Summer Ontario Bay Hockey

Our summer will include hockey. Noah will be playing with the varsity Ontario Bay team in Cicero. This is a first for him. He is very nervous, as he always is starting something new. This is another awesome beginning to watching Noah blossom. Especially having Coach Forsythe on the bench with him and the others from this seasons Peewees. Exciting times.

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.

Twelve

Noah,

For twelve years I have been a mom. The one thing in life that I always knew that I wanted to be. When I was 12 and babysitting for spending money, I realized I wanted to be a mother. When GM designated me to watch over Uncle Matt, I knew I wanted to be a mom. Sometimes in college when others were talking about future careers, I was thinking inside, "does a mom count"? I knew when the time was right, the thoughts would become reality. Twelve years ago at exactly 7:32 am, I was born. I have never felt anything more real, or raw in my life.

For these twelve years, your Dad and I have experienced the rights and wrongs of being parents. The ups, the downs, the twists, and turns. Learning our way through this path of family life with only the hardest yet to come. And now that you are of this tender age, I wonder if you are thinking: my Mom is exactly who I want her to be?

As Mom, I watch as this 5'5" boy is changing in front of me. Every second, minute, and hour. You are beginning to pull away from the norm that we once knew. Are you ready? Did I prepare you enough for these changes? Do I intervene, or wait until the next time? Do I assist, or let you fail? Do I laugh or cry? I don't remember seeing this part of parenthood in my vision. But, I have, and always will, see love. Arms that circle you no matter what. A lap waiting for you to sit in whenever you need, no matter your size.

We pledge to you, son, in this book of your life, we will do our best. We will always look to have open eyes and ears to todays pressures. We will always be parents first, your friend last. With the ulitmate hope that someday when you have your own children, you will understand.

I love you,

Mom

Hockey Families

Hockey is officially over for the winter season, and we are missing our hockey families a lot. We had another great year with new and old friends on both Noah and Owen's teams. Enjoyed all of the Salmon River teams during the home tournaments! We were on the road this season every day but Wednesday. So mid-week day was the day that we had to squeeze in hair appointments, doctor appointments, library visits, open swim, school functions, etc. This is our life with three kids, two in sports. We enjoyed several tournaments with hotel stays that included some great entertainers, young and old. Life lessons learned and good times that The Newtons will never forget!

In one and a half weeks time since hockey ended, we have tried out for baseball, signed up for summer hockey, scheduled swimming lessons, NYSSMA solo (Outstanding Grade - so proud you, Noah!) summer reading program training and planning, two vacations planned, charity bowling tournament, community service on Wright Street, Family Literacy Night, Syracuse Crunch game (times 2 for Steve), story hour, assisting with Cheddar Cheese Festival needs, had thousands, thousands, and more thousands of dollars filter the PTO bank account thanks to our community, birthday partys, volunteer work at Owen's school, friends over, a sleepover, finishing up apparel from the last hockey tournament, many, many appointments, work...and whew - did we need to do all of this in one week?!

Noah claimed last night over dinner that he does better in school when he is active?! What the heck does this mean? He specified. When he is playing hockey, his school brain works better. I think that he thinks his brain may function better on a tight schedule, but his parents have been in overdrive and need a break! But, oh, how we are missing this unity...until fall...

*scroll to the bottom of your screen and turn off the music player so that the song on the video will come through clear*

Today You Are You! That Is Truer Than True!

Happy Birthday Steve and Samuel. We have many fun dates planned for your birthdays. Your day was noted as you enter our house, how it always is on one of our birthdays. Sam learned how to zip his coat today along with how to fold his fingers down to show you that he is three. Although, when you ask him how old he is, he is sure to share how old Daddy is first. Fortunately, he also discovered that he does not have enough fingers to show a person 43.

Love you both so, so much!

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