Where Did May Go?

Where did May go and April for that matter? May was a whirlwind month for us here at the Merrill household. The last time that I posted we had a visit from Grandma and Grandpa Caley and from there we kept very busy. I think everyone has been concerned that something is wrong or the boys are not adjusting very well. Just the opposite!! The boys have continued to adjust very well.
Nati finished first grade this last week. He was a student at Indian Paintbrush Elementary. It brought back memories of when the girls went there. Some of the same great teachers and a few new ones too. Although I have to admit I felt really old when I went to a Writer's Workshop Awards Ceremony for the first grade class and all the mothers were so much younger then I was. It actually was funny to see the looks on some of the faces. Nati really did do well in school. He will participate in summer school which starts this next Monday. Basically just to help with his English development. He was proficient in all other areas and socially did very well also. We feel so lucky!! He is such a good boy too. We have had some times that "pouty boy" comes out and we do not always know how to handle those behaviors. He is never aggressive but almost always withdraws when discipline is needed. I think it is getting better. He has really given his older sisters some struggles when mom and dad are gone. That has been good for them and him to know that he won't get away with everything he tries. The other concern is his "little white lies" or "liaring" as Nati would say! He tries to get us to believe things that we know are probably not true. We usually ask and he will admit to his "liaring". They are not big hurtful lies just little things. We are trying to not make too much of it but let him know that we are not going to believe everything. Overall, Nati is a fun loving, curious, smart little boy and we absolutely love him!!


Kidus has gone to daycare at Beth's house. He really loves going to "school". Beth has quickly gotten attached to him, which is not hard to do. Kidus spends a lot of time with me when Nati has been at school. I am working a couple of half days a week to stay caught up at the office. I still bring a lot work home and it usually sits here and stares at me until the next time I go back to the office!! HA! Kidus has become a mama's boy and is helping me develop my biceps again. (He likes to be held and carried!!) His health for now seems to be stable. We just finished his medication for Giardia (intestinal parasite) and treated Nati as well, since they were drinking from the same water supply.

Both boys are growing like crazy!! Nati has gained 8 pounds and has grown taller. We question whether the original data we got before the boys got home was accurate. According to that, Nati has grown 2 inches!! Kidus has gained 3 pounds and has not gotten any taller. I think he will always be a pee wee.

They have put a million miles on their bikes and enjoy trips to the river. They really are happy little boys!

On May 8, 9 and 10th, Nati traveled with his daddy and sister Erica to Connecticut to watch Aaron compete in the Outdoor Heptagonal Track meet at Yale University. The highlight of the meet was Nati finally meeting his big brother, Aaron. Aaron was injured and did not compete in the meet but was nice to have family there to support him. That same weekend Kidus and I went to Regional track meet in Cheyenne WY to watch Bailey compete. Aunt Karla, Brittnee and Jenner came to cheer her on and keep us company. Bailey performed exceptionally well for a freshman and ended up qualifying for State Track meet in 4 different events. We were very proud. It was snowing and about 37 degrees. Great Wyoming track weather!!

The next weekend we traveled to Casper WY to watch Bailey compete in her first State Track Meet. She did very well and the weather was much better. She placed 7th in the open 400 meters, 3rd in the 100 meter relay and 5th in the 400 meter relay. Quite a performance for a freshman. We were very proud!!!
Go Bailey!!

Bailey placing seventh overall-400 mBailey 4x400 team placing 5th Bailey 4x100 Team placing 3rd

The next weekend we traveled to Ithaca NY for Aaron's graduation from Cornell University. It was great to see Aaron and he finally gets to meet his youngest brother, Kidus. The weather was great and we had a great time overall. It is very difficult traveling with 7 people, 2 of them being 7 and 3. Poor Nati had 4 mothers the whole trip and I know he was very glad to get home. Congrats Aaron!! Proud Papa!!All Six Kids!!Nati-Future Cornell Graduate!

My grown up kids!The WHOLE Family!

The next weekend, Clint and I left for Tallahassee Florida for the NCAA Regional Meet. Aaron competed but was still nursing an injury. Needless to say, it was a very disappointing meet for all of us. We felt so sorry for Aaron that his college track career had to end on an injury. I guess things like that make you focus on the bigger picture and what your future plans are after track!? Grandma and Grandpa Frihauf came and brought Brittnee and Abby to help out with the boys. The boys loved having them here and got a lot of special attention from Gr and Gr and those girl cousins!!

I will put together some photos of the month of May for you all!!

June finally arrives and the girls are involved in Basketball Camps all month. We leave on Thursday to go to Lakewood CO for a 3 day camp.
I will try to keep up through the summer for all you blog fans!! Thanks for following us on this incredible journey!