Merrick Turns 9

This week was all about the big man.  Merrick turned 9 on Wednesday and we spent a good portion of the week celebrating.  Monday we started out the day by going to pick up a new bike.  I had looked and looked for a new bike that met the requirements of what he wanted and needed and finally found it.  We had to drive to Washington to get it but we got a smoking deal so it was worth it.  We then went straight from getting the bike to a Hilsboro Hops game to get the party started.  Actually that was the second game Merrick got to go to celebrate his birthday.  Jeremy was supposed to take Merrick and a friend to a game to celebrate while I was gone at the funeral, but on the day of the game we discovered that I had the ticket voucher with me in my wallet.  To appease a very distraught Merrick, Jeremy had to buy new tickets and so we used the ticket voucher I had on Monday when I got back.  It was the perfect day for a game.  The weather was wonderful, we had hot dogs, soda, popcorn and candy, and the Hops won!

On Merrick's actual birthday he pretty much had the day planned down to the minute.  We started the day with birthday cinnamon rolls, then Merrick (much to his disappointment ) went to school.  At lunchtime I brought him Taco Bell (his request) and stayed and had lunch with him.  After school we headed out shopping.  He had certain things he wanted to buy, like new grips for his bike but mostly we just window shopped.  We then met Jeremy for dinner at Panda Express and went home for ice cream sundaes and presents.  The bike was supposed to be the big present this year, but he did get a few other things, some new shoes and a nerf gun and a subscription to Sports Illustrated Kids from his sisters.  He also got a new helmet from his Nana and Papa and money from Grandpa and Lollie and Great Grandpa and Grandma Clifford which he is using to get a new Chargers hat and checkered Vans (which are all the rage right now).

Merrick was pretty spoiled this year, but to tell the truth he really deserves it!  He is such a good kid and we are so blessed to have him in our family.