Wheel Turn By Wheel Turn

Rocco and his trains! He loves them. Plays with them just about every day. He can name tons of thomas trains. Loves to push the trains himself wheel by wheel rather than turn them on. Looks at his Orchard Supply Train calendar page by page. Enjoys to watch real trains videos on the computer. His favorite book right now is from the library all about train parts and fixing trains.


Here is Rocco and the longest train he has built yet.

Pumpkin Patch with Grandpa

Grandpa John joined us this year at the pumpkin patch.

Rocco Snap - Grandpa John

Carnival

We went to the local school carnival earlier this month. First thing we did was buy tickets and measured Rocco for the rides. Wow! Way over, kid you are free to ride. Rocco rode the tea cups and the BIG slide for the first time. He also did the dragon roller coaster that he rode for his first time with Mimi at the boardwalk. This time he did it all by himself. They wouldn't let me ride with him. We had so much fun we went back the next day for more.

Camping With Friends

(Ok, I admit I am a little behind on posting)

We went camping the weekend of September 30th with the O'Neill's and the Cannons. Jared works for the O'Neill's and the Cannons we were meeting for the first time. We went to Big Sur which was our first time there. We had such a great time. It was really fun camping with other families with kids.

The drive was beautiful along the coast. I never realized how close Big Sur was to us. The drive was just under 2 hours. There was a total of 7 boys and 6 adults. Rocco had a great time fishing, riding bikes, tubing and hanging in the tent with the boys.

Pat made all the kids a crawdad fishing tool and they used hot dogs for bait. Rocco was fishing at the ledge and these kids came up and asked what we were fishing for. Jared told them crawdads. Rocco then pulled up his rope and told the kids with excitement that he had got a "hot dog." I told him no; that is your bait sweet cheeks.

The two older boys (9 and 7) were using the little kids bike's to go down this dirt hill. Rocco thought that was really cool and wanted to try it. It was good size dirt hill and Rocco charge that hill with confidence. Sure he wobbled a couple of time, but yet every time, pulled through it and rode it down. It was fun to watch this moment.

Rocco really enjoyed watching the big kids. Amanda Cannon brought a great craft for the kids to make their own boats to sail down the river. Rocco's boat ended up sailing the best! (thanks to Mommy's craft skills) He would sail it down and the kids would catch it down the river and bring it back up for another run. The last day Rocco asked to walk to the store with a few of the older kids (Phenoix 6 and Wyatt 7) I told him yes and to be safe. I walked behind them to watch him and got a little climps into my boy on the road to getting older.

We really enjoyed camping with these two families and can't wait to do it again next year.

Medal and Turtles

Rocco received his second medal at Jill's last month. 5 Days staying dry and you get a medal. The smile says it all. For the most part Rocco is doing well with potty training. At Jill's to get a color jar you have to now tell her, "I need to use the potty." He does well at home using his words, but just is really starting to tell Jill. Lets get that third medal Rocco!

Rocco did his first cloud gazing with me on the front grass. We saw turtles and a dragon. He would look around and say, "what shape is that?" Makes me smile just thinking about this moment. I am thankful for the simple and beautiful moments.

Wedding Photographer

Jared's cousin Adam (AJ) Davenport got married last month. This was a great time for Rocco to hang out with lots of family members we don't get to see that often. Rocco really enjoyed himself. He had fun walking around the table giving everyone "diamonds." (the table decorations) He was so cute letting everyone give him love as he went around the table.

Rocco also snapped some great pictures of AJ and Emily, Debbie and Jennifer Davenport.

The Umami Egg

Yes, a different kind of deviled egg. Wasn't sure how it was going to taste, but the combination works. That is good for me because I brought them to a girl's lunch and used them as my taste testers.

I will defiantly make these again. I need to find the rice seasoning though. My store didn't care it so I ended up buying organic black sesame seeds. It worked, but I think the seasoning would add a little bit more flavor.

Need to bring an appetizer to a party - bring these!

Recipe from Tastespotting the blog

Biggest Yet

This is Rocco's biggest injury yet. Yes a face plant right in front of Uncle Brain's house. This is Rocco a few days after the fall and after a hair cut and getting a lollipop.

2 Pounds

Max recently got a two pound tumor removed from under his front arm. Yes 2 pounds. It started out the size of a tennis ball and ended around the size of a cantaloupe after about 8 years. I was surprised to hear it was 2 pounds. Max healed great and was ready for a walk before you knew it. The doctor told us he needs tthyroid medicine and that it should help with his 107 pounds of pure love. His surgery healed great and Max is a new young pup. At least that is what he tells us.

This is Max in Jared's tee-shirt to stop him from scratching his scar. He was a trooper and did better than expected. We love Max, he is a good dog.

Maple Rosemary Ribs

The sause on this recipe smells so good when you are making it. If you like sweat, then you will like this recipe. The last couple of times I made it, it started tasting a little too sweet for me. Yet at the same time tastes so good.

Gets 3 thumbs up from the Milazzo's.

1-2 racks pork ribs
Marinade:
1/2 cup maple syrup


1/4 cup soy sauce


2 Tbsp. Dijon or grainy mustard


1 Tbsp. chopped fresh rosemary


1 Tbsp. lemon juice

Put the pork ribs on a rimmed baking sheet and cover with foil; bake at 300F for 2 1/2-3 hours. When cool enough to handle, separate into ribs. Meanwhile, combine the marinade ingredients in a medium-large pot.

Add the ribs to the pot and let sit for half an hour or so, or refrigerate overnight (or for up to two days, if well covered so they don’t dry out). When ready to eat, set the pot over medium heat and bring to a simmer.

Simmer for about 20 minutes, tossing them around in the pot so that the ribs absorb some of the sauce, get glazed and and sticky, and heat through.
Serves 4.

Recipe from Babble

Pumpkin And Meatball Risotto

YUMMY!!

I never have cooked with a REAL pumpkin before. This dish was a great one to start out with. Why? Because it turned out yummy. Just in time for fall and cold weather. This dish is perfect.

Gets 3 thumbs up from the Milazzo's. (Jared is not a huge pumpkin fan and he still liked this dish because it was just a hint of pumpkin.)

(from Matthew Evans book ‘Winter On The Farm’)

200g pork sausage meat
40g butter
200g (about 1 large) leek, white part only, rinsed and finely chopped
200g pumpkin, grated or cut into 2mm dice
400g risotto rice
200ml good quality white wine
1.5 – 2 litres chicken stock, simmering in a saucepan
80g Parmesan, finely grated

Break up the sausage meat into little meatballs about 1.5cm in diameter.

In a large, heavy-based saucepan (I used a 30cm non-stick pan that worked a dream) melt the butter over a medium heat. Add the mini meatballs and let them sizzle and brown all over.

Reduce the heat and add the leeks. Cook, stirring often, for 4 -5 minutes or until leeks are soft then add the pumpkin and rice. Stir for a couple of minutes then add the wine. Increase the heat and stir until the wine has all been absorbed.

Then add a ladle of the simmering stock to the risotto and keep stirring the risotto. Once the stock has been absorbed add another ladle of stock. Continue until 1.5 litres of stock have been used. Check if the rice is cooked, it should have just a slight, slight bite to it. If it needs more cooking just continue with one ladle of stock at a time until the rice is perfect.

Take the risotto off the heat and stir through half the rice. Allow the risotto rest for 5 minutes before serving. Serve with the remaining cheese and a good grinding of fresh black pepper.

Recipe from Tea for Six

Pumpkin Nutrition Facts

Alpha-carotene and beta-carotene both work as antioxidants in the body and are pro-vitamin A carotenoids, meaning they’re converted to vitamin A by the body. Carotenoids boost immunity and reduce heart disease risk. Beta-carotene may help reverse skin damage caused by the sun and act as an anti-flammatory. Alpha-carotene is also thought to slow the aging process, prevent tumor growth and is very good for your eyes, helping reduce the risk of developing cataracts.

Pumpkin is a great source of fiber, with one half cup containing 5 grams of fiber. We all know the benefits of fiber; it reduces bad cholesterol levels, protects the body against heart disease, helps control blood sugar levels, promotes healthy digestion and may also play a role in weight loss.

Pumpkin is rich in Vitamin C, which boosts immunity, reduces the risk of high blood pressure and heart disease and aids regulation of cholesterol levels. A good source of Vitamin E, pumpkin promotes healthy skin by protecting the body from sun damage and may also reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s and certain cancers.

You Smell So Clean

But before you smell clean you smell stinky. That is the latest thing around here. Before you get in the bath or shower, we say, "I'm stinky." Then the others say, "Let me smell!" After you smell, you yell out, "STINKY."

After you are all clean, a smell test is performed again and you say, "You smell like flowers or you smell so clean." (too much information?) It is the little things I tell ya. Love my clean boy.

Love that I captured the first towel head wrap. Rocco thought it was so funny.

A Year Ago Today

Love to hear the things that Rocco was just learning to say. Wow, a lot changes in a year. Love those eyes!


2010 / 2011
Hot / This is too hot
Bella / Bella is a good dog
Open / Will you please help me open this Dad
Ding Dong / What does that clock say
Blueberry / Blueberries are my favorite
Here and There / I am going to put this right here, don't touch it

Neighbor Friends

Carley and Caleb live in down the street. We love when they are outside playing and we can join them. This day, Rocco and I were just driving into the court and we saw them playing. We rolled down the window to say hello and then decided to pull over for a bit for a quick play.

When it was time to go home to start dinner, they asked if they could push Rocco in the go cart down the court. I said yes. Rocco loved it. I think at times he was a little scared since he was going pretty fast but he held on and made it down the court. Having great neighbors to play with makes me happy.

Wheels Turning

When Rocco is playing, he is usually butt in the air and head to the ground. He likes to be down close to watch the wheels turn and if they don't turn, he is quick to notice and usually says something about how the wheels don't turn on that toy. He likes to push the trains rather than turn them on. He wants to see the wheels in slow motion. He likes to see how toys work. He wants to figure it out rather than be wild with the toy.

Mimi just brought Rocco Belle. He took Belle to sleep with him. Well during the night, Jared removed Belle from the bed and but her on the table. We heard Rocco talking when he woke up and we went in to get him and he was lifting up the pillows saying, "I can't find Belle anywhere." I told him she was getting water and that I would get her from the kitchen. This boy doesn't miss a beat.

First Medal - I'm Dry

We are on the tail end of potty training. Jill started a new thing at daycare that if the kids are dry five days in a row all day, they get a medal to wear. (Diaper must be dry when they go use the potty) This is Rocco sporting his first medal. It has Smoky the Bear on it.

Go Rocco!