Esinam's 1st week

Esinam has officially been a Roberts for 1 week. When I think of everything we have discussed and she has learned, I'm surprised she hasn't had a meltdown with how overwhelming it must be! She has been a trooper, a bit tired and taking naps along with Carter, but a trooper!

She helps with everything and will even take charge with Carter when it comes to getting him in and out of the car. She would like me to assign more chores to her (she cleans her room, cleans the bathroom she shares with the boys and does dishes if I make dinner), but I told her we will see how it goes when school starts. I realize she is used to working hard at home and I expect her to do the same here, but I would rather she put her efforts towards school and experiencing what the US and high school have to offer.

This week:
She saw her first vacuum and learned how to use it (I knew to warn her of the noise prior to starting it)

We purchased her first swim suit - she had never tried one on, never been swimming and asked if she could get a swim suit that goes down to her knees. No, sorry. They don't make those :) but you can wear shorts over your suit.

We discussed how credit works in the US and how everyone uses credit to buy way more than than can afford

We explained, to her amazement, that we are not RICH in America. Some of our friends have homes more than twice the size of ours.

She saw her first dishwasher and learned how to use it - although she is still more comfortable doing dishes by hand

She learned about coupons! I scored 2 shirts for Carter today that would have been $30, but I paid $2.

She used a clothes washing machine for the first time

She used a microwave for the first time

Used an electric stove for the first time

We got her cell phone set up on our family plan (I've got to be able to reach her if I'm the carpooler)

Things I've learned about life in Ghana:

Washing clothes can take half of a day depending on how much she has to do
All her cooking is done over a fire outdoors
Cell phones are not allowed at school and her school is a boarding school (this is very common in Ghana and should not be confused with our version of boarding schools) so, calling home requires money and a pay phone.

I've learned a ton more, but it is more personal about her family life so I won't share it here.

My life with a teenager:
If only our kids could grow into such a "good" teenager. When reviewing the family rules with her (questionnaire provided by AFS) she pretty much set them. She told us she is not allowed to date. She can go out with groups, but not with a single boy. She also has to be home by 9 pm on a school night and 10:30 on a weekend. Quite a bit stricter than we would have been, but it works for me! I love that she respects her parents so much that she will stick to their rules when she is a half a world away.

Registration was crazy. Kids EVERYWHERE! We learned that soccer try-outs are MONDAY and you have to have a physical before then and pay $50 to participate prior to try-outs. We also had to locate and purchase soccer cleats and shin guards and socks. Try-outs are twice a day for 2 days and then practice will be daily... still not sure how I'll swing this with 2 age 2 and under.

Not sure I'm ready to be a real true soccer mom.