Tag Archives: Holidays with Au Pairs

Au Pair in America & Stony Brook Holiday Festival

Au Pair in America Suffolk County Cluster enjoyed a great Host family day at the Stony Brook Holiday Festival.  APIA was a proud sponsor of the event again this year.

Lots of host families and au pairs visited.  

Children made ornaments, everyone decorated the APIA International Peace Tree.

Santa arrived on a firetruck to listen to the children’s wishes.

There were carolers, a petting zoo, and a Puppet Parade featuring local legends and spies from the Revolutionary time.

A fun filled day.  Over 60 trees are decorated and on display until January 2, 2020.  You can vote for your favorite.  APIA’s tree in number 111 to the left of the Post Office.  Happy Holidays!

Stony Brook Holiday Festival Enjoyed by APIA Families & Au Pairs

Sunday, December 3rd was the annual Stony Brook Village Holiday Festival.  This year APIA was one of the sponsors of the festival.  Host families and au pairs came together to decorate the APIA International Peace Tree.  Decorations were made by au pairs and host children.

Santa arrived on a fire truck and then listened to the wishes of the children.

The new 14 foot tall Legends and Spies parade came next.  The parade celebrated the Culper Spy Ring of Setauket that helped win the Revolutionary War for America’s independence.  Also featured was Ward Melville, the Stony Brook businessman, conservationist and philanthropist. He supported the restoration and preservation of historic buildings in the area to encourage his vision of a New England village in Stony Brook.  The event was run by the Ward Melville Heritage Organization.

Their are 70 trees on the Promenade of Trees that will be on view until the New Year!  The day included a petting zoo, music, and a model train exhibit. 

The day concluded with Santa and friends lighting the big tree on the Village Green!

Holiday Party with My Au Pairs

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Suffolk County au pairs from Au Pair in America had an International Potluck Holiday Party at their counselors home this Sunday, Dec. 11.  Au Pairs prepared favorite dishes from their home countries to share with their friends.

20161211_144848_resized20161211_152825_resizedWe played a game drawing Christmas trees while plates were on our heads, 3 winners got to pick prizes! 

imagejpeg_0-4Community Counselor, Cindy  Garruba, handed out some gifts she prepared for each au pair.

 

 

 

 

Each au pair brought a wrapped gift for the gift exchange.  A game was played to the story of “A Night Before Christmas” to scramble up who got which gift. 20161211_155002_resized

15338704_1304817629581333_6980585745348250251_nDessert was served, lively conversation and holiday plans were shared.

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Au Pairs and Host Families Enjoy Stony Brook Holiday Festival

20151206_132540_resized (1)On Sunday, December 6th Au Pair in America Suffolk County Au Pairs and Host Families decorated a tree for the Promenade of Trees in Stony Brook Village.  It was a beautiful, warm day and everyone enjoyed the festivities.  20151206_132012_resized

20151206_132501_resizedCindy Garruba, Senior Community Counselor for APIA, had decorations for the kids to make.  We handed out coloring books to the kids waiting online to see Santa.  Santa arrived in a horse drawn carriage at 2 pm to listen to all the kids’ Christmas wishes.  There was a petting zoo, performers doing skits and singing songs.  100s of trees were decorated throughout the village and will be up through till the New Year.

Come down and check out Au Pair in America’s International Peace Tree just to the east of the Post Office right in front of the Stony Brook Gift Shop!20151206_140610_resized20151206_143526_HDR_resized20151206_143421_HDR_resized

Holiday Party for Au Pairs!

A wonderful holiday party for the Suffolk County Au Pair in America Cluster on Sunday, December 14th at their Community Counselor’s home.

International Feast with dishes prepared by the au pairs and the Counselor, Cindy Garruba.  A grab bag gift exchange, gifts from Cindy to the au pairs and just lots of holiday fun!

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Stony Brook Village Promenade of Trees

IMG_20141207_142344On Sunday, Dec. 7th Suffolk County Au Pair in America host families and au pairs decorated a tree for the Promenade of Trees in SB Village.  Cindy Garruba, Senior Community Counselor for Au Pair in America, provided ornaments for the kids to decorate.  She also handed out holiday coloring books to the children gathered to give their wish list to Santa. Santa arrived at 2 pm in a horse drawn carriage!

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The trees are on display through New Year’s Day!

 

Holiday Tree Decorated by Suffolk Au Pairs

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Sunday, December 3rd 2011 the Suffolk County Cluster of Au Pairs decorated a tree for Stony Brook Village’s Promenade of Tree. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IMAG0055The theme of the tree is “We Bring the World Together!”  The decorations have been made by au pairs from this year’s au pairs, as well as au pairs from previous years. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

386470_244272698972397_100001690058084_713697_1246130526_n[1]IMAG0052Santa Claus arrived at 2 PM on a fire engine.  Children lined up for a chance to tell him what they want this year for Christmas.  Santa will be available every weekend till Christmas for the children.  There is a red mailbox outside the Stony Brook Post Office just for letters to Santa.  The trees are on display until January 1st.  The APIA tree is right in front of the Brook House Restaurant, just to the right of the Post Office.  Hope you visit Stony Brook and visit our tree!!IMAG0047

 

 

 

Au Pairs Prepare for the Holidays

Nov AP meeting 498Sunday, November 13 the Suffolk Cluster of Au Pair in America began preparing for the upcoming holiday season in the USA. 

Senior Community Counselor, Cindy Garruba began the meeting by discussing what holidays are celebrated in the USA.  She explained why we celebrate Thanksgiving and how important the holiday is for all Americans.  She then continued the discussion with conversations on the holidays their families may be celebrating, Hanakkuh, Christmas and New Year’s.  There was a discussion on childcare during this happy, but very hectic season. 

Nov AP meeting 497The au pairs divided into small groups to discuss childcare challenges by age group.  Then they came together to discuss the best ways to deal with these challenges.  Cindy emphasized using each other as resources for how to deal with situations.   Holiday childcare can bring on tired, over excited behaviors and it is important to minimize stress during this season with their host children.

Nov AP meeting 496We also discussed being homesick at this time of year, best ways to deal with missing family and friends.  Cindy encouraged the au pairs to bring some of their holiday traditions into their host families celebrations.  Then the au pairs decorated ornaments to be hung on a Au Pair in America Holiday Tree in Stony Brook Village Promenade of Trees.  The meeting concluded with pumpkin pie and apple cider.  The au pairs enjoyed the Thanksgiving dessert and spending time with each other.