Athletes and Mathletes . . .

How do you juggle 8 basketball games in 2 weeks, daily swimming practices, a math competition, four days of dance, school, work and sanity?  Well, mostly, you don't.  The sanity part, that is.  But, it's the middle of February, so we are seeing a glimpse of light at the end of the tunnel.  It's a very faint light, but it's there.  It is.  I know it.  

Kudos to Noah for making 2 three point shots, 1 two point shot and playing really well in one of the games last week.  He's been doing well this season.  However, the last couple games, the entire team has struggled.  We have four games left, so they are hoping to redeem themselves and save their winning record.  Go Knights! 

High Five's to Ez for getting 6th overall in the regional Mathcounts competition and qualifying for the state meet.  Yeah!!  He was up against 4 kids from the same team who's parents all happen to be Math professors at South Dakota State University.  One of which went to Nationals last year - all of which are 8th graders and they have no social life because they spend all their waking hours doing math problems (the coach says) Not that we're bitter or anything . . .

Big news:  IT'S MELTING!!!   Praise God!  The temps have been above freezing now for 5 days IN A ROW!!  It's like winter has become the Wicked Witch of the West and we are glad to see her go. (hated that movie, but the the analogy was fitting) Now mind you, there is still a good couple of feet of snow yet to melt, but the roads are clear and dry and we can actually see the bricks of our sidewalk and patio!!!  And there is blue sky!  And sun!  HURRAY!   Hey - let us get excited.  It's a big thing for us up here.  Even though we all know it's the annual January thaw that just happens to be in February and we know it won't last - but we're taking it.  Yeah, the forecast is for snow this weekend - so come on - let us relish in our little bubble while it lasts . . . 

Also big news - I have finally made corn tortillas and they are edible.  We will not talk about the many times I tried and failed to make them in the past.  But this time - I learned from an expert.  While in Costa Rica, this beautiful lady made corn tortillas every morning and I watched her very carefully.  There is a secret to it and I finally figured it out.  It's water. Yeah, I know!   Keeping it moist and keeping your fingers moist while you shape them on wax paper made all the difference.  A few veggies, some rice and beans topped with a huge dollop of guac  -  Sheer happiness on a plate.  I'm hungry.  See ya!