Yearly Archives: 2016

Victoria’s Cluster Had a Very Krispy Kreme Christmas 2016

December 27, 2016 – 4:59 pm

Oh what fun it was to spend an evening with the great young women in my cluster from all over the world having laughs with each other and sharing the holidays!

This is the 16th Au Pair Christmas Party for Victoria Paton, the Senior Community Counselor for the Potomac Shoreline Cluster of Au Pair in America (Potomac, Bethesda, Cabin John and Glen Echo, Maryland who says “It is very important for me to make Christmas special for my Au Pairs as it may be their first time ever to be away from family at the holidays”.

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Kerstin from Germany and Julia from Brazil share the holiday spirit

We all gathered on a Friday night for lots and lots of donuts at Krispy Kreme in Rockville, Maryalnd who were great hosts and very interested in the fun the Au Pairs were having.

Each Au Pair signed in, selected a holiday hat, dropped a pre-wrapped gift into a Santa’s sack, and settled in for laughs and activities.

The Grab Bag game with Mr and Mrs. Wright (Right/left game) was a giggle. Some Au Pairs were surprised that the gift they pulled from Santa’s sack would go right and left several times before they received the package she could open.

Nadine from Germany loved her stocking

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Maddie from S. Africa will enjoy her Starbucks card

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Nam from Thailand opened a fabulous JCrew broach.

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Melisha from S. Africa said she really needed those fluffy mittens

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Marlies from Austria and Anna from Poland critique their over-head drawings.

We even had an ugly Christmas outfit competition won by “Miss Thailand” who was dressed as a Christmas Tree complete with pine cone, dangling earrings!

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Daria from Poland is dreaming of a wonderful Christmas in America!

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Seshnie and Shantal are sisters in our cluster from S. Africa and they did a fantastic job with tree decoration. Both are in their 2nd Year.

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Jenny and Nicki (who also has a sister in our cluster) from Germany and Shantal from S. Africa decorated trees for the 2nd year! Judit just arrived Thursday night from Austria and Seshnie is about to start her Year2.

Lastly, Au Pairs decorated several small trees to be raffled off and taken home to decorate an Au Pair’s room at the holidays.

Au Pairs Prepared for Winter Driving with Special AAA Class!

December 15, 2016 – 12:54 pm

Just in time to be ready for the cold temps and possible snow soon to arrive to the DC area. Au Pairs in Victoria Paton’s and Imelda Farrells’s clusters met last week at the Cabin John Volunteer Fire Department for a class on Winter Driving with AAA Mid Atlantic (and former police officer) Joe Beddick.

The 60 Au Pairs learned about preparing a car for winter driving, clearing car of snow, going slow etc.

After his talk, Mr. Beddick, showed some very real videos about what happens when drivers are distracted by phone or texting etc., reminding them that it is illegal in the state of Maryland.

At the end of the meeting, Counselors raffled off prizes such as snow melt, snow scrapers, hand warmers, gloves, shovels etc. for Au Pairs to keep in their cars…just in case.

Brrrrr!!

Perfect Day at Pumpkin Patch!

October 17, 2016 – 2:33 pm

About 40 Au Pairs from Au Pair in America in Montgomery County joined their Counselors for a Hay Ride and visit to the Pumpkin Patch at Homestead Farm in Poolesville, Maryland.

Senior Counselor, Imelda Farrell, stands to capture a photo of Au Pairs in her hay wagon.

Victoria Paton, Senior Community Counselor for Au Pair in America in Potomac, Bethesda, Cabin John and Glen Echo with a small group of her Au Pairs from Poland, Germany, Mexico and South Africa.

The Au Pairs were visibly delighted to see the great expanse of farmland they didn’t realize existed so near to suburban Washington DC.

Each Au Pair took home a pumpkin of their choice, had a picnic, and some even stayed to pick apples from the trees along with hundreds of American families and their children who were making a day of it at the farm.

We couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful Autumn day to treat these Au Pairs!

First Day of School – WATCH OUT FOR SCHOOL BUSES

August 25, 2016 – 6:55 pm

School for most students in Montgomery County begins on Monday, 8/29. With that come the thousands of school buses on the roads which transport children to Elementary, Middle and High Schools in the morning and afternoons.

Please look at this video today. Eventhough it is by a news crew in Kansas City, it still is valid to all drivers.

LOOK at these examples of what to do in various road types…

Here is an article from BETHESDA PATCH which explains:

What to Do When Approaching a School Bus

When a school bus stops, the flashing red lights go on and the stop sign flaps come out, drivers in BOTH directions are required to stop. This is the most dangerous time with children getting on or off the bus.
It is against the law to pass a stopped school bus with its flashing red lights activated and stop arm extended.
Never pass on the right side of the bus, where children enter or exit. This is illegal and can have tragic results.
Two-lane road: When a school bus stops for passengers, all traffic in both directions, must stop.
Two-lane road with center turn lane: When a school bus stops for passengers, all traffic in both directions, must stop.
Four-lane road without a center median: When a school bus stops for passengers, all traffic in both directions, must stop.
Divided highway of four lanes or more with a center median: When a school bus stops for passengers, only traffic following the bus must stop.

Tips for Kids, Parents

When the bus approaches, stand at least three giant steps (6 feet) away from the curb, and line up away from the street.
Wait until the bus stops, the door opens, and the driver says it’s OK before stepping onto the bus.
When getting off the bus, look before stepping off the bus to be sure no cars are passing on the shoulder (side of the road). Move away from the bus.
Before crossing the street, take five “giant steps” out from the front of the bus, or until the driver’s face can be seen. Wait for the driver to signal that it’s safe to cross.
Look left-right-left when coming to the edge of the bus to make sure traffic is stopped. Keep watching traffic when crossing.
Use the handrails to avoid falls. When exiting the bus, be careful that clothing with drawstrings, and bookbags with straps don’t get caught in the handrails or doors.
Never walk behind the bus.
Walk at least three giant steps away from the side of the bus.
If you drop something near the bus, tell the bus driver. Never try to pick it up because the driver may not be able to see you.

Bethesda Big Train Baseball was a BIG Hit with Au Pairs!

August 25, 2016 – 4:23 pm

What could be more American than baseball in the hot summer sun? Many Au Pairs joined Victoria Paton and Imelda Farrell for a Friday evening of minor league baseball with at a Bethesda Big Train game.

Au Pairs were treated to dances with the mascot. A few took home t-shirts that were shot into the audience between innings.

C’est La Vie – Au Pairs Celebrate France at Crêpes A Go Go

August 20, 2016 – 4:06 pm

An annual favorite, Au Pairs from Potomac all the way north to Frederick, MD gathered together to enjoy a variety of French crêpes at Crêpes A Go Go in the Kentlands.

Au Pairs who completed their year in July or August received their completion certificates and offered advise: “Communicate with your host family”, “Make lots of friends”, “Travel whenever you can”..

It was a scorching evening but the feelings of Au Pairs getting to know new friends and saying goodbye to old was warm.

A bientôt mes amies!

Spartan Race a Great Milestone for Au Pair from Poland

August 19, 2016 – 4:44 pm

Magda was 18 months into her 2nd year as an Au Pair, when she heard about the Spartan Race in Blue Mountain, PA from a friend.

Muddy crawl under wires.

She decided that would be a super goal and an accomplishment to aim for as she finishes her two years in Potomac, MD. So, Magda and her friend trained every day for at least half-a-year to be ready for the Race.

“It’s a 5-mile race total and it involved so many things: jumping walls, climbing ropes, monkey bars (I don’t think there is a word in Polish for these…). We had to go on our stomach in the mud under wires, and in the end we had to jump over fire!”

Hauling rocks up and down the hill.

When asked how long it took to complete the race, Magda replied “About 3 hours because it took a while to do some of the running: up and down one hill we had to have a big, wooden board on our backs. For another we had to fill a bucket with rocks and carry it up and down the hill.”

It was one of the best things she has ever done she announced. “It was so cool – I got a medal too! I want to participate in this in Poland also.”

Magda running over fire at the finish.

Victoria beams: “As a Counselor for more than 16 years, Au Pairs like Magda always makes me SO proud. I see Au Pairs reaching for the stars…setting goals and accomplishing them. I encourage my Au Pairs to create a Vision Board at the beginning of their year to pin-up their photos of their goals (academic, travel, athletic, social etc.), and the board can remind them what they came to America to achieve as the year unfolds.”

Magda is an all-around winner

Magda departs her current Host Family on Tuesday for a trip out-west before returning to Poland. Both her Host Family and her Counselor, get tearful thinking about saying goodbye. But Magda has goals, and we all know that wherever she is, she will achieve whatever she puts her mind to.

After 16 Years, Counselor and Au Pair (now Award-winning Film-maker) REUNITED!

August 15, 2016 – 2:22 pm

For years, Senior Community Counselor, Victoria Paton, had been trying to locate a former Au Pair from her first years as a CC…Heidi Brandenburg from Germany. Heidi was special to the Paton family because in the year 2000, Heidi lived temporarily in their Potomac home. (Her host mom had become ill and they needed a full time nanny to care for the family while the mother recovered so she was housed by CC until a new family could be found). Heidi had made an important impact on the Paton’s lives in those 2 weeks she stayed with them, but she didn’t know it, and Victoria was determined to thank her 🙂

The background: It was September 2000 and time for Victoria’s son’s 6th birthday pool-party. Heidi wanted to pitch in, so she made trays of cut up sausages and fruit on sticks- German-style. She walked to the Right Aid and purchased a large green poster board and made a marker/glitter sign “Happy 6th Birthday, Jai”. The party was great, and soon Heidi matched out of state and they all, sadly, lost touch.

Hari’s birthday with Jai standing 2006.

But that was not all…”That birthday poster became a special treasure for our family…EVERY year thereafter that poster was hung as part of the family’s ‘birthday throne’ and subsequently was in the background of EVERY photo of EVERY Paton family member’s birthday from that year forward age: 7,8,9…15, 16…20, 21. And not just for Jai but for his brother and me too. When we moved a few times, we always had to be sure that ‘The Birthday Sign’ was included.”

A wonderful Au Pair, Jasmin from 2014, helped Victoria find Heidi via Social Media…to our surprise Heidi was nearby – currently living in Silver Spring, MD (30 minutes away!!) And, in February of this year, Heidi and Victoria connected via text promising to meet soon not disclosing to Heidi about “The Birthday Poster”. Victoria wanted it to be a surprise!

Heidi Brandenburg, who is half Peruvian, had been living in the Peruvian jungle for many years after film school. She had since married and has two adorable daughters. Heidi has been very busy and created and filmed “When Two Worlds Collide” a documentary about the devastation of the Peruvian rain forest. The film won awards at Sundance and has made the documentary circuit around the world. It was recently shown at AFI Cinema and Tribeca in NYC.

Heidi on right receiving award for her film at Sundance.

On July 29th, Heidi and Victoria were able to hug in person: Heidi and her family, came as guests of honor to Victoria’s Cluster S’mores Party. Now in her 30’s, Heidi briefly spoke to the young Au Pairs about her life and film career.

Victoria had a surprise presentation for Heidi…

Victoria brought “The Birthday Poster” a bit worn with bits of miscellaneous tape all over the back from years of adhesion to walls.
Heidi received a montage of photos of Victoria’s sons celebrating a decade + of birthdays in front of the “The Birthday Poster”
Jai (now almost 22 years old, a rising-Senior at Pitzer College, living in CA, and 6’2″) emerged from the audience to greet Heidi in person

Victoria, Heidi and Jai (21) display “The Birthday Poster”…together at last!

It was a an emotional reunion, 16 years in the making…with a significant message: Au Pair in America “Brings the World Together”…and touches Host Families, Au Pairs and Community Counselors alike 🙂

Community Counselor Has Reunion with Au Pair in Italy

July 15, 2016 – 8:29 pm

Milan is a beautiful city, and that is where Victoria Paton, Senior Community Counselor in Maryland and Sara Canclini were reunited. Sara had recently finished her year in Victoria’s cluster and returned to her family and work in Milan. As Sara had been too busy saying goodbye to friends and her host family before her departure from the US, she had not had a chance to receive her completion certificate for her amazing year with a wonderful family in Avenel (Potomac) where she cared for 2 school-aged children.

Victoria, who was visiting Italy for work and pleasure, decided to present the certificate to Sara personally – in Italy..in the Piazza del Duomo So they arranged to meet on the steps of the Milan Cathedral and, in the company of Sara’s friend (and hundreds of on-lookers/tourists), acted out a formal certificate presentation.

How fun it was to catch-up over a cappuccino and to spend some time strolling the beautiful streets of Milan!

Au Pair in America places many Au Pairs from Italy. These young women excel in childcare, have strong English skills and are skilled drivers.

So it was a great treat to return to Milan and Florence to become more familiar with the culture and life of the Italian people…and her Au Pairs.

Senior Community Counselor Visits Panama

June 1, 2016 – 8:57 pm

“More and more fantastic Au Pairs are coming from Panama. I wanted to better undertanding of their country and the culture. I was lucky to have a chance to visit Panama City as well as the outlying islands, ” explained Victoria Paton, Au Pair in America’s Senior Community Counselor for Potomac, Bethesda, Cabin John and Glen Echo. In my 16 years as a Community Counselor, Au Pair in America has recruited an increasing number high-quality, childcare providers Latin America: Colombia, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Peru, Argentina, Chile, El Salvador, Mexico and, now, Panama.

Panama City was bussling with life from its Cathedral and Presidential Palace to the cozy piazzas for dining and music, and the famous Panama Canal.

I flew from Panama City to Bocas Del Toro, and from there, by boat from island to island amongst the indigenous peoples, cocoa plantations, and beautiful beaches.

Visiting the gorgeous islands, I often had the chance to play with children. Life on the islands is simple: and cut off are from the rest of the world…no electricty, cars, internet or even a soccer ball to replace the one that was deflated.

The children on the left live in a beachside community and were fascinated with videos on my phone.

“So now when I welcome Au Pairs from Panama to my Cluster, I know so much more about their beautiful country, abundant in warm people and natural beauty.”