Christmas Card 2018

Mercy Watson

To wrap up the second grade character reading unit, Allie gave a presentation on a favorite book character.  She chose, Mercy Watson...an adorable, silly little pig who loves buttered toast.  She did an amazing job on her presentation report and speech, and was the cutest little pig of the bunch.  Her teacher said she was very proud of her!

Wild Lights

Instead of exchanging gifts with Cousin Ethan this year, we decided to go to the WILD LIGHTS at the Detroit Zoo together.  It was a bitter cold evening, but bundled in winter gear we braved the cold. The kids LOVED the lights and seeing all the different animals lit up around the zoo.  The dancing lights was a favorite too.

 

Fortunately, we received free ice skating tickets that evening.  By the end of the ice skating session, Ayden was a pro on the ice.  He took quite a few falls, but was determined to cruise on those ice skates.

Lunch with Santa

Everyone was thrilled to see Santa and Mrs. Claus this year.  We were even lucky enough to have lunch with them!  Santa served Allie's favorite (noodles and salad) and Ayden's favorite (lemonade).  We even made reindeer food too!

Allie asked Santa for an Alexa and a new ukulele case.  Ayden asked for a jet ski and a fish tank...even though he didn't want to sit on his lap.  We are super excited that Christmas is coming!

Allie is EIGHT!

Allie is lovable, sweet and so kind.  What a beauty she is becoming.  Allie loves seeing her friends at school and is a great reader.  She likes all genres of books, especially series.  Allie is becoming fluent on the ukulele and can play a handful of songs.  She loves to listen to songs on the computer and play along with them.  Allie continues to cheer and has mastered her front and back walkover and can do a back handspring all on her own.  Her favorites are the Disney channel, Lego's, and crafting.  Allie likes chocolate and peanut butter ice cream, quesadillas, and hot chocolate.

Allie woke up this morning to our kitchen table full of gifts for her...a new Heartlake Stable Lego set, white flowered headband, and a Brownie uniform for her American Girl doll and other Girl Scout goodies.  There was even a letter from our elf, Belle...along with a new Christmas shirt.  

Allie celebrated with her friends last week at the Bee's Knees Studio by painting pottery and having cookies and cupcakes.  She also spoiled by Auntie Ellen, Uncle Joe, Nana and both her Papa's!  She's so blessed to be surrounded by all those who love her.  Allie celebrated with her friends at school.  Mom bought in a book to read to the class and an American Girl Luciana book for Allie's chapter book collection (which I accidentally bought in SPANISH)!  Oooops!

Allie's First Reconciliation

Not only did this little angel turn 8 today, but she also had her first reconciliation this afternoon.  My sweet baby girl is now a beautiful little lady.  Allie confessed for her sins and promised to do something to make her parents happy and let them know how grateful she is.  As a family during mass, we all said sorry for a sin and made a promise to do better for each other.

Allie Godparents joined us for mass and for a celebratory dinner afterwards at Olive Garden (chosen by Allie).  We are so blessed to have you in our lives Uncle Mark and Aunt Kat!  Thank you for always being there to support our Allie Girl.

Breakfast From the North Pole

What a surprise to wake up to this spread bright and early this morning.  Jingle and Belle are back and they brought their usual snow covered doughnuts and hot chocolate...Christmas Oreos and cupcakes too!

 

Jingle and Belle sure to spoil these two!  Both kiddos received a festive Christmas headband to wear this season and a Christmas watch too...along with some Christmas candy and goodies from the North Pole.  Jingle is excited to play with Ayden's trucks again and Belle is so proud of Allie's new tumbling skills she's learned recently.  We are looking forward to seeing all the fun these two little elves have this season in the Hammerick house!

Gingerbread Villages

Gingerbread houses happened before Thanksgiving this year...it was the only day we could all get together.  Ethan, Leighton, Allie and Ayden created a whimsical gingerbread village for their gingerbread men.  I think more frosting was consumed than used for the house!

Allie designed her house herself and wanted it to not have a roof so she could decorate the inside.  

Ayden decided he wanted two houses and two of everything else this year.

New Skill Alert! Back Handspring!

Allie Girl is on FIRE!  She's moving right on up the tumbling ladder.  Allie LOVES working with her tumbling coach, Coach Tommie...and aims to prove her abilities!  Way to go!!  So proud of her!

Witches and Farmers

This year Allie wanted to be her favorite Harry Potter character...Hermione Granger.  Complete with a stick wand and Gryffindor tie and scarf, she looked just like her!

Ayden has been obsessed with tractors lately so we created the perfect tractor for him to ride in!  He received a lot of compliments throughout the Halloween season on his farmer costume.

The kids wore their costumes at the school's Spooktacular and we went trick-or-treating at a nearby shopping mall the weekend before.  Halloween night weather was much more pleasant than past spooky years.  We trick-or-treated throughout our neighborhood with Austin and Carson and made if farther than ever before.  The kids still loved passing out candy as much as trick-or-treating for it.

Picking Pumpkins

We canceled ukulele...and picked our fall pumpkins!  A perfectly warm and not-at-all crowded evening at Three Cedars Farm.

We took a hayride to the patch and found our family carving pumpkin...and the kids each found a little pumpkin of their own.

Ayden LOVED riding on the tractor bikes.  The nursery rhyme stories and animals kept them entertained as well as the yummy dinner...doughnuts, caramel apples and cider.

Our Star, Allie!

Ayden is FIVE

Ayden is curious, LOUD and so snuggly.  He loves trucks, cars, planes and anything he can drive or fly around the house making engine sounds.  He enjoys playing outside, swimming and riding his bike.  Ayden started "real" school recently and loves it.  He comes home singing songs and repeating moments of his day.  Ayden plays tennis and takes swim lessons.  His favorite foods are Gogurt, fruit snacks, apple juice, watermelon,and apples and Nutella.

Ayden celebrated a few weeks ago with a SPLASH BASH at Heritage Park's splash pad with his friends and family.  He enjoyed pizza and cupcakes and playing in the water with squirt guns.  He received Lego's, board games and water balloons as gifts.

This morning Ayden's elf showed up for with a birthday surprise!  A brand new basketball!  We apparently have houseguests for the next couple days...

Ayden had a fabulous day at school too.  His teacher brought him cupcakes and ate lunch with him...he even invited Allie too! For dinner Ayden requested Olga's snackers and Menchie's frozen yogurt.

We are halfway to DOUBLE DIGITS!

Back to School 2018

It's official...BOTH these littles are in elementary school!  All three Hammerick's started our year at Gretchko this year.  Allie is in 2nd grade, Ayden is in the Young 5's, and this is my 17th year.  

I'm looking forward to having my two besties with me each and every day.