Jared and I started taking booth pictures in Santa Cruz in 1996. We have a collection of them and try to add to them when we can find the old school booths around. Which is not easy. But I found my new favorite app for my iPhone. Oh, am I going to have fun with this.
Jared and Sheryl - 1996, 1998, 2000, *2005 (*5 year wedding anniversary weekend in Capitola)
I was watching everyone pet Max at Rocco's birthday and thought, oh man I should have given him a bath. The next day after the party I gave Max a good brush. Well lets just say that fur ball next to him is not a small dog.
People told me it would happen once I had a kid. I would say no way, my animals won't be 2nd. Everyone can be 1st. Well, they were right. I must admit, they don't get as much attention as the used too. They used to the ones in front of the camera. Max used to get a walk every day and sleep in the bed with us. Rocco did move into 1st place and the animals are 2nd. Doesn't mean I don't love them, but things did change.
We made some classic crayon heart crafts the other day that we hung in the window. Went to pick up Rocco the other day from Jill's and she was making the same thing. Jill gave Rocco some hearts to add to our display. Here is my heart shining bright!
After getting rid of his cold from his part one birthday party, Rocco celebrated his 2nd birthday with family and friends last Saturday. The weather was great and the party goers enjoyed the yard, BQ and each other on a beautiful day to celebrate Rocco.
This years party had a Thomas theme. So of course, I went on the search for train cakes. I found a very cute brownie train idea and started the preparation for the assembly. Thank goodness for my mom and family that came early for the party and helped me get everything together. I think I looked at the clock as the last dish was being cleaned and it said 11:59. Next year, I need to work on the getting ready schedule a bit.
Rocco had a great time and got a little shy smile when everyone sang happy birthday to him. He shared his toys well and enjoyed all the attention he was getting. As he is getting older, he really is coming out of his shell more. His favorite gift would have to be the one from Dad, his first fishing pole. He played with it in-between every gift that I ended up opening up for him because he was busy fishing. He also really enjoys the drums that Aaron gave him. We have also used the warm blanket from Auntie every night since the party. And we can't forget the trains and fire trucks he got!
Wow, to recap words that Rocco is saying at age two. The list is sky high, to the moon and back. He has a wonderful vocabulary. His top or favorite words/phrases right now are:
"Big Hug" - he likes to say this when you are telling him about something he should not be doing. It is his way to change the topic.
"Yes please" - he has great manners and says this many times a day.
"Macaroni and Cheese" "Cheese in it?" - ask him want he likes for dinner, or if just calling him for dinner and you will hear this.
"Monkey / Doug" - two of his stuff animals that he sleeps with. A sock monkey named Monkey and a old school pound puppy named Doug.
"Jobi Wood" - this is the type of wood the trains pull in a Thomas movie he has.
We went on vacation with the O'Neill's to Tahoe the first weekend in February. The trip just happened to fall on Rocco's birthday. But what better way to spend your second birthday than going to the snow for your first time. We left early on Rocco's birthday (February 3rd) to stop by Auntie's house for breakfast in Auburn. We had a couple of hours to spend there before we continued our way to the snow. So we took a nice walk down to the American River and threw some rock in the river. Rocco took a nap on Moose's bed and then it was on the road again.
The first night we had birthday cake for Rocco and opened some very cool presents that the kids played with all weekend. Rocco also went in a hot tub for his first time. He wasn't to sure about it at first, but once he was in, he had a blast.
The weather was great, the snow was great. Oh wait, the snow was great and very hard. Especially when you fall on your tush. I snowboarded for my 4th time and my tailbone is still healing. Not to mention the huge face plant I did riding with Pat O'Neill for my first time. I guess you can call it crashing under pressure. That darn hill getting off the lift. I still laugh thinking about the beautiful sequence I performed.
Rocco loved the snow and was a great sport at putting on the snow gear. He enjoyed playing with Phenix and Kodak. Rocco kept calling Pheniox his cousin Josiah's name. They are around the same age and have that older kid cool factor. Kodak is 7 months younger than Rocco and they played really well together.
Overall the trip was a blast. The house was beautiful and was about 50 feet from the slope so we never needed to drive anywhere, just but on your gear and ski out the house to the slope. We also had a great view of all the skiers and snowboards falling sometimes harder than me.
We used to be really good about reading and then it seemed that Rocco didn't want to sit still to read. But really it was us that needed to just work with him and teach him to sit still and finish the book. (or task) So now we read at least two books every night before bed.
We go to the library often and check out new books to read. I really enjoy the whole process of finding new books, reading to Rocco, enjoy the illustrations and spending quality time. Tonight he actually stopped me from reading and said, "me read." He said a few words and I said, "great job reading Rocco." He just looked at me with the sweetest smile.
The last two times Grandpa was over he read Rocco his night time books. The set up last time was he likes the blanket to be over both of them and doesn't want me or Jared to lay on the floor with them. Just Rocco and Grandpa. He also wanted to see how many books he can get in with Grandpa to extend his bedtime as far out as he can.
I really enjoy watching Rocco play with the animals. It makes me happy that he gets to experience the joy that animals bring. I cherish all my memories of my family dog Sandy and love that Rocco has so much fun playing with our dog and cats.
Rocco is improving more and more on his bike. He actually went down a little rounded curb the other day. Both feet are actually off the ground at the same time. I was so proud to watch him and love when he looks at me and says "fun!" He likes to go down the hills on the driveways too. He is really good at slowing down when he gets to fast. Love this boy.
