Au Pair sounds great and reasonably priced. However, I just can't imagine myself living with someone else for a full year. I'm sure it would be great, but I'd need a lot more room to allow for someone else to settle in without losing my own space. Might be something good to think about when I get that McMansion of 5,000 sq. ft.! However, I realized that kids do cost a bundle and that McMansion is even farther away than previously imagined.
I guess this might all cahnge in a few months (when my kids gets a little older) and feel like I don't have my own space anymore anyway.