We blinked and Feb was gone (I know 2 more days, they don't count). This month was filled with such goodness (and LOUDNESS): LOTS of play, Amazing visit from Poppy and CC, Another visit from a friend for a few days, Dog-sitting, a cookie sale and more. I will break it down a bit:
We returned from Thailand, recovered from the stomach bug and got in gear for the grandparents to arrive. Because EVERY place shuts down for Chinese New Year, I had to do some extra-careful menu planning, and freeze stuff before hand!
I will mention my birthday (Feb 5) because David completely surprised me with an amazing and thoughtful gift: Caramel Macchiato Ice Cream
Home Made. Yes, the man made it himself. Coffee ice cream is by far my fave. He made the caramel sauce and then all the ice cream. It was actually the best coffee ice cream I have ever had. A-MAZ-ING. Thanks, babe.
And then lets not forget the ever-impressive Chinese New Year.
Every year I think it won't wow me, that I am over it, and every year I am more amazed. Every year I also think: 'every person needs to experience this at least once in their life'. The fireworks start weeks before, but the eve of, they are non-stop, ground-shaking, breath-taking beauty and noise. And honestly, the beauty wears off fast and the noise rings for days. Our kids still manage to sleep through most of it. And to be sure, we buy our fair share of fireworks, these fireworks would be completely illegal in the U.S. even in the most lenient of states. But we are not breaking any laws don't worry.
A New Year's Day walk around the 'hood. Lanterns and firework confetti everywhere. A later post will show our 'wow' fireworks with Poppy and CC, who arrived New Year's Day!
We watched the Superbowl for the first time ever as a family (David actually worked in his office and had it on audio, while the kids and I watched on my computer).
I put up these wall stickers the girls picked out in Thailand.
This was harder than I thought it would be.
Poppy and CC arrived. And since we had only been doing a tad of history and a tad of math, we just put the Homeschool on Pause. This was on my plan, a longer break from core to chill a bit with all our neighbors and enjoy Poppy and CC. It was a super-relaxed visit that was so much fun. I will post enough later to bore you, I am sure. That was Feb. 9-19.
Next, Uncle Justin, a friend who lived here awhile ago, came for a few days. We talked life, running technique, safety, and shoes (he is an ultramarathoner), homemade peanut butter, and just plain caught up.
David went on a three day trip to another part of China.
And the last full week of Feb, we did a bit of school. I introduced some new standards in regards to work and responsibility, I rearranged the Homeschool room (pushed shelves into my living room more to make the HS room bigger), and did some history and math.
We hit the French Revolution, which is hard. I read the Usborne Illustrated Dickens abridged "A tale of two cities" and it was still tragic.
One of my best friends' mom died suddenly, and so we were asked to dog-sit their brand new (to them) poodle. It is an easy dog to 'dog -sit' and we basically put Sophia in charge. I did give it a bath, but it happened to be the one cloudy day of the week, so I cuddled him up and brought him to blow dry his hair. Seriously.
Next, Sophia decided she wanted to make and sell cookies at the market. She thought I would say 'no', but I said go for it. She instigated and planned it all, I helped her in the kitchen some, and then on Thursday we hauled our stuff near the market and for an hour and a half sold sugar cookies.
Bella helped a lot and made commission.
They were touted as 'American Flavor Cookies'. I reminded people they were home-made.
The price may have been steep for some: 1 RMB for a small one and 2 for a bigger cookie. But people bought them. They had a tester tray for samples. Some of these were mercy buys from people that knew us, but others were not. At first I started selling and trying to manage, but Sophia gently reminded me that this was her gig, so I left them alone. I went shopping a bit and sat behind them.
Oh Look! Other foreigners! Wait, we know you. Thanks for the business.
Crowds would gather some. The girls did excellent. In the end they brought in 150 rmb, and we charged Sophia 20 for supplies used (this was gracious, our butter is expensive), and I gave my labor free. She paid Tobin a teeny amount, and Bella 40, so Sophia profited 90 rmb. Not bad. This was a GREAT time for learning about business. Afterward we told her also to consider not just the money but the time it took to do it all, to consider whether it is worth the endeavor. For her stage of life right now it is completely worth it to spend an afternoon making cookies and a morning selling them, but later in life it may not be. We were so pleased with the outcome! Good job girls!
And this just in....Gabrielle is in a 'big girl bed' if you can call it that. This deserves its own post and will get one soon!
And an hour ago we got a text: school meeting tomorrow (Sunday) at 8:30, bring your money! School is starting. The rat race begins.
Not to mention....
....We changed piano teachers
....I just spent all Friday planning, planning, planning.
...Tobin will start The Phonics Road in earnest and Right Start Math!
...another text said that elementary school starts Monday afternoon!!! Clean-up and sign-up in the morning
...thankfully, last night I prayed: 'Lord, I made all these 'good' plans, if they all fail (some already have), I know your plans will never fail!
