November 12 marks the official celebration of this holiday. It is celebrated by honoring both living and deceased members of the US Armed Services. Yesterday, our president and vice-president traveled to Arlington National Cemetery to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers. If you have not visited Arlington National Cemetery as yet, you should do so and watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony. The American people value the contributions of members of our Armed Services to the welfare of the country.

Our aupairs continue to watch the election process in the US as developments play out in the media. As residents of other countries, they might follow similar election processes, but none so “American” as ours.

Aupairs, this is a good time to discuss with older children how the election process in your country is similar or different from the process in the US. Perhaps you come from a country that has a king or a queen who never has to be elected or re-elected! Your countrymen probably vote for prime ministers or other officials. Discuss all of this with your host families as we all watch our election returns.

The World Series is the championship games of Major League Baseball in North America, played in October after the end of the regular season between the winners of the American and National Leagues. There is a best of seven playoff, meaning the first team to win 4 games wins the series. This has been an annual event since 1903. Baseball is so popular in the US that sometimes it is called the “national pastime”. The rules of baseball can be found at http://aupairinameric.com/resource/life_in_the_us/baseball.asp.

A great day was had by all

Aupairs from VAO-City of Alexandria cluster-APIA- enjoyed a beautiful day on The Mall and a great scavenger hunt!

with thanks to Washington Parent Magazine:

3 tablespoons sugar

1/2 tablespoon salt

1/2 cup cornstarch

2 cups water

food coloring

empty jars with lids

Combine first 4 ingredients in a saucepan and warm until the mixture thickens. Add color; empty into jars.

Be of good cheer and practice good works everyday, but especially on World Smile Day. Use your imagination and think of ways you can someone else smile- kind words, good deeds, thoughtful gestures..there is no limit to the things that you can do!

The weather is cooler now in the Alexandria area, and the kids are now settled in the routines of school. Aupairs need to make sure that backpacks are filled in the morning with any due homework, signed notices, snacks, lunches, gym clothes, etc. The same thing happens when kids come home; a healthy snack and drink comes first, as it is warmer in the afternoon and the kids are frequently dehydrated. Then the backpack needs to be emptied, lunches repacked, notices for parents set aside and homework assignments looked over.

Time for a break and a chance to go outside for fresh air and exercise, playdates,  or depending on your child, settle down for some quiet time as blood sugar rises after snack. Then it may be homework time and cleanup to greet host parents as they come home before backpacks are packed again and readied for the next time.

If an aupair travels with her host family, she is working. Therefore, she will need a schedule, which may not be the same as her typical schedule; however, it must still fit within program guidelines. With everyone together, host families and aupairs must think about how childcare responsibilities should be divided. Host families are responsible for lodging and for meals along with the aupair’s weekly stipend.