This Week's Photos

Santa Monica area au pairs from all over the world gather for a host family Halloween-themed event at Douglas Park in Santa Monica. Bottom row from left to right: Hannah Palmer, New Zealand; Janina Schiwack, Germany; Niklas Falkenstein, Germany. Top row from left to right: Eunice Garcia, Mexico; Lee Rappaport, Local Childcare Consultant for Cultural Care Au Pair; Emilie Botella, France; Bianca Carvalho Romeiro, Brazil; Jasmin Quambusch, Germany; Suttida Petchnok, Thailand; Ketsaraporn Teenaphati, Thailand; Eddy Huang, China.

Cultural Care Au Pair host families and au pairs from all around the world enjoy a variety of Halloween-style crafts and cookie decorating at Douglas Park in Santa Monica.

Lee Rappaport, Local Childcare Consultant for Cultural Care Au Pair Lee Rappaport has been the LCC for the Santa Monica and Westside area au pairs and host families for nine years.

Sarah Buettner and Laura Mammes, au pairs from Germany " I love the colors and the decorations that are everywhere for Halloween," says Buettner. "Halloween is not a big thing in Germany so it is exciting to see everything they do here."

Hannah Palmer, au pair from New Zealand "I love the way the houses are decorated," says Palmer. "Everything is so festive." She plans to teach her host children about Waitangi Day - a New Zealand national holiday that celebrates the founding of New Zealand.

Niklas Falkenstein, au pair from Germany Niklas has been here in the U.S. for seven months and is really enjoying his first Halloween. "In Germany, it's all about Christmas so it is fun to see everyone getting excited about what they will wear and everyone getting dressed up."

Suttida Petchnok and Ketsaraporn Teenaphati, au pairs from Thailand "I love all the American holidays - Halloween, St. Patrick's Day, there are so many festivals," said Ketsaraporn Teenaphati from Thailand, an extension au pair who got to experience the holidays in Atlanta last year and dressed as Little Red Riding Hood. "I am excited that the holiday is a on a Friday this year and we get to walk around and see everyone dressed up."

From left to right: Ketsaraporn Teeraphati, Thailand; Noah Zhang, China; Local Childcare Consultant Lee Rappaport; Jessica Hagstrand, Finland; Hannah Palmer, New Zealand; Zahra Berber, Germany; Eunice Garcia, Mexico.