Au pairs from around the globe gathered to share in a very PNW event – Salmon Days in Issaquah! We made new friends, did a bit of shopping and had a nice picnic with blue grass music after learning about the salmon life cycle… and with 70 degree October weather…nice!
A brave group of 50 au pairs hiked on a windy, hailing Mt Rainier yesterday. We first watched the video telling us about extremes on the Mountain (an active volcano with glaciers) and the counselors were reminded of the same weekend last year when we hiked with au pairs in 90 degree dry heat. Truly this mountain does have its own weather system. Au Pairs hiked up to see the falls on Paradise and, despite the weather, were all wearing smiles, if not the right rain gear. Expectations are set for those who recently arrived…think they are ready for a Seattle winter…can only get drier than that.
Au Pairs gathered in my home to discuss the back to school transition and it’s impact on little minds. We talked about our favorite places to go inside now that the weather will be less lovely. In addition, we welcomed many new au pairs arriving this summer and shared coping strategies for getting through homesickness. It was great to see our new additions to the cluster and some old friends on the end of their second year!
(Watch for Madelene from Sweden to be on the next Cake Czar with treats like this…)
What a fun beach day! Over 100 Au Pair In America au pairs, families, and kids gathered in Lincoln Park in West Seattle to share international cuisine, participate in an enthusiastic game of AP/kid water balloon toss, get tattooed by APIA, color, learn from beach naturalists, and share stories and schedules for the next play date. What a wonderful community!
APIA au pairs gathered in Queen Anne to discuss summer safety issues before heading down to Fremont to watch the Fremont Solstice Parade! Good fun. Welcome summer!
A small, but dedicated group of APIA au pairs got up early on a Saturday to show their support of the March of Dimes and help celebrate 75 years of this amazing organization. With the streets of downtown closed, we walked and talked thinking about the reasons why. The money we raised, with the help of our generous host families and their employers, supports March of Dimes programs in our WA communities that help moms have healthy, full-term pregnancies. And it will fund research to find answers to the problems that threaten our babies. We were quite proud to march for this mission!
Skates strapped onto our group, we took the lesson and then took to the rink to show our stuff at the Southgate Roller Rink. No big falls, but nice big laughs and good photo opps.
Our cluster gathered at my home to talk first about taxes and then about wishes! A green bowl was passed around where au pairs could put anonymously her wishes (a la leprechaun) for her year in the U.S. Many wanted to improve their English, make lasting friendships, learn about themselves, travel the U.S. with a must stop in Hawaii and perhaps meet a lovely U.S. American boy during their stay. Our green dishes went from the savory stuffed green peppers to green tea balls and almost everything green in between. Wonderful spending the afternoon with such a diverse, smart, caring group of young women with independent goals, but many shared wishes…
Our multi-national group traveled to the funky Fremont neighborhood to have some month-appropriate samples of the good stuff made at Theo Chocolate. We enjoyed nibs, 45% milk, 75% dark, and tossed a few caramels back for good measure. The tour was very informative with a most fun guide and he too enjoyed our diversity! Although Brazil was the only country where some cocoa beans came from for Theo and APIA also represented, the ladies all represented their countries with great class and personality. I was happy to be amongst sweets with all the APIA smiling sweets.
A group of au pairs currently residing in and around Seattle/Bellevue talk about where they like to bring the children under their care. In addition to the various libraries, malls and restaurants with indoor play areas, popular hot spots included, the Seattle Aquarium, Kidz Bounce in Issaquah, SkyMania Trampolines in Kirkland, the Pacific Science Center in Seattle, the Seattle Gymnastic Academy in various locations and even the Woodland Park Zoo (although admittedly challenging to find many animals willing to brave the rain!). After our conversations, several headed out to the Underground Tour – a fine and fun escape from the rain!
