Angels win #7, NIck is in Ansonia and the Neighbors host the last day of school!

With a legacy so long, each year it feels like the stakes get a little higher.  We were a little nervous that not having red jerseys could bring a jinx on the team - but that wasn't the case.  They played a solid game, the Braves lead for a bit - but the Angles came back and finished the season.  Shane loved being a solid part of this team and being on the field with him buddies

Hold up both hands kiddos!

Great capture of the 4 of them.  With Dylan and Shane on the same team - I will admit it was our best carpool duo ever!  

As our baseball season would have it, Chris and I were rarely at the same place.  Nick was actually playing at a turf field in Ansonia.  He LOVED it.  I loved that one of the mom's caught his cool slide into home!  

Nick is by far my most favorite base runner to watch.  Plus it was great seeing his determination to keep getting better at hitting!  Did not shy away from the ball and even delivered the heat on several occasions.  Thankful he rallied his friends to play together this year.

Anyone remember it was the last day fo school today!!  Ah, that's right?!?!  The Murphy's put on a great evening that included an outdoor movie.  The weather was killer and great to see the neighbors (briefly for us) but totally worth it.   

Last day of school

We did it!  COVID considering - our little town and these great kiddos made it through a rather memorable year.  

Thankful for all the lows (growing opportunities) and mostly highs that made up this year.  Heck - that even made it this last week!  I was actually singing COVD praises as it felt like there were slightly less end of school year obligations - something that I hope continues.  

This kid rocked the early morning slot - He last year solo with it as Shane looks forward to joining him in the fall.

Future high schooler!

These guys are coming in HOT - A whole year and still on the last day they kinda forget about wearing a mask to get on the bus.  resilient kiddos with a memorable year under their belts.

Cheers kiddos!

 

Someone is headed to HIGH SCHOOL!

Look at this adorable, smart, sweet, observant kiddo moving up!  That photo he is holding is from EARLIER this year.  Why does that look like years ago?  How did he age this much in one year?  

We are SO impressed with how far he has come with his academics and level of responsibility.  We can honestly say he is as ready for high school as he ever will be!  He was honored tonight for his high grades (which we can atest to him placing a priority on ....  especially during snow season) and its great to see how its paid off for him.

It was a beautiful night in Canton - of course there was baseball going on (and fun to hear those cheers too)  

Loved seeing all the 8th graders cross the stage.  They really are growing up.  I remember first hanging out with these 2.

What a great group of guys.  Hope their friendships continue to lift each other up, give confidence, support, kids to compete against and with - -  and a bit of razzing when needed.

This was a sweet photo Beth Bemis captured of me.  love the 3 boy mom connection brought us together.  How do I have a high schooler?  Will the boys look back at this blog and appreciate the captures I have of them and maybe appreciate the labor of love a bit.  Ah nostalgia.

The boys all rolled over to the little league game after the ceremony - they felt like the big kids on campus for sure.

 

It is time...... To cut Drew's hair

Who knew when Drew was young and resisting hair cuts that it would get THIS long.  No doubt he has GREAT hair!  It just kept growing and growing and growing.

  

He grew out the bangs, 

He reluctantly wore head bands during sports to keep the hair out of his face.  

He grew it to fit in a pony tail and be easier on sports.

It just kept growing.

But than it got to be a pain to brush

more of a pain to brush than to cut.  

So we decided to donate it. and cut it right before school ends so his classmates could be surprised.  

First one capture of us twinning for the last time.  Pretty much the same length.  So similar

Not that it was the intention to have the same hair - it just kinda happened - and sure I didn't mind it at all.  No body else has much the same of anything I have really.

I made an appointment with my favorite lady in New Hartford for the night before school lets out.  Of course now we are straddling baseball games and headed right to Shane's game - but this is an appointment we are keeping  

Final photos from us

I cannot believe how long it really was!  Erika was shocked too - I kept explaining it, but you gotta see it to believe it.

She made little 10" long pony tails to collect for the donations and made an effort to keep it kinda long.  

We stopped here for a second, but decided to keep going.  Drew was pumped for the clippers.

Yup - its really happening - clippers and all.

Seriously he looks like a different kid

Perfectly orchestrated for summer enjoyment!  That smile.  I pray the sweet child that receives his donated hair has a smile that bright!

Love the missing tooth too.  That is the icing on the cake

Sure it was bitter sweet for me - that day he kinda looked a bit like every boy.  More grown up, more boy.  The smile on his face was worth it for sure.  He loved strutting the baseball field at Shane game shocking folks left and right.  Live it up buddy!

Donation paperwork in the works

 

The Boo Boo Bear is moving up

OMG we have 3?!?!  We often joke about Shane having an extra large noggin - His 'big head 'came in extra large =)

CIS did a drive through moving up ceremony that I will admit to LOVING.  We had a time to dive thru!

The principal took the time to directly speak to Shane

A photo of our rising middle schooler - ready to hit the baseball field!  Thank you Mr. Perotti for the capture!

We got to pull to the side for a little Nolan and Shane big head capture

We had a car full!  Everyone but Nick as he was at practice.  I am thrilled my folks got a little slice of life as Drew had LOTS of questions for everyone and anyone to answer.

Love that they got to be part of it all

I captured this sweet photo just the other day.  He sleeps so soundly and peacefully.  Kind hearted, strong yet gentle, structured and goofy - he is a keeper

Sunrise appreciation

 I am not always wild about the 4AM wake up for the 6AM flight - God had me appreciating this one.

Drew Leadbetter hit a home run!

He got up to bat....... and CRUSHED it OVER the fence.  First LEADBETTER home run.  

Crazy part, we were all at Nick's game across the way.  So when we got a text that drew crushed a home run, we were crushed to have missed it.  Until Caitlyn Bernabucci sent me this.

https://youtu.be/0BBSbajOqPc

I literally had tears in my eyes realizing she had captured it.  THIS is a treasure forever (and yes, Drew watched it a million times!  As he should