Sun and Fun on the Boardwalk

We went to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk last weekend with some friends. It was a great day to be outside and enjoy the sun and friends. Rocco really enjoyed the rides. Last time we went there, he wasn't to sure about the rides. I think we rode one of them.

This time Rocco rode the car, boat, air plane, whale and merry-go-round. He loved every minute of it. Rocco had a ice cream moment with Mariana and Mommy while everyone else rode the big kid rides. We ended the day putting our feet in the ocean. I think this was the best part of the day for Rocco. He smile was from ear to ear. Need to get my beach gear ready because I see long days at the beach this summer.

Kitchen In The Yard

Rocco loves to go into the kitchen drawer and play with anything he can get his hands on. This little tool made it outside and was being used to cut the grass and trim the bush.

Spoon History

Ask Jared and he will say he remember these spoons. They used to hang in his Nana's kitchen when he grew up. Well, now they are in our kitchen and Rocco uses them for special dinners and ice cream nights.

Yes there are three spoons in this picture and I must admit one of them is mine, but who can pick just one spoon from the jar when there are so many fun ones. Two for Rocco and one for Mom.

Thanks Great Nana for the fun spoons!

Reading Snap Shot

Story time inside the spiderman tent and one in Rocco's bedroom.

Birthday Party Crash

Rocco has attended Tyler's birthday party the last two years. Every year he has a great time and it always seems to end the same way. You can see this by the pictures below.

This last year was Rocco's first time playing pin the tail on the donkey. (although it was pin the number on the race car) He listened to the instructions with the other kids and while the oldest cousin was about to follow-up the instructions with a live demo, Rocco decided he already knew what he was supposed to do and went and put his number 9 right, I mean right where he was supposed to. You couldn't get any closer to bulls-eye than that.

He also did the jumpy house without Mom for the first time as well as the pinata. Although he didn't break the candy bank, he did eat his first piece of a mimi chocolate candy bar. The verdict is in, he likes it. Lots of firsts at this birthday party. Although the ending I have seen before.

Feb 2010 and Feb 2011

No Rainy Day Blues Here

Can I say rain without driving anyone crazy? Boy have we had some really good rain lately. After it let up a little bit the other day, we went outside to explore. First thing Rocco did was put his head under a stream of water coming down from the roof. Nothing wrong with getting a little wet as long as you can come in and warm up under a warm blanket when you are done.

Family Recipe - BBQ Spareribs

One of my favorite dinners that my mom made was Spareribs. We usually had them on Sundays. I can't believe I have never made them before. So I called my Mom for the recipe. She was traveling and said my sister Stacie makes them and to ask her for the recipe. When I called she looked the recipe up in the book that my sister Stephanie made for the both of us. This book was given to my sister Stephanie from my Aunt Lynn when she married back in the early 90's. Stephanie was kind and loving enough to us copies. This book is so big and filled with so many recipes, I asked her what section was she looking at, so we could look at it together.

Long story short, the frozen meat that Jared took out that I thought was the spareribs was baby back ribs. So I made them anyways with the sauce that I already made. I baked them for just under three hours at 225. I had left over corn bread from the night before and steamed some broccoli for the greens. I always forget to take the picture before I start eating, so some of the broccoli is missing. I swear, there was more on the plate when I started. Rocco liked the dinner and I think the corn bread was his favorite. Next time, Spareribs!

1 cup soy sauce

1 cup catsup

1 1/2 cups brown sugar

2 tsp salt

2 garlic gloves, minced

2 tsp powered ginger