Summer 2011 - Fly By - Kites, Blimp and All!

The summer of 2011 took us many places and many new directions. We absolutely worship having the kids home 24/7! At times so much that I think, homeschool, what would that be like? Then I put my controlling mother, selfishness in check and realize that this would not be for us. Our kids are who they are due to the many positive influences that they have in our school district.

Our summer days were filled with family, friends, love abound, grocery shopping and cooking--non stop, as well as physical changes in the boys. It is so true what I have heard others say that boys eat you out of house and home! Groceries seem to be our largest expense of the month currently. We took two vacations with the grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins. Both of which have memories that we treasure. We visited with lots of extended family from out of town where quality time was spent. The boys sports and extra curricular activities proved to form new friendships, moreover rekindle of old. Love this about our lives right now. Steve and I have met so many great parents of great kids! We are happy to have our boys spend time with all of these families with such great values.

Our vacation on the Jersey Shore (LBI) even included a blimp sighting, which was a first for our kiddos to see a zepplin. We experienced dolphins swimming so close you could practically touch them, with the best waves EVER!

The sixth year on the Cape included our favorite book store, beaches, eateries, and a newly found skate park that the two older boys thought was pretty rad! The kids love having their extended family in the same house for a week.

Needless to say, September 6th is a sad day. Goodbye summer vacation for another year.

Sunshine and Lollipops, Raindrops and Lemondrops

This was out our backyard at one point this evening, and our front yard at another.

We live in an amazing world.

Awesome Summer Days Like This

Fantasy Island @ Long Beach Island

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*