THE MARINI FAMILY

WELCOME TO THE CRAZINESS OF OUR LIFE WITH TWO BOYS!

Saturday, July 31, 2010

Soccer Season Part Deux

Well, Ryan is playing soccer again and really having a great time.  He is a very determined player who can handle a ball extremely well for someone his size and age.  Last week when another mom from our team turned to me and asked, "How long has he been playing?"  I almost started laughing...tempted to be a complete smart-ass and say "Since he was 8 months," just to see what she would say and do because the question was ridiculous.  How long has he been playing????  HE'S THREE YEARS OLD!!!  He has an older brother.  He HATES to lose.  Get over it!! 

Anyway...now that my little rant is over.  Some pictures!



















And finally...because doesn't everyone play soccer with one hand on their head???  It's his thing.  He used to grab his ear and now it is this.  Who knows...it could be a skill he picked up at the soccer camps he attended when he was just a baby.













Tuesday, July 27, 2010

First day of school for Mommy and Matthew

Today was the first day of school.  And I am not going to lie...I barely have the strength to type.  I don't know how or why, but the first day of school is the most draining of the year.  It's all of the rules, expectations, procedures all day long.  Believe me, I know it is way too much for them to take in the first day, but I panic if I don't say every little thing that pops into my mind.  And its boot camp week.  Meaning I am setting the tone for the rest of the year on what to expect and what I expect.  I smiled more today because some of them looked horrified.  But then, some of them smiled all day too.  My favorite part of the day was after school when the kids were walking out and I heard, "She's not that bad after all.  I heard she was much meaner."  I laughed out loud.

With today also came change.  This year I have a 5/6 combo.  Don't ask me how I am going to do it.  Don't ask me how I am going to teach two separate curriculum's in the same amount of time allotted for one.  Just don't ask!! Because right now...I have no idea.  I'll get there...I am just not there yet.  The blind side part that hit me today was my sixth graders.  As I have been racking my brain on how I am going to teach these two grades some unexpected things happened today like my sixth graders walking into my classroom thinking they weren't quite smart enough for 6th Grade, so they are still with fifth graders.  And I also wasn't prepared for the teasing that took place from some of the other sixth grade classmates that happened to be placed in straight sixth grade classes.  So Momma Bear Marini kicked in and started damage control today and I had a few fellow students not pleased to see me again, apparently they have forgotten my no tolerance for teasing!

And finally...it was the second graders first day of school. And boy was he excited!!! He is also in a combo class this year. On the opposite side of my damage control, I had to explain to Matthew that because he was in a 2/3 class, that did not mean he is ALSO a third grader. This was a bit confusing to him. However he had a fabulous day today and I love his teacher so I know he will have a great school year.

And a friendly face always helps...Mr. Victor!

And Mommy and Matthew :)

Monday, July 19, 2010

City Fun!!

This past weekend the Golden Girls headed to the city to escape the valley heat and celebrate some birthdays!  Kristin's is next weekend and Lynn's birthday was on Saturday and what better excuse do we need for a weekend away to shop, drink and eat without the hubbies and cubbies.  Please excuse the quality of the pictures...I only used my phone.  Let's go on a picture walk, shall we???  The music was our theme song for the weekend :)

The one and only time we let Kelly drive for the weekend.  Here's a fun tidbit....if you want to drive with Kelly, please know that she drives/changes lanes using only these little light indicators letting her know whether someone is in her blind spot or not.  Under no circumstances do I believe that was Volvo's intention when they put these in.  I think...and I'll go out on a limb here...that they were still thinking the driver would use their common sense and continue to use their side mirrors, rear view mirrors, and their EYES when switching lanes.  I'm just saying...

The Hotel we stayed at was right down the street from Union Square.  We took advantage of it's location and shopped around town for a couple of blocks.



Four girls and this bathroom was complicated at times....humorous at others.  I'll leave it at that.
Because the four of us gravitate to a Cheesecake Factory whenever there is one within a 20 mile radius, the top of the Macy's building was a perfect place for lunch.


I will say that I am proud of myself for trying something new.  I usually go with the same thing, but I ventured out and tried the Thai Chicken Pasta.  Kelly had the club...VERY ADVENTUROUS OF HER!  Kristin had the tuna and some type of wrap???  And finally, the birthday girl had....THE SAME EXACT THING SHE HAS EVERY SINGLE TIME....Cashew Chicken.

After a nice lunch we headed out to the shops.  And then because we could...we headed back to the hotel for some R & R.  That was the best part about the weekend....we had no plans.  If we wanted to go lay down and rest, we did.  Some of us rested harder than others...(and some of us were jealous of her).
Others of us drank.  And drank.  And drank.  Here's to the Blue Bomber.  Or the Blue Baller.  Or wait, was it the Blue Bombsicle???  I don't care or frankly remember.  It just seemed as if my glass was never empty.

After our rest we decided to head out and see some sights.  As any good tourist, we headed to Pier 39.  And because we were in the city...I decided to bring some fun shoes that I never wear in Lodi because I really don't think I could pull them off in a town where at any given time I can run into a student or their parents.  So, I have a selection of shoes that I call my "out of town shoes."  As much as I love my out of town shoes, that also means I have to be out of town to break them in.  And for these darlings, I needed an ice pack and aspirin by the end of the night. 

All of us with the birthday girl!

Beautiful day in the city.

We went to this place for dinner at the Pier.  It was an Italian restaurant and basically the only restaurant that didn't have a wait time.  Not the best meal we had.  Kelly and I shared calamari and then ordered a clam chowder bowl...again because we scream tourists.  However, they were out of bread bowls so we nicknamed them our ghetto chowder bowls.  Pretty much a bowl of soup with a basket of bread on the side.
And because it was her birthday, we let Lynn order whatever she wanted...however crazy it sounded.  Here is her side order of mushrooms and garlic bread.  Please note the size of her margarita.  An acceptable size for an alcoholic beverage.  My lemon drop came in a glass that was meant for Barbie's dream house.  I wanted to ask the waiter..."Where's it's mother?"
Enjoying the weather...laughing at the thought of it being well over a hundred in the valley.

Thanks to the ladies for a great weekend.  Happy Birthday to Lynn and Kristin!!!

Friday, July 16, 2010

Lake Tahoe~~Summer 2010

We were in Lake Tahoe this week for a little R & R.  Richard and Sharon had a time share for the week and we went for the first part of the week.  With only two weeks left of summer vacation, it was nice to get away for a few days. 

Tuesday was our anniversary and we took the boys to McDonald's for lunch and then killed some time before I had a pamper party with the massage/facial lady.  While I was there Rich took the boys miniature golfing and they had a blast. 




On Wednesday we went to the practice rounds at Edgewood for the celebrity golf tournament.  My usual stalking prey...Pete Sampras...was not there (and what is the deal with that?).  So we stalked this guy...he's not bad.


Matthew is turning into a professional golf spectator.

Not nearly as beautiful as Pebble...but still not too shabby.



Later that day we headed to the play ground. 



And tried to meet some new friends...


And finally, eight years and counting.....