We went to another Christmas market in Konstanze, Germany this time. It was mostly fun except for some drama because of a lost mitten. The train ride was nice. Another beautiful old city. Lots to look at and then the missing mitten popped out of her coat sleeve just as we were leaving.

She wants to get her hands on the remote control all the time. She discovered her feet and loves to pull her socks off and stuff them in her mouth. She loves loves loves Daddy and gives him the best smiles when he’s leaving for work or coming home. She is looking incredibly chubby. She…

I spent the week in Beijing and my first time in Tokyo. It was a quick trip, much less than in the old days when I went for weeks at a time. It truly was strange to be back and return to the scene of the crime. The most notable thing to comment on in Beijing…

Matching corduroy. Claire’s is a hand-me-down (Simplicity 4054) . Bea’s is the Oliver + S Jump Rope pattern. Bea would probably prefer something with ruffles, but I like casual Christmas dresses. 

Today I’ve been trying to make Zopf, a traditional Swiss braided bread. All the moms at Bea’s playgroup are asked to make this particular recipe to raise funds at the local Christmas Market. I’d say other than dealing with three-year-old mind games this is the most challenging thing I’ve done in the last few months.…

Brian took Bea to the Christmas Market in Einsiedeln – it’s accross the lake and up in the hills. We plan to go to another Christmas market this weekend. We’re trying to soak up all the new Christmas stuff around us before we head back to the US. Check out the scary guy hanging around…

Brian is back to his old stomping grounds in Beijing this week – plus a couple days in Tokyo. I am missing him. On Sunday our vehicle broke down – a flat tire. I couldn’t get it towed so I had to push it all the way home. Of course I’m talking about our stroller.…