed on their foreheads as a sign of penitence.

February 14 – 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.  Children usually exchange cards at school.  Have your host children make them; it is a wonderful craft activity to do with them.

February –18 President’s Day.   School is probably closed all week for February recess and President’s Day, which is a Federal holiday created to commemorate the births of former Presidents George Washington (Feb. 22) and Abraham Lincoln (Feb. 12). Throughout America, Presidents’ Day is observed by big sales in the stores, closed schools and no mail delivery. Things to do with children: 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?

February 23 Purim –The Festival of Purim is one of the most joyous and fun holidays on the Jewish calendar.  There are four commandments for Purim: the reading of the story of Esther, festivity and rejoicing, sending gifts (usually food), and giving to the poor.  It is customary to dress in costume for the celebration.  (Note: all Jewish holidays begin at sundown and end the following day at sundown.)

Au Pairs Hit the Ice

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  • Au Pair In America au pairs from countries around the world, including Germany, Brazil, France, South Africa, Malaysa, Namibia, and the Netherlands, joined families and friends for an afternoon of ice skating at the Sports Center in Shelton. Some  had never been on skates before but everyone did rather well, and more importantly, everyone had fun!

Fun Activities all Winter long

ABC’s of Winter Fun

A is for Art – try drawing, painting or gluing
B is for Baking – bake a dessert together for dinner
C is for Clay – Use non-hardening clay or play dough to shape and mold
D is for Dance – put on a lively tape
E is for Exercise – be sure to get some everyday
F is for Friends – invite some over
G is for Greenhouse – find a local greenhouse to visit to enjoy the sights and smells
H is for House – make a playhouse from a large appliance box
I is for Ice skating – take the children to Longshore Ice Skating rink www.wpalrink.com to skate outdoors or the Shelton Sports Arena for indoor skating, laser tag, and baseball

J is for Jigsaw puzzle – be sure to pick one that isn’t too difficult or make your own by cutting up a magazine picture
K is for Kitchen science – try a safe experiment
L is for Library – borrow some new books, videos and DVDs, listen to a concert or participate in a story time or nursery rhyme class
M is for Movie – make one with a video camera, or watch one
N is for Necklace – make one out of cereal or macaroni
O is for Origami – learn to make simple paper creations
P is for Puppets – socks make easy and fun puppets – put on a show!
Q is for Quiet Time – everyone needs some of this
R is for Reading aloud – choose a good book and a comfortable place to sit
S is for Seeds and Suet – put out food for the birds and watch them eat
T is for Tent – make one from old blankets and chairs
U is for Unplugged – do a day with no TV
V is for Variety – try something new everyday
W is for Walk – take one in any weather (be sure to dress appropriately)
X is for Xylophone – make your own with glasses, water and a metal spoon
Y is for Year – make a calendar or scrapbook to remember the year
Z is for Zoo – visit the animals.  Visit Earthplace, Westport’s own nature center, complete with eagles, snakes, birds and hiking trails

December 2012 Calendar

December 9- Chanukah – Chanukah is a Jewish celebration, also known as the Festival of Lights; Chanukah starts at sundown today and lasts for eight days. It is traditional to exchange gifts or gelt (Yiddish for money) in the form of real coins or chocolate wrapped in gold foil, to play a game of put-and-take with a four sided top called a dreidel, and to light candles each night. https://blogs.aupairinamerica.com/cha/wp-content/uploads/sites/67/2012/07/menorah.jpg

December 21 – First day of winter Animals handle cold winter weather in a variety of ways. Some travel to a warmer climate. 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.

December 25 – Christmas Every family and culture has their own Christmas traditions. Embrace those of your host family and share some of your own.https://blogs.aupairinamerica.com/cha/wp-content/uploads/sites/67/2012/07/christmas-tree-background.jpg

December 26 – Kwanzaa –This festive, non-religious African-American celebration was started in 1966. It lasts for seven days. On each day a candle is lit and the day focuses on one of seven principles.

December 31 – New Year’s Eve – Westport celebrates New Year’s with First Night, a family friendly non alcoholic event, complete with fireworks at midnight on the Saugatuck River.  Purchase a button and then visit all of the town’s venues for free – listen to rock n roll, get face painted, dance, sing and have fun with your friends, family and/or host children.  Before the children go to bed, you and the children can choose simple “New Year Resolutions.” Or create a keepsake of 2012 by making a time capsule or a scrapbook of memories. Include what are cool, slang words, popular activities, clothes, games, names of popular songs or games, and a picture of the hottest toy. If you are making a time capsule, put a date on it and decide when they will open it – in a year, 5 or even 10. Don’t forget to include a photo of you and the children! Tomorrow, the first day of the New Year, is a federal holiday.  If you have to work tonight, watch the celebration on TV and think about what you would like to accomplish in 2013.

Fun Things to do Around Town

The Stamford Nature Center (39 Scofieldtown Rd, Stamford 203-322-1646) has two great exhibits opening Nov. 17: Gingerbread houses (through Dec. 27)and  a Lego Train Exhibit ( through Jan 27) Admission includes a farm, complete with all farm animals.

Saturday, November 17 through Sunday, November 18 – Craft Westport

CraftWestport features 160 American craft artists including new exhibitors with contemporary works never before seen in Westport. In addition, there is a specialty food section as well as a teacup raffle of artist donated items.  Staples High School on North Avenue in Westport, CT 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (closes 5pm Sunday) Admission is $9, Seniors are $8, Children are free, Parking is free

Sunday, November 18 – UBS Thanksgiving Parade

For 19 years, Stamford’s annual holiday balloon parade, has become one of the largest events of its kind in the country, with giant helium balloons floating through Stamford Downtown. Last year it drew over 100,000 people. Among the many balloons, The Lorax and Red from Fraggle Rock will make their debut this year. Don’t miss our Master of Ceremonies, Alan Kalter from the Late Show with David Letterman. Award winning marching bands will add pazzaz to the day. The Westhill and Stamford High School marching bands will march along with many other bands.
Where: The parade route starts on Summer Street at Hoyt and ends on Atlantic Street, just a few short blocks from the Stamford Metro-North Railroad Station.
When: 12:00 PM
Who: All ages welcome
How: visit stamford-downtown.com for more info
Cost: free

Friday, November 23 through Saturday, November 24 – Special: Angelina Ballerina Celebration

As a warm up to the Westport Country Playhouse production of Angelina Ballerina, The Musical, the library will feature art projects, games and kids films to entertain over the holiday weekend.
Where: Westport Public Library
When: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Who: all ages
How: just come!
Cost: free
For more info: www.westportlibrary.org, or call 203-291-4810 or email kids@westportlibrary.org

Geography Awareness Week

November 11-17– Geography Awareness Week –This is the perfect week to take out a map or a globe and show the children where they live and where your home country is.  Have them mark on a map all of the places they have visited and where they would like to go. Visit the library for some books and stories about those places.   Prepare one of your favorite recipes from home and have them experience some foreign dishes.  Teach them a song from your native land or read them one of your favorite childhood stories.