Monthly Archives: January 2013

Make a pie today!

It’s National Pie Day!

Pies are popular on holidays or any day and are easy to make if you buy a prepared crust in the freezer or dairy section of the grocery store. Try these favorite recipes with the children:

Pumpkin Pie

  • 1 can pumpkin (or 2 cups mashed cooked fresh pumpkin)
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • Pinch of salt
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 2 tablespoons molasses
  • 3 slightly beaten eggs
  • 1 cup evaporated milk

Mix together first 6 ingredients. Then add eggs and milk and mix thoroughly. Batter is very thin. Pour into pie shell. Bake 450 degrees for 45 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean.

Apple Pie with Crumb Topping

Peel, core and slice 6 apples into thin pieces. Toss sliced apples gently with:

  • 1/4 cup white sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

Pile apples into pie shell. Blend 3/4 cup brown sugar and 3/4 cup flour with 1/3-cup butter until crumbly. Spread over apples. Bake at 400 degrees for about 45 minutes.

Make a vase!

Scotch Tape

On this day in 1928 Scotch tape was sold for the first time. You can use double-sided tape to make an easy and attractive vase or pencil holder. Here’s how:

You need a small container (Choose a clean, smooth sided glass jar or bottle. A small can would be safer for younger children.), double-sided tape, a ball of heavy string, yarn or cord, and glue.

  • First, wrap the container in double-sided tape to cover the whole outside. It may be easiest to do this with short strips of tape that touch or overlap slightly.
  • Then, secure the end of the cord where it will be covered and wind it around and around in tight rows to completely cover the container. Secure the very end of the cord with a few drops of glue.

A wide mouth container is a good holder for pens and pencils. A smaller opening is good for flowers.

Do you volunteer?

“the most improtant hour of your week may be the one you give away”

Currently we are running our first-ever Au Pair Community Service Contest. The deadline is February 15th.  We have gone out to the au pairs a few times but if you have an au pair in your cluster who has been volunteering in the community please give her a nudge to apply!  All of the information is right here  http://www.aupairinamerica.com/communityservice/2013.asp

Enjoy this excerpt from Ela Sebrek’s submission. She’s a Croatian au pair living in Denver, CO.

“When I first came here six months ago I felt really homesick and I almost went back home. Since kids I’m taking care of are in school half a day, I was alone at home a lot. Getting out of the house and go help others really helped me feel better.  People where I’m volunteering are treating me so nice. I know that I can count on their help if something happens. Especially I enjoy to volunteer in Children’s Center! Kids are so sweet. Sometimes we have to be very persistent to make them cooperate, but most of the time we’re having a great time. When we can’t go out, we stay in the gym and there is this little guy that’s always next to me. He doesn’t want to play with anyone else but me. Then we usually pick his favorite book and I’m reading it to him. In no time other kids join us. That’s the most special moment for me. Of course that doesn’t last long because there is always something that “catches their eyes”, but it’s nice to have their attention for couple of minutes. I never thought that people in the USA are volunteering that much. Back in my country that’s not such a common situation. I also discovered lots of new interesting books and my language skills improved a lot. Volunteering become very important for me because it keeps my mind busy, I’m meeting a lot of great people here and I don’t feel that lonely anymore!”

Traveling outside the USA?

Passport_stamps_18-19

If you are planning to travel outside the U.S. during your first year, your DS 2019 will need a travel validation signature.  See “Travel Links for Au Pairs” on the side of this page for link to the Travel Validation Request Form. At least 3 weeks before you travel, you should print this form and send it along with your original DS-2019 form and a self-addressed stamped envelope (so your signed DS 2019 may be returned to you) to the following address.

Au Pair in America
River Plaza
9 West Broad Street
Stamford, CT 06902
Attn.: Evelyn Blum

You will also need to check whether you need a visa to enter the country you intend to visit. I have a link for Visiting Canada. Other countries requirements can be found by doing a Google search such as “visitor requirement Mexico.”  Obtaining a tourist visa is solely the responsibility of the au pair.

Extension Au Pairs: In your extension year, travel outside the U.S. is restricted. Please contact me before making any plans to travel outside the U.S. in your extension year.

Have a great trip!

New Orientation location starting January 28th

sign1.jpg

As of January 28, 2013, Au Pair in America’s orientation site will be changing. Our Orientation hotel will be:

DoubleTree by Hilton
455 South Broadway
Tarrytown, NY 10591

The phone number is 914-631-5700.

Please read the below for answers to questions you may have regarding the change of orientation site, pick-up locations, trains and flights.


Can my family still send gifts to welcome our au pair?
Yes, however, we do recommend families follow the guidelines regarding gifts received after matching. While we expect the hotel to be efficient in delivery of gifts received and do not expect any issues, it is best for families  sending flowers, etc… to check with the hotel once they think the delivery has taken place.  The address of the hotel is:
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Tarrytown, 455 South Broadway, Tarrytown, New York, 10591, USA

Will there still be a NYC tour?
Yes, however, the tour will take place on Tuesday night, instead of Wednesday night.  Families may purchase the tour as a gift in advance or au pairs may purchase.  Please note,the deadline for families purchasing the tour is the Friday before the arrival.  Due to the tickets for Top of the Rock and deadline for ordering dinners, we cannot extend this deadline.

Will there be a change in orientation schedule?
The orientation will still be a 4 day period, typically starting on a Monday and ending on Thursday.

What if an au pair gets sick?  Where is the nearest medical facility?
There are several urgent care facilities in the area that take the au pairs’ insurance, in addition to White Plains hospital about 15 minutes away should there be the need for greater care.

Is there Internet service?
Yes, we have negotiated for free wireless internet service, available in public and private rooms. Many au pairs use Skype to communicate back home and to their host families.

Will there still be the AAA Driving Course option?
Yes, the AAA course option will still be available. Au pairs arrive a day early and participate in a unique hands- on experience, designed specifically for them by AAA of Southern New England.  Families receive information regarding this course in their placement packet and via email. If you have not or have questions, please contact Laura Blersch at orientation@aifs.com.

What Amtrak station will au pairs be traveling from?
We will continue to utilize the Stamford train station for au pairs traveling Northbound (To Boston) and Southbound (to all points to Washington DC) from orientation to their host families.  Au pairs will be bused from the orientation site to the Stamford train station. Trains must depart after 4 pm.

Where do I pick up my au pair if I am a local family?
For your convenience, we are offering two locations for pick-up.
• The first is at the hotel in Tarrytown.  Pick up is between 3pm and 5pm in the lobby.

• We will also offer a location in Stamford, Connecticut.  This location is at the Au Pair in America office located at:

9 West Broad Street, Stamford, CT 06902.

Pick up time is between 3:45-4:45pm. If you are not able to pick up your au pair within timeframe, please plan on picking her up at the hotel location. Please park in the visitor’s parking spaces and come to the first floor “Community Room” where you will meet your au pair.

Families who live locally will receive an email form from our orientation coordinator prior to the week of arrival asking them to choose their preferred pick-up location.

How will the location affect those taking flights?
This move will not affect those flying in anyway. The average time to each of the major airports is approximately the same as it is now. Our guidelines for flights after 6 pm will remain in place.

If you have additional questions regarding the new orientation site, please contact Laura Blersch at orientation@aifs.com.


Martin Luther King Day

 

Dr. Martin Luther King Dr. Martin Luther King 

Martin Luther King Day is a federal holiday held on the third Monday of January. It celebrates the life and achievements of Martin Luther King Jr., an influential American civil rights leader. He is most well-known for his campaigns to end racial segregation on public transport and for racial equality in the United States.

Each year schools, federal offices, post office and banks across America close as we celebrate the birth, the life and the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  It is an occasion for joy and celebration for his life and his work toward nonviolent social change in America and the world.

It took many years for Congress to decide to celebrate the holiday.  In the years leading up to the official decree many African-Americans celebrated the birthday themselves with a few states declaring King’s birthday a state holiday.

The bill was finally passed by both the House of Representatives and the Senate and was signed into law on November 2, 1983.  The first national celebration of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday took place January 20, 1986.

Meet an au pair

I had a wonderful time in America, it was the best decision I made in my life and I gained a lot as a person!

I had THE best family and they are like my second family now.  I visit them for holidays when I can and we share our news with each other often.  I miss the kids and I try to send a gift for their birthdays and call them on the phone…

I met a lot of nice people in the USA and made 2 really good friends who I know I will stay friends with forever (I am even going to be a bridesmaid for one of them).

One of my motivations to do the program was to improve my English and this worked as I now have a job in France where I talk English everyday!

Discovering the USA was amazing too – I miss a lot of places there.  This program gave me way more than I expected so thank you!

Joy

Save 30% on a trip!

On behalf of Intrepid (formerly known as Suntrek) I just want to remind you all that until January 31, 2013 they are offering an additional 10% savings on North America tours for Au Pairs! This will bring the total savings to 30% off the original trip price! Please let your au pairs know.

How can Au Pairs get this special 30% discount?

Follow the simple instructions below:

  1. Call the toll free number to speak with a sales consultant – 1 (800) 970-7299
  2. Give the consultant the name of the tour and desired departure date
  3. Au Pair must state 1. Organization Name and 2. Counselor’s name in order to book
  4. To take advantage of limited time 10% off Promotion, quote promo code:  9427 (valid from November 1, 2012 – January 31, 2013)
  5. Au Pair must pay a $250 deposit to hold spot and confirm trip.  Full payment is due 60 days prior to departure.