Hayride "Apollo 18"

Once again, the rain foiled our plans. Instead of a hayride at the Botanical Garden, we met at Monaco Pictures and decided on a space movie: "Apollo 18" It turned out to be a light horror. So we enjoyed some snacks and soda while watching alien rock creatures terrorize astronauts. We chatted a little after the movie and then headed home in the rain.

September 2011 Newsletter

Welcome to September!

Whether you have just arrived, or are in your extension year, it's good to remember some basics for having a good au pair experience. Communication is the basis for any good relationship. You should feel free to tell your host family how you're feeling and ask questions about anything you don't understand. It's not always easy to have an honest conversation, but it is important! Equally important is mutual respect. Don't forget that your host family has trusted you with their most precious possessions: their children. But also don't forget to treat their home, car and other possessions with respect. At the end of your stay your room should look much like it did when you arrived. Your host family should also respect you and understand how difficult it can be, coming from another country and culture. (If they forget - remember to use a little of that communication!) If you ever feel there are difficulties arising that you can't handle by

yourself, please call me. I'm here to help!

Important Reminders About Insurance

Now that summer is coming to an end, fall is right around the corner. The weather will be cooler and that means more time inside. Plus, many of you are caring for young children who are back to school. This adds up to more colds and flus! With this in mind, I thought it would be a good time to provide some information about your insurance. Au pairs have "travel insurance" that covers you anywhere in the world except your home country. While the insurance will pay your doctor bills if you get sick or hurt, there are some limitations. Any problem that you had prior to coming to the US will not be covered. Also, there are many doctors who will not bill the insurance company; you will need to pay the bill and then file a claim to get reimbursed. Most hospitals will send the bill to the insurance company, but if you go to the hospital "emergency room "and it's not truly an emergency, you will have to pay $250. Please go online to read more details at www.avi-international.info, or www.falck.com/travelcare if you applied through an STS office.

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!

September Au Pair Activity

Sunday 9/4 at 2pm: Hayride and Fall Festival at The Botanical Garden. We'll meet at the entrance (inside) at 2 and go on the hayride first. Afterwards we can explore the Sorghum Maze and Scarecrow Trail and then you can enjoy the rest of the garden if you'd like. Admission for non-members is $12.

Save These Dates

OCTOBER - Sunday 10/2 6:00-7:30pm: Host Family and Au Pair Day! This year's event will be at The Little Gym at The Village of Providence. Please watch your inboxes for an evite soon!

NOVEMBER - TBD. Please save the date: Saturday 11/12 at 2pm

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.

Ghostwalk Sea Rex in 3D

We were going to enjoy going on a ghostwalk this month, but on the day of the scheduled event, the rain was coming down so hard I could hardly see the street from my front porch. We rescheduled for the 19th to see "Sea Rex in 3D" at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center. Unfortunately, one au pair was out of town, one had to work, and one simply forgot. So I saw the show by myself and then headed home. I thought it was a neat little video, but was disappointed that the meeting didn't really happen.

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.