Tammy Ramsay 970-470-2874

The 1st Annual Colorado Cultural Care Au Pair Scavenger Hunt was a huge hit with the Colorado Au Pairs!  We had about 119 au pairs attend the event from all over Colorado, and our Rocky Mountain au pairs came the furthest…all the way from Steamboat Springs, Eagle, Vail and Dillon!   We even had several au pairs join us from other agencies!  The Rocky Mountain au pairs decided to arrive in style, therefore, we all met at the Starbucks in Dillon (Starbucks seems to definitely be a favorite amongst au pairs), loaded in the “Monster Truck Limo” and we were on our way to Denver in style. 

After an introduction to one another in the limo (we had 6 au pairs from other agencies), the music was cranked, girls were getting there hair braided, there was some dancing and singing, and most importantly a group of girls sharing stories and getting to know one another better.  We turned the music down for part of the trip and had a chance to learn more about each other as a group, so I thought I’d share a little bit about what we learned about each au pair during our journey to Denver.  I asked the question “What is your favorite food since you’ve been in America?”  Carolina is a fan of Biscotti; Thais can’t get enough mac and cheese (her host kids must love that this is her favorite food); Isabel loves a sandwich topped with onion rings; Lina favors Mexican Food - especially guacamole; Laura has become a fan of Starbucks and she never passes on a salad from the Smiling Moose Deli; Eija is still finding her favorite and really wants to try lobster; Stacy has taken a liking to grilled food and loves salad blended with chicken, nuts and strawberry dressing.  Larissa was raving about a layer salad that her host mom makes; Astrid is down with getting messy because one of her new favorites is BBQ Ribs; Alice didn’t have a particular favorite, but loves to try everything; Maria loves Stephanie’s Salads (her host mom) and Brendan’s Buffalo Burgers (her host dad).  And, as for the two rock stars in the back of the “Monster Truck”, Theresa loves guacamole and Nele’s favorite is Tortilla Soup. 

The starting point for the scavenger hunt was at Confluence Park in downtown Denver.  As the “Monster Truck” approached the park, many au pairs, Program Directors, and LCC’s were curious to see who was in the limo.  As 14 au pairs fashionably departed the limo in their blue Cultural Care shirts and sweatshirts the cameras were rolling to see who and how many au pairs would be exiting out of the limo.  After arriving and checking in for the scavenger hunt, each au pair was asked to get with other au pairs and create a team of 4 for the scavenger hunt.  Each team was given a goody bag with a map of downtown Denver, a pencil and of course a booklet with instructions and items to find between Confluence Park and Civic Park.  At 11am the au pairs were on there way to hunt down all the items on the list.  Such items included a picture of a piano, a quarter with the word Colorado on it, a brochure with the word Altitude, a post card, a tour brochure, a picture of a blue bear, a picture of one of their team members with a police officer and so forth.  They also had to find out facts about Colorado and fill in the answers in their booklets.  The scavenger hunt had to be completed by 1pm and the teams of au pairs were to be to Civic Park by 1pm so their booklets could be graded and the winners could be announced.  Some of the teams came strolling in while others were running as fast as they could to get to Civic Park in time.  It was fun to see the teams having a good time together while getting to learn more about the area that they live in.  Prizes were presented to the top 4 teams and the 1st place prizes went to a team from the Rocky Mountains!  Fantastic job Carolina, Thais, Laura and Isabel!

After taking a group shot with all of the Colorado Au Pairs, it was time once again to load back up in the limo to head back to 9,000 feet!  Along the way, we decided to go over the Continental Divide. 

Here is some fun information that I thought I’d share in case some of our au pairs don’t know the significance of the Continental Divide.  The Continental Divide in the Americas is the line that divides the flow of water between the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Ocean. Rain or snow that drains on the east side of the Continental Divide flows toward the Atlantic Ocean while precipitation on the west side drains and flows toward the Pacific Ocean.

The elevation at the top of Loveland Pass is 11,990 feet.  The temperature at that elevation was quite different than the 85 degree temperature we experienced during the scavenger hunt in Denver.  While at the top of Loveland Pass we took a few pictures and then we were on our way to Dillon as this beautiful day was coming to an end.  I hope everyone enjoyed the trip as much as I did.  It was a memorable event and it’s definitely a day I will never forget!  It won’t be long and we’ll be joining each other again for our October Au Pair meeting at the Vail Fire Department.

Today was our August au pair meeting and it was definitely a fun-filled morning!  We began with greeting one another at Starbucks in Dillon.  It’s always fun for the au pairs to connect each month as they all share something in common, and several of them can speak to each other in their native language.  Once we all had our beverages in hand, we were off to partake in horseback riding at the Keystone Stables.  Once we arrived at the Keystone Stables we were greeted by six guides and nine strong, beautiful horses.  Each horse was selected specifically for each au pair based on her riding experience, height and weight.  They even had a very calm and patient horse that was especially placed with Carolina.  Speaking of Carolina, she does not find that horseback riding is something she finds as really enjoyable and it’s even a little bit scary riding on an animal that you’ve trusted someone else to train appropriately.  However, Carolina didn’t let the ’scary’ emotion get the best of her and she rode her horse through the Arapahoe National Forest like she’d done this many times before.  We were all very happy that Carolina kept her horse on the trail and was part of the entire horseback riding adventure. 

As we trotted up and down the trail and back and forth on the switchbacks there were lots of smiles, laughter, and even a few jokes here and there.  It was a perfect morning to soak up the sun, breathe the fresh rocky mountain air (with a hint of fresh poop I must add, what? it’s true!) and be in the company of a fun group of girls.  At one point we were on the side of the mountain at an elevaton of 9,600 feet. 

Once we arrived back to the Keystone Stables and we were all standing back on our own two feet; we took some time to hang out together and learn something ”fun” about each person. 

Stacy shared a beautiful picture, and not just any picture, but one that she drew.  Stacy has a a true talent for drawing and she’s been able to share this talent with her host children.  Theresa brought her skateboard and shared with us that she is new to skateboarding but really enoys it.  I hear about female skateboarders more and more.  It’s great to push yourself to learn new things!  Julia is in her thirtheenth month in the States and is on her way back home in just over a week.  She absolutely loves snowboarding and her favorite place to board is right here in Colorado.  We all learned that Lara enjoys painting and drawing and she is really looking forward to the upcoming winter so she can ski and learn to snowboard.  Larissa did not share this during our meeting, but during our horseback ride I learned that Larissa used to help care for a horse in her early teen years, and her favorite way to ride a horse is through a field with lots of room to run and the saddle is not necessary!  Larissa also shared that she enjoys playing soccer and she is also ready to hit the slopes this winter.  There is a quote that says “Music is the universal language of mankind”.  This quote goes along with what Nele shared is her favorite thing to do.  She loves music, singing and playing the Viola.  No matter where your travels take you, you’ve always got that universal language of music!  Maria shared how much she enjoys reading, snowbaording and traveling.  When it comes to trying new things, Maria will be one of the first to try as she believes life is about new experiences.  You could quite possibly find Carolina settled into a good book as well.  She’s passionate about reading, wtaching movies and enjoying a nice conversation as she likes to talk!

At the end of our meeting, we voted for the best dressed cowgirl(s).  As part of the horseback riding invitation the au pairs were informed that the best dressed cowgirl would get a prize.  The best dressed cowgirl prizes went to Nele and Larissa!

Happy trails to you, until we meet again……in September for the Scavenger Hunt in DENVER!

On Saturday, August 14th Nele, Lara, Janni, and Larissa met up for an American BBQ and a birthday party in Dillon, Colorado!

These students are allowed to register for up to three credits per semester at a rate equivalent to our industry rate ($93 per credit hour), or they may enroll in one 4 or 5 credit course at this rate.  (Students cannot take a series of courses that add up to either 4 or 5 credits with this rate.) 

If an out-of-state resident student takes more than the allowed number of credits within one semester, all credits (including the original credits) will be charged at the regular out-of-state rate ($256 per crdit hour).

Nele Grasshoff, a 20-year-old au pair from Hamburg, Germany, with 4-year-old Lilly Ramsay and her 11-month-old sister, Tessa, at the Ramsay home in Dillon Valley. Summit Daily/Mark Fox

DILLON VALLEY - When local mom Tammy Ramsay had her second daughter, she knew her child care options had to change.

Tammy and her husband, Ryan, both have full-time jobs, and two kids meant signigicant additions to their daycare expenses.

Getting an au pair - or a live-in nanny from another country - made sense to the Ramsays. And 20-year-old Nele Grasshoff of Hamburg, Germany, fit the bill.

More than six months into their year-long contract, both the family and Grasshoff are happy with their exchange. Grasshoff will live with the family as an au pair for one year, through November.

“It’s affordable, especially with two or more kids,” Tammy Ramsay said. “And she’s just like another family member.”

Even better, Ramsay said she’s saved about $7,000 a year by getting an au pair, since they already had an extra bedroom and plenty of food.

Another pair of eyes

Both Ramsay and Grasshoff said having an au pair in the family is helpful because there’s always another pair of hands and eyes - a second in command to help out.

“It’s been a journey for our family,” Ramsay said. “We wanted to try it for a year. Now we wonder how we did it without it.”

Grasshoff lives with the Ramsays, shares meals with them, and has her own room and bathroom. What’s expected of her in return is to help care for the Ramsays’ two daughters - Lilly, 4, and Tessa, 11 months - for 45 hours a week.

“She’s like a big sister,” Ramsay said.

As an au pair, Grasshoff must be given a day-and-a-half off a week, and one weekend off a month. Since the family works regular work weeks, they’ve generally been able to give Grasshoff her weekends off.

“For me, it’s so great as a mom having the one person,” Ramsay said. “Before, when the kids were sick, I had to stay home from work. Now if the kids are sick, I don’t have to stay home. I can travel.”

The concept of having an au pair is growing in Summit and Eagle counties. Ramsay, who’s now the local childcare coordinator for Cultural Care Au Pair, said there are 13 au pairs throughout the area.

Some are from other organizations, she said.

“The screening process is phenomenal, and it matches families and au pairs through values and activities,” Ramsay said. “They have references, and Cultural Care does background screenings.”

A cultural exchange

Ramsay said she truly appreciates the cultural exchange between her family and Grasshoff.

Sometimes Grasshoff cooks the children German food, and she’s able to teach them German words, nursery rhymes and songs. She’s also is fluent in English, so being able to communicate with the family isn’t difficult.

“The kids will also be learning Spanish at Dillon Valley Elementary,” Ramsay added, saying this international education is important to her.

As part of her job, Grasshoff takes the kids to swim lessons, tumbling lessons, the farmer’s market and play dates.

“She knows other au pairs from other countries, and the kids are able to be around them,” Ramsay said. “I love that they’re able to do those things since I can’t always take them.”

Why be an au pair?

When Grasshoff graduated from high school in Germany, she wanted to do something abroad before she went on to a university.

“I’m really close to my family, so I didn’t want to be alone in a foreign country,” Grasshoff said. “It’s a good job if you like kids.”

And the German girl’s time isn’t simply spent taking care of children. She’s been able to travel - both with the family and on her own - throughout her time in Colorado, and she’s been everywhere from Minnesota to California.

According to Grasshoff, a plus for hiring an au pair is having a close relationship with your childcare professional.

“It’s like family,” she said. “It’s having dinner together. Little stuff. You feel more comfortable. It’s good for the kids to have one person taking care of them.”

Grasshoff also said it’s important for a family to realize having an au pair isn’t like having a full-time baby-sitter. They must respect that au pairs are required to have time off.

“I think it’s a good opportunity for both sides,” she said. “The family and I have both learned a lot.”

Grasshoff said the kids, especially Lilly, are definitely getting a “bigger concept of the world” by having her care for them.

“They’ll probably remember me for a lifetime,” she said.

Ramsay agreed, saying her family plans to visit Grasshoff in Germany once her time as their au pair has ended.

For more information about Cultural Care Au Pair, call its new local childcare coordinator - Tammy Ramsay - at (970) 470-2874.

Another Great Local Childcare Coordinator Joanne Dooley recently posted this activity on her website and it was just too delicious to not post it on my LCC website!

Wash and dry strawberries first.  Here are 3 different dips to choose from:

1.     Fluff and cream cheese, equals parts of both.

2.     Whipped cream and strawberry yogert or strawberry jelly, 3/4 whipped cream to 1/4 yogert or jelly.

3.     Melt chocolate or white chocolate and add sprinkles.

See video clip:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TVZGnMGv_s

I love this new site because it shows real families, their day to day activities and experiences with their au pairs and how mom’s and dad’s lives can be fulfilled with their careers and their family but not have the hassles and stresses of daycare. A selection of the videos submitted by our families and au pairs is showcased here and they are simply awesome. www.ilovemyaupair.com 

My favorite one is Happily Ever Au Pair. It’s also very helpful to see how all different types of families find our program to be a good fit for their needs! Please visit and submit your own video if you want to be a part of this amazing video community.

“Tell me and I will forget.  Show me and I will remember.  Involve me and I will understand.”  Confucius