2007
The Hadick Year in Review December 2007
It is the time of year for our dogs to get sick and go, expensively, to the veterinarian. Maxwell did not disappoint, and is once again in need of tooth extractions, but has overcome his fever and other problems. Shaggy had his moment earlier this fall when he was bitten at a dog park (by another dog) and so we had a very bizarre infection to deal with. It turns out that Shaggy was bitten by an Afghan, and during every full moon he is compelled to lie across the back of the sofa. Thank goodness he was not bitten by an Afghani, because then there would have been real trouble.
Speaking of animals, our cat Doogie, who had been with us since before we had children, passed on, and Mary was compelled to acquire a new kitten against Mickey’s wishes and better judgment. Nothing makes a house into a home like the sight of a cat licking itself.
It is the unfettered enthusiasm of children that really makes things interesting. Sometimes, though, it’s just about cell phones, fashion, and the angst-ridden oppression imposed by peers that makes becoming a teenager extra special. In spite of all that, Alex started seventh grade, and it is the first year he has been graded. Let us just say that the change is significant, and there is much to learn. He is still a big fan of soccer, and had quite a few ups and downs while playing on two teams. Is it a highlight to mention that we drove four hours for a game in Traverse city, or just downright silly to drive that far and end in a tie? He did not make the local baseball team in the spring, which led to an interest in golf. Earlier this year he played basketball, as well, and will try that again early next year. Last winter also marked the return of floor hockey to Alex’s life, which is still one of the greatest spectator sports ever, and might make a run at Jai-Alai’s top position if we were allowed to gamble on the hockey games. Currently, he is focused on table tennis and bowling. Alex has also begun religious formation classes, working towards confirmation in 2009.
What’s really crazy is that Mickey was talked into teaching Alex’s religious formation class. Those of you who know Mickey might well wonder what was going on at St. James that they had to ask him. We don’t know ourselves. Like so many facets of the Catholic faith, it’s a mystery.
The highlight of Alex’s sixth grade school year was a school trip to Disney World for “learning.” It all seemed like an expensive boondoggle, but Mary and Emily will be making the same trip soon, thereby demonstrating the old adage that two wrongs don’t make a right, but three lefts do.
Emily had a busy year with karaoke competitions that took her to various county fairs and culminated with the Michigan State Fair. We wish there was some great insight learned from all this, or at least a pithy comment to amuse us, but sometimes singing is just singing, and Emily enjoys singing as much as her dancing and acting.
Emily played the part of Baby June in “Gypsy” with a local community theater group during winter, played a munchkin in a children’s theater production of “The Wizard of Oz”, was in the middle school play this fall, and is gearing up for a part in “Babes In Arms” at Michigan State for this coming winter. Spring is, of course, dance competition season, which took us hither and yon.
This was all getting to be old hat for us, so Emily spiced things up by injuring herself at Port Clinton, Ohio, and spent a day at Toledo Children’s Hospital, leaving with a clean bill of health but an improved appreciation of the dangers of doing flips over a sofa.
Other members of the family darkened the emergency room doors when Mickey, anticipating a violent bout with food poisoning, passed out during one of Emily’s singing competitions, and was removed by ambulance just minutes before Emily performed.
The next day, Mary sprained an ankle and a finger, and bruised the bejesus out of her knee, during intermission at a live theater event when she tripped while returning to her seat. Our apologies to Molly Ringwald for the delay caused in the start of the second act of “Sweet Charity.”
Mary is still feeding the birds and teaching Sunday School but, as of this writing, she’s not sure if she’ll still be on contract at the State of Michigan. We hate to leave you hanging, but sometimes that’s just how it goes with Christmas letters.
Hope all is well with all who read this.
We remain — The Hadicks: Mickey, Mary, Alex, and Emily