Monthly Archives: February 2011

February 2011 Cluster Meeting-Snow Tubing

February 2011 Cluster Meeting

Snow Tubing

Where:  Spring Mountain Ski Area

757 Spring Mount Road

Spring Mount, PA  19478

www.springmountainadventures.com

610-287-7900

(check out the website for directions)

When:  Sunday – February 27, 2011

Time:  9:30 am

Cost:  $20 (discounted rate)

Please respond by February 23.  I have to submit a list of names to Spring Mountain a week before.  You cannot come if your name is not on the list and I get charged if you say you are coming and then you do not show up, so please be sure you  can come.  Spring Mountain is reserving spots for you.  You can pay there.

Please arrive at 9:30am to fill out release forms for Spring Mountain.  You cannot go tubing without the paperwork filled out and signed.  I am attaching the release form.  If you can print it and bring it, that would be great.  If not, there will be forms to fill out there.  Please do not be late because you will hold up the group from going out on the hill and we would like to go out by 10 am sharp.

Please be dressed very warm!  Bring your warm coat, hat, scarf, boots and gloves.

It should be a lot of fun!  See you all there!!!!     DIANA 215-699-8034 / dianakustra@yahoo.com

February 2011 Cluster Meeting-Snow Tubing

February 2011 Cluster Meeting

Snow Tubing

Where:  Spring Mountain Ski Area

757 Spring Mount Road

Spring Mount, PA  19478

www.springmountainadventures.com

610-287-7900

(check out the website for directions)

When:  Sunday – February 27, 2011

Time:  9:30 am

Cost:  $20 (discounted rate)

Please respond by February 23.  I have to submit a list of names to Spring Mountain a week before.  You cannot come if your name is not on the list and I get charged if you say you are coming and then you do not show up, so please be sure you  can come.  Spring Mountain is reserving spots for you.  You can pay there.

Please arrive at 9:30am to fill out release forms for Spring Mountain.  You cannot go tubing without the paperwork filled out and signed.  I am attaching the release form.  If you can print it and bring it, that would be great.  If not, there will be forms to fill out there.  Please do not be late because you will hold up the group from going out on the hill and we would like to go out by 10 am sharp.

Please be dressed very warm!  Bring your warm coat, hat, scarf, boots and gloves.

It should be a lot of fun!  See you all there!!!!     DIANA 215-699-8034 / dianakustra@yahoo.com

President’s Day

PresidentsDay-w
Presidents’ Day is celebrated in February to honor two of our greatest presidents, Abraham Lincoln and George Washington. The holiday is celebrated in the United States on the third Monday in February.   George Washington was born on February 22, 1732 and was the first president of the United States.  Abraham Lincoln was president during the Civil War and was born on February 12, 1809.

Most of your host children will be off this week from school.  Traditionally this is a winter break for Long Island schools.  It is a great time to plan some activities in and out of the house with your host children.  Many of the libraries and museums will have special activities for the kids home from school.  Check online and bring your kids to explore these activities.

flower-craft-free-kids-pop-sticks-easy-patty-pans1Mid winter is a great time for crafts and for board games.  Pull out the games the children received for their holiday gifts and play them together.  Gather the craft supplies and get creative! Dreaming of spring?  How about coloring or painting some pictures of with the kids of spring flowers?  Decorate the room with the colorful pictures!  It might be cold and snowy outside, but inside the flowers are blooming on the walls!  Enjoy!!

Au Pair In America Partners with AAA

Au Pair in America Partners with AAA

AAA

The most trusted choice for live-in childcare, Au Pair in America has partnered with AAA, the nation’s most trusted name in driver safety and instruction, to offer a custom course specifically designed for au pairs. This course differs from those offered in your community, in that AAA has taken the best of several of their courses, adapted them to be the most accessible to the au pair population, with special focus on driver and child passenger safety. Key components of the course include:

  • Driver Safety
  • Child passenger safety (car seats, communication, expectations)
  • Communication and traffic devices
  • Vehicle Awareness (understanding what your vehicle is “telling you.”)
  • Reducing Risks while Driving (includes defensive driving techniques, phone/texting issues, and drinking and driving awareness)

kids-car-safety-toddler

This  AAA course designed exclusively for Au Pair In America.  Course includes a combination of lecture, group exercises, video/other media to ensure the maximum understanding to speakers of other languages or newly arrived to the US participants.

young-woman-driving

All Host Families with au pairs arriving into the USA in 2011 will receive more information about this new course and how their au pair can be enrolled!

Tax Information for Au Pairs

taxes-pic

We have been talking about taxes a lot lately and there have been lots of questions. I will continue going over tax questions each month at our Coffee Meetings.

Here are some of the basic questions:

Who is supposed to file taxes? – All au pairs (even those who don’t owe money)

Will all au pairs have to pay something? – No, it depends on when you arrived and how much money you earned last year.

When are 2010 taxes due? – April 18, 2011

Where can I get the tax form? –  1040NR-EZ Form

Where can I get the instruction booklet? – 1040NR-EZ Booklet

Where can I get detailed information and see a sample au pair tax form? – APIA Tax Info for Au Pairs

What to Keep in the Car Glove Box

If you are like me, you probably have napkins and straws from fast food restaurants and other assorted items in your glove box in the car.  It can be a nifty storage place, but it’s main purpose is to keep some important documents related to the car. glove box

It is very important that you keep all of the necessary documents in the car glove box. These items will be necessaryif you are stopped by a police officer or have an auto accident. Not having these items can result in your receiving a ticket (citation) from a police officer.

Essential Documents

*Some host parents may tell you to carry these in your wallet instead of keeping them in the car. Follow their instructions.

Helpful Extras

  • Flashlight
  • Tire Pressure Gauge
  • Vehicle Owner’s Manual
  • Map or GPS
  • Tissues and Hand Sanitizer
  • First Aid Kit

In Your Wallet
Carry your Maryland license or country driver’s license and international driver’s permit with you at all times, especially when you are driving. You should leave your passport and Social Security Card and other documents at home, to reduce the risk of losing them.

ABC’s of Winter Fun

snowflake

A is for Art – try drawing, painting or gluing
B is for Baking – bake a dessert together for dinner
C is for Clay – Use non-hardening clay or play dough to shape and mold
D is for Dance – put on a lively tape
E is for Exercise – be sure to get some everyday
F is for Friends – invite some over
G is for Greenhouse – find a local greenhouse to visit to enjoy the sights and smells
H is for House – make a playhouse from a large appliance box
I is for Ice skating – take the children to a local rink
J is for Jigsaw puzzle – be sure to pick one that isn’t too difficult
K is for Kitchen science – try a safe experiment
L is for Library – borrow some new books
M is for Movie – make one with a video camera, or watch one
N is for Necklace – make one out of cereal or macaroni
O is for Origami – learn to make simple paper creations
P is for Puppets – socks make easy and fun puppets – put on a show!
Q is for Quiet Time – everyone needs some of this
R is for Reading aloud – choose a good book and a comfortable place to sit
S is for Seeds and Suet – put out food for the birds and watch them eat
T is for Tent – make one from old blankets and chairs
U is for Unplugged – do a day with no TV
V is for Variety – try something new everyday
W is for Walk – take one in any weather (be sure to dress appropriately)
X is for Xylophone – make your own with glasses, water and a metal spoon
Y is for Year – make a calendar or scrapbook to remember the year
Z is for Zoo – visit the animals