WORRIED and WONDERING.

This is a picture of my classroom on Thursday afternoon - after a whirlwind week of grade six poster assembly. At 3 p.m., this space was finally peaceful and CLEAN.

And so....I'm curious...

Is there always a storm after "the calm"? Because there was definitely one before it.

Judging week has me NERVOUS and sleep deprived!

Shout-Out to MY Favourite TEAM!

It wasn't until yesterday that I realized I had yet to tell you the outcome of the basketball tournament last weekend! (Thanks for reminding me, Dad!)

So - Phil's team went 5 - 0 in the round robin and faced Abu Dhabi in the semi final game. The coach of the other team, Mitch, happened to go to Brock University with Phil (random, right?!) and it just so happened that his team came out HOT - sinking three pointers left and right! After a good fight, Phil's team lost the game, but went out in the most positive of ways with the crowd cheering like wild in the third place game. In this game, the second line was put to the test, as the starters cheered them on from the bench throughout all four quarters. It was unbelievable - they frustrated the heck out of the opposing team and almost won the game!!!

Phil really has done a marvelous job with the basketball program at our school. I remember walking into his first try-out last year and thinking "OH MY GOSH". Most of the kids had only played basketball in gym class and could barely dribble the ball. Now they're running plays and winning games!!! It's INCREDIBLE.

Phil started the basketball season for this year LAST MAY. He has practiced three or four days a week since then and even has kids coming in on weekends and at recesses to practice their shot. After the tournament last weekend, with no games left to play this year, he had 100% perfect attendance at practice this week.

AMAZING! The boys can't seem to get enough! And neither can Phil :) Off he goes this afternoon to practice for next weekend's tournament.

(Phillip - I AM SO PROUD OF YOU! I love watching you do what you love! You're the best. XOXO.)

Funky Birds and Giraffes and Bears....OH MY!

This morning Emily and I ventured out to the Kuwait Zoo with our friend Scott. It was a last-minute, random excursion that happened to be the perfect outing for a day like today. The weather was GORGEOUS - sunny and borderline HOT! And the zoo is surprisingly good - many cool animals to see and lots of CLEAN, GREEN space to enjoy. That being said, my soft spot still lies with the Peterborough Zoo back home :) Today's train ride did not involve a hunt for stolen zoo animals or a journey across the river!!! The thrill of such events will have to wait until the summer!!!

IF YOU WERE HERE FOR TEA.

I feel like we haven't had tea in forever! It's finally the weekend and I'm ready to have a cup :)

* Science fair is almost over. This week the kids finished assembling their boards and had time to practice their presentations. Next week they have preliminary judging, and the following week they have final judging. It's been a real chaotic week for all of us (students included!), but I know the experience will be a rewarding and memorable one (or at least that is what I keep telling myself).....

* Track and Field was AWESOME this week. I am really having fun with it this year and the group of kids we've selected are dedicated and kind. Our track and field meet is coming up at the end of March!

* This week I was on Pinterest and saw a picture advertising two-ingredient muffins. TWO INGREDIENT MUFFINS?! I had to find out more. It turns out that you can take any old cake mix and combine it with a can of pumpkin to make deliciously moist muffins in record time! Lucky for us, my good intentions of making pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving AND Christmas remained just that - good intentions - and so we had extra cans of pumpkin in the cupboard. Feedback on the final product? SO GOOD! SO MOIST! SO YUMMY! If you're also a pumpkin-pie-making-avoider, this recipe if FOR YOU!

* It's really hard to surprise your husband with dinner in instances like this one:


* I didn't talk to my Daddy on the phone even ONCE this week. I miss him.

* Phil and I are super spoiled. Like - SUPER. On Tuesday evenings Shani cleans for us and we sometimes always have some extra dishes lying around mid-week. Anyways, this Tuesday I decided to work out after track and field and by-pass the kitchen cleanup since I knew Shani would take care of it later. Well, Shani called in sick and I frantically tried to tidy up before Phil got home! I also had a mini-pout about having to iron my own clothes. So yep.....we're spoiled.

* Jessica Sanchez is one of my Idol favourites this season. She is SO GOOD. Did you hear her sing Whitney's "I Will Always Love You"?!!! As J.Lo would say, "it gave my GOOSIES"!

* At the end of the day yesterday, a student came by with a "just because" delivery that reminded me to be more thoughtful:


* The U14 boys placed second overall in their basketball league this week. This is the team that Phil is the assistant coach for, so when I can make it to their games, I cheer them on as well. It's interesting to think about how much they are going to improve in the next few years! It's also interesting to think about how silly it is that I get REALLY INTO the games. I don't even teach these kids and my heart is racing as the teams rush up and down the court. In fact, someone said to me this week, "whoa - you're like soccer mom 2.0"! Haha. Wait until we have our own kids. I think I might need a personal aide to keep my blood pressure down!

* Last night we took advantage of Porter's "biggest sale of the year" and booked our flights from NYC to Toronto. Today we have to book our spring break hotel and another one for our last two nights in North America. I like having everything booked and ready for us! I also like that March is flying by, which means June that is just around the corner!!!

* Phil is beginning a tutoring job in a couple of weeks. For what subject, you ask? FOR P.E., of course! Yes, Phillip is going to be tutoring two kids in P.E. three days a week. The kids tell him that they have "a gym or something like that" at their house. We both know what that means.

Well, Phil is awake and the coffee is on! Missing y'all back home! <---- "Y'all" is starting to catch on. Our neighbours say it nonstop!

XOXO

M.I.A.

Science fair has consumed my life. According to Phil, my classroom looked like Mardi Gras today and at one point I had 40 kids in there.

Yeesh.

Blog ya when I come up for air! Phil and I just got home from school and it is Bachelor and hot chocolate time.

Unexpected & Not Happening.

Student: Miss, can we please explode a party popper at the end of our presentation? It will make it more exciting!

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!