Tag Archives: family activities

A Spooky Night at the Circus – Oct 2018

Au pairs gathered at the Emerald City Trapeze Arts Studio to enjoy an amazing (and really spooky) show.  Strong women from Costa Rica, Brazil, Germany, Austria, South Africa, and Poland watched as more strong women from around the globe dazzled us with their balance and strength.  (The guys were pretty good too.)  Taking their cues from popular music and movies and music movies, the performers were true artists.  It’s a lesser known fact that Seattle hosts one of the largest circus school in the US, but these au pairs now know the truth.

Scavenger Hunting on Bainbridge Island – October 2018

This fun loving group ran the streets of this gorgeous island this month, taking selfies at various vendors and getting to know new APIA community members.  Au pairs worked on teams and raced to the finish line for ice cream prizes.  We took some time beforehand to talk about how to best talk through conflict when you work where you live and how to support one another through the most rewarding, but most challenging year many will face.  Together we are stronger!

The Yearly Rite of Passage on Our Volcano – September 2018

Au pairs ascended the Mt Rainier volcano this past Sunday and another class of young women came down from that mountain stronger than ever.  We had a nice day getting to know one another on the long bus ride there, playing a state trivia game and sleeping on the bus ride home.  These pictures tell the rest of the story…

 

Host Family Day and Culture Fair – August 2018

Over 100 people- parents, au pairs and kids joined our casual picnic and culture fair this year on the east side!  We had a wonderful location this year and as a J-Day add, donated clothes and shoes to Treehouse.   All this alongside the amazing contributions by the au pairs from Thailand, Brazil, Germany, Austria and The Czech Republic, our APIA host kids got stickers for their passports, tattoos, face paint and dined around the globe. We ended the day with some diversity bingo and our enthusiastic water balloon toss.
This year is the best thus far in their young lives say 85% of our APIA au pairs and events like these with cultures and families coming together, are a big reason for this.

Hellos and Goodbyes – July 2018

This gorgeous group humored me and my phone’s new portrait mode as we strolled through the Bellevue Botanical gardens.  These young women from around the globe, some just arrived, some headed home after a year, ate ice cream and summer safety quizzed.  It was casual and it was nice.

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 Tour Century Link Stadium

Getting an insider view on the Seahawk’s home turf, these au pairs got to see the press room, media center, locker room, jersey wall, and special box seats during our day at the field.  We learned more about the #12 fans ability to create seismic earthquakes with their enthusiasm and see the city from the gorgeous views of the stadium’s upper decks.  A beautiful day together being 12s from around the world.

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!”

Hairnets on their Heads and Sunshine in their Hearts – March 2018

Below is a gorgeous group of giving girls.  This past weekend was beautiful outside and here in Seattle, we wait for those sunny, winter days.  But this crew went inside and for their precious time off, helped pack thousands of pounds of peas for those hungry around WA state at NW Harvest.  It is not the most popular of our cluster events, but it is a favorite for those who feel its true meaning and impact on the community this global village shares together for one or two years. 

 

US Government Cluster Event – February 2018

How many branches does the US government have?  How often are Senators elected?  What date is the President sworn in every 4 years?  These and many other questions were answered in our video presentation and trivia game last weekend in Redmond.  Au pairs walked away with more knowledge, but were admittedly impressively wise from the start!  Then we ate pizza…