Tag Archives: toddler

Au Pairs Learn the Art of Giving Back – Gates Foundation – Feb 2019

Au pairs gathered from a few clusters to hear about some of the amazing things happening around the globe in the name of the Gates Foundation.  From the innovative design of green toilets competing for attention in Europe, to the stoves made on Vashon Island, WA, inspiration abounds.  Relying on data, the Gates family educates us about all the progress in the world with regard to disease and poverty.  There really is so much to be excited about as a world citizen.  We closed our time together talking about the APIA Explorer program and ways in which we might individually help our local community…enter the next cluster event stage right as we soon head to NW Harvest in March…

 

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

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.

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!”

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…

 

UW Huskies and Nearly 100 Au Pair In America Au Pair Fans – January 2018

Nothing better than the power of a strong woman!  We were 90 au pairs strong from 30 countries 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