On Sunday, au pairs paid another visit to the New Orleans Arts District, this time so see the exhibitions at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art which showcases the art of the region.
With several floors of fine paintings, collages, installations, video presentations and sculptures, each au pair had a chance to find her favorite piece. Many liked the contrast between the modern building and surrounding old architecture. They also enjoyed the sweeping view of the city from the upper floor balcony.
Au pairs had a “mad” experience during Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
What did they like about it?
Everything!!
Extravagant floats, shiny doubloons, pounds of beads, King Cakes with babies or just cheesecake, dancing cheerleaders, stomping brass bands, flying moon-pies, eye-popping costumes, and crowds of revelers thronging the streets day and night made for unforgettable time.
Some celebrated with their host families, others with friends, but all with the like-minded Mardi Gras lovers!
“I really enjoyed Mardi Gras in New Orleans, I think everywhere else it’s just another Tuesday in February but not in here, there are a lot of things going on, like parades for example, people come from all over the country to celebrate Mardi Gras in New Orleans and to have fun! I had a blast! It was really crazy:) — Marta from Poland
I had a wonderful time during Mardi Gras, made the whole experience of being in the US amazing… — Mbali from South Africa
Mardi Gras 2013 is the best experience I made so far being in the United States. It is much better than the “Karneval” in Germany. But the saying should be: “Throw me something that fits.” =) Sarah from Germany
A little history about Saint Valentine’s Day:
On Thursday, February 14th we celebrate Valentine’s Day in the United States by giving flowers, candy and cards to those we love. We do this in honor of Saint Valentine. You may be wondering, “Who is St. Valentine”? Time to brush up on your Valentine’s history!
Legend has it that Valentine was a priest who served during third century Rome. The Emperor at that time, Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those that were married. With this thought in mind he outlawed marriage for young men in hopes of building a stronger army. Supposedly, Valentine, decided this decree was not fair and married young couples in secret. When Emperor Claudius II found out about Valentine’s actions he had his head cut off making him a martyr of love. Another legend has it that Valentine was an imprisoned man who fell in love with his jailor’s daughter. Before he was put to death he sent the first ‘valentine’ himself when he wrote her a letter and signed it ‘Your Valentine’, words still used on cards today.
Perhaps we’ll never know the true identity and story behind the man named St. Valentine, but this much is for sure…February has been the month to celebrate love for a long time, dating back to the Middle Ages. In fact, Valentines ranks second only to Christmas in number of greeting cards sent. For some fun children’s activities including crafts, coloring pages, games, puzzles and poems go to:
Dear au pairs,
In New Orleans, with our beautiful winter weather, we don’t particularly care what the groundhog says, but your au pair friends in the North, especially Pennsylvania, awaited February 2nd eagerly to see if spring is coming. And what does groundhog have to do with the spring? Well, see below.
Groundhog Day in the US is February 2nd, when the groundhog, also known as whistle pig, wakes up from hibernation and climbs out of its burrow. On a sunny day it sees its shadow and goes back to sleep for six weeks because a sunny day indicates a late spring, Cloudy day and no shadow means winter is over! German settlers who brought this tradition from their native country celebrated the first official Groundhog Day on February 2, 1886 in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.
To find out more about Groundhog Day traditions and see some cute pics you can go to:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/02/groundhog-day-facts-2013-trivia_n_2600485.html
Dear host families and au pairs,
See below helpful tips from the Center for Disease Control on preventing the spread of germs and dealing with flu-like symptoms.
Since some of the recommendations are open to interpretation (ex. avoid contact with sick people), it is recommended that host families and au pairs discuss the proper procedures in sufficient detail to make it clear what is appropriate and expected in a given household.
Helpful Tips
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has helpful tips on everyday preventive actions to STOP the spread of germs:
1. Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
2. If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.)
3. While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them.
4. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
5. Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol based rub.
6. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
7. Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs like the flu.
8. To find out more information about the flu and how it may affect you visit the CDC website at cdc.gov
PINATA is a one of the most enjoyable imports from Latin American countries that has made countless appearances across the country at children’s birthday parties. It is a large, brightly decorated container made of paper-mache (often in the shape of an animal, star, or cone) and suspended from a height. Blindfolded children attempt to smash it with sticks to release candy and toys contained within.
On a Saturday afternoon au pairs joined piñata-making workshop presented by Scarlett Alaniz at the Newcomb Art Gallery in the Waldenberg Art Center on Tulane campus. Immediately after, Rosy, au pair from Mexico, shared with other au pairs her tips on making piñatas in a slightly less elaborate but equally successful way. No doubt a few home-made piñatas will soon show up at kids’ parties in the area.
After singing Happy Birthday to Esther from Spain and enjoying both B-day cake and Mardi Gras King Cake, au pairs decided to have some more fun at the parade. Laissez les bons temps rouler!
The second week of December au pairs enjoyed an early holiday party and gift exchange. Each au pair contributed a homemade dish to the sumptuous spread. After much eating, merrymaking, and singing of Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer, au pairs shared their plans for holiday travel and Christmas celebrations.
According to the American Dietetic Association children should eat 6-11 servings of grains (bread, pasta, rice, cereal), 3-5 servings of vegetables (about 1/2 cup is a serving for a child), 2-4 servings of fruit (again, about 1/2 cup), 2-3 servings of meat, poultry, fish or dried beans, and 2-3 dairy servings every day.
However, experts agree that children will eat when they are hungry and shouldn’t be forced to eat. Give children small portions which won’t overwhelm them, and remind them that they can always have more.
Snacks between meals should be nutritious (fruits, vegetables, cheese, bread, crackers, yogurt, or juice).
Keep fruits and vegetables at children’s eye level in the refrigerator or in a bowl on the table so they will be able to take them easily when they are hungry. Blend juice, chopped fruit and yogurt in the blender for a quick and delicious fruit smoothie. Add a touch of honey to sweeten.
Involving children in meal planning, grocery shopping and food preparation can help them to become more interested in what they eat. Have them cut out pictures from grocery store flyers to make a picture shopping list, and then they can help find the items in the store. Help them to choose foods in each of the five food groups listed above. Serve food in a pretend restaurant with homemade placemats and menus, or create your own grocery store with empty boxes or cans (if you plan on using cans, open from the bottom and then check for sharp edges).
Many children need to eat more often than three times per day. If a child becomes cranky or irritable, it may be time for a snack. Sugary foods make many children excitable.
Food safety:
• to avoid choking, never offer food unless the child is sitting upright.
• toddlers are just learning to chew – celery, carrots, grapes, apples, and hot dogs must all be cut up, peanut butter should be spread thinly on bread or a cracker, and children under four should not eat raisins, hard candy, nuts or popcorn, as they are all easy to choke on.
• food storage customs in the United States may be different from those in other countries. Generally, eggs, dairy products and all meats should never be left at room temperature. If meat is frozen, it should be defrosted in the refrigerator or in the microwave, not on the counter. All cutting boards and knives should be well washed after preparing chicken. Fruit will ripen at room temperature, but if it is already ripe, it will keep better in the refrigerator. The one exception is bananas – the refrigerator will turn them black.
• before opening a can, rinse the lid so the dirt from the outside of the can doesn’t get into the food.
Remember, adults should set a good example with the food they eat, and where and how they eat it.
Dear host families,
Many of our new au pairs have joined the cluster recently. They’ve absorbed much information during the four days of orientation in Stamford and equally much upon arrival at your home.
To help them perform their duties in the most efficient manner, it may be helpful to review instructions more than once, especially those related to school, such as:
For au pairs who drive children to and from school it is very important to know:
Hope everybody has a happy and safe new school year,
Jolanta
Au pairs took a tour of Manchac swamp with Cajun Pride Swamp Tours in the heat of August when alligators are very active. They saw scores of them follow the boat, but it was the huge garfish that splashed everybody while jumping ferociously in pursuit of bait. Raccoons watched the spectacle from the shore, careful not to come within predator’s reach.
As usual, baby gator was everybody’s favorite.
