Spring Break

Last week we headed north for a 5 day vacation in Crossville, TN. What's there? Not much. With our vacation points, though, we were able to secure a week in a nice condo. The area is mostly for retired folks. We did manage to find a few things to do - most of it outdoors. Our first adventure was on a miniature golf course. Little man enjoyed golfing - I did too until Jason beat me.
Next we went to a nearby horse farm. Rocco was too young to go on a trail, but he was able to do a "pony ride". Pee Wee, the farm hand, suited him up in a helmet. We checked out all of the stables and read all of the horses' names. One of them was "Sydney" which was really cool - that's Rocco's first cousin's name, too. This was his first time riding a white horse. Her name was Freckles. Rocco was so relaxed and at ease his entire ride - a natural. The only other horse he's been on is Liberty, the black one that belongs to our neighbors.

The indoor swimming pool was Rocco's favorite. It was olympic size, and all of it was no more than 4 feet deep. He was so proud of himself because he could "swim" backwards in his life vest. There was also a basketball hoop that we played with. When his daddy held him up, he could score!

The resort where we stayed was really large. The main reason people go there is to golf. It was surrounded by several courses. We did find a few playgrounds, though, and we played pirates. Jason was the shark, while Rocco and I were tough guys on the ship. He eventually caught us.

One afternoon we just had family craft time. With our modeling clay we made some funny looking creatures. Rocco cracked up - laughing and laughing about how silly they were. Mine had some big 'ol lips.

Rocco and I spent a good bit of time working on our Mario skills. We took the Wii game with us on our trip. Sometimes we would play while daddy took a nap. We all enjoyed nap time, though. Jason and I even took turns getting massages.

One day we went on a pontoon boat ride. Jason and I agreed that this was our favorite part of the trip. A retired man - an exCoast Guard -was our driver. He gave us the tour of the lake and all the beautiful homes. He even let Rocco get a turn at the wheel. It was so relaxing.

The last adventure we went on was the BIG tree house. This place had to be the largest structure ever built around a tree. . . make that several trees. Although it wasn't the safest structure, it was neat to go up inside. I make Rocco hold on tight to us - there were cracks between the wood, missing boards, and rotting furniture inside. Still, it was fun to explore this big place. A chapel was inside, and I think people still meet there for services. Attached to the top of the big tree house was a long rope from which the most redneck built swing hung. Duck tape secured the old lawn chair to some not so sturdy twine. Have you ever seen such?

Easter 2011

Easter this year was beautiful. The spring weather was warm and windy. The most beautiful thing about is all was what it means to me as a Christian. The death of Christ meant that my sins could be forgiven by the power of His blood. The resurrection of Christ meant that I have the promise of life. Not just here and now, but the promise of eternal life. My Savior is more powerful than the grave - more powerful than death - more powerful than all the forces of evil. My Savior is the risen Lord. Easter is important.

This Easter season, Rocco and I attended a passion play at a local church. It was the first time Rocco had been to one. The church did a great job presenting the life of Christ - from His birth to His resurrection. I talked with Rocco before and during the play, explaining to him that Jesus is real but the people in this play were just acting. He got it. He also got the fact that Jesus is more powerful than the devil. "They just couldn't keep Jesus in that tomb!" he exclaimed.

On Easter Sunday, we had a lot of music at church. The choir that I'm a part of sang. I also sang a solo, "Draw Me Nearer", and I played the bass guitar. The youth choir sang as well as the senior adult choir. Jason preached afterwards. Following the service we had a few pictures made of our family and friends. Here are a few of them.

Rocco and two of his church friends, brothers Will and Weston

Following Sunday worship service, we headed to Gary and Carolyn's to eat lunch. Tonya and Drew had made a cute bunny cake. The dinner was delicious, as usual, and the kids headed outside after we had eaten. Nana blew bubbles at them, and they also played on the swingset. Later they got the tricycle out and even some yard tools. It was a beautiful day to be outside.

The field in front of Papa's house was filled with clover. We had a photo shoot there this Easter season (just me with my camera - and Jason complaining about all the bugs). Rocco sure was cute out there surrounded by all that clover, though.

The Sunday before Easter was Papa's Sunday. All of the cousins, aunts, and uncles met after church for dinner. We had our annual Easter egg hunt. This year we went up the hill to our house and had the kids find eggs in our yard. I love this picture of the kids out near the pond.

When it was all said and done, Rocco received tons of candy and goodies from his cousins, an Easter basket from his nana and granddaddy, and a basket from his mimi and papaw. We're good on candy until Christmas!

Trucks

Yes, you're seeing right. All of those toys are trucks. . . and those aren't even all of them! The other thirty something we decided to leave inside. This afternoon Rocco and I brought out most of his big trucks and just played in the driveway. The weather was warm and breezy - just like spring should be. Some of the trucks were remote control; others did flips and tricks. Many of them came from his birthday party.

Yeah, trucks were all over the place...and we had ourselves a time!

And I love this one....bare feet. I told him he had them, and he didn't like it. He even argued with me about it. Then, I explained that I wasn't saying his feet were like a bear's. He'd never heard of such ...

Five Years Old

Rocco is five! Here's what's happening lately in his world.

He still loves Monster Jam Trucks. In fact, that was the theme of his recent birthday party. At night, he chooses one to sleep with. Since they aren't the most cuddly things to have in the bed, we've convinced him to set the truck above his head on the bed rail. So each night that's where Blue Thunder, El Toro Loco, or Predator can be found. Of course he's up to about 32 trucks now. He lines them all up a certain way by the couch in the living room; he's very particular about this. If one is missing, he will ask where it is. He used to do this with his 5o to 60 something Thomas trains. His little memory is something else!

When I lie down with him at night to go sleep (yes, he still sleeps between us), he wants me to face him. If I turn over he doesn't like it. Rocco loves to cuddle! And right before he falls to sleep, he'll ask me, "Mommy. Be in my dreams." I think that is about my most favorite things he says to me.

Rocco continues to learn a lot about God and the Bible. The other night Rocco and I were having a discussion about false gods. The librarian at church mentioned to me that his class had come in there and that Rocco had some great responses to their lesson on Daniel. I wanted to find out just how much he knew the other day. He told me that statues "can't answer you. They can't walk with you or hold your hand." I thought that was pretty good. I asked him how many gods there were. He was sure of the answer. "One. Not two. The devil wants to be god, but that'd be too much gods! That's just how life is." That last remark cracked me up. He's such a little man and so growny at times.

The other day he was playing with his little sheriff car and pretending to pull over bad guys. He informed me, "Don't say I didn't mean to to the Sheriff because Sheriff don't care!" How funny...yet true!

Whenever I practice my bass guitar, Rocco will go and get his jamming guitar. He rock and rolls through the house. One afternoon, he was giving a pretend concert. The funniest part is when he quit playing and yelled to his make believe audience, "Thanks folks! Thanks for coming tonight!"

Regarding real music, his favorite is Casting Crowns. And the song he requests over and over in the car is "Until the Whole World Hears." He sings his heart out on that one!

And the hair in the picture above is his latest. It is a faux hawk. He wanted a real mohawk, but Jason told him he couldn't do that until he moved out and started paying his own bills.

As far as toys go, Rocco enjoys his Monster Trucks, CARS, and Mario on the Wii. He and I have played that game so much! Jason doesn't play this game with him. Rocco told me it was because "daddy's not a fan of it." Little man knows all about ice bullets, helicopters, penguin suits, and the different canons that warp you to various worlds. We usually come home after school and play it.

One of the latest things around here happens to be our new cars. Rocco didn't understand why we were getting rid of the Tahoe (back in Feb.) Now, he says he doesn't miss it. He really likes mommy's new Honda Accord. And a few months later, daddy got a new car (2006). Rocco and daddy really like sporting around in this BMW!

Rocco's 5th Birthday Party

5th Birthday Party

This year's theme was Monster Jam.  From the monster truck cake

 to the freestyle arena in our garage,

we had it covered!  Kids raced remote control trucks and rolled them around obstacle inside the dirt arena.  God blessed us with a beautiful spring day, and the kids really enjoyed playing on Rocco's swing set, trampoline, and riding around on all of his motorized toys (Power Wheels, wagons,

 toy tractors, scooter, bicycle, and even our golf cart).  Friends from school and church as well as family came out to enjoy Rocco's big party.