Random pics age 11-13

October 1994, Vito playing Nintendo

1995 7th Grade pic

1995 Vito (center)

October 1996 8th Grade pic

Age 10

Vito's Fifth grade School picture

Opening gifts on his tenth Birthday

 

Senior picture

Vito wasn't going to get his senior picture taken despite my begging. I had to work the Saturday of his appointment so it seemed hopeless that I would get a picture. Luckily Scott was able to guilt him into it. I was so pleased. As you can see it's very nice. The vignette and frame was added by me using picnik photo editor (free).

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.

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.

Looking so grown up!

A beautiful third grade picture but school is not exactly Vito's strong suit. He's very intelligent and does well on tests but has no use for homework. It's no surprise early in the school year that his father and I are called in for a conference. The teacher is rumored to be very good so what comes out of her mouth is shocking to me. She tells us that Vito (our loving, honest and admittedly energetic 8 year old son) has the look of someone who can't be trusted. I ask if he's done anything wrong and she says no but leans in to tell me that even the gym teacher has told her he doesn't trust our son. She goes on to say that Vito isn't doing his assigned homework and is falling behind. She proposes that the problem is our custody arrangement which is joint, 2 days at his fathers house then 2 days at mine. She suggests that 2 weeks at his father's house and then 2 weeks at my house would be better. I'm instantly in tears at the very thought of not seeing my son for two weeks and wonder how any reasonable person could think this is better. I give a definite no to her custody suggestion but we agree to try a communication notebook between homes and school so every homework assignment is accounted for and completed. On the way out I feel so relieved to be leaving. Vito grudgingly completes his assignments on time and soon we are informed that our son "shows promise". On his last report card of the year she writes "Believe it or not I will miss you, Vito!!"

The ivories are in

Second grade, February, 1991. Vito is seven years old. He does okay in school but doesn't like writing. He loves to help me make pies. I give him the left over pie crust pieces and he fashions his own little tart and fills it. He puts his little pie next to mine in the oven and checks it often. He is very proud of his lopsided masterpiece and can't wait to eat it.

Missing teeth? Not me.

Here's Vito's first grade picture and some of his early art work. He gets in his first fight (that we know of) in this grade and it requires a conference with the teacher. We lose our cat Smokie and I'm struck by how hard he takes it. My Great-Grandfather passes away and Vito is very upset by that also. He seems to know instinctively that they are gone forever without any explanation from me. We must fire a babysitter and Vito's Aunt agrees to watch him instead. We are so lucky to have family available to care for him.

First school picture

His Kindergarten picture and Vito looks so adorable. He has become Mommy's little helper and doesn't need to be constantly monitored anymore. I don't let my guard down too much though as he is always thinking and full of surprises. Once, while I was in the kitchen and he was out on the balcony, I heard a blood curdling scream. Fearing the worst I ran out to the balcony to see what was wrong. There was my little angel with his head stuck between the balusters and a captive audience of neighborhood kids. It was wedged in there good and no variation of turning, pushing or pulling could get him out. As a last resort I poured some dish washing soap on his head and out he popped. Never a dull moment when Vito's around.