On  Mother’s Day Victoria Paton’s cluster (Potomac, Bethesda, Glen    Echo, Cabin John) dressed-up and gathered for a party in honor of the Au Pairs who were the guests of honor. The theme was “We Love Our Au Pairs” and the decor of mylar heart balloons, a special heart cake and even a cardboard Elvis for photo opps made for a festive

After socializing, the Au Pairs were treated to a video montage made from Au Pair photo submissions and set to pop music. A DVD of  the “yearbook” was in a goody bag at each place setting. The highlight of the evening was the Award Ceremony in which Victoria presented each Au Pair with a certificate congratulating her for an exceptional skill indicated by her Host Parents. This was a surprise to all the Au Pairs who were touched and amused by the nominations: Most Conscientious Au Pair, Best Crepe Maker, The Best Teacher, The Best Lego Builder, The Best Mind Reader of Her Host Mom’s Needs, The Most Responsible and Organized Au Pair etc. The final award was given to Jasmin from Austria who had earned the title of top three Au Pairs nationwide for 2013 by Au Pair in America Headquarters and went on to compete in the International Au Pair Association’s Au Pair of the Year competition. The nomination was unusual in that it was for both Jasmin and her sister Verena (who had been the Host Family’s Au Pair last year). The unusual combined nomination submission was about these two amazing young women who over 2+ years supported, loved and assisted the Host Family during the illness and subsequent passing of their wonderful Host Dad.