Upcoming AP Meetings

We have a great start to our 2009 Activity Calendar!

2009:
January 11 - AP's Choice - Ice Skating! 1p - NEW DATE!!! Meet at the Bellevue Square ice rink!
February ?? - Lion King
March 15 - Underground Tour
April 19 - Trip to the Tulip Fields - all day event (10a until about 4p)
May 17 - Trip to the Ocean (Westport) + CEP Spring Program -- all day event! Meet at 9:30am
June 21 - Baseball Game (date may be changed, depending upon tickets...)
July - Annual CCAP White Water Rafting Trip
August - Trip to Mt. Rainier - all day event
September tbd - UW Football Game

I'll keep working on the other ideas that came up! Here is the list of the other ideas that we are looking into:

• Going out to eat
• Space Needle
• Eating at the Space Needle
• Cabins, or camping
• Gallery Walk
• Mt. Rainier
• Skiing
• Going out to eat
• Festivals around town
• Music
• Boat Trip - Argosy - around the sound
• Karaoke
• Guitar Hero competition
• Picnic & BBQ
• Rock Climbing
• Balloon Flight
• Trip to Portland
• Going out to eat
• Trip to Bellingham & Leavenworth

Thanksgiving

We had a great Thanksgiving dinner with the au pairs as a "warm up" and belly expander, to get ready for family Thanksgiving dinners on Thursday. We had a great time, and almost everyone was able to make it. Each au pair received a very special note from their host families about why they are thankful for their au pair.

I'm thankful to all of my au pairs - including Kristin, my very own au pair. Thanks to all of you who help make our life more interesting:

Ryan, Majo, Sine, Juliana, Ivona, Helena, Anika, Kate, Anna Maria, & Angie

Ivona & Kate; Majo & Helena

Ryan, Lara, Anika & Anna Maria; My kitchen has never looked so good

Ivona, Kate, Majo, Helena, Anna, Lara & Ryan

Monthly AP Meetings

We have a bunch of events coming in the next few months, and lots coming in the future as well... I keep this updated on the blog site, and it is your responsibility to keep track of the meetings from the blog and be sure that you are going to attend. Here are the dates for our upcoming events:

December 14 - Christmas cookie exchange! - 1p

2009:
January 18 - AP's Choice - Ice Skating! 1p
February 19 - TBD + CEP Winter Program
March 15 - TBD
April 19 - Trip to the Tulip Fields - all day event (10a until about 4p)
May 17 - TBD + CEP Spring Program
June 21 - TBD

November AP Meeting / Future Meetings

This coming Friday night is Salsa Dancing at the Century Ballroom in Seattle. The lesson starts at 9:00p, and dancing is from 9:30p until midnight. The cost is $10, plus whatever you want for drinks. This is all ages, so everyone is welcome to join in the fun!

I'll have the sign-in log for November with me as well. WE WILL MEET OUTSIDE AT 8:45P if you are driving on your own!

I need to know who can drive and who needs a ride. If you are riding with someone else, please plan on giving them $5 towards gas.

The map and directions to the ballroom can be found here: http://www.centuryballroom.com/

Directions from the Bellevue/Mercer Island:

• Take I-90 West
• Take I-5 North
• Exit at Madison Street (Exit #164 A)
• Turn Right (east) onto Madison until Broadway Ave E
• Turn Left (north) onto Broadway until E Pine Street
• Turn Right (east) onto E Pine Street
• The Century Ballroom is on the first block, on the right hand side

Continuing Education Meeting
In addition, our Fall Continuing Education program will be at my house on November 16th. We'll have a thanksgiving dinner to share - and if everyone would bring one dish to share we'll have a great meal while we do our educational bit.

You should be at my house by 1p (note the time change) - and we'll be done by 3p. Please let me know if you are planning on attending - and if you are bringing anyone else along.

Upcoming Events
Just a reminder to all that we have a bunch of events coming in the next two months, and lots coming in the future as well... I keep this updated on the blog site, and it is your responsibility to keep track of the meetings from the blog and be sure that you are going to attend.

Here are the dates for our upcoming events:

• November 7 - Salsa Dancing at the Century Ballroom (Optional fun event) - 7p -11p
• November 16 - Thanksgiving at Lara's + CEP Fall Program - 1p NOTE TIME CHANGE
• December 14 - Christmas cookie exchange! - 1p

2009:

• January 18 - AP's Choice - Ice Skating! 1p
• February 19 - TBD + CEP Winter Program
• March 15 - TBDApril 19 - Trip to the Tulip Fields - all day event (10a until about 4p)
• May 17 - TBD + CEP Spring Program
• June 21 - TBD

August AP Meeting

The monthly meeting will be at my home on Sunday, 8/17 at 1p. Check your email for the address and directions!

September AP/HF Meeting!

Each year Cultural Care Au Pair hosts a great family day/picnic. This year it will be on September 21st, at Marymoor Park. All host families, au pairs, kids and friends are welcome to attend this fun event.

This year, we are hoping to do something extra special - and collect food for Food Lifeline. They are a great local charity that focuses on helping families in need. Please bring along your donations of canned food, dried food, non-perishable foods or monetary donations.

Be sure to have this day on your calendar, and I can't wait to see you there!

What Hunger Looks Like in Western Washington

• Many of the people served by Food Lifeline are among the working poor. 62% of the households Food Lifeline serves count a job, social security, SSI, unemployment or disability as a main source of income.
• The profile for a hungry person in Western Washington continues to defy society's expectations. Nearly 45% of the individuals using a food bank, meal program or shelter in Western Washington have some form of post-secondary education. Only 15% are actually homeless.
• 37% of the hungry people Food Lifeline serves are children.
• 13% of the hungry people Food Lifeline serves are seniors.
• Hunger causes many families to have to make difficult choices.
• 51% of the hungry people Food Lifeline serves must choose between food and paying for heat.
• 40% of the hungry people Food Lifeline serves must choose between food and paying for medicine or medical care.
• 40% of the hungry people Food Lifeline serves must choose between food and rent.
• 88% of Food Lifeline's member food banks say that if they couldn't get food from a distribution agency such as Food Lifeline, it would have a significant or devastating impact on their program.
• Nearly 43% of the people who are emergency food recipients in Western Washington are food insecure with hunger. This means that these individuals do not know when they will eat again and often times go to bed hungry.

Monthly AP Meetings

I wanted to reiterate to everyone that the monthly meetings are required for au pairs to attend - as well as the quarterly CEP (continuing education programs) that are offered at four of the meetings each year. If more than two meetings are missed, an au pair is not eligible to receive their deposit back at the end of the year.

If you have any questions about what we are or are not doing, times, places to be, etc - please let me know...

Check out what we are doing:
July 13 - Potluck Picnic at Phantom Lake Pool + CEP Summer Program - 3p
August 17 - Lara's House - 1p
September 21 - All CCAP AP/Host Family Picnic at Marymoor Park
October 19 - Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze - 1p
November 16 - Thanksgiving at Lara's + CEP Fall Program - 3p
December 14 - Christmas cookie exchange! (note: date change) - 1p
2009:
January 18 - AP's to choose and plan event!!!
February 19 - TBD + CEP Winter Program
March 15 - TBD
April 19 - Trip to the Tulip Fields
May 17 - TBD + CEP Spring Program
June 21 - TBD

Monthly AP Meetings

Hi All,

I'm trying to get us organized for the rest of the year, and wanted to remind you about the monthly au pair meetings. These are mandatory meetings for the AP's to attend and you should make sure that you and your HF have them scheduled. In some cases, I am able to work something out for your sign-in.

Our events are usually on the 3rd Sunday of each month. Here is what we have coming:

Check out what we are doing:
July 13 - Potluck Picnic (note: date change)
August 17 - TBD - have an idea? Let me know!
September 21 - All CCAP AP/Host Family Picnic at Marymoor Park
October 19 - Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze
November 16 - Thanksgiving
December 14 - Christmas cookie exchange! (note: date change)
January 18 - AP's to choose and plan event!!!
February 19 -
March 15 -
April 19 -

Everyone - please note! The AP's will choose and plan our January event! Let me know what you need, and I can help!

Underground

It was dark, dang and dingy. And it was tons of fun! The story of the Seattle underground is one of greed, loose women, and toilets with attitudes. Luckily, it is also a lot of fun... We learned a lot about Seattle history, toilets, and why Seattle is the way it is. For those who couldn't make it - you missed out!

River Rafting Rocks!

I've heard from a few of you, but will everyone please let me know a yes or no as to whether you will be attending? Host families are welcome to join in this fun day, and children over the age of 12 are welcome as well!

We will be on June 21, 2008. You may have heard what a great meeting this is. Many say it's the best meeting of the year - but I need to hear from you NOW if you want to attend! Checks will be due to me on May 15th.

Here are the details:The meeting is open to au pairs and any member of their host families. Children 12 and over are allowed to attend. We will need several drivers/cars to get everyone over to Leavenworth, so if you are a host parent and would like to go, please let me know.

This meeting includes the Eastside and all Seattle groups.

Schedule:
9:45a Meet at the Bothell Park and ride
10:00a We will leave promptly at 10a for Leavenworth
1:00p - 5:30p Lunch and river rafting
6:00p - 8:00p Dinner in Leavenworth
10:00p Return (to the Bothell Park and Ride)

Cost is $60.00 per person (includes the cost of life jacket, wetsuit, booties, etc.) In addition, everyone not driving will be asked to give $8.00 towards gas to the driver of their car to offset gas prices.

The website can be found at: http://www.riverrider.com/ - check it out and let me know if you would like to attend!

Monthly AP Meetings

Hi All,

I'm trying to get us organized for the rest of the year, and wanted to remind you about the monthly au pair meetings. These are mandatory meetings for attendance, however, if you cannot make it for some reason, please contact me and we'll work something out for your sign-in.

For the most part, you can plan on having our events on the 3rd Sunday of each month, unless I list otherwise.

We have some great events coming up. Check out what we are doing:
May 18 - Underground Tour
June 15 - River Rafting
July 13 - Potluck Picnic (note: date change)
August 17 - TBD - have an idea? Let me know!
September 21 - All CCAP AP/Host Family Picnic at Marymoor Park
October 19 - Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze
November 16 - Thanksgiving
December 14 - Christmas cookie exchange! (note: date change)

Underground Tour

Well, it's official. Our next AP gathering is going to be on Sunday, May 18th. We will meet at 12p at my home in Seattle, and at 12:45p outside the Underground Tour in Pioneer Square in Seattle.

We will take the 1p tour, and be done by 2p. Bring any friends who want to come along. However - I need a final count no later than Friday, the 16th! So let me know if you want to come on this fun tour! Cost is $14 for an adult, or $12 if you have a college ID (BCC, student ID from your home country, etc).