I need to collect some pictures, so instead of posting some photos I will catch up on some of our activities since Ina has been here.
In August, we purchased Disneyland Annual Passes for the family. It has been a long time since we have had them and wanted to be able to take Ina multiple times during her stay.
Ina purchased her own Annual Pass and we have been able to take her to visit three times so far.
On visit # 1, the entire family went along for a morning visit. We had her photo taken for the annual pass and visited a few rides. Two of particular note were Pirates of the Caribbean and Splash Mountain. Pirates was nice because she got to see the ride that led to the movies. Splash Mountain was probably not what she expected. Most of the time riders are in a log flowing along some nice tubes with dancing creatures. However, there is a long drop at the end that can be scary. Ina took it well, but I'm not sure that she will go on more rides without us telling her exactly what she is getting into! We left around lunchtime.
For visit # 2, Bethany and I took her for a mid-day visit. We walked a LOT and gave her a chance to take a number of photos. Her favorite ride of the day was Soaring Over California: a simulation of a hang-glider flight over many famous California locations. Ina does not like the "thrill" rides, but we got her to try Space Mountain. That is a roller coaster that is inside a dark building. We told her what was ahead, but she tried it anyway -- and she liked it! We also ate at "Pizza Port" (from the movie Toy Story) during the middle of our day.
Visit # 3 was last Friday evening where we celebrated my birthday. The entire family went along again for an evening visit. Ina had a fancy new camera that she purchased here and got to take some scenery photos and some fireworks pictures. We rode a number of thrill rides such as Big Thunder Mountain and the Matterhorn. For a girl that does not like fast rides, she is doing a very good job of trying out some fun ones! The night ended with the Disneyland fireworks show which was bigger than anything similar she had ever seen. It was a warm evening so we got some Ice Cream on the way out.
There are a lot more details available, but that gives an idea of what we have done so far. We'll post more details and photos with future entries.
- Rob
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Root Beer
The girls had a snack after school then topped it off with Root Beer floats. Ina said no to the sweets and then about 5 minutes later asked if she could have a small scoop of ice cream. After receiving her bowl she proceeded to put hot fudge on it. When she sat down she asked what Root Beer was. We told her it was a soda like Coke or Pepsi. We encouraged her to try this new soda that she has never had before. Hayley poured her a very small amount. Ina smelled it first and said, "oh it smells horrible." We all started laughing, including her. She then was very afraid to taste it. I told her to take a small sip over the sink just in case she needed to spit it out. She plugged her nose and took a small sip. Immediately she turned to the sink, looking as if she was going to spew. Instead she swallowed with a horrible look on her face and quickly added "YUCK! That is gross. You seriously like that?" The girls and I could not stop laughing for at least 10 minutes. Our eyes were running with tears. Ina was laughing as well and added that her blog will say I made everyone cry today.
- Celeste
- Celeste
Lake Forest City Scavenger Hunt
We were planning on Ina arriving about a week before she actually made it. However, due to some delays in paperwork she arrived a day before a big event: the Girl Scout City Scavenger Hunt. This is a day where Celeste and I plan a series of secret events for the girls. We spend about 8 hours going from place to place so that they can learn about fun things to do in the City of Lake Forest. Poor Ina must have been very tired! She went to El Toro High School in the morning to register and then spent the afternoon with us going from one thing to another. She seemed to have fun and got to meet several of Bethany's friends. I think this helped her get more comfortable with our family and what we are like!
Rather than writing much more, I will share some pictures from the day.
Ina was able to sleep well after this busy day!
- Rob
Stop # 1 - Bead Store
Every girl made their own bracelet with beads.
Stop # 2 - Arthur Murray Dance Studio
The girls received a lesson in Ballroom Dancing (like Dancing with the Stars on TV)
Stop # 3 - Lake Forest City Hall
The girls got to play table tennis (ping pong). We were also supposed to be able to play Guitar Hero on Xbox, but they forgot to set it up.
Stop # 4 - Bowling
Notice the very fashionable shoes that they got to wear!
Stop # 5 - Dinner
We ate pizza and played Air Hockey.
I have no pictures from Stop # 6. This was a geocache which is a hide-and-seek sort of game played with handheld GPS devices. The geocache that we found was hanging in a tree disguised as a bird house. I'm sure we will get more chances to teach Ina about this since we enjoy this game!
Stop # 7 - Orange County Great Park
This new park is just starting to be built. We did not get to ride the hot air balloon since the reservations were filled up when we got there. However, they had a live band playing. Ina did a GREAT JOB of showing the girls how to line dance to the band's music. I think this was the highlight of the day!
I have no pictures for our last stop. We returned home so that the girls could watch a movie. We setup a projector and computer with a large screen so that it was like a small movie theater for them.
Rather than writing much more, I will share some pictures from the day.
Ina was able to sleep well after this busy day!
- Rob
Stop # 1 - Bead Store
Every girl made their own bracelet with beads.
Stop # 2 - Arthur Murray Dance Studio
The girls received a lesson in Ballroom Dancing (like Dancing with the Stars on TV)
Stop # 3 - Lake Forest City Hall
The girls got to play table tennis (ping pong). We were also supposed to be able to play Guitar Hero on Xbox, but they forgot to set it up.
Stop # 4 - Bowling
Notice the very fashionable shoes that they got to wear!
Stop # 5 - Dinner
We ate pizza and played Air Hockey.
I have no pictures from Stop # 6. This was a geocache which is a hide-and-seek sort of game played with handheld GPS devices. The geocache that we found was hanging in a tree disguised as a bird house. I'm sure we will get more chances to teach Ina about this since we enjoy this game!
Stop # 7 - Orange County Great Park
This new park is just starting to be built. We did not get to ride the hot air balloon since the reservations were filled up when we got there. However, they had a live band playing. Ina did a GREAT JOB of showing the girls how to line dance to the band's music. I think this was the highlight of the day!
I have no pictures for our last stop. We returned home so that the girls could watch a movie. We setup a projector and computer with a large screen so that it was like a small movie theater for them.
Starting High School
Ina didn't get much rest for her first few days. The morning after she arrived, Celeste took her to El Toro High School for registration. Mrs. Rashoff was the school counselor that helped Ina. We have known Mrs. Rashoff for a long time because of meetings with our other children and she was very helpful to get Ina signed up for her classes. After a couple of days of school she also helped Ina get into a Biology class together with Bethany.
This picture was taken during the registration meeting and includes Bethany, Ina, and Mrs. Rashoff.
A few days after registration, the first day of school arrived. In California, high school students are allowed to wear beach shoes ("flip flops") on their feet. Of course Bethany had Ina immediately took advantage of this! The picture below was taken in front of our house before they walked to school on the first day. It is only about a 10 minute walk, so it is very easy for them.
Don't they look more ready for the beach than for their first day of school?
- Rob
This picture was taken during the registration meeting and includes Bethany, Ina, and Mrs. Rashoff.
A few days after registration, the first day of school arrived. In California, high school students are allowed to wear beach shoes ("flip flops") on their feet. Of course Bethany had Ina immediately took advantage of this! The picture below was taken in front of our house before they walked to school on the first day. It is only about a 10 minute walk, so it is very easy for them.
Don't they look more ready for the beach than for their first day of school?- Rob
Ina Arrives!
We were excited when we heard that Ina was on her way from Norway. We received an email from her mom and another one from EF Foundation. We had the flight information and used the airline's websites to track her progress. The last leg of her trip was a flight from Chicago to Orange County/John Wayne airport. According to the website, her flight was scheduled to arrive a little bit early.
My mom, "Gramma Pat", was excited to meet Ina too and agreed to meet us at the airport. Luckily I explained to her what Ina looked like and her flight information. We had a Girl Scout meeting to attend in the evening before the flight arrival time which we left early so that we would arrive to get Ina on time.
Somewhere between Chicago and Orange County, the pilot must have gone to warp speed. The flight got in much earlier than we expected. When we got to the airport, Ina was already there with her luggage. Gramma Pat met her when she arrived to find her luggage, so she was not alone. However, we really felt bad that we were not able to hold up our banners to welcome her to California!
Here is a picture of Ina, Bethany, and Hayley at the airport.
- Rob
My mom, "Gramma Pat", was excited to meet Ina too and agreed to meet us at the airport. Luckily I explained to her what Ina looked like and her flight information. We had a Girl Scout meeting to attend in the evening before the flight arrival time which we left early so that we would arrive to get Ina on time.
Somewhere between Chicago and Orange County, the pilot must have gone to warp speed. The flight got in much earlier than we expected. When we got to the airport, Ina was already there with her luggage. Gramma Pat met her when she arrived to find her luggage, so she was not alone. However, we really felt bad that we were not able to hold up our banners to welcome her to California!
Here is a picture of Ina, Bethany, and Hayley at the airport.
Ina was very gracious about us being late and had a hug for every family member. Despite traveling for more than 24 hours, she took the time to talk to us when we got home and gave us some very nice family gifts (the Norwegian chocolate didn't last long!).
So instead of an airport banner, here is one on the blog:
Welcome to California, Ina!!!
- Rob
Monday, September 22, 2008
It happened so fast!
Our family had briefly discussed the idea of having an exchange student live with us. However, since it was already the summer of 2008 it seemed like it was too late to sign up. We decided to wait a year and then consider it again.
On 7 August 2008, I received an email message at work that included this information:
"... help him place 5 kids between the ages of 14 - 18 years old within the next three weeks or he is going to have to call and tell them they won't be able to come. The kids are expecting to be here at the end of August and will only be here for 6 weeks."
Six weeks? That sounded easy. Not allowing someone to come to the US after all of their waiting sounded cruel.
I talked to the family at around 4:00pm that day. I sent an email to EF Foundation at around 5:00pm that day. We got a call from EF Foundation at around 5:05pm that day. We received two profiles at 5:50pm that day. We also filled in the on-line application to become a host family. The family reviewed the applications over dinner. At 9:15pm that night, we received detailed applications for the two students that they wanted us to consider.
Oh yeah, we were also told that the students come for the entire school year and not just for six weeks. We could be a "welcome family" where the student would stay for six weeks and then move to another home. That didn't stop us, we were now determined to welcome an Exchange Student to the United States! After reviewing the details, we decided that Ina from Norway would be the better fit with our family.
On Saturday, 9 August we cleaned the bedroom and prepped it for painting. On Sunday, 10 August we painted the room (we even had some help from Bethany's friend Rachel).
On Sunday, 10 August we had someone from EF Foundation come to our home to inspect it and tell us that we were officially accepted as a host family.
On Monday, 11 August we sent an email to Ina telling her about our family. Four days from getting the original email to inviting a student into our home seems really fast!
- Rob
On 7 August 2008, I received an email message at work that included this information:
"... help him place 5 kids between the ages of 14 - 18 years old within the next three weeks or he is going to have to call and tell them they won't be able to come. The kids are expecting to be here at the end of August and will only be here for 6 weeks."
Six weeks? That sounded easy. Not allowing someone to come to the US after all of their waiting sounded cruel.
I talked to the family at around 4:00pm that day. I sent an email to EF Foundation at around 5:00pm that day. We got a call from EF Foundation at around 5:05pm that day. We received two profiles at 5:50pm that day. We also filled in the on-line application to become a host family. The family reviewed the applications over dinner. At 9:15pm that night, we received detailed applications for the two students that they wanted us to consider.
Oh yeah, we were also told that the students come for the entire school year and not just for six weeks. We could be a "welcome family" where the student would stay for six weeks and then move to another home. That didn't stop us, we were now determined to welcome an Exchange Student to the United States! After reviewing the details, we decided that Ina from Norway would be the better fit with our family.
On Saturday, 9 August we cleaned the bedroom and prepped it for painting. On Sunday, 10 August we painted the room (we even had some help from Bethany's friend Rachel).
On Sunday, 10 August we had someone from EF Foundation come to our home to inspect it and tell us that we were officially accepted as a host family.
On Monday, 11 August we sent an email to Ina telling her about our family. Four days from getting the original email to inviting a student into our home seems really fast!
- Rob
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