Storm

 We get our big fall storm today. Lots of wind and rain. I guess I won't be going for my usual run this morning! Sure am glad the days are getting longer and longer. Pretty depressing around here. 

I have started making more cutting boards in the workshop. I would like to turn some of the wood I have collected into stuff that might be sellable in Marquette. People here don't seem too interested. 

I officially have my first student in China. The parents paid for their first punch card. The bank fees were more than expected though, so we will really need to find a way to cut down on those transfer costs. Complicated to do so though. 

The girls have started to miss their friends. Hopefully they can play together in the next few days. We had a nice Christmas together, although it was a bummer that Claire and Matt couldn't come. Sure is nice to have a bit more time to work on the designs for our house though!

Christmas pictures.

Naomi and the girls worked all day to make two gingerbread houses that had trouble staying together.

Delivering the second gingerbread house to Helene.

Present time.

Christmas dinner.

Lockdown #2

 On Monday they announced the start of our second lockdown, to last at least 5 weeks. Definitely ruins our remaining holiday plans. No more swimming, museum, or zoo. I guess the girls can use a break from everything though. 

They have been adjusting to life at home really well. In the mornings they have been doing their schoolwork really nicely without being asked by us. It was a big relief for them to be home for a while. 

I don't have a problem adjusting to the online lessons, apart from the increased screen time. Combined with working on this ESL online business, there is way too much sitting in front of a computer. I was hoping to teach some twins English, but they got scared off by the international payments. I will need to work on that. May still have one student, we will see if the mom can figure out how to pay. 

No time left for my architecture or writing projects. Haven't been waking up as early in the mornings. Sure hope this business turns into something!

We found a Christmas tree! Got to pick one out of a tiny forest.

Candlelight dinner.

Girls got a special lunch with Helene.

Almost There

 Just one week left. We all really need a vacation! It has been too busy with starting up a new job (I have my first Chinese students in a few days), extra swimming lessons, Christmas prep, etc. Naomi is thinking of staying home this week as Covid is spreading so quickly now. 

Looks like all our plans for Christmas might get cancelled - can't go to Switzerland, Claire and Matt probably won't be able to come here, we reserved for the zoo and a museum but those will probably close down. Even the extra swimming lessons we booked might drop out. What a drag. 

Getting some rest is what we all need though. Hopefully the weather won't be too terrible!

Busy at school!

Sinterklaas

 Yesterday was the birthday of Sinterklaas, so his Piets knocked on the window and left a mysterious burlap sack full of presents for the girls. They got some really nice dresses, a weaving loom, round paper, books, and some other things. So much, in fact, that I think Santa must have gotten a bit lazy and asked Sinterklaas help him deliver a few presents. 

Next weekend we will get the Christmas tree, so a small break in the festivities. Sinterklaas and the Piets also came to school this week and the kids had a bit party with lots of singing, dancing, and sugar. A little monster came home looking a bit like Amélie, and it took a few bites of a sandwich before our Amélie made a reappearance. 

I have started working with a friend that I played basketball with in Jr High to start up a business tutoring Chinese students in English online. Hopefully we can make it work. Kind of complicated though with all the international stuff and trade tensions and monetary restrictions. China lets money in, but they don't want to let it out.

Fun with Kinetic Sand!

Amélie made a picture frame in the workshop (with a bit of help).

Christmas packages!!