4 years and 2 months old

Rocco just keeps getting bigger! This is his last summer before he starts school. I asked him what he wanted to do now that I wouldn't be working. What could we do that would be extra special? "I know!" he said. "Let's go to nanny's!" He loves going to his nana and granddaddy's house. They love on him, spoil him, feed him home cooked meals, and teach him things as if he were in school. I'm so grateful for them. I've never worried about him while I have worked these last 3 years. He was in great hands!

At 4 years and 2 months old, he is just a little man. He talks to us like he's an adult. And he's started reading with his word wammer. He can read rhyming words like bad, mad, dad, pad, and sad.

At night, he still loves to eat a 'little snack'. He asks for gum several times throughout the day, loves candy, and prefers Sprite over water.

He enjoys playing with his new kitten, Willow, but is afraid of our spastic dog which he named "Puppy." Thomas and CARS are still his favorite toys, but he also loves to have books read to him. No matter how many we read at night to him, it is never enough.

At church he still has a difficult time being separated from me. On Wednesday nights, he starts dreading going to his class before we even get there. I tell him that he can stay with Ms. Bethany for 10 minutes. He tries to bargain with me, "How bout 3 minutes?" Sometimes he cries, but he is getting some better. Hopefully by this August he will be ready to go to his pre-K classroom without me.

Monthly Update

Rocco is now 4 years and one month old. He still gets his picture made in the blue chair, but he insists that he is too big for a white onesie that I used to dress him in. I have to agree with him. So, monkey pajamas will have to do.

I missed blogging the entire month of April. Here's a brief summary of how April (and the first part of May) went.

We began the month of April by having professional pictures of Rocco made. My mom went with Rocco and me when we had them done. I was really pleased with how they turned out.

Easter came next. We celebrated our Savior's resurrection. At the same time, we mourned the death of our friend, Shane. He was only 38 when he passed away. He fought cancer for just a few short months before he went home to be with Jesus.

Rocco enjoyed the egg hunt at church. Below are two of his friends, Jack and Caden.

I still teach the 2 and 3 year old Sunday School class at church. They are probably the cutest kids on the planet. This picture was taken Easter morning. We also celebrated Easter at Papa's house with all the cousins. All the kids loaded up on goodie bags and a basket full of eggs.

This month we embarked upon a big adventure...foster parenting. We are a respite home that works with a Christian organization who helps foster kids get into Christian homes. We had two sisters, ages 9 and 11, for a short visit. They were with us from Thursday to Saturday. The girls enjoyed the farm, riding the golf cart, feeding the cows and horses, and going to a jumping gym. Rocco got right in the middle of the action and enjoyed having some company. He was really sweet to share his things. They slept in his Thomas the train bed. Of course he didn't mind...he still sleeps with us.

The next weekend, we had two more sisters. They were 3 and 5 years old. I took them to the park on Saturday. A lady just looked at me with astonishment and asked, "What are the ages of your children?" "Three, four, and five," I replied with a smile. She just shook her head in disbelief. I just laughed within. It was fun being a mom to that many kids, but it was completely exhausting. The two girls were calling us mama and daddy within no time, and they were only with us from Friday till Sunday. Both girls were very loving. They just wanted some love and attention in return. Jason, Rocco, and I took them fishing in our boat. The oldest girl caught her first fish. They loved it.

During the month of April I took on a second job. The reason wasn't for the money; I was asked several months ago by the director of the Professional Studies if I would be willing to teach future teachers how to teach science. Teaching science is what I do. I feel confident in the ability God has given me to do this; it's one of my passions. Being asked to share what I do on the college level was an honor. After praying about it, I decided to take on the new challenge. I had 15 students, all women, in my class. We met from 6 - 10pm every Monday and Thursday night. The class lasted 5 weeks. Jason and Rocco got in some extra father/son time while I was at class. One thing that they really enjoyed doing was going fishing. Although I enjoyed teaching the college class, I was ready to get back home, especially since Rocco got started in tee ball.

Little man is #5. He may be small, but he loves to play ball. His favorite part is running the bases. Living in a small town certainly has its benefits. One of those is the recreation for kids. We already knew the coach and most of kids on Rocco's team. Everyone knows everyone ( and is often related) in our small town. Many of these boys came to Rocco's birthday party, go to our church, and/or will be starting school with him next year. These are some of his closest buddies. Their team name? Car wash. (It's the small business in our town that sponsors them). Go Car Wash! For my second spring break we went to Noccalula Falls. It was a great family trip; the waterfall was beautiful, the flowers were breathtaking, the hike down the gorge was fun, the train ride around the park was a great way to cool off, and all the animals there made it feel like a zoo. Rocco was asking to go back several days later. With spring comes planting time. Jason, Gary, Rocco, and I planted crops in the garden. We hope to have some corn, watermelon, okra, squash, tomatoes, and cucumbers by this summer. The neat thing about it is that the crops are in papa's field where he used to garden. Sometimes I feel certain that Papa is looking down from heaven smiling as he watches his grandson and great grandson planting and plowing in the dirt. This is how May has gone so far.

1) I got my hair cut...really short.

2) My Uncle Joe and Larry died within a week of each other.

3) Jason had knee surgery.

4) Rocco attended "Teddy Bear Day" for pre-K orientation. He is scheduled to begin school in August. Lord willing, things will go smoothly. We'll see how he does when we're not with him all day.

5) We got a new kitten that makes Rocco constantly giggle with delight. Her name is Willow.

6) We're spending more time outside (and our allergies are paying for it). The flower beds are finished...and blooming. ;)