Crazy sports weekend

March Madness is officially over for Louis as his six-month basketball season came to an end this past weekend. His team, coached by Paul, made it to the second round of the playoffs. If you asked us in January if we thought it was possible that they made it past the first game of the playoffs, we would have been doubtful. They were awesome and made drastic improvements. And Paul made it through the season without any technicals himself – although when you look at the photo below from a game earlier this season, you might think otherwise. We like to tell the kids he was trying to “instruct” the ref. (As Dan Pisani pointed out, he's wearing his "good jeans" too).


What you can’t see in the photo is the kids who followed him out on the court like little ducklings because they liked the conversations with the ref. What really surprised us was the parents. We thought Naperville parents were into the game – these parents were crazy! We’re assuming it’s because they’ve been attending hockey games their entire lives as players and parents. Let’s just say they are very vocal and lucky not to get fouls of their own. And Paul’s co-coach was known to drop the S-Bomb frequently. There’s nothing more entertaining than a French-Canadian yelling “Ssshhhhheeeetttttttttt.”And not getting a foul for it. 

Danielle had a busy weekend of her own with the Provincial water polo tournament. Her team will play in Nationals, fortunately in Montreal and not Vancouver this year, at the end of May. There are no photos of Danielle because she’s in that “Mom, don’t bring the camera” stage.

Bittersweet

Louis and Liam show off their signs before the game...

Just like old times...Liam sits on the bench with Louis' team as the unofficial second assistant coach...

You'll notice Flat Taylor in this photo -- Paul's cousin Pat's grandaughter has a Flat Stanley project -- we're guessing she's the only one who attended a Canadian hockey game...

Genevieve and Danielle at the top of the Olympic tower overlooking the city...


Like no time passed...

Having good friends come to visit is bittersweet. It's so much fun when they are arrive, yet so sad when they leave. We had a great time when the Kirstein family from Naperville decided to spend Spring Break in the Great White North, while others went south to warm up. It was as if six months had not passed since we saw them. Louis and Liam immediately began shooting hoops outside, Danielle and Genevieve had their teenage discussions which included lots of giggling, Kish and Jackie opened a bottle of wine (or two, or three, let's say a lot) and Paul and Mark talked about the White Sox, Blackhawks, politics (with humor), solved the economic crisis and stimulted the Canadian economy by consuming a lot of Molson.

Having our first out of town guests since Dan Pisani was here in December gave us the chance to be tourists again. It was fun to learn more about Montreal. It's especially nice since we can feel the end of winter, although, we're not putting away our winter boots just yet.

The real bittersweetness was when the boys went to the Blackhawks/Montreal Canadiens game. Mark says everyone should experience an NHL game in Canada. While it's not necessarily more rambunctious than a U.S. hockey game -- he pointed out that Canadians are extremely serious about their hockey and a stranger will gladly provide a brief history of hockey when asked. And he mentioned that there's no doubt the fans in Canada REALLY understand their hockey and they are very much into the game. The game was bittersweet because the Blackhawks lost by three. While the Pisani family is of course cheering for the Blackhawks and proudly display the flag through the winter, at any other game at the Bell Centre we would be cheering for the Canadians. Even Liam was cheering for the Canadiens by the end of the game anyway. It's hard not too. Most Canadien fans truly like the Blackhawks -- after all they are part of the original teams. We've been told by several service people who have come to our house for a repair or delievery, that as long as it's not a Toronto or Boston flag, we're okay. We still think of it as Sweet Home Chicago.

Thanks Kirstein family for spending your vacation at our Sweet Home Montreal...it's was just as much of a vacation for us!

Nous sommes Marquette!

We are...Marquette!  Even in Canada where we still have snow on the ground and another dusting last night. Aller Marquette!

Things not seen in the U.S. #4

Adding to our Things not seen in the U.S. blog series, this handy Puck Pack was an obvious pick. Since we're well into our 40s and can handle glass bottles, we avoid canned beer at all costs, unless absolutely necessary (or desperate). But Paul had to buy this Puck Pack of Molson Export. It's a lot more entertaining than your typical suitcase of canned beer -- this has 18 "canettes" as they call them in French. Classy. The Kirstein Family from Naperville will be coming to our home next weekend for their spring break. They're here in time to attend the Blackhawks/Canadians hockey game on the 31st. So, Mark Kirstein, this Puck's for you.

A Canadian invented basketball???

Basketball is on our minds. We’re ready for some March Madness. Each year we look forward to Marge Madness – an online recreational basketball pool created by Paul’s brother Dan and his wife Margie in 2000. There’s always a timely theme ranging from Survivor, Lord of the Rings, American Idol and more – all with a basketball twist. This year the theme is Slumdunk Millionaire. Participants submit fun photos with their picks and this year we added a Canadian theme with these photos – all enhanced with Danielle’s knowledge of Photoshop she has learned at school. Dan and their dog Walter Peyton Pisani have continued Marge Madness since Margie passed away in October 2007. It’s the best tribute ever to Margie – after all -- she would want us all to have Marge/March Madness parties, play along and have FUN. Of course, we’re cheering for Marquette (Dan, Margie and Paul's other brother Jim are also MU grads).  Our Blackhawks flag out front will be replaced with the MU flag for Friday’s game. We’re bringing a little Marge Madness to Montreal in the coming weeks – starting today!

Back to the basketball trivia….this spring Louis did a project at school where he had to research a Canadian inventor. He found out that the inventor of basketball was actually a Canadian! James Naismith, a Canadian physical education instructor, invented basketball in 1891. He was born in Almonte, Ontario and educated at McGill University and Presbyterian College in Montreal. He was the physical education teacher at McGill University (1887 to 1890) and at Springfield College in Springfield, Massachusetts (1890 to 1895). At Springfield College (which was then the Y.M.C.A. training school), James Naismith, under the direction of American phys-ed specialist Luther Halsey Gulick, invented the indoor sport of basketball.

In Springfield, Naismith was faced with the problem of finding a sport that was suitable for play inside during the Massachusetts winter (something we can relate to) for the students at the School for Christian Workers. Naismith wanted to create a game of skill for the students instead of one that relied solely on strength. He needed a game that could be played indoors in a relatively small space. The first game was played with a soccer ball and two peach baskets used as goals. Naismith joined the University of Kansas faculty in 1898, teaching physical education and being a chaplain.

First College Basketball Game
The first ever college basketball game was played on January 18, 1896, when the University of Iowa invited student athletes from the new University of Chicago for an experimental game. Final score: Chicago 15, Iowa 12, a bit different from the hundred-point scores of today. In 1963, college games were first broadcast on national TV, but it wasn't until the 1980s that sports fans ranked basketball up there with football and baseball. 

We're ready for some Marge/March Madness in Montreal!