Tag Archives: baby

Together, We are Stronger – June 2016

Well, we thankfully saw no cougars, but we also saw little water on our hike to Coal Creek Falls (too late for much more ice to melt, so falls were a nice, dry picnic spot).  Our crew took the many different paths leading up to the Falls and discussed the American culture – the surprises and the challenges.  Newly arrived au pairs also received some good advice from au pairs headed home after almost a year.  The discussion reminded everyone what an individual journey cross-cultural exchange can be at times, but that if we stand together, we are stronger!

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Mariner’s Baseball Fever – May 2016

A crew of 60 au pairs headed to the ball park to enjoy a game (with amazing seats heavily subsidized by a generous host dad to celebrate his son’s birthday!)  We watched from a view just above third base as the Royals and Mariners went head to head.  Our team lost, but the sunshine and smiling community of international friends made us all winners.FullSizeRender-13

Falling for Snoqualmie – April 2016

The world went to Snoqualmie this month to see the power of the falls, breathe the fresh air of the state and hike as a community of international friends.  South Africa, Poland, Brazil, Croatia, Portugal, Italy, Mexico, Thailand, Germany, Sweden, New Zealand and Costa Rica all representing!  We capped our luxurious hike with a summer safety quiz – clearly all passed with flying colors.  Summer, we are ready.FullSizeRender(3) IMG_0558

NW Harvest Helping – March 2016

Our au pair community is strong and mighty and we always have a meal.  We are lucky that way and learned about the thousands of hungry in our state of WA, helping NW Harvest make a difference in a few lives by working in the warehouse on a Saturday.  These strong ladies from 10 countries packed up 5,800 pounds of corn that would equate to 4,461 meals around our state.  APIA was thrilled to be a part of something bigger than any one of us that day.  Thanks, North West Harvest!

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Gates Foundation, An American Tradition – Feb 2016

The au pairs headed this month to the Gates Foundation to hear about the work this important group is doing both here in WA and abroad.  The interactive museum and our guide helped to focus our attention on the areas of most concern such as clean water, malaria and education.  The work done by the Gates family and US. entrepreneurs throughout our nation’s history made for an interesting back drop on the current capitalist discussion and how this idea of altruism differs around the world.  Through simulations, we were able to try our own hand at lifting and envisioning how children would carry water to their village for miles and make it last for a full day.  We might now better empathize with the need for resource management and shut off the tap when we brush our teeth each day.

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Baking our Wishes at 425 Degrees – Jan 2016

Our au pair cluster – and a big portion of our au pair cluster! – came to my home last Sunday to make some 2016 wishes, symbolically bake those wishes into a topping and eat those delicious 2016 wish pizzas.  After this ridiculousness, we just talked about taxes.  It was just a fun party with girlfriends in the new year.  Thanks to all those who brought a dish and came this past Sunday.  That is a fine group, right there.

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Christmas “logs”, cookies and elephants – December 2015

A very wonderful APIA holiday party this year happened on Sunday with 9 countries represented!  We shared stories and holiday traditions (cakes baked with special treats for future tamale purchasers, summertime Santas, mean Krampus, posadas, reyes magos, pinatas, caga tios and to look out when walking the streets of Thailand in summer if it’s a water throwing day…).  Deliciously buttery cookies, spicy mango pops, triple chocolate cakes, marzipan, shortbread and so much more.  Wishing all you ladies a magical season here in the US, sharing and learning all that you can!

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Exploring – Today in Seattle and Tomorrow in ? – November 2015

Au Pairs headed indoors this month to hear about all the exploring they could do (and then they explored).   A Trek America representative came to speak about the tours they offer. By the notes taken, I think many are headed to Hawaii!  Au pairs who are seeking potential travel companions also shared timing to travel.

We then discussed our favorite spots in WA to explore which included:

Mt Rainier; Gasworks Park, Lake WA, Snoqualmie Falls, Space Needle, Pike Place Market, Downtown Seattle, UW and the Issaquah mountains.

And finally, we headed underground for a tour of Seattle version 1.0 before the big fire.

A great community day and thanks to all who came out.
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Enjoying Here While We are Here – September 2015

“We should enjoy here while we’re here, ’cause there’s no here, there.”

Nearly 80 au pairs representing over 20 countries and their counselors ascended the Paradise trails of Mt Rainier this past weekend.  It was a glorious day of color and laughter and a wonderful time was had by all!

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Island Living…for a Few Hours Anyway… – August 2015

We had a gorgeous day together as three clusters met on Bainbridge Island to welcome one another, see another part of our gorgeous state and perhaps try our hand at some water sports!  Countless countries and almost all continents represented this group of over 50 au pairs, many meeting for the first time, to remember a big part about why we are all a part of this program – for the chance to get to know so many different cultures!  Go, International Friendships!  (A special shout out to those au pairs who took numerous buses and boats to make it to our day together.)  I heard from quite a few of you that you will be headed back.  Thanks to Carol, our host counselor, and to the WA state ferries for giving us some great pictures of the city we are all now calling “home.”IMG_6620 IMG_6639