Looks like we’ll be enjoying the fresh air alone

Her bed is made with pretty lavender sheets and soft pillows. There are empty hangers in the closet and shelf space on our office bookshelf for her things.

Yesterday, the kids made a big, happy sign with her name in bright letters so she’d see us when she got off the bus.

We baked a cake yesterday, just for fun, and the kids insisted we not touch it until she arrived so that she could have the first piece.

Our week was planned to include park dates, beach trips, visits to the pond, blueberry picking and many, many ice cream cones.

But, she’s not coming.

When we signed up to be a Fresh Air family, I knew this was a possibility. Kids get sick, parents get nervous, families have a change of heart. I also was very specific about the age, gender and trips dates that we’d be able to accept: I wanted a girl around the same age as my two and could only sign up for the last trip of the summer, leaving us no other dates should something happen.

So, when the call came last night that our girl had canceled, I knew we’d be sitting this one out.

There were tears this morning, especially from Belly who was looking forward to meeting this little girl, sharing her toys and introducing her to friends and things we love to do. Jilly, in typical fashion, got angry first, demanding to know “why?!?”, not realizing how many things may have forced our seven-year-old visitor to change her mind.

All is not lost. I have a list of great things to do this upcoming week, and we’ll make an effort to still do them. We’ll eat too much ice cream, go to the beach and pick blueberries until we can’t stand the sight of those little round globes.

And this morning, there will be chocolate cake for breakfast.

Comments

  1. I have a whiny 5 year old girl I could spare for a week. And she likes cake. Think we could arrange something?

  2. I have a whiny 5 year old girl I could spare for a week. And she likes cake. Think we could arrange something?

  3. Boston Mamas says

    Oh, C… those first paragraphs… so beautiful and what kindness you and your family were ready to share. Really too bad this didn't work out.

    But yes, things happen and you rock re: cake for breakfast. -Christine

  4. Boston Mamas says

    Oh, C… those first paragraphs… so beautiful and what kindness you and your family were ready to share. Really too bad this didn't work out.

    But yes, things happen and you rock re: cake for breakfast. -Christine

  5. I am so disappointed for you. And for that little girl, who will be missing the best week of her summer.

    sigh.

  6. I am so disappointed for you. And for that little girl, who will be missing the best week of her summer.

    sigh.

  7. Tracey - Just Another Mommy Blog says

    Oh, that's too bad! Perhaps next year…

  8. Tracey - Just Another Mommy Blog says

    Oh, that's too bad! Perhaps next year…

  9. Oh that's too bad! Want a cute 8 year old? Oh wait, she didn't even want to sleep over grandma's last night and came home by 10:30 PM…..

  10. Oh that's too bad! Want a cute 8 year old? Oh wait, she didn't even want to sleep over grandma's last night and came home by 10:30 PM…..

  11. My heart broke a little for them. Then, I smiled at your last line, I can just see them learning about disappointment, but eating cake for breakfast!

  12. My heart broke a little for them. Then, I smiled at your last line, I can just see them learning about disappointment, but eating cake for breakfast!

  13. Issas Crazy World says

    Oh I feel for your girls…but I can understand how hard it would be for the seven year old on the other side. Maybe next year?

    You are awesome for being willing to do it. I thought about it and just couldn't. Not at this age. In a few years, maybe.

    I hope you have a great week anyway.

  14. Issas Crazy World says

    Oh I feel for your girls…but I can understand how hard it would be for the seven year old on the other side. Maybe next year?

    You are awesome for being willing to do it. I thought about it and just couldn't. Not at this age. In a few years, maybe.

    I hope you have a great week anyway.

  15. Audrey at Barking Mad! says

    Hey, I can come down for a week! Just sayin!

    I am so sorry she canceled, but sorrier still for your girls who have the biggest hearts and were so open to sharing their lives with someone they didn't know, yet were going to welcome as a sister.

    You are raising amazing young women…it shouldn't surprise me though when I think of who their mama is.

  16. Audrey at Barking Mad! says

    Hey, I can come down for a week! Just sayin!

    I am so sorry she canceled, but sorrier still for your girls who have the biggest hearts and were so open to sharing their lives with someone they didn't know, yet were going to welcome as a sister.

    You are raising amazing young women…it shouldn't surprise me though when I think of who their mama is.

  17. Mama Goose says

    What a shame. It stinks to get your hopes up and to be let down. I'm sorry it didn't work out for you this year. How wonderful that you tried.

  18. Mama Goose says

    What a shame. It stinks to get your hopes up and to be let down. I'm sorry it didn't work out for you this year. How wonderful that you tried.

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