Alpacas, Roosters, and Chickens - Oh My!

Aunt Co Co loves taking the boys on adventures. She shares some amazing things, 'ya all. The boys just missed the birth of the alpaca by minutes this day. But, got to see the cute wobbly legged creature take its first drinks of milk. Another great day out with four lucky boys.

It's All About Owen

Owen, has been the special of specials. His specials have been appearing for a month now, where he just smiles and nods. But, we can tell he is pretty proud of his accomplishments.

He turned 6 yesterday. On a day of snow just like on the day he was born. I cannot believe how fast six years have gone.

So on to the specials. Owen has been named the special Citizen of the Month for his class; it has been noted that he is coming into his own by offering interesting information during special class discussions; he was awarded a special Sportsmanship medal at a recent hockey tournament; he and Isaac have become very special friends where I-Z looks to Owen now for some me time; he has gained friendships through Kindergarten with some pretty special kids that I am sure will be lifelong friends; he has begun reading; and he asked for nothing "special" for his birthday. **All written on 02/09/11, and has been sitting in my edit box for almost a month.**

Since this post, he has been special as he has been the only one in the household without some type of sickness. This is the first winter since he was born that he has not been ill. I am believing that the food allergy problems that we now have at bay are helping his immune system tremendously. (Hopefully I don't jinx this good karma by sharing.)

On Friday night, Daddy took Owen to hockey practice and to work open skate. Right before open skate started, he tripped and was accidentally stepped on by a large foot enclosed in a hockey skate. A quick trip home to confirm that, yes, urgent care would be necessary. Upon arrival of said Urgent Care, Steve reported that Owen had a few whimpers, but he did sit respectfully and let the PA take care his arm. Luckily it only took one stitch to close up the wound. We were all thankful for the many layers that Owen was wearing, or this could have been so much worse. It was late, but Daddy still took Owen to Walmart to obtain a goody for being so brave. The evening didn't turn out to be a laid back Daddy and Me night for Owen as planned, but definitely one that I am sure he will never forget.

Now, if we can just have some wellness and good weather, we can plan a birthday party for our extra special six year old! Love you to pieces little boy.

The Boys

Happy 2011!

Owen, Noah, Samuel and Ethan

Snow Day

He cried "I Can", all the way home!

Very exciting news on Friday, 11/19/2010 in the Kindergarten world of Owen Judson Newton. He was the first in his class to complete and bring home his I Can ribbon. The ribbon began the first day of school, showing progress of this grades goals. Each sticker is a task mastered. Such as counting to 100, knowing the seasons in order, reciting your address, identifying and reciting the alphabet, phone number, etc.

As I watched Owen get off the bus, he reminded me of Isaac when we arrive home after a trip. He was so excited, he was about to jump out of his skin. Owen is a character where he wants everything to be a surprise, so he made me wait until we arrived in the kitchen where I promised to close my eyes. He then proceeded to tell me to open them, where he shook out this ribbon about as tall as him with all of his mastery stickers. The grin was priceless as well as the proud moment when he exclaimed that he was the first, the very first, Mom, to bring home "I Can". I jumped up and down with him looking at me like I was a fool, and he finished by saying, "Now I can graduate"!

Here he is admiring his work:

Gluten Free Fun

Our family is on a healthy Owen journey. Skinny, pale little O is currently free of gluten and red dye. We are slowly weeding out our kitchen of foods that make Owen ill. Since beginning a week and a half ago, we are not hearing the "I feel wacky inside". His stomach pain and such are dissipating. Although difficult as we are away from home so much with three active boys, he seems to understand the concept of what is agreeable with his body. We have found that eating out is extremely difficult, so we are steering clear of restaurants. It is believed that gluten may be the root of many of his allergies. We are praying that the answers will soon be sought as well as confirmed. Along with Owen developing by who he is, not by his aliments.

11/22/2010 Update - Our first set back of this journey. Can't pharmaceutical companies compound an antibiotic that does not include red dye or gluten for kids?!

Introducing our Cousin

Miss Avery Lin Xuan was born in China, but met her parents of the heart in July of this year. They have been discovering each other for a few months now, and we are pleased to announce that the Newton Family now has a girl. A baby girl has been foreign to Steve's family for over 60 years. We are so thrilled for Gary and Allison. They have waited a very long time to begin their family. The boys, Steve, and I look forward to experiencing family life with the Newton 3.

**These beautiful photos are courtesy of our brother Gary. The backdrop is the front porch of Great Aunt Nancy and Uncle Tom's home. We all traveled south for the Great Pumpkin Hunt of 2010 and Grandpa Lew and Grandma Vi's 68th wedding anniversary. (How awesome is this that our children are taking part in an anniversary party of this magnitude!) The shots were not staged. This is where the kids landed sharing a few moments of cousin-ness. As always, Gary was with camera in hand at the opportune moment. If you are a reader outside of the family and are looking for an talented photographer, please send us an email or comment. We will be sure to pass on Gary's business information.

I've seen this image before...

Hockey has officially started! We're off to a great start: 2-0 after the first weekend. Here's a neat picture before this past Sunday's game - just like an AT&T commercial.

MORE BARS IN MORE PLACES!

*The above post was written by a proud Father*

A note from a proud Mom - Noah is a first year Peewee and he has gained a position on the tournament bound travel team for 2010-2011. Noah seems to have a passion for the sport now, and this season has us on the edge of our seats. Thankfully, the checking is a lot less scary than I originally thought it would be. I am finding out that hockey is definitely not for wimpy mothers!

It has been exciting getting to know a new group of families, and reconnecting with some that Noah has not skated with since he was four years old. I am confident that many of these relationships we have formed will be long lasting. For that I am grateful for this sport.

Owen is in his second year of hockey, and a member of the Mite team. The team consists of over 30 skaters/families, and is organized craziness at the rink on Tuesday and Friday nights. There are all levels of abilities, and the coaches make it tons of fun for the kids. Owen has been a bit ill, so hockey has been hit or miss with him. He went back on Tuesday this week and had a ball. He has mentioned that he thinks he may want to play indoor soccer next year. This child is a mover and a shaker, so laid back skill-honing practice is not enough. He wants games!

Oh yeah, I don't believe we have mentioned how redneck hockey we are. We have an actual clothes dryer in our driveway that serves as a puck target. This free broken down target has been relocated from one Wright Street address to ours, and was escorted by Grandpa's big John Deere tractor that landed it in our driveway. Who needs nets?!

The Boy With The Long Neck

Owen has shared each day of Kindergarten at home. We are thankful that he is a sharing kind of kid, as we love to hear the classroom stories. The funniest one yet, was around day four of school. This is how the conversation went:

Beth: "O, did you have some free time today to explore Mrs. Evans toys and talk to some new friends?"

Owen: "Oh, yeah, I forgot to tell you! I made friends with the boy with the long neck!"

First Day of School - 2010

Owen waiting with much anticipation, fighting back the tears for his first day of Kindergarten. Noah, going with the flow, looking cool, and way older than 11 for his first day of middle school.

The kindergartener and the middle schooler.

The Wright Street Gang. Our friends, The Blevins' have helped get Noah off to school since 3rd grade. This year, we are driving Mr. Zach and Mr. Ryan to school with Owen and Sam in tow. Noah is riding to school with Mrs. Blevins since she works in the same building. It is nice to have this time every morning with the school aged kids. They are so funny to listen to. They talk about their classrooms, their teachers, what's for lunch, hockey, baseball, what they did the night before, what happens on the bus on the way home, who gets in trouble, they sing, they dance, they raise the roof...oh my goodness...I never new you could have so much fun at 7:15 am.

The three amigos on their way through the Mannsville doors. The first day Owen went off with the two other boys without looking back. I cried all the way home with Sam asking me if I was okay. The next two weeks were not so easy for Owen. He cried, he screamed, he had me by the pants and would not let go. This was torture for both of us. My heart hurt leaving him every day like this. He tried to tell me that he could learn at home, he was sick, that two minutes away from me was to many...but, with the help of the Blevins' boys and the school staff, we turned the corner, and surprise, no more tears. I will never forget those weeks, and how he still wanted his Mommy. I couldn't tell him, but I wanted him to stay with me just as bad.

This first day of school felt like five days to me watching the clock, Sam asking when the boys would be home, and the dog following me since his buddies were gone. It all ended well, with the best moment I could witness with two brothers sharing their day while meeting up in the driveway. These minutes as a mom, visualizing the love, make my throat close with emotion.

And, then there was this...Owen removed his jacket with a huge smile as he proudly displayed the chocolate milk he was covered in for half a day. BOYS!!

This is Noah in September 2004 on his way to Mannsville for his first day of Kindergarten. Owen was born the following February. It is crazy how life changes and you are given exactly what you pray for.

A pretty special Dad

The boys each had special items for Daddy on Father's Day that made Steve's day a memorable one. Noah made a jigsaw puzzle picture frame, Owen made a bluebird house with Poppy and GM to surprise Daddy with, and Sam wore a shirt all day that said "My Dad is a Rockstar". Isaac took on the role of protector to give Daddy the day off. He stood guard on the back forty for most of the day.

Since we are weeks later, the picture frame surrounds Noah and is proudly displayed on Daddy's dresser, the birdhouse has been hung and birds have built a nest in it, and the shirt...well, it is a bit stained, but when Sam put it on the other day, he said "This is Daddy's shirt".

Sammy is 2 and Steve is 42!

On March 24th, Sam turned two. He seems much wiser than two. Perhaps there is an old soul behind those big blue eyes. He is very much a mover and a shaker and doesn't sit still for long. His personality is beginning to mold at this interesting age, and I do believe he is the child that during his lifetime will be able to get away with about anything. Again, did I mention his crystal blue eyes and long lashes?! They are trouble with a capital T. Check back in 20 years, and we will see if I am right.

To celebrate, we had a special evening with the five of us which included Sam and Daddy's favorites - homemade pizza and ice cream cake. With hockey and FOSPA coming to an end, we are planning a family party at a later date. (Now later yet, as I believe Owen has chicken pox.)

Well, Happy Birthday to our littlest man and the boss, Big Daddy - AKA The Birthday Boy as Owen labeled Steve. This was absolutely knock your knee funny when Owen came out with this statement to his 42 year old father! Steve's day was made special by homemade cards, kisses, hugs, and lots of laughs from these funny boys of ours.

Owen is 5!!

Owen Judson Newton. Welcomed into the world on 02/08/05.

Five years old. Wow.

For Owen's big day, he had a tournament at the War Memorial. We had a fun day, complete with watching the Crunch play and winning 5-0...Owen said they scored 5 goals for his 5th birthday.

It was a fun day all about him.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to you and yours.

Don't forget to take time to look around, and enjoy all of the splendor of the season.

Below is a glimpse of our month of Christmas wonder. Sam didn't like Santa. And, based on the mug on Santa, I don't think Santa cared for Sam! Enjoy...

Owen and Daddy At SU

Courtesy of Poppy & GM, Daddy took Owen to his very first Syracuse University basketball game. I couldn't help but share the pictures of their special night together. Daddy was so proud that Owen walked all the way up SU hill to the Dome and sat through the entire game. Well, all but the last 5 minutes. Many questions were answered by Dad about the the game, the players, the building, and the spectators. Pizza and soda was downed and a foam finger treasure just had to be purchased. Owen loved his "finger" so much, he had to go to bed with it. Boy was he tired!!

Halloween - Newton Style - 2009

Just a quick glimpse of Halloween for Uncle Ken and Aunt Jane...our faithful blog readers down there in SC that asked about our costumes. A shout out over the internet waves of well recovery therapy for Uncle Ken.

We had a busy day on Halloween. Owen had practice in Pulaski; Noah a game in Oswego. This is our first year of experiencing what many families do...one parent with one child, one with another during sports. The five of us met back up at Uncle Tom and Aunt Nancy's in Mexico for lunch with a preview of their amazing Halloween display. They put on a show for approximately 500 kids in their neighborhood. Or should I say, for several neighborhoods. As I am sure the families come from miles to get a treat and a couple of tricks from the Widell Family. And, let me tell 'ya...they don't skimp on the candy at their house. No Tootsie Rolls or Willy Wonka that you can buy a bazillion of for $10. They drop the big dollar and give an assortment of Hershey's candy bars to their brood of followers. They have many life size animated characters that they display, inside and out. Truly, next to our three, they are lovers of Halloween.

From the Widell's we traveled to all of the Grandparents and Uncle Gary and Aunt Alli's, meeting up with Uncle Matt, Aunt Kate, and Big E to share our Halloween tricks and treats. The treat bags were full and we should have called it a night. But, oh no, the night didn't end there. Noah's friend Adam and family invited him to make the village rounds with them this year. Yeah, know...big kid style. And, big candy. I'm speaking gluttony. I'm just wondering...can you donate the candy back?

Owen and Sam had dates this night. With their special gal pals, Lucia and Gianna. Funny thing was Lucia was Dorothy and Gianna, the Good Witch. Owen was a tiger, that we substituted as The Cowardly Lion and Sam was the Flying Monkey. Many fun compliments on the costumes, thanks to Great Grandma Vi who made them years prior. (Hand-me-downs rock!) We had great fun spending time with the French's at their Grandparents house with many of their friends.

We already look forward to next Halloween!

P.S. Poor Isaac. He stays home now, no more trick or treating for him. We used to dress him up and take him with us. I know, get a life, you non-dog people are thinking. That was prior to Owen and Sam. I don't know if it was my guilt this year or if I-Z really felt left out...but, that face and those droopy ears asked us...leaving me again?!

P.P.S. Noah is wearing his Great Grandpa Sischo's clown costume. Grandpa used to wear this while playing with his band on Halloween. How cool is that?!

Owen Is a Hockey Player

So much has been going on that I have been failing at our posting duties. I will try to catch everyone up, but in the meantime...here is a picture of our newest hockey player. Isn't this the bomb!? I can't wait to have our family check him out on the ice. He was pretty tired after practice last night. The coaches skated the kids for an hour and a half, so he didn't think he wanted to go back. Today he has since changed his mind since he knows that Saturday is only an hour practice. We have a crazy schedule now with both Noah and Owen playing, but so rewarding! I love being a Mom...a hockey Mom.