Our Fresh Air Experience

We first heard about the Fresh Air Fund through a blog post - probably somewhat like this one.  We right away thought it was a really neat idea, but then life went on and it kind of sat at the way back of our minds. Then early this year, we got an email reminding us about this program and encouraging us to consider being a host family.  So we sent away our information and committed to doing. it.  We had a home visit and did some paperwork late in the spring and then we waited to hear who we would be matched with. (For those who have not heard of this program, basically it is a program that matches kids from downtown New York (concrete jungle) with a family who will take them into their home for a week or two and give them a "Fresh Air Experience"  Kids from age 7-18 can sign up and they can visit the same family year after year if it is a good match!)

It wasn't till about two weeks before her arrival date that we got the name and age of our Fresh Air Kid.  We gave her a phone call and exchanged email addresses and soon we had a picture in our inbox to put to a name and a face to pray for and get excited about meeting.

Our kids were all really excited about this. We chose a girl for Kylie's sake since she has to live with brothers all the time and the boys were fine with it though of course it wasn't their first choice.

So on Canada Day we headed out to Caledonia to meet the bus that would bring us our Arianna!

Though there was some waiting involved, we were warned and were kept posted regarding the delays as the day went along.  I think the bus finally came close to 9pm.  The ride home was somewhat quiet - it was late . . . and what a day for a seven year old little girl! She had been on the bus for almost 12 hours and then into a van with a family she didn't know for another hour and a half!  

She was amazing though and when we got home we had a snack and a little chat. She brought gifts for all the kids so she shared them and then it was bed!

First thing in the morning it was the trampoline and breakfast outside and meeting the dog!

And then the pool!! It was NOT a warm day, and the water was cold, but she went in again and again. Swimming was not something she had done much of, but she made up for it during her time with us! What a trooper!

She also loved the kittens and picked one out to be her own :)

Ladybug!

I made sure she had her Independence Day outfit on for the 4th of July.

Kylie and Arianna became fast friends and got along amazingly. They played well together almost the whole time. There were times when they just sat and read a book or did something quiet, but they never argued or seem to get sick of eachother.

She tried to ride a bike and did it right away. She didn't seem to love it though, because it was not something she came back to very often.

Arianna did swimming lessons with our kids for the two weeks she was here which she loved too.

She loved Konnor and was a big help with him too. When she calls she always asks to talk to Konnor too :)

We spent one morning visiting some farms.

First up were the goats . . .

It was not baby time on the farm, but they had one late kid which was fun for us to see and Arianna got a chance to bottle feed it.

Then it was the cows . . . 

And Arianna's absolute favorite . . .the pigs!  

She would have taken one home.

She put this one to sleep in her arms.

Helping Opa lift a big feed bag.

We had a girls night and did our make up and nails.  (Twas a bit scary!)

Sunday Pictures

She absolutely loved Jonathan.  It was so neat to hear her ask over and over "When is Dad going to be home?" She always had big hugs for him.

Campfire and marshmallows.

Jumping off the high diving board at swimming lessons. She had no fear at all.

Ice cream after a Costco run.

We had plans to spend the afternoon at Clovermead after swimming lessons, and we did go, but it was HOT so we didn't last all afternoon!

The only downside to the whole experience was Karter's jealousy. Kylie is usually his playmate and he missed her and usually took it out on Arianna.  This made her sad a few times.  It was interesting to see how much Karter depended on playing with Kylie . . . and sometimes they let him join and other times not.  

We absolutely loved having Arianna here and it was a really great experience for our family!  We are excited to have her back next year and she is excited to come. It was a sad morning when we brought her back to the bus.  Kylie cried a bucket of tears.  But she keeps us from missing her too much with her frequent phone calls. We probably hear from her 2-3 times a week and Kylie just loves that!

If you are reading this and think this sounds like something you could do, do it!! There is lots of information on their webpage.  I can't promise that every match will be as great as ours, but it really is a wonderful program and opens up a new world to these kids in New York who rarely see grass and trees and animals and wide open spaces!  You don't have to do anything big or special with them . . .just live your life and show them what country (or village) living is all about. You should try it! :)