It's a....!

GIRL!!!! Mika (pronouced "Micah") Amy (YEAH!!) Stewart was born a week ago (I know...I'm a bit late on the announcement...) and my sister will never be pregnant again! (So she claims!) I thought for sure it was going to be a boy, but a boy with the middle name "Amy" might get made fun of so this is definitely what was supposed to happen. Congratulations Erin, Jason and your three kids under 2 1/2 years old!!!! I am definitely proud Aunt Amy!

I haven't blogged because I have been really, really busy. We had our school's inspection this week and I had a big looming lurch of a man lurking around my art room and breathing down my back for a class... There were only 9 lessons among all sorts of other things being observed and of course, mine just happens to be one of them. But, I hope that my little lesson on Paul Gauguin aided slightly to the "Outstanding" rating (and the best our head teacher has ever seen!) our school received. It was a bit of a stressful week because on top of preparing for the inspection I have reports due tomorrow morning. They are done and signed now (literally, just before I started blogging!) but I've been working my tush off to get them done! I guess I still have time to breathe because I'm not still at school at 9pm frantically writing away. My work is pretty much done now until Christmas. I can relax. After tomorrow I have only two and half weeks before we break up for holidays and once we get into December it will all be Christmas madness!!

Oh remember that show, "Kids say the darnedest things"? Well, yes, they do... Let me tell you a little story that occurred during one of my design and technology classes. In year 3 we are designing and building our own picture frames. Before we can get messy and start building there is a lot of planning involved, of course. We were talking about making structures stable, so started talking about structures around the world. The Eiffel Tower, the Pyramids, the Great Wall of China sure...then we get to the Taj Mahal. I say "house point to anyone who can tell me what religious group worships at the Taj Mahal". Hands all go up - "Christians" "Catholics" "Jews"... and on and on. Finally, I say "ok, last guess" and I choose a little boy named Alex. With a serious a face as anyone can make, Alex says..."ummmm, Lesbians?" !!!!!! My response..."well, Alex, perhaps some...but the Taj Mahal is not reserved fully for Lesbians. Okay class, that question will be your homework". OH MY GOODNESS. How do you keep your composure, you might ask... You just do.

As far as wedding plans go, well they've been put on the back burner for a little while...just until I get news on the location which will be really soon. I bought my first wedding magazine actually. It was rubbish and a waste of money. Anyway, wedding plans are in my head and that's how far they've gotten.

We've been having fun in the new flat. A putting course has developed and the other day Blairret and I played. Final score: Blair - 3, Amy - 3, and Barret - 2. I got Barret really good on the toe with a chip shot when he wasn't paying attention so I think that's worth another point, so I guess I won. As much as it's two against one in many aspects, I don't mind. Those guys make me laugh and keep me sane. They also do they dishes after I cook dinner and regular put the toilet seat down (most of the time...)

Barret bought me flowers today. It was really sweet after the mad week I've had with inspections and reports and other random stresses. He takes care of me and I'm so thankful!

I hope everyone is doing well and is happy and healthy. I miss you all and hope you're not freezing. It's gotten really chilly here so I imagine back home the temperature is dropping...

Stay warm!

All my love,

Amy