THE MARINI FAMILY

WELCOME TO THE CRAZINESS OF OUR LIFE WITH TWO BOYS!

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

First Day of School 2012


Look at us!  One big happy Reese Family.  It's official, we are all at Reese now.  As Ryan said, "The whole family is at Reese, except Dad."  I'm thinking of electing Rich to Parents Club, a dose of those ladies will do him good.

Yesterday was great.  My class (fingers crossed) seems great.  Matthew's class seems fantastic.  Ryan's class has a couple of his best buddies in it, so life is great.  Everything is great!  Well, not everything...

I'm not going to lie, I have been worried about this year.  I have been worried about Matthew reaching fourth grade because that means he is in the intermediate area...the same as me.  Okay truth time--I don't have the greatest reputation at school.  My well known nickname is Meanie Marini.  And I own it!  Ownnnnnnn it!!!!  I have no problem with it because the kids who have me (well most of them) come out loving me and say, "You were tough, but fun."  That's all I can ask for.  My problem is this...I'm not just "that" teacher, I am now somebody's mom.  What effect will that have on him?  What backlash will come his way with how I teach and discipline? 
I had yard duty yesterday morning at second recess.  I was so excited because it was the FIRST time I would be on duty with him out there.  I ran out and immediately started to look for him.  I looked, and looked, and looked, and looked some more.  No Matthew.  We are now seven minutes into a fifteen minute recess and no sign of him.  Then, finally, I see him.  He was WAY out by the trees, hiding on the opposite side of them, with his friends.  When the bell rang, he ran in and stood in his spot, refusing to make eye contact with me.  I didn't make a big deal of it, I simply turned my back and carried on with what I was doing.  After school I asked him if there was a reason he was the furthest possible spot away from me and he just smiled.  He was drawing his line in the sand.  I stay on my side, he will stay on his. 

Today I had a prep and knew that Ryan had recess at that time.  I ran over to see him and ask him about his day, knowing that this boy who has been counting the years until he was with me at school, would for sure be happy to see me and talk to me.  No such luck.  He was playing with his friends and there was nothing I could do to break that.  Strike out number two.
Who said it was a gift to be able to work at the school where your kids go?  To be able to see them whenever, to talk to them while walking in the halls, or wave to them as they walk by your classroom?  I got stood up twice!  TWICE!  Ahh, the reality of a mother with boys.  I will not accept it.  I will not back down.  Consider this a challenge, and I hate to lose.

By the way...this was waiting for me in my box this morning from Ryan's teacher.  She said she made me a copy for my desk.  Oh yeah, this is why it is a gift to work where your kids go to school.

Monday, July 23, 2012

Eat, Sleep, Shop.

We just got back from Vegas yesterday...fifteen minutes before I had to be at a school function, you're welcome, and I am embarrassed/proud to say that the only things we got accomplished are the three things in the title of the blog.   Okay, we gambled a little, but clearly we didn't win or "gamble" would have been in the title and it would have looked like this...GAMBLE!!!!
After spending about four hours at the outlets in Primm...we were soooooo dehydrated!!!  And we would be doing our bodies such a disservice to not take care of them, so naturally we ordered drinks immediately when we got to the The Border Grill.

The next day we braved the heat for a little over an hour to get a little sun at the pool.  Then it was off to outlet mall number two.  Luckily we were all in the mood for a little retail therapy because I'm pretty sure the only exercise we got this weekend was walking through stores.

Friday night we out to dinner at The Wicked Spoon and walked around a little after dinner.  Here are some classic hotel room backdrop pictures.



Can anyone else tell I have extra tall heels on???

 Group shot outside. 

Saturday night we headed to one of our FAVORITE restaurants, Tommy Bahama's, and met Jason's cousin and husband for dinner.  The company was great and dinner was fabulous as always.
We had such a great time.  Same time next year???  You got it!

I though it would be fun to add a wedding picture, since it is still our anniversary month.  Times have changed...ouch.

And last but not least, I took some pictures of the kids last week since they are rarely together.  A couple of them turned out darling.



My favorite...

How much do you loved the flipped collar?  He REFUSED to put it down. :)

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Small Town Love

I have small town love.  Whoever came up with the phrase Little Lovable Lodi hit it spot on.  I haven't always felt that way.  Believe me, at one point in my life I couldn't get far enough away.  But now it is different.  It is different because I know what a great little town it is to raise a family in and the community is one you just want to be a part of.

Last year was the first year that Lodi has allowed private fireworks in what seems like forever.  Growing up, we never played with fireworks because of the ban Lodi had against them.  This year it seemed like there were more stands popping up all over and more of a desire to join in on the fun that others had been having for years.

Last night I went for a walk around 9:30.  It had finally cooled off and Teddy and I needed to stretch our legs after being housebound for the day (potty training Bear, not always fun).  It was the first time that I could remember walking around my neighborhood seeing kids run around with sparklers, spelling out their name in the air and people gathered in the street to watch little fireworks shoot off colors.  I loved it.  I absolutely loved it.  I loved that people were out front, wishing me a happy fourth, and playing around in their yards. 

Tonight I went over to some friends house to watch the fireworks from their place.  The neighborhoods were lined with cars, everyone out in their front yards celebrating together, with American flags hanging from a pole at every house.  It screamed happy, joyful, and fun.

I have small town love!


  
Happy Independence Day!