Tag Archives: host family

Strawberry Picking in Montgomery County…almost time!

strawberry-pickingW

Taking children strawberry picking can be a great outing during the day or with your Host Family or friends on the weekend.

Do take some ziplock bags or other container to bring the fruit home as well as some money…You are charged for the strawberries you pick by the pound at a register near the exit.

Below is an excerpt from a very thorough article from an amazing DC family and au pair resource: KidFriendly DC website.

Butler’s Orchard in Germantown or Homestead Farm in Poolesville are two easy-to-reach strawberry picking farms in suburban Maryland…call or look on their webpages before you go for hours of operation and picking times.

000_4041

Homestead Farm
Strawberry season is expected to open in early June this year, likely due to the cool temps we had for longer than usual. You can sign up to receive weekly updates by email, so you know when they open. Along with berry picking, there are animals to visit — goats, pigs, and chickens are some of the farm’s bestial residents. And Homestead scores high on aesthetics — the lovely pastoral setting in Montgomery County makes you feel like you’re way more than 20 miles from the city. The farm is open seven days a week from 9:30am – 6pm, though pick-your-own ends at 5:30.

strawberry chlidren

Butler’s Orchard
The farm might be best known for it’s Halloween and Easter extravaganzas, but they have a bounty of great crops, too. Their strawberry season is expected to start late May or early June, and the fields will be open to visitors everyday. Go to Butler’s Pick Your Own `section of their website. Stay updated on their status by following on Facebook and Twitter. During strawberry season their hours are 8:30am – 6pm during the week, and 8:30am – 5pm on weekends.

Today is National "Don't Fry Day" – Review Sun Safety for Children

dontfrydayofficiallogo-tm

Don’t Fry Day is an annual event observed on the Friday before Memorial Day. Sponsored by the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention (NCSCP) along with other organizations, DFD is dedicated to protection and prevention. Don’t Fry Day shines the spotlight on the harmful effects of the sun while raising awareness about the importance of protecting your skin.

Go to this great Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/DontFryDay

As the unofficial beginning of summer kicks off this weekend, people will be spending more and more time in the great outdoors. Now is the time to put that protection plan in place.

Ultraviolet rays are the primary cause of skin cancer which is now the most common type of cancer in the United States. According to the American Cancer Society, more than 76,000 new cases of malignant melanoma will be diagnosed in the United States this year.

images

Why is it important to protect children from the sun?

  • Too much sun is particularly harmful to young children, who should be kept out of direct sunlight at all times.
  • Protecting children from the sun not only prevents painful sunburn, it also significantly reduces the risk of developing skin cancer later in life.
  • 50 per cent of total lifetime sunlight exposure occurs in childhood.
  • Breezes or water can cool the skin of children playing in the sun, so excessive exposure to sunlight is not noticed until they are burned.
  • Some children are sensitive to sunlight and might develop a rash.

How to protect children in the sun

  • Remember that infants must be kept out of the sun entirely, while children with light skin will burn easily.
  • If the child is not exposed to direct sunlight, sunscreen is not usually necessary.
  • Children should be encouraged to play in the shade, wearing good protective clothing.
  • Sunscreen use does not allow an increase in the time spent in sunlight.
  • Sunscreen must have sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30. Anything less is useless.
  • Make sure you use enough sunscreen; half a handful (approximately 20ml) is usually enough for the child’s entire body.
  • Remember that some sunscreens come off through contact with water, sweating or rubbing with a towel.
  • Re-apply sunscreen every couple of hours during a day in the sun, especially if they are in and out of water.
  • Keep children out of the sun between 11am and 3pm, when the sun’s rays are at their strongest.

Five things to remember:

  • Small children should always be kept in the shade.
  • Avoid the sun between 11am and 3pm.
  • Stay in the shade as much as possible.
  • Good protection is provided by light clothes and a hat.
  • Children should be given sunscreen with a high SPF (at least 30).

Q: How to Protect Yourself?

A: Wear protection! Make sure to generously apply sunscreen and reapply after swimming, sweating and about every two hours.

B., Stay in the shade if at all possible, especially between 10:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M. when the sun’s UV rays are the strongest.

C. You can burn even on a cloudy day. In fact, some of the worst sunburns occur on a hazy or cloudy day.

D. Cover up – wear sun-protective clothing including a hat and sunglasses.

E. Don’t burn!

Today is National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day!

What could be more American than chocolate chip cookies? nestles choc chipCertainly my absolute favorite over apple pie!

My fellow Community Counselor, Pat Van Haste in Virginia, offered this website of Best Chocolate Chip Cookies…http://allrecipes.com/recipe/best-chocolate-chip-cookies/

It is a gray and chilly day here in the MidAtlantic, I think I’ll whip up a batch to surprise the kids!

Here is a website with recipes that children can help with for chocolate chip cookies and other really great ideas

6a00d8341bff0153ef010536ac34f0970c-600wi

Au Pairs, if you haven’t tried to make the American favorite, today might just be the day!  Oh, and don’t forget the ice cold milk to go with and ask your kids to show you how to dunk!

dunking

Remembering 9/11

9-11-01candleangellarge-250x300Most Americans remember where they were the moment the planes hit the twin towers, the pentagon and went down in the field in Pennsylvania.  I remember the au pairs who were in my cluster at that time – September 2001.

My thanks to Cindy Garubba, an Au Pair in America Counselor from Suffolk County NY (another area which was hit hard by 9/11) for this piece which I added to.

I was proud of every au pair in my cluster on that day and the days following.  They were just as stunned as every American, their families and friends at home were worried that they were in harm’s way and the children in their care were scared.  Not one of the young woman in my cluster in Bethesda, Potomac, Cabin John and Glen Echo was too scared to stay, too worried about themselves to comfort their host children or continue with their duties – many Au Pairs in this emergency situation had to take over when parents were stuck out of town because airports were closed. They responded with compassion, bravery and were an inspiration to me.  Young women from all over the world stepped up at that difficult time, they spread cultural understanding and world peace through their example.   Thank you.

I recall an Au Pair who could never remember to close the garage door and it was frustrating to the host family, but on 9/11 both her host parents had flown to NYC for business and they couldn’t return for several days as all transportation had ceased to operate. For a time, in the chaos, they couldn’t even find each other in the city. The Au Pair was amazing!  She kept the children (including one with a special need) calm and safe and helped the host parents find each other and assure them the children were safe…She was, indeed, one of MANY Au Pair heroes!

Today we remember that tragic day with acts of kindness.  We hold each other closer, care more deeply and do for others.  Remember to live in the moment, care about your fellow human beings and give to each other!

AAA Winter Driving Class for Au Pairs

Over 70 Au Pairs filled a room at the Potomac Community Center on Thursday night to better their winter driving skills with a presentation by AAA MidAtlantic’s Joe Beddick. Joe showed the girls a film with lots of  vehicles slipping and sliding and also instructed the Au Pairs what to keep in their car: cat litter or ice melting salt, blanket, first aid kit. He alerted us all that there are some key things to pay attention to especially in winter: properly inflated tires, filling washer fluid, and more. Photos of what it means to clean off a car with snow i.e., no snow left on top and all windshields, lights and mirrors completely cleared off.

Each Au Pair departed with a AAA booklet on Winter Driving Safety and a custom-made Au Pair in America Ice Scraper to keep in her purse should she need to clear off a car.

I think we all learned a lot…and possibly just in time!  🙂

APDC0164 compressed

APDC0160 compressedAPDC0162

Our 12th Year in the Potomac Day Parade

DSCF0835 resizedDSCF0834 resized cropDSCF0848 resizedThe announcers welcomed back the Au Pair in America group for the 12th year!  A group of au pairs marched in the parade on Saturday 10/22/11 and gave prizes and coloring books to children along the route. While waiting for the parade to begin, the girls delighted in meeting the Chick-Fil-A cow. It was a wonderful day and and we were all proud to represent the au pairs of the Potomac Shoreline Cluster.DSCF0844 resizedDSCF0846 resizedDSCF0840 resizedAPDC0126 resize

Au Pairs Learn About Fire Safety & Meeting Points

APDC0008 resizePotomac Shoreline Cluster Au Pairs (Bethesda, Cabin John, Glen Echo and Potomac) on September 20th visited the Cabin John Firehouse #10 on River Road for a lesson in fire safety including: when to phone 911, importance of a family having a meeting point outside the house in the event of a fire, locating 2 exits from the home, what to do in a power outage, what to do in the event of flooding roads etc.

After the girls asked questions and learned a lot of new and useful safety tips, several au pairs were selected to put on the fire gear in 1 minute or less. That gear is HEAVY!!

Then au pairs were invited to explore the fire trucks and to take photos. That was a lot of fun!

APDC0026 revisedAPDC0031 resizeAPDC0033 resizedAPDC0019 resized

Au Pair in America and Potomac Pizza – Potomac join together to raise money for Leukemia

Join Au Pairs, Host Families, friends and others who want to help raise money for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society on Wednesday, August 10th 4-9pm at Potomac Pizza – Potomac Village only – where 20% of all eat-in or carry-out orders go directly to Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Potomac/Bethesda, Au Pair in America Community Counselor, Victoria Paton, is raising funds for Leukemia & Lymphoma by riding a 100 mile ride in Utah on September 17, 2011.  She trains weekly (yesterday reaching her longest ever of 66 miles in Gettysburg, PA) and many Au Pairs said they want to help her raise money as their friends and family have also been affected by blood cancers. So we decided to eat some excellent American pizza and have a fun event also.

The event is open to the public, but Potomac Pizza requests that anyone wishing proceeds to go to Leukemia & Lymphoma Society print the attached flier or mention it at check-out.

Victoria replies to Host Family email on Blackberry at mile 34 rest stop near covered bridge

Victoria replies to Host Family email on Blackberry at mile 34 rest stop near covered bridge

Print flier to take to Potomac Pizza  http://potomac.patch.com/events/potomac-pizza-and-au-pair-in-america-fundraiswer-for-leukemia#pdf-7292310

Au Pair in America's Educare Program – perfect for families with school aged children

AU PAIR IN AMERICA & MONTGOMERY COLLEGE were the first ever Educare in America program in the United States. Educare companions work a maximum of 30 hours of childcare/week and a maximum of 10 hours/day – ideal for before and after school care.

We have an abundance of candidates: primarily from Germany and France available for immediate placement. www.aupairinamerica.com

August 15th arrival date still available!

December 5th arrival date still available!

EduCare Regulations:

  • EduCare is only for families that require childcare before and after school.
  • EduCare au pairs may not be placed with families that have preschool children except if other, full-time childcare plans have been made.
  • The EduCare au pair may work no more than 10 hours per day, and a maximum of 30 hours per week.
  • Au pairs participating in the EduCare component receive 75 percent of the weekly rate paid to non-EduCare participants.
  • EduCare au pairs must complete a minimum of 12 hours of academic credit or its equivalent during the program year.
  • The host family is required to provide (up to) the first $1,000 toward the cost of the au pair’s required academic course work.

Host Family Comparative Fees

Au Pair

Standard Au Pair

EduCare Companion
Program Fee

$7,295.00

$6,095.00
Match Fee

400.00

400.00
Weekly Stipend*

195.75

146.81
Education

500.00

1000.00
Average per week**

347.00

274.00

*Based on the Federal minimum wage

** Not including education allowance. Including education, difference is $3,196

EduCare in America 2011 Arrival Dates

Tuesday, July 5                                 Monday, July 25

Monday, August 1                             Monday, August 15 – LAST AVAIL DATE FALL ’11

Monday, December 5

Host Family/Au Pair Picnic June 2010 – Fun before the storm!

About 30 Host Families and Au Pairs attended the picnic at Great Seneca Park’s Doe Shelter. It was a hot and sunny day but the shelter provided some shade and we had lots of cool drinks. New Au Pairs made friends, old friends met again and host families and their children shared lunch, delicious desserts and the fun with each other.
FacepaintingImelda welcomes picnic-goers at registrationEnjoying the picnicLunchtime!A custom balloon sculpture by BartiraWearing a heart balloonIeva and Kerry welcome newly-arrived MaryAdorable triplets enjoy some shade with momVisitors to Latvian table chat with Kerry

Au Pairs from Latvia had put together a great table with great posters about their wonderful country and a computerized slide show. Ieva and Kerry both cooked for hours on the morning of the event to prepare Latvian food that everyone could try: soup, cake, etc. DELICIOUS! Thank you! We now have 2 Latvian au pairs with Alisa to arrive in July and Zane in August.

Children played on the playground, enjoyed face painting done by Imelda’s daughter and friend, participated in a raffle of Au Pair items, and lined up for balloon sculptures made for each child of an item of request (crown, heart, sword, bunny etc.) by our own Brazilian Au Pair, Bartira Frank. Thank you!!!

Then we all heard the thunder, but a park ranger came by and told us that we had about 15 minutes to pack up the fun as a big storm was on the way. We all hustled and packed up JUST in time! A big storm did follow, but we had had almost 2 hours of our wonderful picnic.