Category Archives: Fun Things We Do

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.

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.”

“We Love Our Au Pairs” Awards Party

May 29, 2016 – 9:21 pm

It was a perfect night for our Annual Au Pair Awards Party this year titled “We Love Our Au Pairs”.

Each Host Family was asked to nominate their Au Pair for an award for whatever she does best. Some awards were serious and some were humorous, but they all were intended to show gratitude for the hours and care that their Au Pair brings to their family.

Held at the Kentlands Clubhouse, in Gaithersburg, the invitation from Senior Community Counselor, Victoria Paton, to each Au Pair read: “Put on Your Party Dress and be my guest as you are honored at our Annual Au Pair Awards Dessert Party”. And dress-up they did!

Each Au Pair was asked to come up one-by-one to the podium as Victoria read their Award. Then, the Au Pair was presented with a rose (a la The Bachelor) and a paper certificate as she posed for a souvenir photo.

Awards included: “Simply the Best Au Pair”, “The Au Pair Most Eager to Join the Family for Anything and Everything:, “Most Mileage Driven,”Best Playdough Creater, Baker and Friend”, ” Most Caring Cook Ever”, ” Best Birthday Decorator”, “Best to Bond with Entire Family”, “Most Like a Big Sister”, “Best Banana Pancake Maker”, “Best Minecraft Coach”, “Sweetest, Kindest Au Pair”, “Most Punctual”, “Happiest and Most Accommodating Au Pair”, “Most Laid Back Au Pair”, “Queen of Hide and Seek”, “Safest Driver”, “Best Science Tutor and Chef”, “Best Uno Player and Most Beautiful Smile”, “Most Trustworthy and Sensible”, “Best Lego Builder, Hairdresser, Manicurist and Cuddler” etc.

Lots of love, good wishes and a great evening for all!

The cake was almost too pretty to cut up and serve, but we all enjoyed the dessert during the ceremony then we all went outdoors as the sun set for a balloon release. Each Au Pair was asked to write on a card what her hopes, dreams or a wish was. It was attached to an APIA red balloon and sent off into the sky. Let’s hope all their dreams will come true!

National Pancake Day at IHOP

May 20, 2016 – 7:15 pm

A fun group of pancake-loving Au Pairs joined their Counselor, Victoria Paton, at the Rockville Pike IHOP on National Pancake Day. Every Au Pair dove into a free short-stack while they chatted and met new friends. We even had the pleasure of a pair of twins who ate their pancakes from within their stroller for comfort.

Our cluster donated $100 to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society who were raising money via Pancake Day.

Country Line Dancing Was a Big Hit!

May 15, 2016 – 6:52 pm

Over 60 Au Pairs in Montgomery County participated in a heel-kicking, boot-tapping country line dance class with our favorite instructor Mary who is always thrilled with the Au Pair’s enthusiasm.

Potomac Community Center was the venue for this year’s class which featured country line steps to more contemporary tunes….and it was a blast!

Something so fun and aerobic, was a great way for the Au Pairs, from over 20 countries, to experience something so truly American!

Au Pairs Prepare Now for Summer with Pool Safety Class

May 9, 2016 – 3:38 pm

Au Pairs in Victoria Paton’s Cluster gathered in our Rockville “Cluster Cottage” to brush-up on their pool safety skills for both public and home swimming this year.

Life guard Aileen Farrell of Montgomery Country spoke about being vigilant (do not rely on the pool life guard to watch your children – you must also be vigilant), what drowning looks like across a crowded pool – hint: it is less obvious than you’d think, talking to host parents before pool season about escorting children to changing rooms/toilets, using objects at pool-side for water rescues etc.

Please take a look at the video now. It could save a life.

Here is another useful video.

The American Red Cross provides v ery useful information here.

DC Metro Area Cultural Fair – Mega Success!

May 2, 2016 – 3:19 pm

A Cultural Fair is considered a success when over 200 Au Pairs have a fantastic time representing their countries by hosting a country table, performing or face painting. It is considered a mega-success, however, when an additional 1000 guests (host parents and children, general public and VIP’s) attend and walk away having really enjoyed themselves amongst the energy that brings people together through the Au Pair in America program.

On Sunday, May 1st, Au Pairs from 36 countries, enthusiastically welcomed all those who stopped at their tables. The energy was palpable for all 3-hours of the DC Metro Area Cultural Fair 2016 at Nationals Park.

Throughout the afternoon we were treated to wonderful performances too:

Costa Rican Au Pairs sang in Spanish “Beautiful Costa Ricans,” and “Sugar Cane”.

Thai Au Pairs danced in their national costumes to “Fawn Thai” a traditional Thai folk dance

Singer Marion Raffin of France performed a solo of the classic “La Vie En Rose”.

Lillian Tshabalala of South Africa sang several solos including: “Qongqothwane – Beetle”, “Mama Thembu – a Wedding Song”, and “Malaika – My Angel”.

Zane Feldmane from Latvia presented “Bedu Manu Lielu Bedu or Trouble My Great Trouble”.

Two singers from Poland gave us “Nie Mam Nic – I Have Nothing” and “Czas Nas Uczy Pogody – Time Teaches Us Serenity”.

Colombia rounded-off the performances with “Checumbia” a traditional Colombian folk dance and several songs.

Children visiting eachreceived a passport and it was quickly filled with country, flag stickers as they “traveled the world”. Some kids colored place mats to take home and others, still, wore home some fun face painting designs and globe tattoos.

Over 30 DC Metro area Community Counselors (from Richmond to Baltimore, Cabin John to Virginia Beach) worked from March to May to organize all the pieces that went into the Fair. On this chilly May afternoon, they all posed for a quick group photo having made a significant contribution to a fun event and the spirit of international understanding.

Sunday, May 1st at Nationals Park – DC Metro Area Cultural Fair is Open 1-4pm

April 27, 2016 – 5:32 pm

Sunday, looks to be a rainy day… so head out to Nationals Park to spend the afternoon warm and dry indoors at the DC Metro Area Cultural Fair.

Each child will receive a passport and can travel from country to country (35 in all!) as Au Pairs from our area present what is wonderful about their countries. There will be performances all afternoon, plus face painting and coloring of international place mats to take home!

RSVP here. Don’t have time to RSVP or want to decide last minute? No problem!

Just show up and you will be more than welcome!