My First Week

Hi everyone!

I’m in America!! My host mom, Leah, picked me up at the airport and she was very happy to see me and gave me a hug. I wasn't sure if I was allowed to give her a hug or something, because of Covid, but she gave me already a hug. We walked to the car and the children were waiting for us with handmade welcome signs, it was really cute. Ainsley showed me het sign, she was really proud of it and then I gave her a hug. Emmett was a little shy at first and hide behind the car, but a few minutes later he also showed me his sign and gave him a hug.

We had pizza when we got home and the kids showed me my room. The house is so big and so nice! It is a typical American house. We talked for a little and then I went to my room, because I had a long flight.

My first week in America went pretty great! It took some time to getting used to the house and everything, but I’m gonna be fine! Ainsley showed me everything in the house and when I had questions I asked Leah or Ryan. The kids were very nice and sweet to me. They wanted to be around me all the time. The first 3 days I was off, because of the weekend and on Monday it was a celebration day. I saw how they live and what was normal to them. The first morning I woke up with pancakes as breakfast, not the breakfast I normally eat, but for Americans a normal breakfast. The first 2 days I have eaten the same as the kids and that wasn't really healthy... So after 2 days I decided to make my one lunch and looked for something healthier.

At the beginning my host family didn't talk so much to me, but I really understand because it is weird to have someone in your house all the time from now on. But after a few days we had a lot of fun conversations and I started to get to know them better and better. We also had a couple things in comment that was really nice. I really love my host family already!

First weekend

During the weekend I walked outside a lot with the kids to see and get to know the neighborhood. But also to play outside. During the week we still do it, we go to the playground a lot or we take a long walk when they are free early. I brought some presents for the family and gave it to them the weekend I arrived. They really liked my presents and we also tried some Dutch candy. Emmett really loved the game I brought with me ' Mens erger je niet'. He called it ' Mens' everything and he wants to play it almost every day.

I went to Target with my host mom and it was really nice to see how big the stores are here and to see Target in real life. I only saw a lot of videos or I heard a lot about Target and now I really went there! Target is a really big store where you can buy everything! I drove a car!! I have driven a car twice this week and it was really cool! The first time it was a little bit scary and I was nervous, because you don't know the car, you don't know the rules so yes I had a reason to be nervous. Ryan, my host dad, told me all the rules and showed me the way to Ainsleys practice. The second time was better! I already felt comfortable in the car and I could enjoy the view.

Schedule

My first week working was fine! I started on Tuesday, after I got tested for Covid. I have a really nice schedule, I start every morning at 11.30am until they have to leave for practice. At 11.30am I have to make them lunch and take them outside. At 1pm they have to be back because school is starting again at 1. They have school online now, so they sit in the basement. The first day I stayed in the basement too, just to keep an eye on them. We realized that it was not needed for me to stay with them, because they will be distracted by me sitting in the same room as them. After school we do something fun together, or we go outside for a walk, to a playground or just in the backyard. Sometimes we played a game together or watched a movie. We also baked cookies in a mini oven, they were really nice. In the evenings I watched tv with my host family. I also tasted already some typical American food, like Peanut butter and Jelly sandwich, Jell-O and American meat. At home I already had a peanut butter craving but here in America it is getting worse, so much peanut butter in so much different things!

The kids are really sporty and have practise two or three times a week. Emmett plays soccer and have practice at Tuesday and Thursday and Ainsley have practise on Monday, Wednesday and Sunday. This week I went to all the practises of them to see how it goes and what to do. Emmett just started with soccer so Leah and Ryan both come to his practise to see if he likes it or not. Ainsley does cheer and gymnastics, but more cheer. We couldn't stay at her practise, because of corona you can't stay and because if you stay you can distract the kids.

The weekend

The weekend was a really fun and a more busier weekend! Friday was Emmetts birthday, he turned 6 years old. We celebrated on Friday for the 5 of us, Emmett got so much presents and he was a really happy little boy. Leah backed cupcakes, they were so good! Every year Leah makes a birthday cake for the kids and they can choose what kind of cake they want. Emmett choose a chocolate, candy cake with a blue frosting.

On Saturday we celebrated Emmett's birthday for Leahs family, they come over and we sat in the backyard. Leahs family is really nice, sporty and were very friendly. In the beginning I had to find my way in the family party, normally I need some time to be myself and I just watch how everybody is and then I blend in. So I started talking to the grandparents and to the rest of the family. I also shared what of the Dutch candy I brought with me. And asked them what they think of the Netherlands, because nobody, except for the ankle, has been in The Netherlands before. I really got funny answers form them, earlier this week I also asked the same question to my host parents.

Sunday morning was a relaxed morning, I walked in the neighborhood by myself to see the other side of the neighborhood. I ended at a path with a beautiful view, I also walked to a park. It was really nice outside, this week we had really good weather, it was warm but not to warm. Later that day I have met 10 girls from my LCC group at a park where we could keep our distance. I couldn't talk to them so much, because of the distance, but they really looked friendly and nice. I drove to the park with a Hungarian girl, we really had fun in the car and talked about so much.

This week I got a lot of text messages to welcome me from different girls that lives in Maryland. They were very sweet and nice to me! It was really nice to talk to other au pairs and to get to know them. I also talked to a Dutch girl that lives very close were I live in The Netherlands, so it was a real coincidence.

I really can not wait until a few weeks are over and everything will be normal! I’m enjoying every single day here in the States already <3