Exchange Students

You may remember  in the 2011-2012 school year my eldest daughter, Jackie,  hosted  Katrine, an exchange student from Denmark. Katrine has since been back to the US with her parents for a visit.  We do miss seeing her more often and having her smiling happy self around. Here's the original post about her. and another post about graduation of these two.

GD Courtney, Daughter Jackie and Katrine at prom time

Well, another season of exchange students is about to begin in our family.  Now, our middle daughter, Elaine is sending her daughter, Kayleigh, off to Taiwan!  Kayleigh will be boarding a plane next week for a year in Taiwan!  This can't be!  She just graduated from middle school, didn't she?  Where has all the time gone?

Graduation day with G'Ma and G'Pa

Didn't she just start high school and adapt to what grandma thinks is the "funny clothing" scene?

Didn't I just take her to the orthodontist and wait while she got her braces off?  Didn't she just turn sweet sixteen and flash those shiny teeth for her picture?

We just went to her High school orchestra concerts, didn't we?  Watched her play first chair cello as a sophomore!

And listened to her practice!

And in May, I just said: "Didn't you just take Japanese in high school, now you have to learn Chinese?" That's a lotta change!

 And . . . and . . . the seasonal craft shows are coming up and . . .  Kayleigh is my greatest helper! ahhhh . . . What'll I do?  Scheeze . . . . It's getting to be a fuzzy memory already . . . .

Here's an other post   from last year about her helping me and about her anticipations of being an exchange student.

 What'll I do?  What shall I do?  I know . . . Kayleigh I will miss you! Your sarcastic humor, your crazy antics, all of it!  (Antics post.)  And what?  You cleaned out your bedroom?  For whom?  For a boy!!!??????  Oh yes, I remember, your mom is hosting a boy from India,  Well, I guess that is OK.  But I will still miss you!!!!!

Is this going to be my memory of your Junior year--your lovely face through Skype????/ Yikes!

Well, grandma will endure and look forward to all the news happening from Taiwan. You better write once in a while!  Oh, and Kayleigh, you can read my blog and see what I am up to!  Happy Junior Year!

Christmas Music Anyone?

Need a restful interlude now that the season is here?

During this busy season, sometimes we need a peaceful interlude. And, most of us probably need not stretch our budgets.

 I have a solution. 

Call your local high school and ask about their Christmas concerts.  There are usually band concerts, choir concerts and orchestra concerts.  Most are free.  An evening of Christmas music, relaxation and enjoyment, leaving the chaos behind for a short time.

We enjoyed a Christmas concert last night; our granddaughter is first chair cello at her high school.  We listened to traditional carols and selections like Trepak by Tchaikovsky and Farandole by Georges Bizet. 

Granddaughter Kayleigh

They finished with a greeting, that I want to pass on to you:

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Graduation!

This weekend held a graduation party for my granddaughter and her foreign exchange student 'sister'.  They graduated high school last Wednesday evening and had their party yesterday. I hope you enjoy the pictures and I apologize for some of the pictures.  I am having a bit of an issue with my camera!

Putnam High School Graduation at Unversity of Portland

The top row is the four senior class officers; Courtney is second from the left, and on the end in this next picture. 



Katrine walking back to her seat with diploma!



Then the party!!!

Fun days!