Seven Years Three Months Old

                          
 For over 70 months now I've been taking his picture in the same blue chair.  Well here's an updated blog post...but no blue chair.  We were so busy I forgot!  But I have plenty more pics to show what we've been doing.  The picture above was taken at Berry College on the mountain campus.  I took the boys there with Carolyn to take the boys' pictures for the fourth of July theme.

Early in June we took a trip to the mountains with my parents and niece.  The coolest thing Rocco did was zipline.  Yep, he did it with me first.  Then, the next day he was ready to go again.  This time he went with papaw.  It was a 700 foot line of wire attached to a pulley that pulled you high in the sky backwards and then shot you forward.  Exhilarating!

Another first this month was driving a go kart all by himself!  This was at the Nascar Speedway Amusement Park.  Daelyn is in the yellow car behind him.  

They also rode the roller coaster together several times.  At two different parks!

What a sweet picture of my two boys in their matching tiger pajamas.  This was taken in our condo. 

A couple of weeks later we went to another amusement park.  This one was in mommy's hometown.  Lake Winnepesaukah.  My family enjoyed going.  Here is Tyler trying out the scrambler with the kids.  This was Rocco's first time on the ride.  Looks like he is enjoying it!

Some cold, cherry snow cones cooled us off on that warm summer day at the park.  

One day I went to Lookout Mountain to see one of my best friends.  We go all the way back to middle and high school.  Heather now has three kids.  Here's our bunch together. Honestly Maverick did have a good time that day. He was just a little ready for a nap in this picture.  The kids played in kiddie swimming pool, turned it into a mud bath, had an outside lunch picnic, played ball, and cooled off on the slip and slide.  

The garden that I planted has kept us busy as well this summer.  Here are some of the crops God blessed us with!  Rocco was my big helper when it came to watering the plants.  He'd go on golf cart rides with me down to Elton's spring, or our secret water spot on Melson Rd, or down to the cow watering trough to fill up our empty milk jugs. Then, I'd pour it all over the growing vegetables.  Thankfully this was the wettest summer I can ever remember.  We had a great harvest!

Here's a new costume Rocco has.  I think he makes a handsome ninja.  These toy knives were more items he's collected for his bunker (corner at the bottom on the stairs barricaded to keep Maverick out).  This picture was taken at mimi and papaw's house.  

And here's some more fun he had at their house with his brother and cousin, Daelyn. I sprayed water on them as they rode around in the driveway in the pink Barbie car.  Fun memories!

Fifteen Months Old

At 15 months, Maverick is our curious, little explorer.  He has managed to find the candy stash in our pantry.  Often he'll put the entire piece in his mouth...wrapper and all.  Every now and then he'll bring the Milk Duds, Starbursts, Skittles, or sucker to me and ask, "Bite?"  Then, if I do decide to let him have it, he'll keep saying "Bite-bite....mmm!" over and over until he gets it in his mouth.  

Don't think that he eats junk all day.  He rarely gets candy.  Here he is having his first real banana at mimi and papaw's house. The only problem is that he thinks he is so big he gets upset if you just give him one bite.  He wants the entire banana, and then he thinks he can cram it all in with just one bite.  

Maverick LOVES to eat!  He'll have a mouth full and be handing out more food in his hand asking you for a bite-bite.  The other day I gave him a small bite of my apple danish.  That wasn't enough.  He took off with the entire treat!

Maverick got to go to the Smoky Mountains for his second time.  The last time he went, he was just four weeks old. Jason, Rocco, Maverick, and I went for our first family trip after he was born.   At 15 months he was certainly into more this time around.  Rocco, Maverick, Daelyn (my 4 yr old niece), mimi, papaw, and I stayed at Oakmont Resort in Pigeon Forge.  We really enjoyed the Fun Zone, a place with lots of kiddie rides.  The one thing little man could do was the large slide.  I rode with him in a large potato sack.  Once we reached the end of the tall slide, he would turn around and try to climb up it.  He wanted to go again!

We also enjoyed swimming at the resort pool.  Little man didn't last too long there, though.  He was too independent for his own good.  Maverick thought he could just walk right off the deck into the large swimming pool.  He has no fear.  For his safety, we put a life vest around him. As long as he didn't think we were holding on to him, he was fine.  He did NOT want to be restrained or controlled by any of us!   (Notice the strap in the top, left corner of this picture?  Don't tell him but that's how we monitored him in the small baby pool!)

Daelyn was so good with Maverick, acting like his second mama and taking care of him on our trip.  

What a little stinker.  When he found his diaper wipes box, he just put himself in it.  Sometimes he'll do this in my cooking pots when I'm working on supper.  For now he can fit inside them, but I can tell you now he won't be able to for much longer.  He's a growing boy!

This was the month for amusement parks.  Weeks after our mountain trip, we also went to Lake Winnie.  My brother, Tyler, and I took our kids to the park for several hours in the evening as the sun was going down.  There were a few kiddie rides that Maverick could do.  We all rode the boat chute, a log flume ride that goes through a tunnel and ends in one long hill that splashes you into the lake. Maverick also got to ride the Lady Bug, Bumblebee, Cars, Wacky Factory, and even the little boats.

In our house, we seldom wear our shoes.  So you'll find many pairs in our kitchen floor by the door.  For some reason, Maverick loves to put them on his feet and hands.  He'll walk around the house in these over sized shoes.  At least he's getting better about not eating them.  That always made me cringe.  I'd much rather him take off with a toothbrush in his mouth. . . which he often does.  When we can't find our toothbrushes we can usually find them in his toy box.

We've been swimming at nana and granddaddy's this summer.  As long as little man thinks he is in control, he enjoys it.  But...if he ever thinks you are holding him it's all over.  The fit begins.  Mr. Independent.  MAVERICK...we named him right.

Just look at that sweet face!  I love it!  This was one day when Carolyn and I took the boys and Sydney to the park.  Man did he love walking around in the cold, creek water!  He pitched a big one when we had to leave.

And what would little boys be without their super hero outfits?  Cutest little Super Man ever!  Rocco dressed up like Spider Man, and I had two handsome heroes on my hands...

Bath time is fun around our house.  The boys often take one together.  Look at those happy smiles!

This shirt is so cute...and appropriate.  He's really not any trouble, but he sure can find some messes to get into!  He found his brother's markers.  Look at how he decorated his face!  He loves to make us laugh.  Recently he's learned that his nose is fun to pick.  He's not really picking anything out...he just likes our reaction.  EEW..YUCK!  Our little stinker thinks it is hilarious to gross us out.  He'll start eating his toes and licking his feet if he knows it will get a reaction. And he's all boy.  He thinks his poots are funny.  He's not even two yet!  We're in for it come next March.

New Glasses

I can't believe my little boy is growing up so fast.  He recently got glasses!  And he looks so intellectual and handsome in them!

Rocco had complained a couple of times that he couldn't see so well in class or in the car.  When school was out, I took him to my eye doctor.  Sure enough he had an astigmatism...just like me.  He couldn't see things very well if they were far away.  It was his first eye exam, and he was a champ!

  Now Maverick...well I chased him around the office and finally took him out so that Rocco could finish with his exam.  He looked through the machine and read the letters on the screen.  His eyes were dilated.  After the doctor told us he needed glasses, we began picking out frames.  That was the fun part.  We decided on some green and black frames that were Nike brand.  He left there excited and feeling like a million bucks!

 We'll see how well he likes them when he realizes this is a permanent thing and the new wears off.  I do know that he did well a few hours later playing with his brother and the Cox boys...all while wearing his new glasses.

Seven Years Two Months Old

Rocco is doing some sort of karate chop in this month's picture.  He loves to pretend fight.  Give him a sword, play knife, or toy guns and he can entertain himself for a while. But usually before he can play for a long time his little brother will come along and get right in the middle of it.  That's why Rocco has two bunkers where he keeps his toys, candy, and gum.  One is at the bottom of our steps and the other is beside the fire place in the living room.  So far, Maverick can't get over the furniture that is blocking it. When he learns how to... it is all over!

 This month Rocco finished up school.  Here is a picture of his first grade classmates.  This picture was taken on Awards Day.  Below is a picture of him with his teacher, Mrs. Ashworth.  I was so proud of him this year (as I always am).  He received the Citizenship Award.  Meg Kapustay got the girl Citizenship Award.  This was special because the students voted on it.  I was especially proud of him for his reading accomplishments.  Most of the library books that he checked out were worth just half a point if he passed the test on it.  By the end of the year we decided that if he got 20 points he could have anything (within reason) that he wanted.  He earned double what we had set for him....40.9 POINTS!  We bought him a new Nintendo DS Mario game for his accomplishments.  Most students had 15 or so points by the end of the year.  Only one other student had more AR points than him in his class. 

 On the last week of school, his class and the other first grade class went to the park downtown for a picnic and some water fun.  I love this picture of him because of the pure happiness on his face.  He was involved in a water gun fight with his friends. I was off this day and was able to hang out for a little while with him.  I took Maverick, too.  That was the good thing about working part time!

 School wasn't the only thing we wrapped up this month.  Coach pitch baseball is now over.  They had a great season!  Here is Rocco with his teammates and coaches.

Rocco, Maverick, and I went up to see my family during our spring break in May.  We had a blast at Sir Gooney's.  Look at our faces...we were the only ones on the course that day.  Mimi went with us and enjoyed herself, too.  

 After the four of us golfed, the boys rode in one of the quarter machines.  It's amazing how much fun 25 cents provided that day!

Fourteen Months

 Watch out! This sweet 14 month old boy is on the loose.  .  .   and he's in to everything!  He's keeping us all in shape!  We have to close all of the doors in the house or else he'll go into our bedroom and twirl himself all around our sheer curtains nearly pulling them out of the wall.  Then again he might just go in there, open up the drawers, and pull all of the socks out.  If he makes it to the bathroom he might play in the toilet water or try to get into the tub as he tells you in that sweet voice, "Baa!  Baa!"  Maverick loves getting a bath.  If we didn't close Rocco's bedroom door he would find his way to the closet and drag out all of his brother's toys. That boy is a mess!  Rocco used to call him a "meany baby" until Jason told him to stop.  Now, Rocco has his own made-up word for Maverick.  Too-too-taa-taa.  (This made up word means meany baby in his mind.)  He also calls him his "tinkerbaby".

And speaking of Rocco, he has taught Maverick how to act like a wildcat.  He roars and comes after you.  He can also make car/truck sounds when he's playing with his toys.  He's such a smart little boy.  He knows which balls go with certain toys.

Recently he's enjoyed closing the doors himself.  The only problem is that once they are closed he can't get them back open.  And he gets pretty upset when he's in a room alone.  He's got himself locked in our bedroom closet several times doing just that!

He continues to put things in his mouth that shouldn't be there.  He knows it is a no-no.  When I see him put something from the floor in his mouth, he'll turn around and take off running.  The other day I caught something in his hands before it even made it into his mouth.  "Bring it to mommy!"  I told him.  He walked towards me about to hand it over.  Then at the last second he turned around and ran off with it. What a tease he is!

Now that he knows he can make noises and scream, he does just that.  He squeals just to hear himself.  He has also made up his own song.  It has three beats. One song goes, "Da-da-da....da-da-da."  The other song he sings is "Na-na-na...na-na-na."  When we join in and copy him he just loves it!

Being outside is one of his favorite things lately.  You have to watch him when you open the door because he will be the first one to dart out.  When you close the door and don't let him go outside, he gets so upset and cries.  He also likes to ride Rocco's Hot Wheels outside on the driveway.  When it's time to go in, he will pitch a fit, throw his body back, or wrap his arms and legs around the toy so that you can't pry him off of it.

Now that he's eating more table food, he's learned that there are many foods he likes.  Waffles with syrup, Cheerios,Fruit Loops, French fries, and watermelon are just a few. The only problem is that he doesn't know when his mouth is full.  He just crams it all in there.  Then he'll ask for more.  "Bie-bie-bie!"(bite)

He received a hand-me-down rocking horse from Janna's mom, Sue.  He already knows how to rock it back and forth.

Here we are at church one Sunday morning.  This little tux was a hand-me-down of Rocco's.

 We already knew that the barricades weren't working any more.  But what we soon found out was that the barricades were becoming an obstacle course for little man.  He not only learned to climb over the sink but IN it!

 And what would your childhood be without dress up time?  Here are mommy's cute pirates.

Mother's Day was so special this year.  What blessings my children are!  They are straight from the Lord!  We spent this year's Mother's Day at my parents house. We spent some quality time with my mom, dad, and nana.

 Three generations:  my mom, my nana, and me.

 I think Maverick was about to go to sleep on the tractor; he looked so relaxed riding with my dad...his papaw.

 No, this is NOT our pink car.  We don't own much pink at our house.  This is Daelyn's Barbie car.  Maverick and Rocco sure do enjoy it though when they go to Mimi and Papaw's house.

This is the month that Maverick had to quit nursing.  If I could have I would have probably nursed him until he turned two, but my heart doctor advised I go back on my beta blocker.  I was experiencing extra beats and "aflutter".  Maverick could not have my milk with this new medicine in my system.  The last time he nursed was on May 26th.  I wasn't very sad though because my heart was filled with such gratefulness that God had allowed me to experience childbirth and nursing.  And many moms never get to nurse for 14 months like I did.  I'll forever cherish the time I had staying home part-time with Maverick his first year and being able to nurse him.  What a blessing...straight from Jesus!

Seven Years and One Month Old

Rocco has been in a size 11 shoes, but he just got some new Asics size 12.  He was so proud of those shoes that he dreamed about his best friend, Will, and himself.  In the dream he was wearing his tennis shoes.  They Velcro - he hasn't yet learned how to tie laces.  We need to work on that. 

One thing he doesn't need to work on is being cool.  He's got that part down!

 Sometimes he cracks he me up with the things he says.  Noticing yet another toy was made in China, he said, "Mommy, those China people are good makers."  And one night before going to bed he said, "Mommy, I want you to be my wife because I just love you so much!"  Now that did something to my heart that I still can't explain in words.

He is the most ticklish boy I've ever seen.  Even when I kiss his forehead he just laughs and says, "Mommy, that tickles my brain!"

This is his fourth year playing ball.  His best friends, Will and Hunter, are on his team.  Here he is below with Will and his brother, Weston.

The other day we took the boat out for a ride.  He enjoyed it so much.. . so long as daddy didn't go too fast.  He is cautious like his mama.

 Rocco is so smart in reading and math.  He has earned over 35 AR points.  His daddy set a yearly goal for 20 points, but he has surpassed it.  And in math you can ask him to add ten or take away ten to any number under 101 and he will tell you.  He is the BEST writer in all of first grade.  He prides himself in the fact that he fills up an entire page every time he writes.

With a little brother around, Rocco has come up with a neat idea of how to keep his toys from being taken away.  He puts them in a "bunker" that is barricaded.  Just look at his swords, gun, and shield!  Maverick can't get to them!