Tag Archives: au pair new orleans

Happy Fourth of July

NOLFlagKnown  as the Fourth of July and Independence Day, July 4th has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941, but the tradition of Independence Day celebrations goes back to the 18th century and the American Revolution (1775-83).

In June 1776, representatives of the 13 colonies then fighting in the revolutionary struggle weighed a resolution that would declare their independence from Great Britain.

On July 2nd, the Congress voted in favor of independence, and two days later its delegates adopted the Declaration of Independence, a historic document drafted by Thomas Jefferson.

From 1776 until the present day, July 4th has been celebrated as the birth of American independence, with festivities ranging from fireworks, parades, family gatherings and barbecues.

 

Have fun with the children too – visit the link below for fun coloring pages, craft ideas, puzzles and games to celebrate the 4th of July holiday

http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/fourth-of-july/

APIA at Baby and Child Expo 2016

NOLBabyExpo2016Looking forward to seeing you at the Baby and Child Expo Saturday, July 9, 2016

Please stop by our table where we’ll have information about Au Pair in America – the most experienced (30 years and going strong!) live in childcare program in the nation.

Visitors will be eligible for 2 raffle baskets, each including $850 certificate off of program fees. Kids will get coloring pages, bookmarks, frisbees for summer fun and other gifts.

Lakeside Mall – Center Court

3301 Veterans Memorial Blvd

Metairie, La 70002

Summer Safety Tips

NOLSummerSafety2016During the summer months, we need to take some added precautions to keep children safe in the sun and by the water. We recommend you review these safety tips together as a family to make sure everyone understands how important they are. Have a wonderful and safe summer!

  • Avoid long periods of sun exposure, especially between 10:00am and 4:00pm.
  • Apply sunscreen of at least 15 SPF that protects against both UVA and UVB rays (should be worn on sunny and cloudy days).
  • Infants should be dressed in lightweight clothing covering as much skin as possible and brimmed hats to shade the face.
  • Stay hydrated; drink water throughout the day.
  • Intense activities and sports should be reduced whenever high heat and humidity reach very high levels.
  • Actively supervise children in and around the water, giving them your undivided attention. Appoint a designated “water watcher,” taking turns with other adults.
  • When in the water, there should be at least an adult at arm’s length from young children at all times.
  • Children who cannot swim or who are not strong swimmers should wear water wings or life jackets when in or near the water.
  • Never leave children or animals in a car alone even for one minute.

Creole Tomato Fest

Any excuse is good to visit the famous French Market in the French Quarter, but Creole Tomato Festival is an especially good occasion. Au pairs enjoyed browsing through the many stalls and admiring both produce and products … while New Orleans summer storm thundered in the distance.NOLCreoleTomato

President’s Day

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Presidents’ Day is an American holiday celebrated on the third Monday in February. Originally established in 1885 in recognition of President George Washington, it is still officially called “Washington’s Birthday” by the federal government. Traditionally celebrated on February 22 ~ Washington’s actual day of birth ~ the holiday became popularly known as Presidents’ Day after it was moved as part of 1971’s Uniform Monday Holiday Act, an attempt to create more three-day weekends for American workers. While several states still have individual holidays honoring the birthdays of Washington, Abraham Lincoln and other figures, Presidents’ Day is now popularly viewed as a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents past and present.
To see a listing of all U.S. presidents go to http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents.  Click on each president to find out who they were and what they achieved during their presidency.  Most American school children have to learn their presidents,  this is a great site to go through with them and test their knowledge

Happy Mardi Gras

As always and forever au pairs enjoyed celebrating Mardi Gras with their host families and friends. Many things delighted them – festive crowds, music, dancing, pageantry, King Cakes slathered in thick, gooey but oh so delicious icing … and the fun of making and parading in their very own carnival costumes!!

NOLNadineCarnival

Nadine from Germany put her inner costume designer in overdrive and came up not with just one but four different carnival outfits!!

 

A Docent Tour at New Orleans Museum of Art

NOLNOMA2016New Orleans Museum of Art is the perfect destination for both passionate art lovers and casual amusement seekers. On a recent early afternoon Sunday au pairs joined a docent-led tour to explore the highlights of the collection. Everybody picked their favorites, be it a grand portrait of Queen Marie Antoinette in her finery, an Andy Warhol likeness of intense Mick Jagger, or a Flemish still life showing a table laden with all manner of consumables.

A bite of king cake after the tour completed a fun and interesting outing.

Easy Craft Ideas for Children

NOLkidcraftDoing crafts with host children is one of the most fun things that au pair’s job entails. Here are a few ideas that will help children develop their creativity.
Play dough
Combine 2 cups of flour and 1 cup of salt. Add 1 cup of water and 1 1/2 tablespoons of oil. Mix and knead well. If too stiff, add more water, if too sticky add more flour. For colored play dough, add food coloring to the water before combining it with the other ingredients. STORE IN AN AIR TIGHT CONTAINER. If left out in the air the dough will harden.

Texture Coloring
Put different textures under drawing paper (scrap paper or the back of junk mail works just fine, you don’t need fancy drawing paper) and then color with a crayon. Try a comb, corrugated cardboard (that’s the bumpy cardboard from heavy boxes), sandpaper or different kinds of fabric. Or cut shapes out of light weight cardboard (old cereal or cracker boxes), put them under the drawing paper and rub the crayon over the top to make designs.
 
Crayon Etching
Completely cover the paper with heavy crayon markings of different colors. Then color over all the colors with one other color (black works best). Make a picture or a design with a toothpick or other pointed but not sharp object, it will scrape away the top color to show the colors underneath.
 
Paper bag masks
Use a large brown paper grocery bag for a mask by cutting out holes for the eyes (try it on the child to get them in the right place) and then coloring the face in fun ways with crayons. You can make different characters – a monster, a king or queen, animals etc. Cutting holes for the shoulders can also be helpful.
 
Space helmet
Cut an empty plastic gallon milk container into a helmet shape. Pretend you are on a trip into space.

Halloween Safety Tips for Au Pairs

NOLSafetyHalloween

Adult supervision is essential. Always accompany the children if they are going door to door to trick or treat

Try tick-or-treat-friendly homes. Ensure the children only visit houses with lights on. And, you might also suggest the houses they visit have some sort of Halloween decoration on the porch.

Stay outside. Make sure the children don’t go inside someone’s house. They can trick or treat on the porch.

Remain visible. Dress the children in bright costumes or have them wear reflective strips or carry a glow stick or flashlight.

Quality-check treats. Check the candy before they eat it. Throw out any candy that is not in its original wrapper or looks like it has been tampered with.

Say “no” to strangers. Remind the children to never accept a ride or go anywhere with a stranger.

Have a great time! Finally, make sure your kids have tons of fun and enjoy the night.