Evie Visits Santa

I am not a big fan of visiting Santa Claus (as seen here on my second visit):

So this year, Mommy gave us the choice to go or not to go.  I chose to simply write a letter.  However, Evie wanted to talk with him in person.  Here she is from her visit yesterday:

Adventures in November

November has been a very busy month with us Ladybugs.

We had school field trips, a vacation, and a variety of very exciting adventures.  Here are a few Mommy wanted to share:

First, we helped rake leaves with my school, as a way to give back to our wonderful community.  Everyone had so much fun doing the community service!  Mommy was heart-warmed at the overall help that was present.

Evie and I had a bit of time off from school in the last few weeks.  One day Mommy took us to Jungle Java to play.  We had a ton of fun!

Of course there was also the time off we had for Thanksgiving.  Mommy and Daddy planned a fantastic vacation at Zehnder's Splash Village in Frankenmuth.  We spent three days and two nights enjoying Christmas, fairies, and tons of water.  It was a fabulous vacation.

We are now getting ready for Christmas by decorating the house, making homemade gifts, and listening to Christmas music on the radio.  Hope you all had a wonderful November!

Happy Thanksgiving from The Martin Ladybugs!

Remember Remember the 5th of November

Evie draws a picture

Here is a picture Evie drew of her and Mommy.  The one in bangs is Evie.

Hallowe'en with the Ladybugs

This was my 7th year at Greenfield Village's Hallowe'en (Evie's 5th).  We had both planned on being Smurfette - I was going to be the evil Smurfette, and Evie was going to be the good Smurfette.  But at the last minute I decided to have a different costume.  I settled for the witch costume we got from our babysitter, Hannah. 

Here are some of Mommy's favorite pictures!

Evie as Smurfette

Evil witch lady - me!

The two of us!

Our Annual stop at GFV

Adventures with Zoo Tots and Abraham Lincoln

Here are some recent pictures with Zoo Tots and my field trip to the Plymouth Historical Museum to see an Abraham Lincoln exhibit.

Evie's class has now taken trips to Antarctica and the Arctic Circle - opposite sides of the Earth!

My class had a wonderful time viewing all the Civil War relics, the Lincoln Exhibit and the Plymouth Timeline.  I was not ready for the class trip to be over!

Evie holding a seal puppet - visiting Antarctica

Straw painting - like the winds of the South Pole

Evie's weekly lessons start with an engaging story

Polar bear skull

My trip to the Civil War exhibit

I loved sticking my head through for this pic.

1st and 2nd Graders at the Lincoln Exhibit

Evie in the Dearborn Patch

Here is an article about our school, and Evie's picture (Mommy too) in the Dearborn Patch.


CLICK HERE!

October has been BUSY!

This has been a busy month.  School is in full swing, and our after-school activities are keeping us super busy.  Evie is still enjoying her Karate classes on Monday and Wednesday evenings.  She also started a class at the Detroit Zoo - Zoo Tots - on Thursday mornings.  Mommy and her have been having a blast.  They have visited North America, Australia and Africa so far!

I am still in Ballet and loving it.  Mommy cannot believe I fit right in with the 7-10 year old class, but I am learning so much.  Soccer is coming to a close, and I don't think I will sign up in the spring.  Daddy wishes I was more interested in it, but I'd rather be reading or dancing.

Evie and I had Thursday and Friday off of school last week, because our teachers were at a convention.  So on Friday we met Aunt Kelly and Emma at the Henry Ford Museum (Uncle Joe came by to say goodbye too because he went to Germany), and enjoyed the Wizard of Oz exhibit!

Here are some of Mommy's favorite pictures from the month thus far:

Eva at her first Zoo Tots class

Evie painting a pot at Zoo Tots

Evie's hand print in the style of the Aborigines

Touching a giraffe pelt at Zoo Tots

Evie and the Little Ninja's who received their green stripe for Team Work

Picture Day at School

Evie, Emma and Me at the Wizard of Oz Exhibit

Everyone LOVES a cow!  LOL!

Peek-a-boo Aunt Kelly!

Climbing the witches castle

That witches cackle made Mommy laugh every time!

Emma is the BEST Wizard, and I loved running the lights!

Me and Evie by the Halloween decorations at the Marquis Theatre

What a fun Halloween musical!

September Happenings

This has been a busy month in the Martin household.

The biggest change in our daily schedules was the start of school.  Evie started her second year of Preschool and I began 1st grade.  My class has 5 1st graders and 6 2nd graders.  I love my teacher too.

Here are some of Mommy's favorite pictures from the past month!

Two ladybugs ready for a new school year!

Ready for soccer!

Our gingerbread house for Halloween!

Evie and her red stripe in Karate for FOCUS

Fun in the Summertime

August has been a great month for us!  Evie continues to go to Karate on Monday and Wednesday evenings, Papa Ray turned 93, Daddy started a new job that is closer to home, and I began soccer.  I will start ballet and baton this evening too!

Here are some highlights from the last couple of weeks!

Working the machine at Armington & Sims Machine Shop - Greenfield Village

My certificate of completion (do you see the candlestick?)

Here I am on my favorite animal: the zebra

Evie on a regal dog.

Here I am at my first soccer practice!