Some care package ideas – you know, in case you’re inspired…

• Ranch dressing mix packets
• Taco seasoning packets
• Goldfish crackers
• DVDs – kid cartoons (Nick Jr. or Disney Playhouse shows, Veggie Tales, etc.) and any movies you think we’d enjoy
• Paperback and/or lightweight books you think we might enjoy
• Ziploc bags
• granola bars
• photos of your family and/or kids!
• Burt’s Bees Wax
• fun crafts for Chickpea to complete – like this

Here are a few things I’ve recently learned about our new home…

• Even though the winters are mild, it’s usually freezing inside homes during the winter because concrete doesn’t hold heat well, and it’s costly to use a lot of heat. Therefore, dressing in layers is ideal. The people here also have a higher tolerance for heat, so during the spring and summer months, it can be sweltering both indoors and out.

• Toys are available, though they are cheaply made and more expensive. However, children here don’t typically have a lot of toys, because a clean house is more highly valued over a fun house.

The following cooking items have yet to be found:

• dried parsley
• Mexican-related spices – chili, cilantro, etc.
• oregano and basil
• all-spice (they have a version, but it’s different than in the States)
• liquid vanilla (yikes!)
• marshmallows or marshmallow cream (not a big deal here…not really a fan)
• corn syrup
• maple syrup
• nonstick spray (I brought with me a misto-can thingy and I filled it with olive oil)
• chocolate chips (gasp!)
• sweet potatoes, cranberries, and other holiday-related goods
• Ziploc bags

I’ll add more as I learn!