For our meeting this month we met bright and early for some Yoga followed by a well deserved iced coffee or tea… it was really hot, but everyone had a great time. Namaste!
Author Archives: Gwen Remy
Sunday, May 1st at Nationals Park – DC Metro Area Cultural Fair is Open 1-4pm
Sunday, looks to be a rainy day… so head out to Nationals Park to spend the afternoon warm and dry indoors at the DC Metro Area Cultural Fair.
Each child will receive a passport and can travel from country to country (35 in all!) as Au Pairs from our area present what is wonderful about their countries. There will be performances all afternoon, plus face painting and coloring of international place mats to take home!
RSVP here. Don’t have time to RSVP or want to decide last minute? No problem!
Just show up and you will be more than welcome!
Passover
Passover begins at sundown tomorrow, Friday April 22nd. Passover is an eight day celebration observed each year in the Jewish religion. It commemorates the freedom of Jewish slaves from Egypt during the reign of Pharaoh Ramses II. Families celebrate Passover by having a seder. With special foods, songs, and customs, the Seder is the focal point of the Passover celebration. Seder means order, and the Passover story is read in order from a book called a haggadah. Click here to read the Passover story http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/passover/kids-stories/the-story-of-moses.html
Join us for a Cultural Fair at Nationals Park
Click here for more information
Sunday, May 1, 2016 | 1–4pm Nationals Park, Norfolk Southern Club 1500 South Capitol Street, SE Washington, DC
Help us celebrate 30 years of Au Pair in America and the U.S. Department of State’s au pair program! You’re invited to a fun afternoon of educational country displays, performances by au pairs, a photo op, face painting, and other fun activities for children. Au Pair in America staff, host families and au pairs from over 30 countries will be in attendance. Come learn about the au pair program and enjoy a fun and educational afternoon!
Please RSVP by April 15th
Click here to RSVP
We hope to see you there!
To get there by Metro: Take the Green Line to Navy Yard/Ballpark.
If driving: Free parking in Lot B for all attendees.
Entrance: Centerfield gate and take the ramp/escalator to reach the club.
Spring Has Sprung
Click here to see Au Pair In America’s Spring Pinterest Board
Spring is finally here! The sun is coming out, flowers are blooming, and birds are singing
Check out Au Pair In America’s Spring Has Sprung Pinboard on Pinterest for fun activities to share with your family!
Photo: Anatakti (Flickr)
How to survive in this Winter Wonderland!
From Dominique Ortiz, Community Counselor in Arlington, VA:
A is for Art- try drawing, painting. gluing or modeling with clay
B is for Baking-make a special dessert for dinner
C is for Cocoa-mix some up to warm up, cool slightly to serve
D is for Dance-put on a lively tape
E is for Exercise- try to do something active everyday
F is for Friends-invite some over
G is for Greenhouse-stop to smell the flowers
H is for House-make one from a large appliance box
I is for Ice skating-find a public indoor or out rink
J is for Jigsaw puzzle- try making your own from magazine pictures
K is for Kazoo- make your own marching band instruments and have a parade
L is for Library- borrow some book to read- look for The Snowy Day by Keats
M is for Movie-make or watch one
N is for Necklace- make one with noodles, or fruit loops with licorice
O is for Ocean- put out beach towels wear a bathing suit and pretend to be there
P is for Puppets-make them with old socks and paper bags
Q is for Quiet time-everyone need one daily
R is for Reading aloud- do this everyday
S is for Seeds & Suet-feed and watch the birds and see how many you already know
T is for Tent-make one from blanket and chairs
U is for Unplugged-do a day without TV
V is for Variety- try something new every day
W is for Walk-take one in any weather
X is for X marks the spot-hide a treat and create a treasure hunt with a map
Y is for Year- make a calendar or scrapbook
Z is for Zoo-visit the animals or make your own zoo with stuffed animals and blocks
Photo by Michael Hodge
Self Defense Class
Last night our Au Pairs were able to go to the Fairfax County Criminal Justice Training Academy for a self defense class with a great Officer.
The program was based on realistic, common sense, safety precautions/practices, and strategies we can implement to stay safe and avoid confrontations. The officer highlighted day to day activities, and some simple precautions we can take to minimize being identified as a potential target.
We also discussed strategies and possible options (both verbal and physical) to reduce the possibility of injury in the event of a physical confrontation.
Everyone had a great time and learned many new tricks to stay safe!
Annual Holiday Party
This week we all met for our Annual Au Pair Holiday Party. Every au pair was asked to bring a favorite holiday dish that is served in her country.
We all had a great time and got to try many different treats from all around the world.
Northern VA Community College – Registration and Testing
It is time to register for the Spring 2016 semester if you are interested in taking a class at NOVA.
Here is the link to the website and the Spring 2016 Catalog – be careful there are many campuses – you want to only consider campuses close to you. Be sure to discuss with your host family before registering for any classes:
To arrange testing for those registering for classes for the first time – please call the campus you are interested in attending:
Loudoun Campus – 703-450-2597 (an option for the entire cluster).
Annandale – 703-323-3323 (Oakton Au Pairs are in between Loudoun and Annandale).
Manassas – 703-257-6536 (an option for South Riding/Chantilly/Ashburn).
Let us know if you have any questions!
Pie Tasting
To prepare for Thanksgiving au pairs for to trying all of the American pies that might be put in front of them on that day! Good to know ahead of time if you like Pumpkin Pie!!
