Is it seriously time for this?!?!?

We received Jeffrey paperwork to register for KINDERGARTEN in the mail yesterday! What the??? He is super-excited to go on the bus and go to the big school.

Long Overdue....The Month in Review

Here are some pictures from various December events in the Meisner Household. We love our new camera but then had to wait for the new computer to upload the pictures...it never ends! Collin's birthday was a lot of fun! He had some friends over to celebrate.

Christmas is so fun with the boys now. Jeffrey is so into the whole Santa thing and Collin has a much better understanding than last year. We took the boys to see Santa at the mall and I think Collin is now traumatized. He freaked out when Santa first came in but then as we waited in line was saying hi and playing peek-a-boo with him. We thought he would definitely sit on Santa's couch with Jeffrey...wrong. As soon as it was our turn, he yelled rather emphatically, "No couch!" And that was the end of that. He is STILL talking about Santa and his couch.

Collin an his girlfriend Kira at his birthday party. Note the Power Ranger underwear and tank top (Thanks Sue and Brad!). He insisted on wearing them the entire party!

Collin waiting to blow out his candle. Yes, I made the cake...his party was a winter theme and the cake was a snowman.

Jeffrey and me...getting ready to make his Rice Krispy Christmas house.

Collin and me getting ready (or eating candy...whichever one you prefer) to make gingerbread man cookies.

Christmas morning love...

Collin, Grampy, and Jeffrey

Do you know how hard it is to get all 4 of us to look at the camera, smile and not close our eyes?!?!

One of Jeffrey's favorite toys - G.I. Joe

Another favorite - the Hess Truck

New Bruins shirts!

Happy Birthday Collin!

Hard to believe that Collin is 2 today! We had a winter-themed party for him today which was fun. Jeff and I got a new camera but when we figure it out we will post pictures of the big day!

A-Okay!

I had my regular 6 month mammogram this afternoon. All is fine! Completely normal findings thankfully. I get so anxious and nervous leading up to it and I can finally BREATHE!

So far, so good...all around

Hope I just didn't jinx this but things have been good with Collin since giving up the binkies. He did well last night (1st night without them) and napping today. He fell asleep without any big commotion tonight too. It's weird to think that a 22 month old knew he was ready to be done with them.

Collin is also talking SO much more. We were worried back in June and had Early Intervention come out and look at his speech. The special ed teacher in me is a bad quality to have when it comes to my own kids. I read way too much into things and every little deviation from the norm raised a red flag - unneccessary most times. Anyway, EI came out and he tested ahead of his age in everything but his expressive language. That was only one month behind which wasn't enough to get help from a speech therapist. They gave us strategies which I have been following and things are clicking. It's not all that clear at times but I can translate! We carry on conversations during the day now and he is less frustrated when he is not understood because it doesn't happen as much.

Collin is also so physical and can do so much more than I expect him to do (or want him to do). He climbs on EVERYTHING! I swear he was either a monkey or Evil Kaneival (however you spell it) in his past life! He's up on counters, dressers, tables, washing machines - everything! Nothing is safe or off limits to him. I have limits for him but it is ALL DAY LONG! Now with the winter months approaching, I think I need to sign him up for something to harness this energy of his.

Jeffrey is doing so well. He has gotten so tall and everyday it seems like he is more grown up than the day before. Where did my baby go?!?!? I have to remind myself that he is only 4 1/2! He is thriving at preschool. He knows his letters, how to write his name and even some basic addition! Wow. It is so exciting to see him learn all of this stuff! He loves school and is really looking forward to Kindergarten next year. There is one thing we are a little concerned about with him. His teacher told me at his conference a couple of weeks ago that he will often mix up some colors loeading her to question the possibility of colorblindness. Not a definite but something to keep an eye on. He mostly does it with blues and purples. We will just keep it on the radar.

"Bye Bye Bees"

We have been prepping Collin to say goodbye to his binkies (pacifiers) for a couple of weeks now. He is attached to them and only uses them at night and at naptime. Half the time they fall off his bed and he loses them in the middle of the night. Well today, completely unprovoked, he went to his bed, scooped them all up and emphatically said, "Bye bye bees" and threw them in the trash in the kitchen. (Bees is binkies in Collin-speak.) I told them they were all yucky now and the kid is a freak when it comes to dirty food on the floor so I think he gets that. We will see how it goes. He is suppose to be napping right now and all is quiet. Keep your fingers crossed! No turning back now!

Halloween

Yesterday, the boys went to a Halloween party at a friend's house. It was tons of fun and I wanted to give you a preview of thier costumes.

We have the Incredible Hulk....

And we have Tom Brady...notice the injured knee included...

And Brady and Hulk together...