Valentine's Day 2013

Seth's vacation included Valentine's day, which was great! My friend Jill was awesome and watched ZZ for us while Seth and I went out for lunch on the 13th as our Valentine Date.

Then on actual Valentine's Day, we went to Rocco's class and helped with the party. Rocco LOVED having his Daddy there! 

After school we went to downtown Belton and fed the ducks! Rocco has a Peanut Butter sandwich for lunch every day and he has to have the crusts cut off. So i've been sticking those crusts into a bag in the freezer. It'd been about 6 weeks of crust collecting when Vday rolled around, so we had ALOT of bread for those ducks! I think the kids had more fun than the ducks did :).

After feeding the ducks we went to the Soda fountain at the local pharmacy and got Ice Cream cones (Rocco and ZZ), Milkshake (Daddy), and a Rootbeer Float (Me). Anyone wearing red or pink got half off their order, so that made the trip that much more fun! lol. (Not that really needed the half off since the ice cream cones are only a buck anyway, but a penny saved is penny earned, right?!)

For dinner we got BBQ!!! We at the Purcell home really love us some BBQ, so it was only fitting that on the day of Love we eat what we love most. haha!

However I was feeling grumpy about the fact that it was likely the least romantic VDay dinner of all time, so even though we were eating out styrofoam containers, I got out the fancy cups. Then feeling like that wasn't enough, I lit a bunch of candles and turned out the lights! You would think that'd be awesome right? but nope! it wasn't. Why? Because as I turned out the lights both kids started crying that it was too dark and they couldn't see their food and yadda yadda yadda. lol. It's the thought that counts I guess... :)

Dear Mrs L... Rocco's in Kindergarten!

A BUNCH of people have asked how I'm feeling about Rocco being a kindergartner, it's been hard for me to voice my mental state. I've spent hours trying to find the right words to explain my feelings. This post barely scrapes the surface of my thoughts and emotions, but here goes:

A couple days ago, armed with the list of requisite items, Seth and I took Rocco school supply shopping for the first time.  We let Rocco pick his lunchbox, a notepad, and a folder to go in his backpack. We let him pick some yummy treats to go in his lunch. We talked school up to him and made a big deal out of it. He was excited. I was nervous. I don’t really want to give up his first five years of childhood yet. I was feeling emotional; wavering between pride of how smart he is and how well he’ll do in school, and excitement for him to be starting something new, and fear of putting my precious little boy in someone else’s hands. I cannot begin to convey the bone deep terror I feel about this. My son, my special Baby boy, who’s not so much a baby anymore; is now going to have new woman in his life.  Someone who does not yet know or love him. Someone who will take over my role of teacher; At least when it comes to teaching subjects like Math, and Science, English and Social Studies (things I’m pretty crummy at teaching anyway! But still…). Someone who doesn’t love him the way I do. Someone who doesn’t understand him the way I do. Someone who doesn’t know that when he gets really grumpy or angry it’s because he’s hungry (even if he just ate!). Someone who doesn’t know it takes him forever to eat his lunch and he probably wont be done and might still be hungry after the 30 minute allotted lunch time. Someone who doesn’t understand how hard mornings are for him. Someone who doesn’t know the best way to soothe Him when he gets upset or when he cries. Someone who will have 20+ other kids trying to tell her things and might not have the patience or time to listen through Rocco’s stuttering to hear his story. Someone that’s not me…
Rocco may be 5 now, but he is still so little and helpless. And it is such a big and very bad world out there…

Yet, I am placing my dear sweet boy’s tiny hand in a stranger’s and praying that all will go well. My instincts tell me that I am making the right choice. He's ready for this. He's been ready. My gut tells me that Rocco will be able to learn and grow (academically) so much more with her than with me. She is, after-all, experienced in teaching 5 year olds. She is rumored to be one of the best. A few parents I know, trust, and respect have sung her praises (Yes, I shamelessly queried every connection I could about her).  And knowing this, I need to respectfully step back and let her do her job. I need to trust her experience and her love for rambunctious little five year olds. I need to fully trust this woman, this woman who has in the mid-section on the back wall of her classroom a little locker with the name of the boy who encompasses my whole world, and that means that he is a part of her class. I feel confident in this choice, and yet it is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do for Rocco.

So Mrs. L? This part of my blog-post is for you. 

Although you will most likely never see it.

I’m giving my most precious to you- Mrs. L- knowing that you will teach him, but also hoping you will care for him, and show him that he matters. Hoping you understand the difference you will make in his life (whether for good or otherwise). Praying that you recognize the awesome potential of your influence, and will help my Rocco discover the joy of learning and the wonders of school.   I wanted you, Mrs. L, to know of my struggle so that you realize what a special little boy it is that I am entrusting to your care for 7+ hours each weekday for the next year of his and my life.
I know Mrs. L, that I am asking a lot, but I want you to know that I will support you and remember that you are a person--- not a God,  and I therefore cannot expect perfection of you. I will try my hardest not to make your life any harder than it has to be. You can get sick, you can have your head turned during a minor bonk or scrape that might occasionally happen, you can even forget to send home his back-pack, his lunch box, or his folders. I will not expect perfection from you. I know you are human. But, I ask--- plead --- in return you will remember that this little boy is MINE! And he is my life. I would give my life for him (in fact I almost did). I want you to remember that when he is being difficult. I want you to grow to love him for the sweet, caring, and loving little guy that he is. Take the time to know my Rocco. This wonderful boy that holds my hand and cuddles with me every night, this little man who I pray for more times than I can count each day; he is mine. Remember that--- on those most difficult of days that I’m sure all teachers have, but especially kindergarten teachers--- remember you are holding my world in your hands.

CindeRocco

Seth's Grandmother recently sent me a wonderful article about kids needing to be taught how to work and have responsibilities in the home so they don't become spoiled brats, and more importantly; so they can function for themselves and be assets to their communities and homes and family's when they grow up.

Most the time I just do the work myself, because if Rocco and Zeegan "help" it just ends up being more work for me.
But after reading the article and really thinking about it, I decided it was about time Rocco and Zeegan started working more. So Rocco now does the dishes. Our sink is split so we put all sharp and glass items on one side and all the other items on the remaining side. Rocco washes the non-breakable side's dishes. And he's really proud of himself for being so big! and I'm really proud of him for being such a great worker and helper!
The first week or so, I actually usually had to re-wash the dishes once he went to bed or during quiet time, but now he's getting so good that I hardly ever have to rewash anything and it's not so much extra work for me! It's kind of nice actually...
Zeegan's job, while Rocco does the dishes, is to pick up all her toys and put them in the toy drawer. That one's not working out so well as I wish it was. Maybe after more time or when she gets a little bit older or something...  :-D

Felt-Faces and Pudding-Painting!!!

Seth's been driving the Saturn for the past 4 years of Medical School. When we moved here we weren't able to bring my Saturn though; It just wouldn't make it. So since we got here Seth's been driving the Xterra and I've been staying home almost all day. Every day. The first couple weeks weren't so bad but then I think we all started getting sick of spending the day reading books, riding bikes, and reading more books. So I had to get creative. I think the kids were more relieved than I was when Seth got a car. Hahaha!

But here were some of the funner creative ideas I did for them...

Felt Faces!

Rocco made himself first.

 Zeegan made Aurora.

 Then Rocco made Daddy.

 Then he made Grammy.

 Zeegan became Bat-girl! She'd rather be that in real life than on felt...

 Then Zeegan made the Little Mermaid- Ariel.

 Then Rocco made Mommy and Zeegan made Snow White.

 When Rocco made Grampa, he became a little bit sad after that one and gave his felt-face Grampa kisses! He sure misses Grampa...

 Zeegan made Aurora again...

 Rocco made Uncle Sammy...

 The kids love the felt faces and now I bring them to church each week and they keep them busy and quiet for a great part of Sacrament meeting.


Another-Fun-Creative Idea: Pudding Painting...
It was a mess! But the kids LOVED it!!!

Thank Heavens Seth has a car now cuz honestly I'm not creative enough to keep coming up with fun ideas to last all day long every day!

Rocco; Bendin' it like Beckham

Rocco played Soccer this year. He was awesome! LOL...

Let me preface these stories by telling you he was, by a full year, the youngest on his team! So give him a little credit as you read on. Why was he so young compared to the other kids? Because we unknowingly signed him up a year early and the lady in our ward who was running the sign-ups just figured we were honest people and didn't even check his birth certificate or ask his birthdate (Her mistake! No Just Kidding! We really are honest people. When we were signing him up for Spring season, we didn't know he was supposed to have been four years old BEFORE the previous FALL season. Apparently they go off the Fall age for a full year).

So Rocco's coaches wanted to focus on the basics. Like dribbling the ball (I think that's what they called it; where you pass the ball back in forth in small kicks between your feet). They never did actually tell the kids how to play Soccer, or the goal of the game. Maybe they figured all the kids had at least played one season prior to this and knew the goal. I dunno. Either way, when the first game rolled around, none of the kids really knew what to do. Especially Rocco. 

So all the "Blue Cheetahs" (Yes, that was their team name. Ahhh! Are you kidding me?!) just ran around chasing the ball, but never stealing it or trying to get it in the goal or even kicking it, or anything resembling soccer. 

So, during half time, being the brilliant mom that I am; I told Rocco that the guys in Black, the "Blackhawks" (now that's a manly and impressive team name!), were on Doctor Doom's team and that his team was the Superhero Squad. I said that they had to get the ball and keep it away from the Doctor Doomians, and that they needed to get the ball (that was secretly an infinity fractal) into the net (that was secretly the infinity vault).
Is all this Superhero lingo totally confusing you? I'm sorry! But I gotta tell you; it worked! It made perfect sense to Rocco!

So what happened? Did they win? Did Rocco score? I'll tell ya...

Rocco got back out there on the field after half time. The person who kicked the ball in (to restart the game) kicked it REALLY far down the field. All the kids ran after it. Rocco ran the fastest (I will say if they were choosing their team name based on speed, Rocco lived up to that name!), he got down to the ball a full couple seconds before any of the other kids. He ran straight to it, stopped, pointed his hand at the ball, and with his pinky, pointer and thumb extended, started blasting it with his spiderwebs!!!

Yes that's right, my child literally thinks he's spiderman! LOL. I'm I a bad parent since I was totally encouraging him with my little superhero schpeal?

Needless to say, No webs came out. He looked at his hand confusedly and then tried again. Didn't work. Every other parent on the team was staring at me like "What in world is he doing?!" And what was I doing? Busting up! It was Hilarious!

Then a little blackhawk reached the ball, stole it, dribbled it down to their goal and scored.

We lost. Rocco rocked my world though!  THat kid is AWESOME!

Well we went home and practiced. And we told Rocco you're not allowed to use hands in soccer, and that includes Spiderman hands...

He started doing better at his next few games, but it was like ADHD would set in halfway through the game and he would start pretending to be Batman or watching the planes fly overhead (the soccerfields are right next to a mini airfield), and not even paying attention to the ball or trying at all.

So, once again being the genius Mom that I am; I told Rocco that if he could steal the ball and make a goal, I would make a bat symbol to put onto his uniform.

Rocco jumped all over that one! Or shall I say he kicked all over that one?

Either way, at his next game Rocco was trying the entire game to steal that ball and get it in the net! I've never seen such dedication from my little man! At the very end of the game he finally got his chance. He stole the ball from this poor tiny little guy, ran as fast as he could and made the winning goal!

Unfortunately that winning goal was in the wrong net, and for the wrong team...

Nice try Buddy!
Yes, I did make him a bat symbol for his uniform. 

Zeegan was Rocco's Biggest little fan! She would yell "Go Wocco!" even when he wasn't in the game playing...

Rocco's team lost every single game. We didn't mind a bit! It was so fun watching him learn something new and have some fun! and I loved screaming "Go Rocco!" and "Yeah Blue Cheetahs!" from the sidelines! (Yes, I am that loud Soccer Mom. And proud of it Baby!)

Look how cute he is in his HULK shoes and Batman uniform!!!

Brotherly Love...

Rocco had a doctor's appointment recently. He needed to get shots. The paper I had been given said he would be getting 4 shots. So, before the nurse brought in all her gear I talked it over with Rocco so he'd be prepared and not so freaked out by the needles when the nurse came back. I told Rocco that he would be getting 4 shots because he was 4 years old. I said he needed to try really hard to be brave and try to not cry in front of ZeeZee so that he could show her how to be brave when she gets her shots. He was really scared but he said he'd be brave so she wouldn't be scared when it was her turn.

When the nurse came back she had 5 needles, not 4. Turns out he was getting 4 shots and a TB test. Rocco quickly counted the long needles and said "There are 4 shots for me cuz I'm 4 years old and one for ZeeZee cuz she is just 1 year old." I didn't say anything. I was hoping he wouldn't notice how many shots she put in his leg and would just think that the number 5 shot was only the number 4 shot. Does that makes sense?

Well, it doesn't matter what I was hoping, because he did notice. He held my hands and he cried and he screamed! Then he saw Zeegan's scared face (she was scared for her "Gocco"), and he started to be as quiet as he could and he bit his lip and he had silent tears streaming down his small face as the nurse put one huge shot after another into his tiny little legs. It was so hard to see him in so much pain, I wanted to cry right along with him. Shots are the worst part of being a parent.

When the nurse finished with the leg shots she let him take a minute to catch his breath.

Rocco looked at that one remaining needle in the basket and did the sweetest thing any big brother could ever do. He whimpered to me "Mommy, that shot will really hurt ZeeZee. I don't want her to hurt. I will have her shot instead."

Even as I'm retelling this story I am crying. It was one of the most wonderful moments of my life as a mother. Rocco had just experienced so much pain he was screaming, and then he offered to do it again so his baby sister wouldn't have to. He was willing to experience that agony for Zeegan. Zeegan! The one who teases him mercilessly at home. The one who steals his beloved batman toys all the time. ZeeZee, the one who bullies him like no little sister can! (Don't read this wrong; ZeeZee is my little princess and she loves her big brother like CRAZY!!!, she's just a bit of a rascal and knows exactly what buttons to push to get the biggest reactions from Rocco...). He was willing to take that shot for her.

I'm not sure why, but this experience got me to thinking about the atonement. I've always known Jesus is my older brother. I've always known him taking on our sins was painful. But I just never thought about it in depth I guess, or maybe I've just always thought that since he was doing such a great thing for all of us it wasn't so horrible for him? Or maybe I was thinking it wasn't so bad for him because he was only half mortal? I'm not sure what I always thought about it. To be honest, I'm not sure if I ever though about the pain part of Jesus' sacrifice. But you know, now that I've thought about it, I realize it WAS so horrible. After seeing my little Rocco in all his fear make his sacrifice, I couldn't help but wonder; Was he terrified? Was it such a hard decision that he whimpered? I'm sure it was more awful than I've ever spent time thinking about. Maybe he did whimper, maybe he was even crying from fear? We know that he threw himself on the ground in the garden of Gethsemane and begged the Father that if was possible, if there was any other way to save us, please let the cup pass from him.

And after realizing that it really was such an awful experience for Him, I couldn't help but wonder; why? Why did He do it for me? Why did He do it for everyone? Don't get me wrong, there are definitely some people out there that are wonderful enough that I can see Him being willing to die for them. But why me? Why would I, and Why did I matter to Him? I can be a really terrible and awful person sometimes!!! Ya know?

But I think I finally understand. I think he loves me no matter what. Because he's my older brother. And I'm sure that's not the only reason, but I bet it was reason enough. And I am do grateful...

And I am so grateful I have such a sweet and wonderful little boy for my son! I don't know how or why I was blessed with such an amazing little man, but I am so thankful I was. I'm so glad I got to witness such a beautiful showing of his love for his sister, and that I was able to learn what I did to from that experience.

Little Monsters

Rocco goes to a play-school once or twice a week. A couple of the mom's in our ward and I take turns teaching the kids. A couple weeks ago, Miss Tamar taught the letter "M" and let all the kids make their very own monster T-shirts. They LOVED it! Aren't these little monsters in their monster t-shirts just the cutest?!

from ROCCO to ZZ; Bike to Bikette

Rocco decided he wanted to give his old bike to ZZ for Christmas. Zeegan loves this old bike and always wants to ride it, so I thought that was a great idea!

It just needed a couple changes. It needed a good cleaning, a bunch of sanding, and a new paint job.

I was thinking a light lavender-purplish color with black and then white lettering. But Rocco decided pink and black would be best...

It's far from a professional looking paint job, or even a good not professional paint job, but Zeegan LOVES it!!!