August 2011 Newsletter

Welcome to August!

School age children in Huntsville/Madison will be headed back to school on August 10th or 15th, though many preschools may begin later. If you care for school-aged children, it will soon be time to shift gears and get into a different routine. Some children have a hard time adjusting to this new, and often more confining, schedule. Talk with your host parents for suggestions of how to deal with the upcoming changes in their children's routine. Your work schedule will probably change too, so be prepared to do some adjusting yourself!

Do you drive the children to school? If so, remember to be extra cautious when driving in school zones. The speed limit is usually 25 mph, and sometimes even lower. Always leave the house on time so you don't have to rush when taking the kids to school. And be sure to ask the children about their day when they get home - young students love to share what they've learned in school!

Growing AuPairCare in North Alabama

Do you know someone who is a small business owner? Would they be interested in partnering with AuPairCare? Contact me for more information!

August Au Pair Activity

Sat. 8/13 at 6pm: Huntsville Ghost Walk. Meet at 5:30 in front of Harrison Brothers Hardware (124 Southside Square, Huntsville, AL 35801) Admission is $8 (cash or check only!)

Save These Dates

SEPTEMBER - To Be Determined. Please Save the Date: Sunday afternoon, September 4th.

OCTOBER - HOST FAMILY & AU PAIR DAY!! Sunday, October 2nd, 6-7:30pm at The Little Gym at Village of Providence. More information will be sent out in early September. (Please note that this is a different date than in the last newsletter)

Note: dates are subject to change if there's something fun we'd like to do that doesn't correspond with the dates I've chosen. Just let me know what you want to do!

Au Pair Birthdays

There are no Au Pair birthdays this month.

Arrivals/Departures

We are sad to be saying goodbye to two Au Pairs this month!! Gaby has already said goodbye to Huntsville and is living in Corpus Christi, TX until August 27th when she'll travel to her new host family in Maple Grove, MN. After almost 2 years in Alabama, Minnesota might be a bit of an adjustment for her, but we're so glad she gets to finish her extension year and not go home early! We're also sad to say goodbye to Laura - she'll be moving back to Seattle with her host family on August 15th. She only got to be here for a short few months, but we're so glad she did! I hope everyone will join me in wishing them both the best of luck in their future endeavors.

We're excited to be welcoming Eliana from Brazil at the end of this month! She'll arrive in the U.S. on August 28th and will travel to Huntsville on September 1st. Be sure to welcome her when she arrives!

Sam & Greg's

We met at Sam & Greg's Pizzeria and Gelateria on Courthouse Square and enjoyed some great ice cream together. I picked this restaurant for its historic building, which dates from the early 1800s. I was joined by Fernanda, Vero, Gaby, Pam, and Laura, who is visiting Huntsville these two months with her military host family. It was almost the biggest meeting we've ever had! The skies had broken open and the rain was pouring down, but I was so glad that everyone braved the weather for an evening of great conversation. The restaurant is not particularly large and we were fortunate that there was plenty of space available for us. We had so much fun enjoying pizza and ice cream and talking and laughing together that we stayed past closing time. When we realized the wait staff had cleaned everything else up and were waiting for us to finish we reluctantly licked the last bit of ice cream from our spoons, located our umbrellas and headed back into the deluge.

The Italian ice cream was definitely fantastic and I was assured that the pizza lacked nothing, but considering the paid parking (it is downtown after all) and limited seating, this is a venue that I may not add to our list of activities for the future.

July 2011 Newsletter

Welcome to July!

This month we celebrate the birthday of the United States! Independence Day is on July 4. On that date in 1776, the founding fathers declared that the United States of America would be its own country, independent of British rule. The holiday is celebrated with parades, barbecues and picnics during the day, and fireworks displays after dark. I hope that you will share the festivities with your host family! July 4 is on Monday this year so many people will take off for a three day weekend. Please note that au pairs do not necessarily get holidays off. If your host family would like you to care for the children that day, they can schedule you to work.

AuPairCare will be closed on Monday, July 4 for the holiday. I will return all calls and emails the following day. As always, if you have an emergency after regular business hours you can call 415-434-8788 and someone will assist you.

Summer Reminders

The sunny weather is finally here, so here are some reminders for summer:

* Don't forget to put sunscreen and/or hats on the children if you're out at the park all day.

* If you are around a pool or other water with the children, never take your eyes off them. Don't trust that a lifeguard will keep them safe. YOU are the lifeguard!

* If you are thinking of taking a summer trip, talk with your host family well in advance about getting time off. Vacation should be taken at a mutually agreed upon time. Planning ahead is important!

* Start now to look for classes that will begin in August or September.

Growing AuPairCare in North Alabama

Do you know someone who is a small business owner? Would they be interested in partnering with AuPairCare? Contact me for more information!

July Au Pair Activity

Thurs. 7/14 at 8pm at Sam & Greg's Pizzeria/Gelateria, 119 North Side Square , Downtown Huntsville. The building dates from the early 1800s and has been a part of Huntsville's original Courthouse Square. Come enjoy some Italian ice cream, coffee, or pizza!

Save These Dates

AUGUST - Sat. 8/13 at 6pm: Huntsville Ghost Walk. Meet at 5:30 in front of Harrison Brothers Hardware (124 Southside Square, Huntsville, AL 35801) Admission is $8 (cash or check only!)

SEPTEMBER - at 3pm: We will meet at Pottery By You, 181 Hughes Road #9, Madison AL. Studio fees are $6 per person and pottery items start at $9.

Note: dates are subject to change if there's something fun we'd like to do that doesn't correspond with the dates I've chosen. Just let me know what you want to do!

Au Pair Birthdays

There are no Au Pair birthdays this month.

Arrivals/Departures

There are no Au Pair arrivals or departures this month.

Lunch at Applebee's

Pam, Vero, and Fernanda met me for lunch at Applebee's. We missed Gaby, who was on vacation. I've found that Applebee's is a great place to meet the au pairs for lunch: there's plenty of variety on the menu for everyone to find something that appeals to them and there's just enough ambient noise yet not too much to enjoy conversation. Our meal was marred by errors and tardiness on the part of the wait and cook staff, but they did their best to correct the situation. Having lunch together is always on my standby list of great activities. We may try a different place next time just to mix things up a bit.

June 2011 Newsletter

Welcome to June!

Remember to discuss vacation plans with your host family well in advance of your trip. Vacation time must be mutually agreed upon! If you will be traveling out of the country make sure you have made copies of all your documents and checked to make sure everything is in order before you go. Please let me know what your vacation plans are when you have them finalized.

Growing AuPairCare in North Alabama

These local businesses have partnered with AuPairCare. If you find yourself in need of their services, please consider them first!

Dr. Katarina Allman, M.D.

Allman Family Medicine, 1878 Jeff Road Suite G, Huntsville, AL 35806; 256-428-0444

The Jacob's Wings Foundation, jacobswings.org

Do you know someone who is a small business owner? Would they be interested in partnering with AuPairCare? Contact me for more information!

June Au Pair Activity

Sunday 6/13 at 12pm: Lunch at Applebee's on South Parkway (3028 Memorial Parkway Southwest, Huntsville, AL 35801-5303)

Save These Dates

JULY - Sat. 7/9 at 3pm: Pottery painting at Pottery By You, 181 Hughes Rd. #9, Madison, AL 35758, (256) 325-2964. Studio fee is $6/person; items start at $9.

AUGUST - Sat. 8/13 at 6pm: Huntsville Ghost Walk. Meet at 5:30 in front of Harrison Brothers Hardware (124 Southside Square, Huntsville, AL 35801

(256) 536-3631). Admission is $8 (cash or check only!)

Note: dates are subject to change if there's something fun we'd like to do that doesn't correspond with the dates I've chosen. Just let me know what you want to do!

Au Pair Birthdays

There are no Au Pair birthdays this month.

Arrivals/Departures

There are no Au Pair arrivals or departures this month.

Just For Fun

Cool Cucumbers

A refreshing side dish on a hot day.

Cucumbers in Sour Cream Sauce

3 large cucumbers, sliced thin

1/2 Vidalia onion, sliced thin

8 oz. sour cream

3 Tablespoons cider vinegar

3 Tablespoons sugar

pinch baking soda

salt and pepper to taste

Place sliced cucs in a dish and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place in refrigerator for 1 hour to draw out the water. Drain cucumbers

Mix together the sour cream, vinegar, sugar and baking soda. Add to the sliced & drained cucs and the onions.

Adjust seasonings if needed. Refrigerate until ready to eat.

Enjoy! These are best served cold.

Birmingham Zoo

We were fortunate to have perfect weather for our day at the Birmingham Zoo!! Gaby and Pam rode with me from Huntsville and we met up with Vero and the Birmingham cluster at the zoo. We all had a picnic lunch together and then began our zoo adventure. My oldest son, Zachary, was with us and the au pairs enjoyed taking turns pointing things out to him and lifting him up to see better. Although it was a bit of drive for us, this is definitely an activity to keep on the list: not only did we have a great day at the zoo, we got to spend time with the Birmingham cluster too!

May 2011 Newsletter

Welcome to May!

Following the incredible storms on April 27th and the devastation they caused, I am so grateful that all of you were kept safe. Now that we have our power back and we're returning to our regular routines, please remember those who were greatly affected and still in much need. For information on donating supplies or volunteering your time, please visit these sites:

www.redcrossrelief.org

www.servealabama.gov/2010/default.aspx

www.bamatornadorelief.com

Growing AuPairCare in North Alabama

These local businesses have partnered with AuPairCare. If you find yourself in need of their services, please consider them first!

Valley Music Therapy

Carla Durham, 256-345-8772, musicladycarla@yahoo.com

A Nurturing Moment - Maternity and Breastfeeding Boutique

964 Airport Road Suite 10, Huntsville, AL 35801, 256-489-2590

Do you know someone who is a small business owner? Would they be interested in partnering with AuPairCare? Contact me for more information!

May Au Pair Activity

Birmingham Zoo (joint activity), Saturday, May 14th, Birmingham, AL

We will be meeting the Birmingham cluster at the zoo entrance at 11:00. Please bring a lunch. Water and juice/soda will be provided by Birmingham's Area Director, Lucy Edwards. Contact me if you would like to carpool. Zoo entrance is $14. You may also want to bring extra money for souvenirs or food once we are in the zoo. Please wear comfortable shoes and don't forget sun protection - we will be outside most of the afternoon. Please let me know if you will not be coming or if you have any questions.

Save These Dates

JUNE - Pick your own fruit, details coming soon. Please Save the Date: Sunday, June 12th

JULY - To Be Determined. Please Save the Date: Sunday, July 10th

Note: dates are subject to change if there's something fun we'd like to do that doesn't correspond with the dates I've chosen. Just let me know what you want to do!

Au Pair Birthdays

There are no Au Pair birthdays this month.

Arrivals/Departures

There are no Au Pair arrivals or departures this month.

Just For Fun

Deviled Egg Boats

Ingredients

12 hard-boiled eggs

2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

2 teaspoons vinegar (white or cider)

1/4 to 1/2 cup mayonnaise

2 red, orange, yellow, or green bell peppers

Paprika

Instructions

Peel the eggs, then slice each one in half to make boats. Place the yolks in a medium-sized bowl and mash them with a fork. Add the mustard and the vinegar, then add the mayonnaise, stirring until the consistency is smooth but not soupy.

Next, make the sails. To do this, cut each pepper into 1-inch-wide strips, then cut the strips into 1-inch squares and slice each square in half diagonally.

Fill the egg-white halves with the yolk mixture. Stick the sail upright into the filling and sprinkle with paprika. Makes two dozen.