Merry Christmas!

The sun is, strangely, shining and we had a great morning! Amélie was up with a cough in the middle of the night, but some Benadryl put an end to that. We were worried it might be Covid as they were at school with someone who tested positive earlier this week, but we all just did a test and it was negative. 

That means we will go North as planned. Getting up early tomorrow morning to make our way toward Copenhagen. Then even earlier the next day to explore the city for a bit before crossing over into Sweden. These past few days, both countries have announced travel restrictions. Denmark is implementing on the 27th and Sweden on the 28th. Six weeks ago, we booked to enter Denmark on the 26th and Sweden on the 27th. We are cutting things a bit close I suppose!

Our schools closed a week early due to the severe lockdown here. It was nice to have a bit of down time to prepare for the big trip. The girls have been playing so nicely together and even sleeping in the same bed. They just can't seem to be apart. Hopefully all the time in the back of our car won't ruin that!

A present made for Helene. 

Naomi has enjoyed some nice bike rides to work.

All negative!

A new kind of mouth mask.

Enjoying their Christmas books!

The First Woodworking Workshop

One year ago I invited a couple colleagues to learn how to build things in the workshop with me. We kept trying to make it happen but one thing or another kept getting in the way. Finally got a chance to do it yesterday, and it was a lot of fun! Teaching woodworking is much more interesting than teaching Math or English, even though my colleagues son also learned some Math and English yesterday. He decided to make a cutting board out of a nice scrap of birdseye maple and his son made a game. Barely finished in time for dinner!

The girls were told last week that school would be cancelled this coming week due to the virus, and now this weekend they mentioned that our secondary schools might shut down as well. Nice way to save things for the last minute. Not sure if I am supposed to go to school tomorrow or not! Looks like we are back to a full lockdown. Amélie was crying because she wants to go to school so badly!

We will see if our holiday plans are able to work out or not. Denmark is also having a rough time. I haven't seen any travel bans yet though. Hopefully they don't roll those out the night before we leave...

Amélie rolling into the pool wearing a rain jacket over her clothes.

Abigail jumping in with her clothes on.

They did it! Amélie got the more advanced level and she wants to keep going.

The first woodworking workshop.

Preparing for the Christmas celebration.

Christmas Tree

We picked out a small tree yesterday. Fun tradition to do it together with our friends. They always get a big one. Today we will decorate it. Yesterday we got a package of presents from our friends in Rotterdam - one of my former students. Very friendly of them! We had to open them already as there were perishables. 

So much unhealthy food this season! Naomi is having trouble with avoiding all the stuff she is allergic to. There isn't that much she can eat. Hopefully it is temporary. 

We had some ice on the pond for the first time of the year. The big goldfish didn't have the sense to stay away from the surface, so it started to get frozen in. I had to turn on the waterfall to thaw it out. Today is the big day for swimming lessons - the two year finale. The girls get their diplomas, and then we can celebrate. 

Winter by the castle.

Making some bird food.

A dangerous spot.

Present time!

Sinterklaas

 It has been quite the week in terms of the holiday festivities. Amélie won a coloring contest, so one of Sinterklaas's helpers, a Piet, showed up at our door with a prize. Pretty special for her! We also opened presents this morning, and the girls got lots of new things but the biggest were two new bikes! 

The girls also are doing really well with swimming lessons, so coming Saturday will be their last day, the ceremony where they show off their skills. Sure will be a relief to be done with that after two years!

I have occasional contact with a friend from the village where I lived in Mali. He sent me two pictures of the house where I lived, and they made me feel sad. Too bad that it looks rather abandoned - I had always hoped that someone would enjoy all the improvements I made. 

Amélie lost another tooth!

My old house.

The big winner!

Opening presents and reading some clues about the bikes.