18 Months, Just Not a Fan

There are people who look at toddlers and whistfully say, "Oh I just *LOVE* that age!"

WHAAATTT?? I am convinced that when someone confides in me, after looking at little Miss 18 Months, that they "L-O-V-E" that age-- they are clearly having a short-term memory lapse of what having an 18 month old is like. It is tantrums, and teething, and "MINE!", and "ME DO" and refusals and whining.

It's watching every second because, unlike her brothers, she CLIMBS on EVERYTHING. She is fearless in a way her brothers never were! Let's stand on the kitchen table! Let's jump off the bed! Let's pull the dog's tail--HARD! (Good Buster!!) Let's just never stop moving. Run, Walk, Climb, Pull, Push!

In your eyes Little Corinna, I know it must be hard to be 18 months. Razor sharp teeth are trying to poke their way through your soft gums. You know what you want, but no real way to communicate it. You have a few words, but not enough for us silly grown-ups to decipher. You have no idea what the big deal is if you are standing on the table, holding a glass, or grabbing for knives. You do NOT want to be slowed down for a diaper change OR be buckled in the car seat.

BUT-there are the glimmers of hope that it's not permanent. That it's not all bad...Like when you sleep like an angel in your crib (your brothers never did) sucking your thumb and never far from bun-bun. Or when you light up when you hear daddy come through the front door. Or the run-across-the-room-to-tackle-hug-you move. Or the sweet sound of humming before you fall asleep. Or when you make a joke out of asking everyone in the house to nurse. It's chasing your brothers and watching them give you whatever you want simply because you are cute as anything.

I know that the next year will be rough...welcome terrible twos...followed by the often less pleasant threes. But then, all of the sudden, something changes. Like a magic wand. I know the tantrums will stop (most of them) the watch-like-a-hawk phase dies down, and the 'NO! NO!" goes away mostly. And the funny, energetic, playful side of you will get a chance to shine. But as for now, at 18 months, not a fan........

Signs of Summer

Oh summer time. I love it! I don't quite get to live the 'lazy-do-nothing' days of my childhood (or, heck even last summer was lazier!) but there are certain signs of summer I love. I'll spare you the pictures of the boys peeing outside-which is their most favorite thing in the world to do in summer. The heatwave of last week broke and the breezy high 70s weather of today made it a huge treat. Finding a snake SKIN as opposed to the actual snake....priceless!!

ice pops, playing outside, bubbles...you know you love it...

Best part about that picture...I didn't pose them! They chose to sit that way...awww.

"Mom, look at the funny face, mooooommmmm, loookit this face! MomMomMom, look another face!Mom, Mom"

Talk about mad chalk skillz.

Well, she is my daughter, so there was no guarantee that she'd know the difference between soccer, baseball, basketball...

I love the yard after a good day's play. See the BIG shed, that's where mommy snake hides with her two baby snakes. Oh what fun playing the 'will or won't we see them' when we open the door.

Outdoor Pokemon battle. Fine by me...fresh air does wonders.

What says summer nights more than catching some lightning bugs??  Aidan was KING CATCHER. He did great. Lightning bugs it turns out, are not the stealth get awayers that their cousins the house flies are. About 20 came in the house, and about 17 ended up in the ceiling in our bedroom.

Fun at the park with friends.

Moving Ahead

Ah, so clever with the title...Yes, it seems that it's been quite some time since I have updated the ol' blog. And well, it's because there's been a bit of "craziness" going on around here. End result: We're moving to Syracuse in July. It's been a whirlwind and it's sure to be an adventure once we get there. I'm moving to a house sight unseen! Spike and several other people have gone through it, but I just haven't made it there and won't get a chance to until the closing! The boys are excited about having a new room and a playroom and being by their cousins. I don't think they totally get what's involved in the move. They'll do great, I know it.

Aidan finished up preschool with a really sweet graduation ceremony this week and he's more than ready for kindergarten in the fall. We of course followed up with a much deserved trip to Chuck E. Cheese.

Earlier this month he danced in his first recital and he did GREAT!

Last weekend we FINALLY visited Brooklyn to visit Aunt Tara. The kids had a great time. Though, they were most excited about seeing Taxi Cabs. Every single one they saw, they yelled "TAAAAAXXXXXIIII".

The Gartner Girls

Jake is turning 7 next week and I brought in cupcakes to school to help celebrate. Cupcakes with fondant Cobras and Coral Snakes! EW. But he loved them. Here his class is singing happy birthday to him while his teacher makes him dance marionette style.

Jake is finishing his last day at Minisink Elementary and last day of first grade as I type. It's a bittersweet day all around. The menacing clouds overhead don't do too much to help things, either!

Hoppy Easter

It was a hippity hop good Easter here at the house! The Easter Bunny brought a bunch of cute little things for the kids and hid a few eggs around. Mostly it was great because family was around. Aunt Tara, Aunt Lainie and Uncle Bavan came to spend the day. It was gorgeous out and we spent most of the day outside. We even ate under the gazebo, which Spike had just put the cover on that morning! Here's hoping it doesn't blow down!!

Spike really outdid himself cooking this year. He prepared BBQ chicken and amazing turkey burgers. He also whipped together this fruit salad that was delish! Lainie worked on feeding the fish-eaters...she created a glazed salmon that was a hit. Lainie and Bavan brought an enormous apple pie with them and we all over-indulged. I didn't fare so well in the baking department. I attempted to make my mother's famous easter braided raisin bread for the very first time. Bread yeast and I do not get along. After two sad attempts, I had a half-raised loaf in the garbage. I will not give up though--I will try again!!

The Easter Bunny also learned a lesson yesterday. He is NOT allowed to bring kites for the kids anymore. They seem like such a good idea at the time and it was a nice breezy day, but oh the tangles, and oohh the fighting of the boys with the kites....and the no-fly frustrations...did I mention the fighting??? So kite-free spring from now on!!

Memories of My Mom and Minisink

There are days when I think of my mom more than others. Today is definitely one of those days.

The Minisink high school students (and some middle school) have staged a walk-out (how gutsy!) to protest a large series of budget cuts to teachers and aides throughout the district. While nothing will probably come of this walk-out,  it certainly makes a statement. AND wow, I am just flooded with images of my mom, in her Minisink sweatshirt and jeans, talking to her students. She loved to get involved in issues like this, sort of 'underdog' issues. Fight for the everyman! As the budget meetings progressed and teacher cuts have happened, I find myself longing to get my mom's opinion on the events. She's have so much to say! And while I'd like to think I'd have found the 16-year-old Nori circling the track back in the day, I sort of imagine, I'd have been too nervous about getting into trouble and the whole mom's-in-the-same-school-as-you would have an impact. But bravo to the 2010 Minisinkers out there walking the track in protest. Let's hope some of them know why they are walking around and not just trying to skip class and feel cool!

Spike and Nori's Egg-Cellent Adventure

The second annual Gartner-Baca Egg Hunt was held yesterday on the most beautiful day of the season so far! Kids were in shorts and flip flops!! How egg-citing (prepare for superflous puns to follow). We invited some pretty egg-stra talented egg hunters. They scoured our lower field for tons of plastic eggs filled with candy (which sadly melted in the hot march sun, who-da thunk?) and toys and stickers.

Awww, the babies....Maddy's first egg hunt. Corinna's got one up on her!

After the hunt, our little bunnies bounced themselves silly in the bouncy house and climbing on the rope swings and swing set. Then we headed inside for some sweet temptations. The junior chefs artfully decorated some sugar cookies and indulged in some peep topped cupcakes.

Everybunny went home with a bunny lollipop cookie. Best news of the day: the children passed out at bed time! So much egg-venture for the bunch!

Happy 100th Post!

Well, when I set out to start a blog, I just thought it would be a neat way for loved ones across the country to watch the kids grow without sending mass emails and uploading a lot of pictures and taxing inboxes. And now 100 posts later, it's become a lot more. Friends and family do check the blog from time to time but it's a way to look back on our family in a kind of different way than a traditional scrapbook or facebook album. I don't know, it's different and I'm glad to do it.