Tag Archives: live in childcare Long Island

March Cluster Meeting

March 2012 cluster meeting 002Taxes aren’t much fun, but they have to be done, even by au pairs.  On Sunday, March 18th, Cindy Garruba Senior Community Counselor in Suffolk County for Au Pair in America helped the au pairs prepare their tax returns.  Cindy handed out the forms, directions and provided the steps to complete the returns provided by Au Pair in America’s Stamford office.  Taxes done, they will mail them in on or before the April 17th deadline date!

March 2012 cluster meeting 005Since Spring has sprung early here on Long Island, we reviewed playground safety.  Tips on safety can be found on the APIA website http://www.aupairinamerica.com/resources/safety_tips/ .  Au Pair in America considers the safety of the children in our au pairs’ care of the utmost importance.  The au pairs also viewed a video about playground safety                  

 

AP friendship braceletsMarch 2012 cluster meeting 003We also shared how important friendship is in the Au Pair program.  “Strangers are just friends waiting to happen.”  Lifelong friendships are formed as au pairs.  We exchanged friendship bracelets to remember to reach out to each other when we need a friend!

March 2012 cluster meeting 001

Cindy’s Long Island Au Pair Photo Challenge

photo contest

            There are some unique attractions in Suffolk County Long Island to find and for you to take a picture with for your memory books!  Get to know Suffolk County better and see some of it’s most unusual places!

 

            My challenge is for you to find as many as you can and email me the pictures. 

 

Each Au Pair who takes a picture of themselves with every attraction on the list will be entered in a drawing for $50!         1 winner

 

Everyone who enters at least 5 pictures will be entered in a drawing for $25!     2 winners

 

You must be in the picture wearing your Au Pair in America   T-shirt with the attraction!! 

 

All pictures must be emailed to me by May 18th!

 

Look at the right of this blog under Long Island Info to find out the location and more information about each attraction!

 

  • Grumman Memorial F-14 Tomcat

  • Hercules Statue

  • Raceway Giant Native American Statue

  • SB Post Office Eagle

  • The Big Duck

  • The Smithtown Bull

  • The Star Gazer

  • Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial at Bald Hill

  • Wick’s Farm Giant Witch

  • Casa Basso Restaurant

Let’s Go Fly A Kite!

We have had so many windy days that I thought you might enjoy kite flying with your host kids!  Why not make your own with the children!  make-your-own-kites-med
 

 

Handmade Kite How-To

Supplies
Downloadable instructions
1 dowel rod- 2 feet long (3/16” diameter)
1 dowel rod- 3 feet long (3/16” diameter)
Pencil
Wood glue
Craft knife
Nylon, plastic, fabric or paper
Tape or glue
Lightweight string or fishing line
Ribbon or repurposed fabric
Kite string (on a spool) or lightweight string and a cardboard roll
Scissors

Instructions

1. Take your 3-foot long dowel rod and measure a foot from the top of the stick, making a mark with your pencil. Center the 2-foot long stick horizontally on top of the longer stick where you made the mark, creating a cross shape.

2. Attach the two dowel rods where they intersect with a couple dabs of wood glue. Once the glue has dried, use your string to weave in and out of the four posts until the two sticks are sturdy. Secure the end of the string with a dab of glue.

3. Use your craft knife to cut a small notch in the end of each point of your kite’s frame. Starting at the bottom notch in the cross, wrap a piece of string or fishing line all the way around, securing it in each of the four notches. Upon reaching the bottom of the cross, tie the string or fishing line into a knot.

4. Once you’ve built the frame of your kite, lay it atop one of the following materials:

  • Ripstop nylon: This lightweight material has a checkered weave that’s designed to prevent ripping. Purchase ripstop nylon at a fabric store or online, and the frame of your kite won’t require a combination of materials. While ripstop nylon is great for kites, any lightweight, wind-proof nylon is ideal.
  • Plastic: Plastic bags or sheeting (found at hardware stores) can easily be used to cover your kite. If you’d like to give your kite a decorative appearance with fabric, apply plastic as a base layer since most fabrics aren’t wind-resistant.
  • Paper: Newspaper, rice paper or butcher paper can all be used to cover your kite, but these materials aren’t always the best for especially strong winds since they can be prone to ripping.

    • 5. Trace the outline of the frame onto your material, measure 2” from each of the four sides, and draw a 2” wide border.

    6. Cut out your material and make a slit in each of the four corners so the material doesn’t bunch when you fold the border. Lay the material on top of the frame, and wrap the border around the outer string or fishing line of the kite. Use glue or tape to adhere your material of choice in place.

    7. Make the kite’s bridle—an arrangement of strings attached to the bottom of your kite that allows it to maneuver. The bridle is also what you’ll tie your kite string to in step 8. To make the bridle, Cut a 3 1/2’ piece of string, and tie one end around the top of the frame. Make a small loop one-third of the way down the string and tie it in a knot. Tie the open end of the string to the bottom of the frame.

    8. Tie your kite string or a lightweight string to the loop in the bridle. If using string that doesn’t come in a roll, wrap it around a cardboard roll.

    9. To make the kite’s tail, tie a 6’ long piece of string or fishing line to the bottom of the frame. Knot several short pieces of ribbon or strips of repurposed material to the string, each about 8” apart. After completing this step, you’ll be ready to fly!

    Flying Your Kite

  • The right weather: Check the weather for the wind conditions in your area. A lightweight kite will require at least 5 mph winds to fly while strong winds over 25 mph can prove to be more challenging. As a general rule, if you see branches blowing, the wind should be strong enough to fly your kite.
  • Where to fly: Clear, open areas like beaches, parks and fields are best for flying. Steer clear of areas with power lines and trees.
  • How to fly: Start by standing with your back to the wind. Hold your kite up by the bridle point and let the line out. If there’s enough wind, your kite will go right up. Let the kite fly away from you a little, then pull in on the line so it will climb. Repeat this step until your kite gains the altitude necessary to find a good, steady wind. The higher your kite flies, the stronger the wind.

    • Tip: If you’re having trouble getting your kite in the air, try letting out a small length of string and begin to run with your kite until it’s lifted by the wind.

  • Dipping: If your kite begins to take a sudden dip, run or pull on the kite string to give your kite a lift.
  • Landing: When you’re ready to wrap up your activity, begin to steadily wind the kite string around its spool. To prevent any damage to your kite, have a partner catch it as it nears the ground.

    • Tip: When you’re done flying your kite, consider hanging it as décor. We love the look of a kite hanging in a child’s bedroom. Try making a few kites of different sizes, and display them in a whimsical arrangement.

    Academy Awards this Sunday, February 26

    Time to pick the best picture and actors!  You can still catch most of the nominated movies at the local theaters and on DVD.  Watch the Academy Awards on Sunday evening.  Start with the Red Carpet pre-show which is on several TV channels.  I love the fashions, seeing who has the best and the worst outfit!   Check out the official Academy Award website for the nominees and all things Oscar.  http://www.oscars.org

    In NYC you can actually take your picture holding a real Oscar for free!  oscar Cindy

    You’re Invited!

    • Have your picture taken holding an actual Oscar statuette to share with friends and family via Twitter and Facebook!
    • See the Oscar statuettes that will be awarded to the Best Actress and Best Actor winners at the 84th Academy Awards® (these statuettes will return to Hollywood on Friday, February 24 at noon).
    • See the Scientific and Technical Award – an Oscar statuette – presented to the Eastman Kodak Company in 2007 “for the development of photographic emulsion technologies incorporated into the Kodak Vision2 family of color negative films.”
    • See a display of Oscars in various stages of completion.
    • Also on display, Michael Douglas’s Best Actor Oscar from Wall Street. 

                                                                                                                Cindy Garruba with Oscar Statue

    When

    Wednesday, February 23 through Sunday, February 27         

    Hours

    Wednesday: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m.             

    Thursday – Sunday: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

    Where

    Grand Central Terminal, Vanderbilt Hall

    Admission

    Free and open to the public

    Au Pairs Enjoy the Harlem Globetrotters!

    harlemglobetrottersOn Sunday, February 19 Au Pair in America Long Island Clusters enjoyed the basketball show by the World Famous Harlem Globetrotter. 

    Stunts, dancing, tricks and general silly funny mixed in with great basketball was enjoyed by all the au pairs and a few host families.  One Au Pair even brought her visiting real family from France with her! 

     

     

    Harlem globetrotters 004The Au Pairs were surprised that the Globetrotters were so funny as well as so athletic!  The mascot, “Big G or Globie” was quite a dancer! 

     

    398554_272552186149965_100001855572340_644370_1924809593_nHarlem globetrotters 008Harlem globetrotters 007

    President’s Day

    PresidentsDay-w
    Presidents’ Day is celebrated in February to honor two of our greatest presidents, Abraham Lincoln and George Washington. The holiday is celebrated in the United States on the third Monday in February.   George Washington was born on February 22, 1732 and was the first president of the United States.  Abraham Lincoln was president during the Civil War and was born on February 12, 1809.

    Most of your host children will be off this week from school.  Traditionally this is a winter break for Long Island schools.  It is a great time to plan some activities in and out of the house with your host children.  Many of the libraries and museums will have special activities for the kids home from school.  Check online and bring your kids to explore these activities. 

    flower-craft-free-kids-pop-sticks-easy-patty-pans1Mid winter is a great time for crafts and for board games.  Pull out the games the children received for their holiday gifts and play them together.  Gather the craft supplies and get creative! Dreaming of spring?  How about coloring or painting some pictures of with the kids of spring flowers?  Decorate the room with the colorful pictures!  It might be cold outside, but inside the flowers are blooming on the walls!  Enjoy!!

    Reading to Children

    mom readingIt is never too early to start reading to children.  Children of all ages enjoy having stories read to them.  Reading, cuddling up on a couch or reading before a child takes a nap or goes to sleep at night, is comforting for the child.  This special time together builds a bond, take the time to read to the children in your life.

    • Read slowly, this gives children time to think about what you are reading.
    • Change your voice for different characters, or read in a softer voice from some characters, louder for others.   A sing song voice is fun for young children.
    • family-reading_300Share a picture book with a child and have them tell you a story from the pictures!
    • Read every day!
    • Children have favorites, so don’t worry if they want the same story every day, but add a few others so they can develop new favorites.
    • Talk about the story, ask the children what was their favorite part.  Let them share the story back to you or their parents!
    • Do arts and crafts about the story.  Have them draw you a picture about the story.
    • If the children are old enough to read themselves, have them read you a story.  Alternate, you read, they read.  This will encourage them to read more!
    • Have fun, read stories about subjects you and the children enjoy!
    • Turn off the TV and computer and read!

    Wall Street Journal Article on Switching to Au Pair in America

    WSJ babyWall Street Journal writer, John J. Edwards III writes a blog called “The Juggle” for families who work at balancing family life and work.  His latest blog entry is about why he and his wife have decided to switch from a full time babysitter to an au pair.   

    Click on the link below for the article:

    http://blogs.wsj.com/juggle/2012/02/02/switching-to-an-au-pair/

    John Edwards will be continuing to post entries as the au pair selection process and the experience of using an au pair.

    Happy Chinese New Year!

    Kung Hei Fat Choy!

    year_of_the_dragon_activitiesToday, January 23, 2012, we wave goodbye to the rabbit and welcome in the Year of the Dragon!  

    According to the Chinese Zodiac, the Year of 2012 is the Year of the Dragon, which begins on January 23, 2012 and ends on February 9, 2013.  The Dragon is the fifth sign of the Chinese Zodiac, which consists of 12 Animal signs.  The Dragon is a creature of myth and legend.  In ancient China, the celestial Dragon represents an emperor and  power. Today, it  is the ultimate auspicious symbol signifying success and happiness.           May the celestial Dragon bring great good luck to everyone.

    Fireworks and Family Feasts

    At Chinese New Year celebrations people wear red clothes, decorate with poems on red paper, and give children “lucky money” in red envelopes. Red symbolizes fire, which according to legend can drive away bad luck. The fireworks that shower the festivities are rooted in a similar ancient custom. Long ago, people in China lit bamboo stalks, believing that the crackling flames would frighten evil spirits.