Category Archives: Fun Things We Do

Senior Community Counselor Visits Panama

“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 Shutterfly_Share_43the famous Panama Canal.20160308_114224

 

 

 

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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.

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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 Shutterfly_Share_104Shutterfly_Share_51deflated.

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

Shutterfly_Share_17Shutterfly_Share_29“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

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

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.Group photo1

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!

Eating cake Party roomEach 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 Karla great evening for all!

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Polish galsballoon releaseThe 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!balloons off

National Pancake Day at IHOP

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.20160308_104929 20160308_110956

 

 

 

 

Our cluster donated $100 to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society 20160308_114224who were raising money via Pancake Day.

Country Line Dancing Was a Big Hit!

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.20160404_195125

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!20160404_195402

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

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.kids jumping in

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.pool safety

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

Here is another useful video.

The American Red Cross provides very useful information here.

DC Metro Area Cultural Fair – Mega Success!

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:southe Africa

perf 4Costa Rican Au Pairs sang in Spanish “Beautiful Costa Ricans,” and “Sugar Cane”.  performance 1perf 2

 

 

 

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Thai Au Pairs danced in their national perucostumes 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 Grefacepaintingat 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.perf 3

Children visiting eachreceived a passport anlqtviad 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.

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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.

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

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!

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Three Pairs of Sisters in Victoria’s Happy Cluster

The best thing about having a sister was that I always had a friend.

– Cali Rae Turner

This quote could not be more true for 6 young women in my cluster – each is one of a pair of sisters who are currently Au Pairs in my cluster!Sisters x 3Being far from home is certainly helped by having a friend, a sister, nearby – not just in the USA at the same time, but in our cluster (about 20 minutes end to end)!

I recently invited all of my sister pairs to come together for a photo to celebrate this wonderful, and historic, Au Pair year. They had never met each other, so it was fun for them to become friends.

Pictured above are:

Diana and Nicky Glorius from Germany – They arrived to their host families on the exact same day!

Shantal and Seshnie Chetty from South Africa – Their 3rd sister wants to join the program soon!

Lorena and Laura Lopez from Colombia  – They work for the same host family!

 

Au Pair in America Au Pairs Celebrate Christmas at Krispy Kreme

xmas 2015 Victoria and APs

To celebrate Christmas away from home, Au Pair in America Au  Pairs in Victoria Paton’s cluster in20151218_204811 (2) Maryland (Potomac, Bethesda, Cabin John and Glen Echo) donned Santa hats and enjoyed a dessert party at Krispy Kreme in Rockville.

Au Pairs brought a gift to exchange, and in the spirit of the holidays, they also generously donated personal items for Streetlights USA (a charity that supports young women saved in America from trafficking).

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Four lighted trees were decorated by the Au Pairs and then raffled-off to four 20151218_210714 (2)20151218_210658 (2)happy winners.

 

Many Au Pairs would be spending the holidays with their Host Families while others were looking forward to learning more about America with travel to Florida, Las Vegas, San Diego etc.

College Fair for Au Pairs a Great Success!

Representatives from ten area colleges/institutes at which Au Pairs can study enthusiastically participated in the First Ever Au Pair in America College Fair at Potomac Community Center.

Au Pairs take 72 hours/year (Standard Au Pair) or 144 hours/year (EducarGtowne Au Pair) of education in the topics of their choice as required by the State Department.

Colleges represented: Montgomery College, Borough of Manhattan, Virginia International Univ., LADO, International Language Institute, Stratford University, L’Academie de Cuisine, Georgetown University, American University and UCLA.

“Rather than Au Pairs seeking info on educational opportunities independently around the DC area, I thought it would be better to bring the educators to the Au Pairs so they could walk around and shop opportunities, gather information, understand the registration process for each location.

College representatives thought it was a great idea, too, and we will hold another Au Pair College Fair in Fall 2016.” said Victoria Paton, Senior Community Counselor for Potomac, Bethesda, Glen Echo andCabin John, whBBMCo organized the event.

 

 

 

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