Happy Thanksgiving

Vito's signature drawing he would leave to let people know he'd been there. It was usually found on the classroom chalk board. Have a great holiday.

New specs

It's no surprise that Vito needed glasses since both of his parents are visually challenged. He looks very studious here at school showing off his latest masterpiece. Shown below is one of his computer exercises where he writes about our cat Sasha.

The lovely Sasha, the worlds greatest cat, watching birds visit our feeder.

Last year of grade school

It's October, 1994, Vito is 11 and thankfully in sixth grade getting mostly A's and B's. Fifth grade was tough with lots of homework and therefore lots of drama. Oddly this lead to the teacher suggesting he be placed in the gifted program. It was a nice ego boost for everyone but only temporarily as being gifted means getting more homework. In sixth grade he still struggles with writing and homework and joins the chorus. He wont sing any of his chorus songs for me but we learn the words to a Lisa Loeb song and sing that together alot. He has a very nice voice. His Dad has remarried and in March of 1994 Vito got a baby brother.

The Last Word

This picture reminds me of a time Vito and I went to the Renaissance Fair. We saw the Mud Pitt show and the Witch dunking and I dragged Vito to all the shops while I browsed. At the broom shop the owner graciously gave Vito a long piece of straw used for making brooms. We continued walking around and were delighted to see that there were elephant rides. We got in line, both very excited to have this rare opportunity. Our turn came and Vito was put up in front with me behind and my arms wrapped around him. The trainer then set about leading the elephant around a well worn circle. It was a bounding ride that leaned deeply to one side then deeply to the other and got us giggling. True to form it didn't take long for Vito to find a way to pester the elephant. He took his newly acquired piece of straw and started tapping the elephant on the head with it. I asked him to stop but he ignored my protests and with a mischievous grin continued to torment the poor animal, tapping even faster. Suddenly the elephant's trunk flew up and yanked the piece of straw right out of Vito's hand. After a stunned second we both burst out laughing. That elephant had no problem handling a pest. He leisurely continued walking around the circle chewing on his prize.

In memory of Veterans and 7 years

Vito is excited about the rock tumbler I got him on his tenth birthday(he wanted a 4 wheeler). He did try it once but it took several days to smooth the rocks and was very noisy. Also pictured is Kit Kat's litter of 4 kittens. It was so much fun having kittens in the house and a great experience for Vito. They all looked very different from each other with the one on the right looking very much like her mother. We were able to find homes for all of them but when the lady didn't come to pick up the last one Vito convinced me we should keep her. All you can see is her back foot in the picture. We named her Sasha.

A good year

4th grade is a good year for Vito. He gives the trumpet a try and though he doesn't stick with it his teacher says he has talent. His weakness is in writing but he excels at reading. Homework is still a challenge but the amount is less and so is the drama surrounding it. He gets another certificate for perfect attendance like he did in second grade. In the summer Vito and I take a spur of the moment trip to NY city. We stop at Howe Caverns on the way and he's impressed by the caves and formations and how far underground we go. We spend the night in a hotel on Rte 17 and in the morning head to the Statue of Liberty. I miss the exit and Vito gets a kick out of how the toll booth guy says " 9 north" when redirecting us. The line for the Statue is very long. It's sunny and hot with no place to sit except the ground so Vito is not thrilled and a bit angry with me. After 3 hours we both agree that we don't have the patience to go up to the torch and only go as high as the pedestal. It's still a spectacular view and I'm in awe of it all. Vito's favorite part is the boat ride to Ellis Island. He stands at the front of the boat, the wind blowing through his hair.

Poet in the making

Here's Vito at the school computer possibly creating the very masterpiece you see below. He wrote several poems and I love how honest and insightful they are. They also make me laugh. Read and enjoy!

Wheels, cool!

Vito is a real machine enthusiast. He's most at home playing with, riding, taking apart or tinkering with anything mechanical. Here he is with his Uncle's three wheeler who lives down the road from us. He also has a great love of animals and finally convinces me to get him a kitten. We find an ad for free kittens and I convince him to pick out the most cuddly one. It takes him a while to pick out her name but he finally decides on "Prissy". It's difficult to call her that because she's so loveable and it doesn't fit. I continue to call her kitty cat which eventually shortens to Kit Kat and in the end that's the name that sticks. On the right is the earliest picture I have of her at about 1 year old which is a shame because she was such an adorable kitten.