Annie's Nanny Network

Check out these events around town if you’re looking for some kid-friendly holiday activities in the next few weeks:

• Red Tricycle’s Christmas Tree Farm List–not just for tree-shoppers, but also a great outdoor activity that includes fun snacks, hay rides, and train rides if you pick the right place!
• Green Lake’s Pathway of Lights is Saturday, December 11th from 4:30-7:30 pm–go enjoy a walk around the lake lined with luminaries!  Local musicians will also be at four sites around the lake.
• Be sure to make it downtown to the Sheraton for the 18th Annual Gingerbread Village, this year’s theme is “Home for the Holidays.”  It’s open to the public 24/7 until January 2nd.
• Hit the Arboretum’s Gifts & Greens Galore Sunday, December 12th between 10 am and 2 pm for free Model A rides along Arboretum drive and holiday-themed activities.

Congratulations to Kelsey Salber for being chosen as December’s Nanny of the Month!  Kelsey is frequently requested by our On-Call clients and continually receives excellent feedback–we are very lucky to have her as part of our team.

In preparation for the holidays, we asked Kelsey for her favorite holiday activity to do with children.  Her favorite holiday activity is to make homemade Christmas ornaments and to bake Christmas shaped cookies!

Congratulations Kelsey and thanks for all you do!

We are often asked by nannies looking to expand their repertoire of skills about doula training.  This is a great addition to what many nannies already do, or the next logical step in their childcare career. There are several local places to get training and certification. 

The Simking Center for Allied Birth Vocations at Bastyr (formerly Seattle Midwifery School), just released their 2011 schedule:

http://www.seattlemidwifery.org/simkin-school/simkin-school.html

The Northwest Association for Postpartum Support (NAPS) is a local organization that both supports and offers training programs:

http://www.napsdoulas.com/

Doula Support Networks:

http://www.pals-doulas.org/

http://www.dona.org/

Congratulations to Erin Eichler for being chosen as November’s Nanny of the Month! Erin is a recent addition to our temporary nanny pool, but already has set the bar high!  She is frequently requested and receives excellent feedback from our on-call clients.  We are thrilled to have her represent Annie’s Nannies!

Since we’re entering the holiday season, we asked Erin to share her favorite Thanksgiving dish.   She picked her mom’s sweet potato casserole!

Congratulations Erin, and keep up the good work!

The American Heart Association announced today new recommendations for the way CPR is performed.  The shift has to do with the order in which CPR is administered. To read the complete article click here.

Nannies make sure to keep your CPR current at all times.  It is a very important training tool that families are always looking for.  

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center: Seattle (206) 789-2306

http://www.seattlechildrens.org/classes-community/classes-events/infant-and-child-cpr/

Infant/Child CPR- Fee: $40.

Classes offered 1-2 times/month

American Red Cross: Seattle (206) 726-3534

www.seattleredcross.org

Infant/Child/Adult CPR $56

Classes offered weekly.

Phinney Neighborhood Center: Seattle (206) 783-2244

www.phinneycenter.org

Infant/Child CPR- Fee: $15 and up.

Class schedule varies.

Medic II – Seattle Fire Department’s CPR Program (206) 684-7274

http://www.seattle.gov/fire/medics/medicTwo.htm

Infant/Child CPR- Fee: by donation

Classes regularly.

If these locations don’t work for you, try the American Heart Association at 1-877-AHA-4CPR or www.americanheart.org, or contact your local Fire Station for more information.

October is definitely a great time to be a kid!  Trick or Treating, pumpkin patches and costumes!  Here is a round up of all things Fall!

Where to Trick or Treat?

Red Tricycle once again has a fabulous list of the best places around Puget Sound to take your tiny ghosts, princesses and super hereos!

http://www.redtri.com/seattle/halloween-trick-or-treating-seattle

Pumpkins, corn mazes, and pumpkins!

Pick a pack of pumpkins at any of our areas many wonderful farms. Here is a link to a very comprehensive list:

http://www.redtri.com/seattle/pumpkin-patches-seattle-area

Saturday, October 16th from 10 am to 3 pm is the Picasso Family Festival at the SAM.  This is a great family-friendly activity for children.  There will be face painting, art making, kid’s tours, games, and music–all to celebrate the opening of the new Picasso show.

The first 300 families to arrive get in FREE!  All children 12 and under have FREE admission to the SAM galleries when accompanied by a paying adult.

Go here for more information!

Congratulations to Caroline Blankenship for being chosen as October’s Nanny of the Month! We have worked with Caroline since 2000 and have placed her in several long-term jobs.  She has received terrific feedback from our families.

Caroline’s favorite Fall activity is to make pumpkin bread (especially after a fun adventure to pick out a pumpkin!), see her recipe below:

Don’t forget, this Saturday is Seattle’s Nannypalooza!  It’s not too late to register online here.  There will be four workshops, a continental breakfast, box lunch, resource packet, networking with other local nannies, and lots of FUN–all for $20!  This conference is aimed at helping caregivers address the unique challenges of working in a private home, and is a great way to meet other nannies in the area!

This Saturday, September 11th, from Noon to 3 pm is the last SAM family festival of the summer!  Head over to the Olympic Sculpture Park for live music, dancing, story telling, art making, kids tours and more!

Check out more details here!