Practice Safe Web Surfing

Kids love to explore. And if yours are like mine, they are particularly curious about the internet. Children observe au pairs (and parents) are often on the computer. Naturally they want to share in that experience.  I recommend parents give the au pair guidance about what internet sites the au pair should show the children. Parents should also work with au pairs and cover basic safe surfing habbits.  What are those? 
Here's an Internet Safety Lesson Plan. 

Looking for a great (fun and safe) website for kids of all levels?  Try this fantastic site for kids that au pairs and parents will love. It's the NASA Kid's Club.  This site is packed with kid-friendly information. Kids can take a virtual field trip to NASA and play educational games.  Happy and Safe Surfing!

Be the Dinosaur!

There are so many reasons to visit the Western Science Center it seems unfair to focus on just one.  But I have to tell you, if your kids are like mine and love dinosaurs, then this is not to be missed. Located in the shadow of Diamond Lake in Hemet, the Western Science Center has a new dinosaur exhibit that engages the curious mind. Adults and children will love this outing!  If you take your kids, be sure to download the educator's guide first! 

Come see the dinosaurs of the Cretaceous as you've never seen them before...as one of them!  Be the DINOSAUR takes you on a journey back 65 million years, where you'll take on the role of a Tyrannosaurus rex or a Triceratops.  Do you have what it takes to make it as a dinosaur?
http://www.westerncentermuseum.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=frontpage&Itemid=1

Riverside Robot Expo November 19, 2011

Any au pairs or families looking for something interesting to do this Saturday (November 19th)?  Head on over to the Woodcrest Library from noon to 4pm where they are hosting an robot expo.  This event is sponsored by the Riverside Robotics Society.  For more information, check out: http://www.meetup.com/The-Riverside-Robotics-Society

Festival of Trees Nov. 22 - 27th.

This a a wonderful outing for au pairs, children and host families.  There is no charge to view the trees!

The Riverside County Regional Medical Center Foundation invites you to join us at our 22nd annual Festival of Trees...for the love of a child!  The Festival of Trees if filled with sights and delights and has become a holiday tradition for families throughout the Inland Empire.  

Scheduled over five days during Thanksgiving week, the Festival of Trees has grown to attract over 30,000 people, with the number growing each year. Each year hundreds of volunteers transform the Riverside Convention Center into Riverside County's premiere holiday extravaganza. The Festival of Trees features over 50 elaborately decorated trees, each with its own unique theme.

Funds raised by the Festival of Trees benefit the units that serve children at Riverside County Regional Medical Center.  For more information, log onto their website at:

http://rcrmcfoundation.org/Home/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=13&Itemid=9

Family Wildlife Day at Santa Rosa Plateau

Get in touch with your wild side…or wildlife side on Saturday, November 5, 2011 from 10:30am to 3:00pm at the Santa Rosa Plateau and Ecological Reserve.  This event is ideal for an au pair looking for something to do on Saturday. 

RivCoParks is teaming up with the Santa Rosa Plateau Foundation to present the 3rd Annual Family Wildlife Day. This is the time to bring out all of those amateur biologists and zoologists, big and small. Admission for the event is $3 for adults and $2 for children ages 2 to 12. Any children under the age of 2 are admitted free. The event will feature presentations all day long and refreshments will be available for purchase.

The Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve is located at 39400 Clinton Keith Rd., Murrieta. For more information about the event, call (951) 677-6951. To learn more about the Santa Rosa Plateau Foundation, please feel free to visit the website.

Craft Fair at Rancho Jurupa Park

Avoid the mall and get into the true spirit of the upcoming season at the Rancho Jurupa Park Holiday Crafts Fair this Saturday, November 5, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This event is ideal for an au pair looking for something to do on Saturday. 

Welcome the holidays with a jolly assortment of jewelry, art, sewn creations, knitwear, seasonal items, edible treats, and many other types of handmade goods. Find keepsake-quality items for yourself or as perfect gifts for everyone on your list this holiday season.

This is a terrific opportunity to indulge your love of quality arts and crafts and browse for unique gifts with family and friends in a beautiful park setting. Kids are welcome and will enjoy fashioning their own free arts and crafts. We hope to see you there!

Admission is $3 for adults and $2 for children.  Rancho Jurupa Park is located at 4800 Crestmore Road, Jurupa Valley, CA 92509. For more information, call 951-955-4303 or visit our website.

Families with Multiples Save $$$

When twin toddlers laugh simultaneously, I'm happy for days. AuPairCare wants to keep those smiles going. Au Pair Care knows that having a family with multiples can put a real dent in your pocketbook! That's why we're offering a special discount exclusively for families with twins, triplets, or more! You will receive a FREE application ($350 value) plus $200 off program fees for a total savings of $550!  To qualify for this discount families must be new to Au Pair Care. Please enter the promotional code when applying or call us at 1-800-428-7247 for more information.
Promo Code: MULTIPLES

Moms Groups in the Inland Empire

As a father of three boys, I'm always looking for local resources to give me that parenting advantage. C'mon? We are not the first (or the only ones) in this chaos called parenthood.   Why not lean on others?  I encourage you to reach out to your local parenting group for the scoop on events and activities in your community...and, of course, social support! 

The ieFamily magazine and website has a wonderful section on "moms" groups.  Dads are welcome at many of the groups, too! Check them out here...