Our Taiwanese Girls

Our Taiwanese Girls' "Home Stay"

I stress the "Our," as I feel selfishly possessive!  I love these girls!  They are part of our family!  When consenting to do this, I was hoping my daughters' would brush up on their Chinese and learn about another culture.  Was I ever blown over...these girls brought soooo much more to our home and lives.   Evenings, the time we were together, were priceless:  singing, piano, guitar, games, movies, conversation, laughter, relaxing, partying, eating...     

After reading my previous post titled, Hosting International Guests, you may ask,  

"What is it like having a house full of appreciative, polite, respectful, smart, sweet, 

and always ready for fun, 15 year old Taiwanese girls?" 

It is beautiful!                         

                          IMAGINE THIS:

touring America on USA BINGO night,

receiving Chinese lessons,

preparing mud pies,

giggling all the time,  

They put "socks" on the pasta (sauce!)

They request "snakes" (snacks!)

visiting the inside of a whale,

plotting pranks,

late nights, early mornings, busy days,

(One of us got some sleep!)

shopping, 

singing,

playing games like memory,

hot potato,

BINGO, 

musical chairs,

Q-bitz,

racing,

relaxing,

having joy grace your table,

your silver polished,

touring local markets, 

sharing the keyboard,

savoring Pineapple Cakes, a Taiwanese treat,

romping at the beach,

celebrating water game victories,

feeding turtles, ducks, and playing with Dolly,

(Look for Dolly, the parrot, in September on a PBS Parrot Special)  

receiving sweet notes,

Need I say more?!  We love "our" dear girls!

They enjoyed United States of America!

Hosting International Guests

Hosting international students...A HIGHLIGHT OF OUR YEAR!

Six 15 year old girls from Taiwan brought a delightful energy into our home, opened our eyes to a foreign culture, shared, laughed, sang, played, and enhanced our lives with their friendship!  We are blessed to have these girls a part of our family!  We so enjoyed the experience that we requested a new group of girls to live under our roof!  I can not speak highly enough about this experience!  Please consider hosting students!!!  I am sharing their actual "Home Stay" in my next post!

"Home Stay" How To...

I adjusted my family's life to accommodate the girls in a manner which was cohesive for my family.  As every family unit differs, one needs to assess the number of students requested, the duration of time  to house them, how to set up a space, adjusting your calendar and schedule...all things which will differ from house to house, but the common thread is welcoming, sharing your daily lives, and forming life long relationships with students from around the globe. Included  here are ideas which really helped make this experience positive for both my family and our guests.  

The line of shoes (in my "shoes off inside the house" home) is endless...

buckets make it manageable.

Names on key tags (written in permanent ink), attached to rubber bands...

allow everyone to identify their drinks, as well as reduce needless washing!  

Posting an eating schedule keeps everyone informed.

Allow them to assist with preparations.

The girls select days of to assist with post meal clean up, along side one of my daughters.

 Clean up is quick, efficient, a nice time for the 3 girls to acquaint,
and makes the girls feel a stronger connection to our home life. 
This is posted in the kitchen.  They do a fantastic job!
Needless to say, this is a time saver for me.

Keeping a tidy bedroom and bathroom is necessary for optimal camaraderie.

Every girl has a place for bathroom necessities - a bucket for "stuff,"
a tray (no wet items on wood in our home), their own towels, and a hook for their wet towels.
A table or basket next to each bed, a shelf or drawer, and section of hanging space in the closet offers each their own space.

Welcome bags are presented to each girl...

which include USA/Santa Barbara goodies.

Notes on pillows and mints are my daughters' ideas.

Luggage is stored in the garage.

Menu ideas which seem to make everyone happy:

(all vegan, with the exception of cream cheese & Parmesan cheese, both of which they seem to enjoy)

Breakfasts- (Set out selected foods and they serve themselves)

Fruit

Various breads, bagels, English muffins - toasted or not (they choose and prepare)

Jams, honey, cream cheese, nut butters - rotate varieties

Cereal with various milks

Occasional smoothies

Dinners - (We eat all together as a family)

Pasta, salad and French bread
Mexican theme
Rice and roasted veggies
Pizza - Build your own pizza on a little pre made crust is the unanimous favorite
Soup and salad
Meal in one salads

"Home Stays" differ.  EF-Education First, www.ef.com, is the organization that set us up with our girls.  I am required to welcome them to our home, provide breakfast, dinner, a bed and bathroom.  Anything I do beyond that is my choice.  The extent of involvement and effort is up to the host family.  As mine are attending school and excursions all day, they depart around 8:00 and return in time for dinner during the week, while weekends they depart Saturday morning for a two day adventure and return Sunday night.

If you are seeking more details or specifics...PLEASE ASK! 

Painted Ladies

Raising Butterflies

We have had the pleasure of raising butterflies since the girls were little.  The miraculous process of transforming from caterpillar, to chrysalis, to butterfly excites us just as much now as it did then!   These tiny creatures become part of our family until the day we accept the necessity of life's circle   (isn't that a lesson in itself?!) and say goodbye.  Watching, learning, studying, and loving butterflies is one of life's pleasures which should be experienced by all!  I hope you can enjoy the transformations in your home, too!

How to...

Today we received our 5 Painted Lady Caterpillars in the mail. 

Insectlore.com offers a variety of insects. 

Complete, detailed instructions on how to care for your creatures are provided.

If you choose to find yours in nature, that is great, too!  We have done it both ways.

Keeping a log of dates, growth, and interesting information
makes for a more thorough scientific study for all ages.

See the little guy on the left posing for his portrait?!

I had to share this miracle, too!  Shasta Daisies!  Big, tall, happy, forgiving perennials!  Every year they get bigger and more magnificent!  I have had this clump, which I continue to thin and transplant, for over 8 years.  They even welcomed being transplanted to a new home in a new city!  You may wish to plant your own!

The joys of summer!