New Year Ideas

I'm betting that there are a lot of au pairs out there who are really excited to be spending their first New Year here in the United States.  Most of you probably already have plans to go out with friends or your host family to parties or other events.  For those of you who don't have plans yet, but are eager to find something to do, here are some ideas for a few cities in the Mid-West Region:

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/top-lists/best-family-friendly-new-years-parties-in-chicago/

http://dfw.cbslocal.com/top-lists/best-family-friendly-new-years-parties-in-dfw/

http://events.29-95.com/houston_tx/events/new+year's+eve

http://www.visitomaha.com/includes/events/Noon-Year-s-Eve-at-Omaha-s-Henry-Doorly-Zoo/7120/

http://www.visitpa.com/first-night-scranton-2013

If I didn't post a link to your city, be sure to ask your Host Family or Local Area Representative about ideas or events in your city.

Have a Great New Year!!

Go Au Pair Holiday Hours

Go Au Pair Holiday Hours

In observance of the holidays, Go Au Pair will be closed on the following: December 24: Closed December 25:  Closed December 31: Open until 12:00 p.m. MT January 1: Closed

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from my Family to Yours!

Childcare in time for the Holidays!

So Christmas is only a week away, you have your hands full getting all the last minute shopping done, but you can't help but stress about the fact that you need full time help for Christmas break and for when school starts again in January.  You also don't have babysitters set up yet for your several adult only holiday parties.  How can you possibly get everything done and find a full time sitter during this busy season?!

Well, you're in luck! Carmen is available to live-in and be your au pair starting Friday, December 21st. She is 24 years old and has experience caring for children 0-10 years old. She enjoys cooking, sewing, and outdoor activities. She is a college graduate and speaks English, Spanish, and French.

 

Call Go Au Pair today so that you can interview Carmen and see if she is your perfect solution!

Colombia is the Featured Country for December!

This month Go Au Pair is featuring Colombian au pairs, so families matching with a Colombian au pair before the end of December save $100. 

There are several Colombian au pair applicants available and waiting in Colombia to match with a family--so they would be available starting around January.  For families who are in need of someone asap, there is a Colombian au pair, Natalia, who is currently in the US and available December 21st--just in time for Christmas break!

Chicken Tortilla Soup

 

 

On a rainy day like today I love to eat hot soups.  Here is one of my favorites, its simple and delocious!  My kids love it, too!

 

Chicken Tortilla Soup

• 4- 16oz cans Great Northern White beans (not drained)
• 4 cups cubed or shredded cooked chicken breasts (I use Rotisserie chicken)
• 1 T olive oil
• 2 medium onions, chopped
• 4 garlic cloves
• 3- 4 oz cans chopped mild green chilis
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 1 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 can corn (drained)
• 6 cups chicken broth

Directions

Boil chicken until tender. Drain and cool. Cut into cubes or shred. Heat oil in large pot over med-hi heat. Add onions and saute until translucent. Stir in garlic, chilies, cumin, oregano, and cayenne pepper and saute 2 min. Add undrained beans and chicken broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and add chicken and corn. to chili and stir. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

 

Serve with tortilla chips, shredded cheese, sour cream, avacado, or anything else you like. (I personally like to top it with shredded cheese and a squeeze of lime). 

 

 

**Photo Credit: http://kitchentableschool3.blogspot.com**

Individual City Information

Go Au Pair has individual website pages for a lot of the cities it services.  It's great because you can find out information tailored to each area--Resources for Families and Au Pairs, Child-Friendly Activities or Places to take the children, and Education availble for the au pairs.

Here are a few examples:

http://www.goaupair.com/Dallas.aspx

http://www.goaupair.com/San-Antonio

http://www.goaupair.com/chicago

http://www.goaupair.com/st-louis

Look to see if your city is there--It's definitely worth checking out!

Christmas Crafts for Children

Au Pairs!  Are you looking for fun Christmas crafts or treats to make with your host children?  You can make gifts for their parents or siblings, treats to give to neighbors, or things to decorate the house.  Here are some fun ideas I found online:

http://www.marthastewart.com/275712/kids-christmas-crafts/@center/307034/christmas-workshop

http://crafts.kaboose.com/holidays/christmas/christmas-crafts.html

http://pinterest.com/sassysites/christmas-crafts-for-kids/

Also, Au Pair Sis has a fun blog so check it out and sees what new ideas she has http://www.goaupair.com/au-pair-sis/blog/pinterest.aspx.

I can't wait to try these with my kids!

Sugar Cookie Tacos!

Au Pair Sis has a Recipe Challenge and they pinned this Sugar Cookie Taco on pintrest, it looks divine!