Pumpkin Carving Meeting

I've learned over the years that carving pumpkins and even our version of Halloween is a very American tradition.  For most au pairs they have never carved a pumpkin or Trick or Treated in their own countries.  That is one reason why the Pumpkin Carving Meeting is one of my favorite.  We also covered Trick or Treating safety for the children, and had hot spicey cider and festive donuts.

August Meeting at Key West

Fun August meeting at Key West ... too bad it wasn't in Florida, but the frozen yogurt was great and cool at a hot day in Virginia Beach!

Dolphin Watching in Virginia Beach

We had a wonderful boat trip out in the ocean off the coast of Virginia Beach for our May Au Pair meeting.  The weather was a bit cloudy, but the storms held off and we found ourselves in a pod of dolphins.  It was so much fun watching them around the boat and coming up to the top in groups of 2s, 3s and 4s.  In our group from Germany, Poland, Sweden, and Brazil most of the au pairs had never seen dolphins this close and it was a fun experience for all!

Aupairs turn firehouse into a fashion show... while learning fire safety!

Not everyone can make turn out gear look good, but we got to give it a shot this weekend at our February Meeting.

Some au pairs even tried out all the breathing apparatus!

We also learned about fire safety.

It was a great winter meeting.. Thank you Davis Corner Fire House in Virginia Beach for having us again!!!

 

Ice Skating at Iceland In Virginia Beach

It was nice seeing so many brave, au pairs who tried out ice skating in January.  Of course some of you were experts, but I hoped you all had fun out on the ice.  It was definitely a busy day at Iceland.
Here are some pictures- if you took more, please send them in! Before and After...

Winter Blues

If anyone is like me, you will agree that living at the beach is much more fun during the summer time!  In the winter when it is cold day after day, things get a bit depressing.  Sometimes it can be even more so with au pairs who are use to warmer, tropical weather, and an active lifestyle.  Don't despair, Summer will be here before you know it.

In the meantime, get out where you can, explore the 'indoors' of Virginia Beach & Norfolk.  AMF has fun bowling, there is ice skating like we did at the au pair meeting this month, plus the movies, mall, and fun arcades.  Hangar 09 near the Lynnhaven parkway has indoor flight simulators in case you have ever wanted to fly a plane, and there is indoor laser tag right next door. 

The key is to get out, have fun and socialize.  I know there is nothing more lovely than sipping a coffee, tea or warm drink in front of a fire, but hey, go meet the girls at the book store or Starbucks and do the same!

Family Holiday Party - Sunday Dec 19th!

This years International Family Gathering with the Au Pairs will be a little different from previous years.  #1 we will be doing it on a Sunday evening, not Saturday afternoon.
#2 It will be more dessert and appetizers versus big meals
#3 it will probably be more 'open house' than party and
# 4 It will be at my house.

Au Pairs should bring a dish to share from their country, a dessert or finger food.  Families are welcome to come in and visit between 6 and 8 pm.  We will have the other au pair groups from Chesapeake and Suffolk joining our group from Virginia Beach and Norfolk; so it will be a great time.

I'm looking forward to seeing most of you again this year..and if you can't come to this one.. see you at the Spring Egg Hunt!