Hosting an exchange student

So, we decided with babies that are 3,2 and 1 we had some free time.  I guess.  So we decided to host an exchange student.  No really.  We did.  We are.  Strange.

It is great - it is a lot of fun and our student is great.  She is funny, smart and willing to deal with a lot of crap.  A lot. 

We have hosted an exchange student with 1 baby, with 2 babies and now with three.  It is so interesting how something like this experience, really puts into perspective how our lives have changed.  It is a short visit for these students, so you tend to run through the same list of activities.  Wow have they gotten more difficult.

Your energy level - it is sapped.  If you are me (I know many of you are thankful you are not), you have to make every day exciting for the student.  They came all the way here, spent good money - it has to be AWESOME.  Making every day for 30 days awesome is a daunting task.  Making everyday for 30 days awesome with kids - man... who made this plan? 

I get up early to see the kids.  I stay up late to take her to concerts or events.  On my ride to work today I was trying to figure out if my iron was low or my vitamin D off.  Really?  I think it is just a bit of fatigue from being "on."   Shoot - this wasn't supposed to be a discussion of my physical state.

I had a few key observations:

R - Loves people.  She welcomed the exchange student and allowed herself to be held by her day 1.   It is pretty funny though - 18 year old girls aren't always so comfortable holding the babies.  Especially one that weighs about 1/3 of her own body weight.

A-  Thought we were picking up a new baby.  I feel really bad about this.  I normally do a very good job of explaining the situation and the plan to everyone.  We said we were picking up someone to live with us for a while.  We didn't explain that she was an adult.  We didn't explain that a while was a pretty short time.  On the way to the airport A was furious.  She told me she didn't want a new baby.   Sorry lady.  Didn't mean to stress you out.

B- She was the only child that remembered an exchange student.  She was very curious to talk to her about China.  Ignore the fact that our student is from Japan - she wants to ask her how to say various things in Chinese.  ARGH!  She did tell me that she wanted me to explain all words to her "like she was learning English from another language."  She informed me that she was an international student, and studied all languages and that when I explain words or concepts to Misato I am "clear, and detailed and it helps me understand the meaning."   Really?  You are going to comment as a 3 year old on my teaching style? 

She is talking about this time we were driving to St. Paul and this old lady passed me at a crazy clip.  I said "I just got dusted by an old lady."  Misato asked "Dusted.  What do you mean by dusted?"  B giggled - she thought that sounded funny too.  I explained - in my own way what I thought is meant by dusted.  I said going fast, driving on a dirt road, the plume of dust that gathers and then covers your slow moving vehicle.  B loved it.  "Dusted.  Dusted.  Mom got dusted by an old lady."    And then the request - "please explain every world like that to me.  I want to know why it means what it means."  *sigh*

So anyway - here we are - hosting a student.  We are going into what looks like on paper to be the busiest weekend of the year.  I am excited. I am scared.  I hope I will be standing by Sunday evening.