Tag Archives: Suffolk county Au pairs

Contest for Peace Day!

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What’s New? International Day of Peace!

Saturday, September 21 is International Day of Peace! Au Pair in America, in celebration of “Peace Day” will sponsor its Third Annual Peace Day Contest.  Au Pairs are invited to submit their vision of “peace,” whether it’s a painting, photograph, poem, essay, song or dance-any art form is acceptable.

Entries are due by Thursday, September  19.  They should be sent to:  gaapia@gmail.com

Prizes will be awarded in all categores and winners will be announce on “Peace Day” on this website. All entries will be posted on this site for friends and family to enjoy!

Look here to see entries and winners from previous years.

Rosh Hashanah

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Rosh Hashanah is a Jewish Holiday commonly referred to as the Jewish New Year.  It is observed on the first day of Tishrei, the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar. Rosh Hashanah is the first of the high Holidays specifically set aside to focus on repentance that concludes with the holiday of Yom Kippur.  Rosh Hashanah is the start of the civil year in the Hebrew calendar.  It is the New Year for people, animals, and legal contracts. Jewish people believe Rosh Hashanah represents either analogically or literally the creation of the World, or Universe.

On Rosh Hashanah, Jewish people all over the world gather in synagogues to celebrate the day.  The holiday is celebrated with sweet foods, like apples dipped in honey and honey cake and round Challot made with honey and raisins as a wish for a sweet year.

Here is a link to children’s games and activities to celebrate the holiday.  It includes information, art projects, crafts, stories and recipes:

http://www.chabad.org/kids/article_cdo/aid/354744/jewish/Rosh-Hashanah.htm

Rosh Hashanah will is celebrated for starting sundown on Wednesday, September 4th and continues Thursday and Friday.  We wish all of our Jewish counselors, staff, host families, au pairs, and friends a very Happy Holiday.

The Au Pair in America Team.

September is Baby Safety Month

  • Check condition and sturdiness of toys. Discard any with sharp edges or are broken or falling apart.
  • Check children’s clothing for loose buttons and strings.
  • Is baby’s pacifier still in good condition? If not, toss it. Never use strings to attach the pacifier to baby’s clothes or crib.
  • Where do you set baby’s carrier when she’s in it? Not on the counter, or any high surface. Babies can wiggle and tip themselves over.
  • Walkers can be dangerous (especially old ones that don’t meet today’s safety standards), they allow baby to move very quickly and reach things they normally can’t. Never use around stairs.
  • Stroller check. If your stroller is collapsible, be sure latches are secure before putting baby in. Always check that your child’s arms are out of the way when reversing handle directions so they won’t get pinched. Be sure to use that safety strap. Don’t hang overloaded or heavy bags on the handle of the stroller; this may cause it to tip over.
  • Can you name the 12 most common choking foods for kids under five? Popcorn, hot dogs, chunks of meat, raisins, ice cubes, chunky peanut butter, nuts of any kind, hard candy, grapes, raw carrots, potato chips and corn chips. Don’t leave toddlers alone while eating; if they begin to choke you need to be nearby to assist.
  • Get a piggy bank: this is a great place to put coins so they don’t end up on the floor, in the couch cushions and then baby’s mouth.
  • Never leave your child unattended in the bathtub. If the phone rings, let the machine get it.

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Use Your Library

LibraryFrom Riverhead Library director, Lisa Jacobs:  Ah, late summer, when school supplies are on sale at all the stores! I’m so tempted (like Meg Ryan in You’ve Got Mail) to buy them even though I don’t need them. Binders, filler paper, new pens…

The reality is, the most important school supply for any student doesn’t appear on teachers’ lists. That is a LIBRARY CARD. Even with Internet access so widely available, your library card still offers access to many things students need. Here’s my own top 10 list:

10. Live online homework help, every afternoon and evening
9. Test prep assistance, both online and in person
8. Online skills-building resources (to help learn that tricky math concept)
7. Access to America the Beautiful state books, both in print and online
6. Access to accurate online encyclopedias such as Grolier and World Book
5. Educational programs on a variety of topics, plus some fun stuff too
4. Free ebooks for downloading to most any device
3. Information for Science Fair projects, both in print and online
2. Access to millions of different books to borrow (now available from both Suffolk and Nassau)
And the number one thing…
1. Great librarians who can help you figure out which of those millions of books you need or want to read next!

Au Pairs should all get library cards!  There are great programs for the kids and you at the library.  Most of the libraries in Suffolk County all have free English conversation groups!  Join one and make even more friends!

August 10th is National S’mores Day!

How to Make S'mores thumbnail Today is National S’Mores Day!  Here’s how to make this tasty campfire treat!  (also can be made in the microwave)

They’ve been a treat at campfires for generations and always leave everyone wanting “some more.” Makes one s’more.

Instructions – Adult Supervision Required!

  1. Gather around a warm campfire with friends or family.

  2. Break a graham cracker into two halves. Place one quarter of a chocolate bar on one half of a graham cracker.

  3. Stick one large marshmallow on the end of a wire or clean stick. An unwound wire hanger works well.

  4. Hold your marshmallow several inches over the hot embers of the fire.
  5. Rotate the wire as the marshmallow cooks, allowing the marshmallow to become lightly browned all over.
  6. Place the browned marshmallow on top of the graham cracker and chocolate.
  7. Place the other half of the graham cracker on top of the marshmallow, creating a sandwich.
  8. While firmly holding the two graham crackers together, pull the wire out of the marshmallow.
  9. Wait about 30 seconds for the warm marshmallow to melt the chocolate.
  10. Enjoy!

    Eat the s’more after allowing it to cool. You’ll want some more – so return to step two.

    Read more: http://www.ehow.com/how_632_make-smores.html#ixzz2bZPFhtcb

    All American Past Time

    Some of the Long Island Au Pairs went to the Long Island Ducks Baseball game this past weekend.DSCN1270

    011What better way is there to spend a summer evening than watching the All American past time?  The Au Pairs got to experience the game up close at the family friendly Ducks Stadium.  The professional baseball team won the game, scored some home runs, and gave a great show to the au pairs for their first ever baseball game.  In between innings, there are silly contests with fans from the stands.  Sons tried to break water balloons over their dad’s heads, a father and son played bocce bowling, and even a karoke singer got a few cheers from the au pairs!  Everyone got enjoyed the antics of Quaker Jack the team mascot!  Quite a few foul balls were sent in our direction, but not close enough for any au pair to catch!
    Aisha from Canada and Ella from South Africa with Quacker Jack!
    Aisha from Canada and Ella from South Africa with Quacker Jack!

    Backyard Camp Au Pair in America Animal Safari

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    Au Pair in America’s at home summer camp for kids and au pairs  ANIMAL SAFARI!

    Take a look at the great ideas for fun this week:

    http://pinterest.com/aupairinamerica/camp-au-pair-animal-safari/

    Summer Safety Tips!

    water bubblerDehydration: The little ones, especially, forget to drink or to tell you that they need to drink. If you find the children not looking well and/or getting cranky toward the afternoon, it might be because they’re tired, or it might be because they’re dehydrated. Remember: By the time a person feels thirsty, he’s already partly dehydrated, so drink to prevent thirst, not to quench it. Common symptoms of dehydration are crankiness, headaches, aches in the joints and weariness. And don’t allow your child to fill up on juice or soft drinks; these are dehydrators. Water or child-appropriate hydrating drinks are best.

    However, if you or your child has severe dehydration (dry mouth, sunken eyes, reluctant to drink, unable to pee or cry, high fever, lethargy), call for emergency help and have your child sip an electrolyte-replacement fluid (such as Pedialyte).

    Hot Cars: Don’t EVER leave children alone in the car — not even for a moment. Besides the danger of abduction, the temperature in a car can skyrocket in minutes. And, if you see an unattended young child in a vehicle, please call 911, the police or other emergency personnel. Your call could save the child’s life.

    Drowning: Always actively supervise children in and around water. Infants and children can drown in bathtubs, swimming pools, ponds or almost any other water. Toddlers aren’t strong enough to lift themselves back out of a toilet, bucket, container or wading pool.

    sunscreenSun Protection: Children’s skin and eyes are more sensitive to ultraviolet rays. Babies should be protected from direct sun entirely. Toddlers, preschoolers and older children should be covered well in sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) at least one half hour before going out in the sun. Sunscreen should be reapplied every hour or so, and it should be reapplied after the child has been in water. Don’t forget ears, hands, feet, lips and under the eyes. Also, make sure your child wears a hat and sunglasses when out in the sun for any length of time.