Category Archives: Uncategorized

Earth Day Contest and Spring Celebration – April 2021

Au Pairs celebrated Earth Day this year by purchasing and using earth friendly products, collecting trash, planting seeds, hiking, biking, going to the beach, doing yoga, taking pictures, and of course, visiting the tulips in the Skagit Valley.  Our Earth Day winner, earning the title of Earth Mothers of the Cluster and a gift card was Marine from South Africa for her self watering vegetable garden.  Congrats to all for their dedication to cleaning up

Fall Bucket List Challenge – October 2020

We got the spirit!  The au pairs and their host kids were off to the races this month, making the most of their October.  We got tons of pictures of them in action, getting out and about this Fall.  Here are just a few of them and the photo contest that started it all.  Congrats to Annika from Austria and Anna from Brazil who won gift cards to spend with their host children teammates.  Such fun to watch virtually from the side lines!  And in addition to those two teams, Ikky from Italy and Mariana from Brazil also made the national APIA instagram account.  Inspiration!

https://www.instagram.com/theaupairinamerica/?hl=en

APIA Class Reps Run Games in Zoom – April 2020

We kept safe and at home and in our zoom room this month again.  Au pairs shared their favorite television shows, favorite zen places, and we did a temperature check of the moods/feelings we are all going through.  These women are strong (together we are stronger) and their program will go on…just not how they had imagined.

APIA Community Day and Culture Fair – August 2019

Au Pair In America has the best cross cultural child care community out there.  Yep, I said it.  (and I used alliteration for bonus points…).  This WA community gathered to celebrate our connections – people who are globally minded, adventurously spirited and just good ole’ kid fans.  And boy did those kids party.  We were 165 people and 12 nations strong in Redmond with our multi-cluster day: sharing culture in a culture fair put on by hard working and proud au pairs, throwing water balloons, scavenger hunting, tattooing, face painting and crown making.

Hitting the Pool – August “coffee day” 2019

Our cluster gathers more intimately monthly for coffee meetings around town and this month, we hit the pool and left the coffee behind.  Au pairs gathered for sandwiches and ice cream at the Arbor Heights pool in West Seattle.  Delightful to soak with this crew and just unwind. #welovesummer

Hiking our Hearts Out on the No Name Trail

Symbolism abounds in our day together.  The counselor is lost.  Two au pairs lead the way with better hiking apps and we find ourselves on the No Name trail and have a time.  Our adventuous group stops along the way to count our gratitudes and eat some Seattle chocolate and ends our time by sharing what challenges us, but also what we are hopeful for.  Heard in conversations, “I’m grateful for the woman I am right now.”   Great final words for this Sunday.

UW Women’s Basketball Has Hundreds of Au Pair Fans

Nothing better than the power of a strong woman!  We were 110 au pairs strong from around the globe watching these young UW college basketball athletes.  Our joint cluster event was an inspirational success this January.  Go Huskies!  http://gohuskies.com/index.aspx?path=wbball

Lake Talks and Pride Parades – June 2018

A smaller group of au pairs headed to the lake to have brunch and soak our toes just talking and another crew headed to show their support and experience the Pride Parade in Seattle.  The lake crew discussed some highlights and lowlights of their experience so far on program and what they have learned, experiencing all of them.  We shared cross-cultural frustrations, memories of travel adventures, and personal growth moments.  I personally appreciate the small group setting for getting to better know one another, but also loved there being a group experiencing the zeitgeist of Seattle.

Au Pairs Fall for the Falls – Snoqualmie, that is – April 2018

What was more gorgeous – these falls or the new found strength of these globally-minded women?  Au pairs headed to see the famous Snoqualmie Falls this past sunny Sunday.  We “hiked” down the hill, allowing the strong water to mist our faces as we talked about the impact of the program and the confidence and voices gained when challenged by differing languages, cultures and styles.  We bid a fond farewell to three special friends from Poland, Germany and China who had great advice for the group.   To paraphrase, “Put yourself out there and don’t be afraid.  This year will be what you make it!”