Only 2 more to go...

Tonight, Wyatt had a concert. It is the last one of the year for his LiveWire group, and for the high school orchestra as well. It's also the one that makes me cry every year because they do a Senior Recognition video, with pictures of the seniors set to sappy music. Chubby cheeked infants become toothless elementary schoolers holding their first violins. Photo after photo slides by, then suddenly, they are seniors. It's all very bittersweet, and I sob like I raised them all with my own 2 hands.

They keep reminding me that it's okay, because now we only have 2 more of these concerts to go. Somehow, that does NOT make me feel better, because I know it's going to be 10 times worse when Wyatt is a senior.

How stinkin' adorable is that?! 5th grade, I think. Look at that face. What a grin!

Excuse me, I'm getting all verklempt.

Back to tonight's concert.   

They opened with Sweet Child of Mine, with 4 of them standing on the edge of the orchestra pit.

 At the end of the Final Countdown:

It's always so enjoyable to watch. They truly enjoy performing, and it shows.

I'll leave you with a video I took during Smooth Criminal. Usually, the hat routine is done in complete darkness, except for a blacklight, and it's really neat, which is why I chose that song to record, except apparently they had rented the blacklight before, and didn't have it tonight. Oh well, LOL.

Determination

Hi there. Sorry about the extended absence. February and March are difficult months for me to muddle through, it seems to take all my energy just to make it through the day, so I didn't feel much like blogging. If it makes you feel better, there wasn't a whole lot going on here at the Baker Homestead worth reporting. Anyhow, moving on...


Have you ever tried separating a 3 year old from something (or someone) he really, really wants to get to?

If you haven't, let me sum it up for you in two little words.

It's useless.

My husband comes home for lunch everyday, mostly because it's close enough for him to do that , and leftovers are cheaper than buying, and easier than packing anything. I use this to my advantage, and shower while he's home so Ben doesn't use his free time to toast forks and burn down the house while I am in a soapy oblivion.

Ben is pretty fast, like most 3 year olds, and he's ornery. For a while, he made it a game to see if he could get away from his dad, strip down, and join me in the shower before he got caught. Now, I like my son, but I can only take so much of him using the end of the bathtub as a sliding board and crashing into my legs like they're bowling pins. I'm not the most graceful person to begin with, so I certainly don't need any assistance injuring myself. I finally wised up and started locking the bathroom door. (I know, it shouldn't have taken me this long to figure that out.)

For a few days, I enjoyed my newfound alone-ness. Ben would pound on the door and yell for me, his dad would come collect him, and things were good.

Day 4, I was drying off when Ben came pounding on the door. He gave up much quicker than the previous days, and I smugly thought "Oh good, he's starting to get the picture." Next thing I knew, there were a couple clicks on the doorknob, and Ben opened the door then walked in, with a long tailed comb clenched in his little fist.

Surprised, I asked "How did you open that door?!"

Ben held up the comb, then shoved the tail of it in the keyhole in the doorknob and joyfully answered "Like this!"

Super, My 3 year old can pick locks.

He has some redeeming qualities. It's incredibly adorable when he asks me to 'unwrap' his apple, instead of asking me to peel it. He's really cute when he's sleeping too.

Let's hope he can channel his determination for good instead of going to jail in elementary school for picking the lock to the teacher's lounge or something, LOL.