from Gwacheon City - Day 5

This day marked the first day of school for Ji Ho and Hyeonji at an American high school!  They were up early in anticipation and at breakfast I asked if they were nervous. They said, "Yes."  I asked what they were nervous about and they responded, "About making friends."  Teenage concerns are universal aren't they!  I, of course, told them they had nothing to worry about; that I thought they would have no trouble at all! I mean after all, so far they have traveled halfway around the world and are staying with a family that they had never met until five days ago! They are brave!!

In the Patterson home, we have two First Day of School traditions.  (My children will tell anyone that I'm the queen of traditions! It's really a secret ploy of mine to help them cherish their time at home so much that they will want to return often once they are grown.) The first tradition is to take a First Day of School photo in the same spot each year. My kiddos hold up their fingers representing their new grade level for the year.  I showed the girls the photos this morning on display by where the kids hang their bookbags and told them I had to have their First Day of School picture! They sweetly complied.

Ji Ho's first day at American high school.

Hyeonji's first day at American high school.

The second tradition is after school ice cream.  We have always taken this time to talk about how their first day went.  So, of course, we took Ji Ho and Hyeonji for ice cream to one of our favorite local spots - Purple Penguin! After several flavor combinations and multiple toppings piled, we heard all about their day... which they said was hard, but they said it smiling so all is good!

I enjoyed my ice cream but enjoyed hearing about their day more!

The evening was spent around our dinner table talking about America and Korea and enjoying one of our favorite Southern meals - barbecue, macaroni and cheese, baked beans and cole slaw.  We've noticed that our girls are much more modest in their portions than we Americans are, but the mac and cheese did earn a second helping. :-)

Ji Ho summed it up... "This is the best dinner yet!"

from Gwacheon City - Day 4

Day 4 for the girls was supposed to be their first day in an American school; however, the snow decided otherwise. So, since we were all out of school we decided to make a day of it!

The boys were at work and wrestling practice, so the girls decided to go bowling.  Ji Ho had been bowling once before but Hyeonji had never been bowling.  Interestingly, Hyeonji was the highest scorer of our first game!  She did very well! I especially love all the smiles!!

The girls entering their names.

Excited about a good score!

Another good score!

My not-winning face!

Audrey's crazy strike face!

My strike dance!

Hyeonji's winning score!!

Yay!  A strike!

Ji Ho made quite the comeback though during our second game and easily broke past 100 with a great score of 110!

Ji Ho's comeback score!

After bowling, we picked up Jac from wrestling and met some friends at our favorite donut shop - Daily Donuts!  Ji Ho was a donut eater after Audrey's own heart and went for the M&M toppings!

Everybody loves Daily Donuts!

Monday evening was spent meeting the Mayor of Burlington, a Burlington City Council member, and the city manager. The students had an official welcome from the mayor who is one of the youngest ever Burlington mayors! Ms. Kim, a city representative from Gwacheon, read a letter of appreciate to the city of Burlington and then all posed together for photo opportunities.

Burlington Mayor Ian Baltutis

Ms. Kim with Master Lee interpreting.

Hyeonji and Mayor Baltutis

Ji Ho with Mayor Baltutis

After meeting the city officials, all students and their host families met for dinner at a local restaurant, Golden Corral.  It was fun to have time to see the girls with their fellow Korean students and to have time to talk to other host families.  We all enjoyed ourselves!

Today's Firsts

Bowling for Hyeonji

Donuts with M&Ms on top

Meeting the Mayor

Golden Corral

from Gwacheon City - Day 3

Day three is light on photos but not on fun!  We began the day with breakfast together and some routine items around the house and then set out for the afternoon.  We took a slow driving tour to show the girls the schools that our children attend and then we drove by The Burlington School so they could see where they would be going.  

Our guests wanted to try Mexican food so we made our way to our favorite Mexican restaurant - La Fiesta!  The Speedy Gonzales proved to be a good choice for them both and they both said they liked their enchiladas and tacos. We did request the hot salsa for them though when they said the regular didn't seem hot.  They obviously are used to eating spicier foods than we are!

Our next stops included some shopping - Ulta, because the girls said their favorite stores were skin care/make-up stores; Target, because who doesn't love Target; and Five Below, well, because of candy!

We spent our evening with an after-dark sledding expedition.  We got out the old runner sled and it worked beautifully on the road of solid ice and then we went to a giant hill for some sledding without the runners.  Ji Ho is quite the daredevil and ended her sledding run coming down the hill snowboard style! It was too dark for pics except for the single selfie by the street light!

Finally, CJ and Jac decided to try the kimchi, a gift from Hyeonji, and were a little shocked at it's spiciness!  I'll wait to try it with rice!

Ji Ho pointed out that Americans were eating kimchi and Koreans were eating pizza!

Jac liked it - thought he would try it again with rice next time.

This girlie doesn't really do spicy!  Kudos to her for trying it though! She quickly requested milk to help with the spicy heat!

The day hit its highlight though near the end during our nighttime sledding when Ji Ho said, "I think I will miss this place!"

Today's Firsts

Target

Mexican Food

Ulta

Five Below

Reese's Cups

Sledding with a runner sled 

American's eating kimchi