<p>I don’t think the fact that you’re local is relevant since you’ll be in a restaurant and not your home. </p>
<p>To my mind, splitting the bill is appropriate, especially since undoubtedly you will be taking the girls’ out for meals on occasion on your dime.</p>
<p>Our DD had made a friend on facebook and we offered the parents a timeshare room out of our yearly seven for the night before so they picked up the bill for dinner out. I felt comfortable because it was reciprocal.</p>
<p>DS got taken out by friends’ parents, and I know it’s silly, but I always felt uncomfortable because I didn’t get the chance to reciprocate.</p>
<p>Since you’re local, music to my ears would be, “If your DD gets sick or really needs anything, we’re just a phone call away.”</p>
<p>Too much indebtedness makes the other family feel like cheapskates.</p>
<p>Or how about inviting them for brunch back at your house the next day after the girls move in. Then being local really is relevant.</p>
<p>JMO.</p>