Oh by the way...

So, I have been wondering what I've been doing lately that I haven't posted anything new. Then I read my friend Debbie's blog and realized that school started. No wonder I can't think straight!
Well, Dom started the 6th grade this year and I was a bit nervous. Dom is a lot like me and doesn't keep his opinions to himself and likes to have a good time. These qualities don't always make for a good day in class:-) He has the most non-loving group of teachers this year with the least sense of humor...uh oh. So far he is doing well and we are practicing our "polite" tone of voice. My mother always said..."you catch more flies with honey than vinegar". It should be an interesting year.
Anthony started high school this year! OMG! He is doing quite well. All of his past teachers ask how he's doing and I proudly report...he goes to school with a smile and comes home with a smile and talks nice about his teachers. What a blessing. It was a bit weird dropping him off at the high school on his first day. I couldn't bare to watch him congregate outside of the doors with his friends...it seemed too much like that first day of kindergarten. Hopefully the year goes well for both of them.

Here we go Big Reds!!!

Well folks, we got our first win today! Last season we were 0 & 10 and last week we got pummeled by Thornville. Today we beat John Marshall! The score was 42 - 8. We really needed this win. Now maybe some of our bandwagon fans will come to the next game.
Anthony's team plays this week and we are hoping for a win. His last game was awful. Hopefully everyone will be up for this game.
Go Big Reds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Road trip!

Well, we took a road trip to Lake Erie for Todd's birthday. He said he wanted to do some fishing so we threw the poles and tackle box in the car and off we went. Since it was Todd's birthday, it was only fitting that he caught the first fish...and here it is:

What a catch! haha This was a great back water spot to fish but unfortunately this was the only fish biting. Unfortunately I don't have a picture of the catfish that he and Anthony caught together. Todd hooked it but the line broke and Anthony used his line to reel in the bobber and catfish that was attached. That's what I call team work!

Here is a picture of the fish that Anthony and I caught together. Believe it or not...the same thing happened. I hooked the fish and it broke my line, Anthony used his line to snag my bobber and fish! Yeah for Team Vinka!

Unfortunately Dom didn't catch any fish. He wanted to take this picture of him holding Todd's last catch of the day. That fish could feed a family of four for a week! haha We should have given Dom the prize for the "most casts". I think he cast his pole 5,467,000 times!
What a nice way to end our summer vacation.

Stubble?!?!

So, we know I have a teenage son. He's been shaving for a few months but not often. He shaved yesterday and today when he kissed me goodbye...I got scratched! Are you kidding me????!!! Already?! What the heck! He is a hairy Italian boy...but I thought we would have awhile before the scratchy stubble! I guess I can't put him in the dryer to keep him small (that's what my mom would tell us she wanted to do with us) so I guess I'll just make sure he has a good razor.

Teens should come with shock collars;)

Parenting teens is quite an eye opener. Ya know...it's ok for us adults to use crude humor but when your teen starts using it...wow! Don't get me wrong...I don't have my panties in a bunch but...it's disturbing that I have a son who is now able to understand and use this humor. They make me laugh, blush and lecture! I'm learning new things...that I shouldn't be learning...let alone them teaching me these things! I don't know whether to laugh or scream! When they shock me...I think I should be able to give them a shock back...hence the title. I can't even begin to describe my findings today. Just trust me that one day you may say "oh my...that's probably what she was talking about". I guess this is just another day in the life of a mom of a teenager.

A beautiful baby becoming a blushing bride

Wow...what a weekend! We went to Columbus to visit my sister and her family. The boys had a great time...fishing, tubing, playing. I however had a great time also but it was one of those "snap you back to reality" days. If you know me, you know I like to live in my own little world...known as "Lori's world". It a place where I never age but everyone else does. I suppose most of you live in your own world sometimes too. Well...I sure did have a dose of the "real world time" this weekend.
My absolutely beautiful niece is engaged and will get married next year, so we went wedding dress shopping with her. I didn't think much about it except for the excitement. As she chose dresses to try on...we sat waiting for her to come out and model the gowns. The door opens and there she is...a vision of beauty. It seems like a beautiful dress, we all comment on it and then they put a veil on her! That's it...I lost it...here come the tears! I guess it just seemed like a prom dress fitting until the veil. The flashbacks started...here is this beautiful woman who I see as my flower girl. My brain is racing...how could this be? Oh yeah...it's real world time. So now they are laughing at me...my sister is taking pictures of me crying and the bridal consultant is bringing ME a box of tissues. We all shared a laugh and continued watching her try on gowns.
The best part...she found "the gown" while we were with her. When she walked out with it on...I knew then that that was the one. What an exciting time! I only wish her the best that life has to offer. She will always be my little flower girl.