Yearly Archives: 2010

Au Pairs Donate Thanksgiving Food Basket to Rhode Island Food Bank

Group Photo2Bow poseWarrior ITripodlotus Group Photo

“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burden of another”.    -Charles Dickens

Au Pairs had the opportunity to practice yoga again at their November meeting.   Everyone brought non-perishable food items to the meeting so that a Thanksgiving Gift Basket could be donated to the Rhode Island Food bank.  Many thanks to au pairs and host families for your generosity!  A beautiful food basket was delivered to the RI Food Bank on Monday, November 22, along with a card and a photo of our group of au pairs.  The name of each au pair who attended our November meeting was placed in a drawing for a chance to win two tickets to the classic Charles Dickens play “A Christmas Carol” at Trinity Reperatory Theater. The winner of the tickets was Beverly, our newest au pair who just arrived from Brazil  — a great way to welcome Beverly to Rhode Island!  View more photos: http://www1.snapfish.com/snapfish/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=3318534017/a=13509975_13509975/

 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING ……On Thursday, November 25, most au pairs will be celebrating their very first Thanksgiving! The biggest holiday in America for family and feasting, Thanksgiving Day celebrates the traditional harvest after Pilgrims came to these shores to seek a new life. The very first Thanksgiving was observed in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1621, when weary settlers were joined by Wampanoag Indians in celebration of a traditional Old World English harvest festival. The Thanksgiving tradition continues today with turkey, savory stuffing and cranberry sauce, plus generous helpings of pumpkin pie and other desserts usually prepared using family recipes handed down from generation to generation.

 

 

 

Au Pairs Enjoy Yoga Class on Thayer Street in Providence

Relaxing in Child's poseIMG_0575 (2)

Smiling faces

 

 

 

 

 

Au Pairs participated in a yoga class during their October cluster meeting. For some it was their first class – but it is not likely to be their last! It’s a great way to increase strength and flexibility, and to decrease stress. Everyone seemed to enjoyed the class, though it appeared that they enjoyed final relaxation and mediation the most! Our class/meeting was held at a studio on Thayer Street, a fun area that offers plenty to do — giving au pairs the opportunity to continue to socialize after our meeting. With Brown University and RISD nearby, Thayer Street is always bustling with activity; there are plenty of coffee shops, cafes, restaurants, a movie theater, and more. 

View more photos: http://www1.snapfish.com/snapfish/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=3318533017/a=13509975_13509975/

Annual Host Family Event-September 26, 2010

CakeBear

 

  

 Au Pair in America
Annual Host Family Event
For Host Parents, Children, and Au Pairs

Date: Sunday, September 26, 2010
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

23rd Annual Apple Festival
Johnston Memorial Park
1583 Hartford Avenue
Johnston, Rhode Island

You’ll find me at the Au Pair in America table (look for red balloons). I’ll be there all day — stop by when it’s convenient for you, and spend as little or as much time as you’d like! Festivities will be fun for the entire family, and will include:

Live Entertainment
Arts and Crafts
Pony Rides
Children’s Train Rides
Face Painting
Kids’ Zone
Games for all ages
Wellness Fair
Live Cooking Demos
Apple Pie Competition

Free Admission, Plenty of Free Parking and Shuttle Service, Easy Access to I-95 and I-295

August Au Pair Cluster Meeting – Day Trip to Block Island

A previous Au Pair outing on Block Island (2008)

A previous Au Pair outing on Block Island (2008)

Block Island is a beautiful island located about 12 miles off the coast of Southern RI, and is easily accessible by ferry. For more information about Block Island, you may visit their website: http://www.blockislandinfo.com/. When you get to Block Island you can do some sightseeing, shopping, dining, walking, bicycling, or just spend the day on the beach (bike rentals are available on the island) You can either pack a picnic lunch, or have lunch at one of the restaurants on the island. The Ferry will depart Point Judith at 9:30 a.m. Sailing time is 55 minutes. Return trips are available at 5 p.m., 6:00 p.m., 8:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. Au Pairs have always enjoyed this day trip to Block Island — it has always been very memorable!

July Cluster Meeting – Waterfire Providence

waterfireSATURDAY, JULY 17
6:30 P.M.
Waterfire Providence

WaterFire centers on bonfires that blaze just above the surface of the three rivers that pass through the middle of downtown Providence. The fires illuminate the river, and visitors gather to stroll along the river walk while listening to extraordinary music from around the world. The fires burn from sunset to past midnight.

We’ll meet at the food court at Providence Place Mall and then walked

For Information on Directions, Public Transportation and Parking, please visit: http://www.waterfire.org/directions/index.html

June Cluster Meeting – Cliff Walk, Newport, RI

013SATURDAY, JUNE 26
12:30 P.M.
CLIFF WALK
Newport, RI
www.CliffWalk.com

Newport’s Cliff Walk is a 3.5 mile long path along cliffs – the Atlantic Ocean is on the left, and Newport’s most famous mansions are on the right. Cliff Walk starts at Memorial Boulevard and runs South just about 3.5 miles. We met at the point where Shepard Avenue meets Cliff Walk. We enjoyed a picnic lunch and then took a walk along the beautiful cliff walk.

May Cluster Meeting – Community College of Rhode Island, Lincoln Campus

esl

    Community College of Rhode Island
    1762 Louisquisset Pike
    Lincoln, Rhode Island

Nancy Vileno, the coordinator of the ESL program (English as a Second Language) met with us tonight at the Lincoln Campus of CCRI to take us on a tour and answer any questions that au pairs might have about the ESL program.

English as a Second Language (ESL) -The Center for Workforce & Community Education offers ESL classes designed to give students an understanding of the basics of the English language. The goal of the program is to help speakers of other languages achieve a level of English proficiency which will enable them to function more effectively in everyday living, enter a job training program, improve performance at a job site, and/or pursue further education.

March Cluster Meeting

HPIM0191We’ll be bowling from 3 – 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 21, 2010. The $10 cost includes bowling, shoe rental, pizza and soda. Our “Bowling Cluster Meeting” has been very successful in the past. It is always lots of fun! If you don’t want to bowl, come anyway — You can watch, have pizza, and enjoy the laughter and fun!

Town Hall Lanes
1463 Atwood Avenue
Johnston, RI 02919-4889
(401) 831-6940

You can visit their website for information and directions: www.TownHallLanes.com

February Au Pair Meeting – Bank of America Skating Center, Providence, RI

Our February cluster meeting was held at the ice skating rink in Providence – and gave some of our au pairs the opportunity to skate for the very first time! It was a cold night – but everyone was dressed for the occassion. There were lots of smiles and laughter — and everyone seemed to have a good time. We had one au pair celebrating a February birthday — Jade turned 23 on February 7. Happy Birthday Jade!