Merriman Adventures

Fall....huh? how'd that happen?

 

Wesley has taken 1st grade by storm, or maybe it's taken him by storm. With all the hoopla that surrounds kindergarten, I'm learning what a transition each year will be. It has taken a few weeks for him to get familiar with a new classroom, new friends and a new teacher. He has had moments where he's missed his teacher and friends from last year, but the next moment he get excited telling us about a new friend, or sharing a new game or adventure he's had with his new teacher. I am so proud of his kind-hearted spirit, and my heart breaks watching him grow up each day. Wesley has developed this new grin and laugh that just cracks me up - he squints his whole face up, smiles real wide and his eyes light up, usually at his own wise-cracks.

 

Harrison couldn't wait for his turn to begin school. He informed me the first morning back that I didn't need to go, he could go by himself. He knew how to drive. I'm sure if I'd given him the opportunity, he could have proved me right, to some degree. He is getting so long and lean, already growing out of things that Wesley wore at this age (the season of hand-me-downs can't be over yet!). When Wesley is at school I miss him terribly, but it has opened up such a rich opportunity to play and be part of Harrison's little world - one that is hysterical, creative, zany and sensitive.

 

Meredith, my sweet baby, is just 2 weeks away from being one. It can't be!!! I'm starting to see her darling personality come to life. She has always been such a contented, easy-going baby. However, with 2 big brothers hovering, touching, helping, teasing, playing, and --well-- you name it, she has already learned to let her wishes be made known. Quite loudly, I might add. She can get anywhere. Fast. Those hands and knees know exactly where to crawl. She has now taken 2 steps at a time, but has found it to be quite ineffecient compared to her super-crawl, so still prefers the floor.

Hard to believe we had Wesley's 6th birthday party last week. He invited a couple friends over for an afternoon in the backyard, complete with Kung Fu face paint. He amazes me every day with how grown up he acts - what happened to my little kindergartener? (or preschooler for that matter!) On his actual birthday we took some friends to see Kung Fu Panda - it was a hit, of course. Sadly, Harrison came down with a nasty virus that morning and couldn't join us. Although Gram already has plans to take the boys this week to make it up to Harrison.

 

More summer updates will <hopefully> come!!!

January has brought an unusual mix of mild days for some outside fun, along with some frigid cold days that keep us inside. Welsey continues to amaze me with all he's doing and learning at school. We're reading book after book at home - his reading skills make me so proud. January also brought a first for Wesley - his first wrestling match! His first tournament brought him his first pin and a medal - he was beaming. I'll have to post some pictures soon.

 

Harrison is my squirly little bug, and it's hit me that I only have 1 1/2 more years with him at home. I know it seems like a long time, but after sending wesley to Kindergarten, I know my time is ticking with him! We love playing games while Wesley is at school - Candyland, Blokus and Hide & Seek being favorites.

 

Sweet Meredith is already 4 months old. She loves attention and will smile and coo at the briefest glance. She especially loves it when you talk to her, bringing all kinds of conversations that sounds like angels' voices. But it's those two big brothers that bring the biggest smiles on her face.

Pictures, pictures, pictures! There are a ton with this blog - there were too many too precious not to share! They remind me how blessed we are to be able to share this holiday season with our families.

 

What a fun Christmas we had. We enjoyed an early celebration with Gram, Gramps, Mark and Ellen. Santa is always so good to us when Gram & Gramps are around! The boys worked especially hard on their art projects they gave them. Wesley took a very thoughtful approach, and was very concerned about how to make a star, and made sure he had a lot of ornaments, but spaced them equally so they weren't overlapping and there would be an equal amount of green showing. Harrison waited until I was preoccupied so he could grab the purple paint, pour it into the pallette, grab his own paintbrush, then construct his own version of a Christmas tree. Of course it turned out much cuter than if I was hanging over his shoulder coaching him. And, of course, Gram & Gramps loved them.

 

We had so much fun spending 4 days in Texas with all of Eric's family, including his grandparents from Franklin, Tennessee and Parkersburg, West Virginia. We had 25 people on Christmas moring!!! I loved the fact that it was crazy, chaotic, loud, boisterious, funny, entertaining, active -- all the things that make for wonderful Christmas memories. The boys were so excited to stay with Benjamin and Carter for a few days, then at Honey & Pops house on Christmas Eve. We had so much fun time playing with cousins, and were able to finally love on our newest addition, Jackson.

Our little family has enjoyed a wonderful December soaking in every event that has flown by our calendar. Decorating the Christmas tree was the most stressful it's ever been - not because of little hands tugging ornaments off, but because we had 2 big boys who wanted to put EVERYTHING on the tree - as fast as they could! I think it took us about 20 minutes to get them on. At one point Eric and I glanced at each other in amazement amidst the chaos. Wes & Harrison were particularly fond of 3 branches, so we did have to re-distribute the ornaments afterward.

 

Meredith has blossomed these last 4 weeks - amazing what happens between the 2nd and 3rd month. She loves to have conversations, and even mimics your voice. If she hears the boys laughing, she laughs. If you make your voice go very high, she lets out this little girl squeel. Her head follows where the excitement is and she wants to be part of it all. She's sleeping great - most nights at least 7 hours (sometimes 10!).

 

Harrison had his preschool program on Tuesday and we spent weeks practicing "Y is for YOU!". They do a precious "ABC's of Christmas" and the 3 year olds have a letter and the 4 year olds act it out. He was very proud of his performance, and emphasized the YOU while pointing at everyone in the audience. It as very cute. 

 

Wesley has been counting down the days until Christmas and Santa's arrival. He's learning so much at Kindergarten, it's just amazing. He's reading, writing and spelling up a storm. 

 

We celebrated Christmas with my parents last night and had such a great time. We are so blessed to have an amazing family. We head to Texas to celebrate Christmas with Eric's family - the boys can't wait to play with their cousins and with Honey and Pops. And we get to meet our newest addition, little Jackson. We can't wait!

 

This Christmas season has been so special to me. I'm so overwhelmed at how God has blessed our family with three precious children, an amazing marriage, our family and wonderful friends. I look at our sweet new baby and our two boys and am reminded at the gift of Jesus, coming right here on Earth. I am so humbled and so thankful.