Meredith Part 2

Rock climbing at the YMCA

To help with the home sickness, I kept our little group busy the whole week Meredith was here.  The biggest challenge was food management because Meredith is a very picky eater.  She lived on bagels and cream cheese, oj, pizza and mac and cheese.  Fresh Air recommends offering an established second choice like pb and j if a child does not want what the family is having.  Meredith did not like pb and j.  In fact, at home, her grandma ("Weeta", short for "Abuelita") cooks.  Our food was definitely more gringo than Meredith is used to so I did not make an issue of food and let her eat what she wanted. The girls understood that and it didn't cause any problems with our five.

The one thing I will do differently next time is to schedule a nightly "check-in" time to touch base with our guest in a more formal way.  I did this informally with Meredith most days and she asked me to come upstairs once to talk about how much she missed home but I think a set time each day to talk about how things are going makes sense.

While I am hoping to see Meredith step off that bus again next summer, we will participate again  regardless.  It was a positive and growth-ful experience for our whole family.  I was proud of how well the girls welcomed and hosted our guest.  I think too that they gained some perspective on their own lives, what they have and how they can share it with others.  

TUESDAY:  The National Aviary and The Pittsburgh Children's Museum (#1 of its kind)

We never get tired of feeding the lorries!

As usual, the poster-making station got a lot of attention

I took this picture with my phone (there are four phone photos in this group--can you spot them?)  I have been very impressed with the camera on the iphone. 

The water floor was super cool

The wettest award went to Sophie!

 WEDNESDAY- a swim lesson at the Y for Meredith, swimming at the Zelie pool and set construction and practicing of "Little Red Riding Hood"!

(I took so many pictures on Tuesday that I forgot to take any on Wednesday)

THURSDAY-  pottery painting (for three and a half hours!), more play practice, more swimming and a goodbye dinner complete with entertainment!

Because of Meredith--and Mia's desire to paint pottery again--we discovered what is sure to be a favorite spot.  It was a first for Meredith and our girls normally paint ornaments as Christmas gifts.  This time, they chose things that were a little more complicated and a lot more fun.

 Meredith did an awesome job on Sophie's eyes

Last shot before the "firing"

Last swim:

A special send-off

 Sophie made place cards at the beginning of the week.  Meredith had told the girls that her nickname was "Mere"--pronounced "May Ray" in Spanish--Sophie heard "Mary" and called her that all week--which was just fine with her adopted big sis'

I am disappointed not to have taken any photos of the girls' dramatic production.  "Little Red Riding Hood" was really good, with rather elaborate sets.  Mia directed.  Meredith played Red's mother and the Big Bad Wolf.  Sophie played Little Red.  Grace was the Woodcutter and Ella did a tremendous job as the Grandmother.  (Where did she learn to snore like that?)  

I also managed not to get a family picture during the week.  Next year, that will happen on the first day!

Here, the only photo of me:

And--a P.S.--we picked up the pottery!

This one will be winging its way to the Bronx.

with lots of kisses inside :)

Last but not least--to see if a Fresh Air bus comes to your hometown, go to http://www.freshair.org/

Till next time!