Our Backyard Project

This is what our backyard looked like when we moved in:

There was a 10 by 10 foot square of cracked concrete and a stretch of weedy grass. Oh ya, there was also three small diseased trees that formed a triangle (?) and some mangy mismatched bushes around the A/C wall.

We've worked long and hard to transform our little plot of land. Over 2 years we've made little and big changes, one step after another. Finally it's the backyard we've wanted and it's even better than I originally imagined!

First we built our garden boxes.

Then, we had a paver patio put in. We also tore out the trees and mangy mismatched bushes and put up trellises around the A/C wall. Nick brought many a bag of pebbles over his shoulder to line our garden area.

The next step was to have some new sod installed along with three trees along the fence. We planted a small peach tree and a banana tree ourselves. The finishing touches were done by Nick and the AMAZING Joan, who not only watched my children while I went on vacation, but also installed the various plants we bought along the fence and patio border.

Behold, our finished backyard!

A Day In The Life of Baby Sis

When you are the little sister of Rocco Kim your day will include him coming to your crib in the morning or after a nap to check on you and talk to you until your Mama can get there. You will certainly get some hugs and kisses from him throughout the day. He will bring you toys to play with and might take some other interesting ones away for himself. He will try to help carry you and feed you. He will be concerned when you cry and ask in a high sweet voice, "Why you crying Sis?". When you are the little sister of Rocco Kim you will be welcomed and loved wholeheartedly; also, he might try jumping over your head.

Dear JoJo Claus,

Dear JoJo Claus,

Thank you for making our holidays bright! We have been good little elves decorating the tree and enjoying the presents you sent. We love to open a gift each day of the month as we prepare to spend Christmas with you. Thank you for your thoughtfulness in picking out each book and wrapping each one with care. We are very blessed to have a grandma like you who spreads year round cheer!

All our love,

Rocco and Clementine

p.s. Please tell Papa Claus thank you for funding the cheer.

A Conversation With Rocco

Setting: Returning home after driving my mom to the airport. Rocco is sitting in his carseat in the back polishing off his second Tootsie Roll pop. We pass McDonald's.

R: Hamburger?

Me: No hamburger.

R: Cake?

Me: No cake.

R: Cookie?

Me: No Cookie.

Pause

R: Cookie?

Me: No Cookie.

R: Pop?

Me: You already ate your pop.

Just Pictures

I don't have anything to say, I just want to post these pictures because I think they are cute!

Nap Time

Rocco first climbed out of his crib at 14 months. He has extra thick little feet that he was able to wedge between the bars to get leverage. He is and always has been a climber. The day that he climbed/fell out of his crib I located and set up a crib tent.

Since the moment I put up the tent, Rocco has been working on destroying it. He was able to work holes bigger and bigger with his little fingers when he was supposed to be taking a nap. It was like "Escape From Alcatraz" or "Shawshank Redemption". I am surprised he didn't hang up a poster of Raquel Welch to cover up the holes he made. Anyway, we went back and forth; he would create holes, and I would sew them back up. I planned on keeping him in the crib and the crib tent until he was 3. About 3 weeks ago Rocco destroyed my plan and the tent. He hung from it like a monkey and ripped apart the zipper. I gave up and converted the crib to a toddler bed.

Here is Rocco on his toddler bed with his favorite stuffed animal Scout.

Naps are now a hit and miss because Rocco can get up and play. He usually gets up and grabs toys, then runs back to bed to play. I love my children, but when they both actually take naps at the same time, I can only describe it as the best part of the day.

A Rose By Any Other Name

Do you believe that what you name your child affects how they turn out?

If you do, then I suggest naming your daughter Clementine.

If you name your daughter Clementine, she will be sweet and mild.

She will only cry when she is hungry.

She will let you sleep during the night.

She will be happy and content in her swing or car seat

as you do things around the house or go out and run errands.

She will be beautiful and healthy and so easy to love.

So I suggest naming your daughter Clementine.

As for naming your son Rocco.... just don't say that I didn't warn you.

Little Friends

The weather in Jacksonville has finally turned bearable. Lately in the evenings it is downright enjoyable. Around 5 or 6 pm we often meet outside with our neighbors to scooter, bike, trike, and generally run around. Rocco's best bud Noah lives right across the street, and one of my favorite things is to watch them drive their little cars around together. Something about the shape of the car and watching their little feet propel them around Flintstone style is just so adorable!

Bike Cake

This is a cake I made recently for someone in my ward. The family likes to go biking together so I made chocolate silhouettes of the mom and dad and their 4 kids bicycling around the cake.

Proof

My mom came to stay with us for 3 weeks at the end of the summer to help me with Rocco and Clementine. She and Clementine arrived on the same day. Even though I technically am an adult, it's great to have my "mommy" help me through my life. She bought us food, toys for Rocco, and other miscellaneous things, did laundry and dishes, played with Rocco (patiently enduring his tantrums), stayed up with Clementine late at night so I could sleep, and kept me company with adult conversation.

I am not the greatest at documenting our life with pictures and we didn't take any photos the whole time my mom was here. 5 minutes before she left for the airport she asked me to take a picture with her grandkids. "We need proof I was here," she said. I grabbed my camera and shot one picture before the camera battery died. I do have another camera, but my baby brain couldn't remember where the heck I put it. Luckily the picture turned out.

So here it is: proof. Proof that my mom came to take care of us at the end of a hot summer in 2010. Proof that Rocco was once 2 years old. Proof that Clementine was a tiny newborn in her Grandma Laura's arms. Proof that we were loved and that even at 32 and a new mom myself, I still needed some mothering from my mom.

We love you Grandma Laura!