January Ice Skating Event

We had a great time at our January au pair meeting. We went skating at the outdoor skating rink in Bellevue, and had just about everyone there: Anika, Anna-Maria, Juliana, Helena, Sine, Ivona, Kate, Majo, Angie - and guests Magda, Kristin and Anika's cousin!

It was cold, but not enough to keep the ice from melting - but we had a great time and beginning skaters Majo, Juliana and Sine did great considering they grew up with no snow or ice!

2009 Calendar of AP Meetings

We already have some changes to the AP calendar. Please review and make sure that you mark these down on your calendar!

2009:

• February ?? - Lion King
• March 15 - Underground Tour, 1p Seattle. Meet at 12:30p in Pioneer Square to purchase tix.
• April 19 - Mariners Baseball Game - 12p - 4p
• May 17 - Trip to the Ocean (Westport) + CEP Spring Program -- all day event! Meet at 9:30am
• June 20 - Annual CCAP White Water Rafting Trip - Must sign up ahead of time to attend!
• July 25 - Seafair Torchlight Parade - Meeting at Mercer Island Park n Ride at 5:00p
• August 1 - Blue Angels Seafair performance + CEP Summer Program - meet at Mercer Island Park n Ride at 11:30a
• August 23 - Optional - Trip to Mt. Rainier - all day event
• September 19 - Annaul Host Family Picnic - at Marymoor Park (date estimated)
• October 24 - UW Football Game v. Oregon

We'll discuss the schedule past September at one of the upcoming meetings.

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

Talking to You: Holiday Focus

People often ask for my advice for appropriate gift-giving for families and au pairs during the holidays. While gift cards, photo albums, an extra vacation day, or a picture frame are all great gifts, one of the best gifts a host family can give their au pair during the holiday season is the gift of clarity.

With all of the school vacation time, travel, family engagements, and holiday traditions, it can oftentimes be difficult for the au pairs to understand when their work day begins and ends. It’s so important for families and au pairs to sit down before the official holiday games begin and make very clear what the “holiday hours” will be.

In addition to clarifying hours, it’s also important for families to clarify what activities or events the au pair is asked to be a part of as part of her role as the au pair and what activities or events she is invited to be a part of as a member of the family. Without this clarity, there can often be misunderstandings and hurt feelings. The holidays are a wonderful time of the year and can be the highlight of an au pair’s experience. Taking this important step can help to keep the season bright!

Note: for new families, Nat is one of the VP's from Cultural Care, and often will send out her thoughts on different topics. I try to post as often as they make sense for the HF's and AP's

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

That Baby DVD

Wanted to share this great video/CD with everyone! This is a favorite at our house, and if you watch the DVD closely, you will see a cameo by three of my favorite girls! You can learn more by visiting their website as well...