2013 - And Then Rocco Said...

Rocco gets sent home from school with ear ache on Tuesday. Goes to doctor and gets medicine. Wakes up at 11:00 at night with pain. Mom goes to work in the morning and calls to check on how Rocco is feeling. Rocco answers the phone.

Mom – How are you feeling this morning?
Rocco – Good
Mom – Your ear doesn’t hurt.
Rocco – No
Mom – That is good. So you are planning on going to school today.
Rocco – Well, I am not planning on but Dad is planning on it.
Mom – Well I think Dad’s plan might trunk over your plan.
Rocco – Well I am kind of feeling not so good.
Mom – I thought you just told me you were feeling ok. - November

Jared, "you guys sure do make a lot of dishes." Sheryl, "don't always say you guys, Rocco only made one messy dish." Rocco, "Yeah don't say you guys she is a woman." - November

"Mom, do you think you should give me some honey before bed." (I did the night before for coughing) You haven't been coughing, I don't think you need any. "Well then I won't be irritated, just give me some honey mom." - November

I got an idea guys. How about one night mom two nights dad. - August

Rocco got a toy taken away because he threw it and it fit my face. I told him he can't play with it the rest of the day. He followed this with, "This is the worst day of my life." I knew I would hear this at one point, but not really at this early point.  - May

Snuggling in bed. Rocco -Mom. Me - Rocco it is time to go to bed. Rocco - just one thing. What do you think is at the end of space. Mom - more space, it never ends. Rocco - I think it is just pretend space. - April

For my next birthday I want a flower and a cup and a plate. Oh and one more thing, this time it is going to be a toy. I want that model batman mobile. - April

Are we going to have a garage sale today? Mom - no, I don't have anything I want to sell. Rocco - I do.   Mom - what would you want to sell. Rocco thinks for a minute and says - my green box with nothing in it. Mom - I don't think anyone would want to buy a green box with nothing in it. - April

Mom, you know what I am trying to pull out of my nose - my nostril. And then when I pull at both of them, I am going to grow a new one. - March

Surprise Christmas for Grandpa

Operation surprise Grandpa was a success. Faith had a great idea to have us all come down to surprise Grandpa. She planned it months in advance and we all made the arrangements to get down there to make it happen.

My Dad was planning to make a trip up here to see a few of us and then stop by Stacie's on the way to his mission. But little did he know we were all showing up a few days ahead of his scheduled plans. Stacie and the boys, Faith and us met at the house to surprise him with Christmas caroling. We had to sing a few verses and a few different songs before we realized he could not hear us. So Faith went inside and told him to get the door. He was so surprised, he could barely talk. Later in the night Stephanie, Austin and Stephen showed up for round two of the surprise.

We had a great visit filled with swimming, bowling, catch, pool, laughter, and hugs. We each took the 57 Chevy for a ride around the block. Rocco really enjoyed this because he got to sit in the front seat.

It was great to all be together and continue some great family traditions. The Grandkids all wore matching PJ's that Grandma got for them. They are currently still Rocco's favorite PJ's to wear. We remade some old family pictures and captured some new ones.

More Christmas Specials

Rocco read and listened to Grandma's narated Christmas Story more time than there is rain deer.
Mom snuck in a quick picture with Santa before i had to buy the complete set.
Rocco hanging out with the train master at the back of the caboose.
Special time with Mom and Santa on the Holiday Train.

Christmas with Mimi and Pop

We had Christmas over our house this year. We did it early since we were heading down to Grandpa's to surprise him for Christmas. Rocco enjoyed tearing through all the gifts. He even noticed he got one of the cool remote control cars that we also scored for the Giving Tree.

It was a fun day filled with love and family.

Special Christmas Message

Mimi and Pop ordered Rocco a special Christmas message that kept coming in special ways. The first was a letter from Santa, then an email from him and then a phone call. Each one was personalized with special things about Rocco. The email message included Rocco's picture hanging on Santa Good List wall. It was fun to watch him light up with all the magic these messages delivered.

The True Meaning of Christmas

My favorite thing about this year's Christmas was participating in the Giving Tree again and Rocco for his first time really getting to take part in it. Instead of buying gifts for each other (the parents and us) we focused the Christmas on the kids.

We went to pizza and then finished the night off with a fun filled shopping spree. We went to Kohl's for their Friday night shopping special and armed with some additional coupons. I was telling Rocco leading up to this that this is not about what toys he wants and that we were not going to buy any toys for him but it is about giving to those that might not get any presents under their tree.

It was a blast watching him pick out toys for both girls and boys. He was all smiles and he was working hard. He would find a gift and run to the scanner to see how much it was. We were looking for great deals. During the shopping Dad found something that he thought Rocco would like. He asked Rocco, "isn't this cool, I think you would like this toy." Rocco turned to Dad and said, "Dad, this is about me it is about what the kids need." I gave him a huge high five and told him I was so proud of his answer. He was on a mission.

Between the two families, we had a great amount of gifts to donate. We went to the local fire station to drop them off. They were so impressed with our amount they gave us something special. Rocco and I got to ride in truck around the block. They let Rocco wear the headphones so he could talk to them during the ride. They rolled out the hose so he could spray down an orange cone. It was so cool and he was so happy it almost made him completely speechless during it.

This is what Christmas is all about.

Always in the Mix

We split a cord of wood with the neighbors. Jared but his magic on the wonderful stack job and Rocco and Daktari were there to help. Daktari had a great time climbing all over the wood. He enjoys when we are out in the yard hanging out.

Rocco was a big help loading the wood and stacking it to Dad's liking. Towards the end of the work, Rocco spotted a rainbow and climbed on the spa to get a better look. It had been a while since he saw one, I think he even thought it was his first one.