5 on Friday

As always, here are 5 special reasons I am loving my boy this week: 

5.  Marino started 1st grade at a new school on Monday. He is challenging in some ways but so adaptable in others! He was ready to start his new school. He asked me for a hug in his classroom and I asked him if he was nervous. He said, "No, I just love you and I'm excited." 

4.  Marino told me the other day "I think Daddy smells like sunshine."  

3.  On Sunday, before school started, he told me "I have sweet muscles and a handsome face, so I'm a pretty cool guy." At least he's not lacking self-confidence. 

2.  Marino just started karate and he loves it. I love watching him do it...he's so crazy most of the time, but I see him really focusing and trying his best when he's in karate class.  He also loves his uniform because it makes him "look like a real ninja." 

1.  The other night I accidentally dropped an alarm clock on my toe. Marino heard me saying "ow" and ran in my room to hug me and inspect the damage.  He looked at it and said, " It's only one foot, so let's go get you one crutch." I love my boy!! 

5 on Friday

I'm so behind, but there's so many Marino moments I don't want to forget. Here's 5 of the latest reasons I'm loving my boy: 

5. A couple weeks ago, we went to the beach.  That night, Marino was eating shrimp for dinner. Evan was peeling them for him and handing them over. Marino said, "This is the good life."

4.  Also at the beach:  we had the perfect weather day and we spent 5 hours in the ocean. At one point Marino looked at me and said, "Mommy, the ocean made you look like a freak. It's mostly the hair."

3. Marino loves his brother so much. He came to visit for two weeks and Marino was so happy.  He's so proud of him and always introducing him to everyone, "This is my brother, Quintyn. He's 14 years old!"

4. At Marino's summer camp, the kids get a green band for their legs when they're able to swim the length of the pool without stopping. This means they get to go in the deep end and use the water slides. Marino has been wanting a green band since he went to camp last June. The other night I got home and he said, "Mommy, this is going to be a surprise for you" and held out his leg with a green band! I was so happy I teared up. Later he said "Mommy, I never knew you would be this excited about my green band. I knew you would be a little excited, but not like this!"

5.  Speaking of camp, twice a summer, Marino's camp has each group put on a performance for the parents. The first performance was last month...watch below. The end is the best part.