Welcome Alice from France

Salut!

Today was our last day with Alice. Last night the girls had a sleep-over and stayed up very late. The girls had a great last night in America. Everyone was tired this morning. We had planned one last quick visit to the beach, but everyone slept in.

Several girls stayed over, including Sara's French student, Emily. We knew from the first day Alice was here they did not haved pancakes in France, so I made pancakes and sausage. We learned that sausage is not a breakfast food in France, it is served for lunch or dinner. We had a great breakfast and a fun time this morning. The girls hung out in their pajamas until their parents arrived to pick them up.

We took Alice to the lake for one last visit. It was a beautaiful day. Sunny and warm here in Orange County. We looked around, talked, took a few photos and then it was time to return to the school for Alice's return trip home.

This afternoon we met all of the other French students, their correspondents, teachers, and trip organizers. At first the atmosphere was really fun and very festive. Then my husband and a few of the other men were asked to load the student's suitcases into the bus. We realized it would not be long before they were back on their way home. Everyone started hugging and crying and cameras were going off like crazy. All the kids went off to another area and hung out together. The parents stayed by the bus and everyone talked about how we didn't expect this to be so emotional. The two weeks went by very fast and many of the students had said how they would have like to stay one more week. It was a very special and amazing moment. It was something I don't think anyone expected. It was very emotional. Many of us had become very close to our French students and it was hard to see them go. We were able to spend about one more hour with them and then they loaded up on the bus, and off they went ... back home to France.

Our family became very close to Alice. We all cried when it was time to see her off.

Here are some pictures before the kids loaded up on the bus. It was really a sweet moment. The organizers allowed the children and families time to say good-bye.

Alice -- By the time you read this I expect you will be back in your home in France. Please send us an email or a message on the blog to let us know you arrived safely.

You changed our lives! We will forever remember the joy and life you brought to our home in the two short weeks you were here. We will never forget our time together. We will pray for you and your family and you already know (because I told you a million times) that we would love it if you could convince your mom and dad to allow you to come back in the summer.

Your lifelong friends from Orange County ...

au revoir ...

Je T'aime!

Alice's last night in America! We took her to our favorite beach ... LAGUNA BEACH. We also took her to our favorite restaurant located right on the beach, Las Brisas. We had planned our dinner to arrive just before sunset. She loved the sunset and said she didn't see that often becasuse she lives very far from the ocean. We took some pictures at sunset, then had a great dinner, walked around and headed home.

The girls had a party planned for their last night here and invited some other French and English kids over. They had a blast! They watched French movies on the big-screen with English sub-titles. We have a big-screen and theater sound system in our family room and the kids had a good time. We made popcorn and they had a lot of fun their last night.

Tonight the girls planned a sleep-over party. Sleep-over's are very popular with teenage girls here in America. We had taken all of the furniture out of the living room and set up beds for all the kids. They pushed all the beds together and stayed up all night talking. I made them breakfast in the morning.

This afternoon after school we took Alice and a few other kids to the indoor racetrack. In California kids may get a permit to drive with an adult in the car at 15 1/2, and a licene to drive alone at the age of 16. In France the minimum driving age is 18 so we thought this would be a fun activity for Alice. It's an indoor racetrack with European racecars. She had a great time and placed third! Way to go Alice ... you beat the boys.

After school today, there was a casual gathering with all the French and English students. They are getting to be really good friends and having a fun time together!

The girls were both very tired today. It's been a very busy week so they wanted to come home and relax. We visited a place called Togo's after school. It's a restaurant where they make home-made sandwiches and ice cream. The girls are hanging out in Nicole's room, visiting and playing with the dog ... just relaxing.

Later today the girls have an appointment at the beauty salon to get their nails done. Alice told us she doesn't do that in France, so we thought we'd treat her to an afternoon of pampering. She has already said she'd like a French Maincure. Pictures to come ...

Tomorrow all the French students are taking a trip during the school day to San Juan Capistrano. It's a really fun town with a train station, lots of shopping, a California Mission and lots of unique shops and restaurants. After school tomorrow we have plans for a fun afternoon at K1Speed. Alice has been looking forward to that all week! We'll post pictures of our adventure tomorrow.

We are having such a great time, it's hard to belive Alice will be leaving in just 3 days. We're trying to squeeze as much in before she leaves as possible. She still wants to visit the beach which we will do before she returns to France.

The girls had a good day at school today. I picked them up and we went to the stables this afternoon. They spent some time with the horses. We took both horses on a trail ride and then to the arena where the girls rode together. They both really enjnoyed the time at the stables and riding together!

This evening was Mexican night and we had taco's, empanada's and all the usual fixings. A few days ago we introduced Alice to taco's, burritos and the foods of Mexico. She continues to amaze us at everything she is willing to try and really seems to like everything.

Tonight while Nicole was finishing up some school work, Alice and I went shopping. I bought her some postcards she had been wanting and some nail polish so the girls can do "French Manicure's".

The girls had so much fun last night they wanted to do movie night again. They invited a friend over and are watching another movie on the big-screen. They are watching the movie in French with English subtitles and enjoying more popcorn!

Tomorrow is late-start. We had to explain to Alice what that is. In school typically one or two days a month the kids have "late-start". That is a day when the kids get to sleep in for two extra hours. Tomorrow they start school at 10:00a.m. instead of 8:00a.m. They still have their regular class schedule, but each class is shorter, and they still have their full lunch hour. Alice was really amazed at this, but both girls are looking forward to sleeping in tomorrow.