RULES RULE!

Inspired by a snack of mini marshmallows.....

Me: I'm such a worry wart. When we have kids, I'm going to have to make them a list of all the things they can't do when they go places.

Phil: What do you mean??

Me: Like if they are going camping with their friends.....I will have to write a list. Don't do chubby bunny contests. Don't run with forks in mesh bags. Pick a really long marshmallow-roasting stick. You know....

Phil: You can't do that. Then they'll just go ahead and do everything you asked them not to.

Me: No, they would listen.

Phil: (gives look of doubt)

Me: (trying to sound convincing) Really......that's what they would do!

Phil: No....that's what YOU WOULD DO!!!!

Confessions of a Storm Cloud.

Talking about a basketball player he admires on the opposing team...

Phil: He's just such a nice kid. Like he sees the world like there's nothing but good things in it. (Smiles). What a way to live!

Me: Ya Phil - what a GREAT WAY TO LIVE! Ah-HEM!

Phil: But I don't want to live that way! I meant for other people!

Haha - oh Phillip! Today was another great day on the court! The boys are 5 - 0 going into tomorrow's semi-final game! Please send all of your luck this way!!!

Tournament Update:

Phil's basketball team played two games today

and

WON BOTH OF THEM!

WAY TO GO BOYS!!!

SO nice to see you! There's lots to look forward to this month....

* warmer weather - but not too warm.....YET!
* lots of opportunities to watch basketball!
* our track and field meet
* St. Patrick's Day on the 17th! (a day dedicated to my FAVE colour!)
* science fair - this will be more of a relief than anything!
* the Bachelor finale (eeeeeeeeeeeee!)

Lucky for us, March is also the pathway to a week long trip in London. YIPPEE-YA-HOOOOO!

I hope your March welcomes you with a smile and treats you kindly for all 31 days!

HAPPY FEBRUARY 29th!

Here I am - still awake, on a school night, sitting alone in the living room....WIRED! Phil is already in bed, but I have been marking like a fiend since I got home at 3:05 and I can't seem to relax enough to fall asleep. I know, it's only 9ish now, but that is already about one hour past my optimal bed time! And so, I did what any overtired middle school teacher would do (or NOT), I whipped out my froggy hairband to celebrate this LEAP YEAR! Haha - wait until Phil reads this post tomorrow morning.

Speaking of tomorrow - the "highlight of basketball season" begins! Phil and his junior varsity boys are playing in a three day international tournament hosted at our school. I am keeping my fingers crossed that I can attend his 11 a.m. game. I should be on prep during that time, but you never know when you might be called in to sub for someone else!

Ahh! March madness begins! GOOD LUCK to PHIL & THE BOYS!!! I will do my darnedest to "project" my voice court-side! YIPPPEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(Told you I was WIRED!)

Goodbye PLANKING, Hello JOLIE-ING!

Out with the old, in with the new! Inspired by this red carpet look, Angelina Jolie fanatics have started a new trend called "JOLIE-ING". As with planking, the whole idea is rather silly (but will no doubt catch on). Google it for a good laugh :)

Did THAT just happen?

During my first period class today (and after several weeks of working on their science fair projects)....

Student: MISS! What is the scientific process?

As you can see, I have not included my reaction to this question. The reason being that I don't even remember what I said or did. Actually, I couldn't even tell you which kid asked me this. I just remember feeling VERY UN-IMPRESSED at the moment, taking a deep breath, and finding my Zen.

Yikes! I think it's safe to say that four day weekends aren't always the best idea ;)

Jokes aside, my kids were wonderful today. I love grade six!

IF YOU WERE HERE FOR TEA.

* It's my FOURTH year in the middle east and I have JUST realized how much I LOVE dates. I started to eat them as an after school snack at the tutee's house and we purchased some yesterday to have with tea at home. Mmmmmm mmmm mmm! DELISH! My reviews have been so good that even Phil tried one! <------- This is a big deal, as he's a plain jane when it comes to food!

* Last night we watched the movie "Contagion" and it has inspired me to wash my hands ALL DAY LONG today. In fact, half way through the movie I had to grab the Dettol (to which Phillip responded "you're being ridiculous")! Baha. It was an okay film, but what's with the ending? Before we knew it, the credits were rolling and many outcomes were left untold. I guess this leaves room for how I think each movie should end - "...and they all lived happily ever after"!

* This morning we watched the Oscars red carpet on repeat. It was 3 hours of WONDERFUL E! coverage with Giuliana looking absolutely STELLAR. I'm trying to Youtube some of the acceptance speeches now, as the actual show was not aired on any of our networks.

* Another delightful part of our Monday was a phone call with Dana doodle! She was up late after a grand attempt to watch intermittent Oscar coverage in a snowstorm. I wonder how much she'll miss that weather next year in the Philippines?! Fingers crossed she never has to experience an earthquake....

Well, today is our last day of the four day weekend. It was a PERFECT, RELAXING holiday and we feel refreshed and ready to go for school tomorrow. A busy March awaits us with science fair, track and field, and two basketball tournaments. The first tournament is next weekend for the junior varsity team. I can't wait to cheer on Phil and the boys for three days straight!

Missing all of you back home!
XOXO

BYE, BYE BLENDER!

In our kitchen, there are three outlets. One is for the fridge. One is for the washing machine. And the other is for essential kitchen appliances that are stored on the shelving unit you see here. Now, for reasons that frustrate the heck out of us, the kitchen only likes ONE of these "essential" appliances to be running at a time. If we want tea and toast for breakfast, we make one and then the other. If it's oatmeal and coffee, it's one and then the other. If it's a smoothie and a sandwich-maker-sandwich, same thing. Anyways, in order to accelerate this already-slow food/drink preparation process, we store our "TOP FIVE" appliances - the ones we use the most- on the top shelf for easy access. Until last week, our "top five" included: the toaster, the kettle, the coffee maker, the sandwich maker and the blender. Well - changes have been made...

MOVE OVER BLENDER - there's a new appliance in town. Say hello to "THE STEAMER"!

Yep, that's right - our blender has been moved to shelf two in order to accommodate our frequently used steaming machine! You gotta earn your place, Blender, if you want to remain on the starting line-up!

Phil and I will be off to the grocery store this afternoon to blow off some steam to find things to steam! BAHA. I know - my jokes are lame.

Happy Oscar day to ALL! I can't wait to see some STEAMY new looks on the red carpet!

Haha - sorry, couldn't help myself. Signing out now! ;)

RAIN, RAIN, you can STAY!

Sometimes rainy days are a good excuse to stay inside and be lazy. When they happen in Kuwait, they're even MORE convincing! Right now it is POURING rain - and I mean it when I say "pouring". We can hear the pitter patter against our windows and the cars swooshing by on the highway below. TV is always a good option on days like this. If the icky weather keeps up tomorrow, we may get through season eleven of The Biggest Loser! YA-HOOOO!