Big Happennings!

UNDERWEAR
Preface: Collin has gone pee in the toilet on occassion, but never with regularity and always in response to prompting. I didn't believe (nor did Kevin, his teacher, or our friends that I'd asked) until this morning that he was quite ready for "potty training."

I stopped by Collin's classroom this morning between hearings, and I learned that Collin had gone pee in the toilet twice already that morning and that he had asked for underwear! He hadn't ever worn underwear yet - in fact he didn't even have any yet - but he declared a prohibition on diapers and was running around commando!! He had even, the two times he'd peed, told the teacher he had to pee rather than pee when asked! Needless to say, I rushed home where Santa was storing a few pairs of Elmo briefs for Christmas morning, and delivered them to a very proud and excited little boy! I also dropped off two extra sets of clothes - just in case. BUT when I picked him up at 5:00, he was still in the same underware and same pants and socks as he'd been in in the morning! He'd had a completely dry day ~ all on his own!

This evening he remained dry and used the potty several times ~ even to go poo before bathtime! First poo in the toilet!!! He was sooooo bummed when we told him he needed to wear a diaper to bed still. : (

I am so proud of my big boy! I was beaming from ear to ear in court this afternoon and told everyone about Collin's big accomplishment. Congratulations, Collin!!!

WALKING
Owen is now walking at least 80% of the time he's traversing. It is so cute! He keeps his little arms up in the air for balance and either wears of look of concentration or pride at each step. It is adorable! He's also learned to pivot, walk in a circle, take one step backwards, reach down to pick something up, and step over somethinig small. I can't believe what a toddler my baby is becoming! (*He turned 11 months on the 17th.)

TALKING
Owen now says Ma-Ma, Da-Da, All Done, Duck, Quack, and a version of milk. He signs All Done, More, Quack and Milk.

BOTTLES
A thing of the past!!!!! "Owen is drinking from a sippy cup just like me!" says Collin every day! : )

GRADUATIONS
Collin is loving his new classroom and excelling rapidly. He especially loves reading time, puzzles, riding the tricycles, and painting at the easel. Other highlights include all art projects, playing with the matchbox cars, stacking blocks, and discovering items in the sensory table.

Owen is less than a month away from graduation eligibility! He is going to transition so smoothly! He already spends a great deal of time (with me) in Collin's room each night, and he spends many mornings, including every Friday for sign language instruction, in the Toddler 1 room. We can't wait for him to move up! He's just so ready! He'll love having the meals with the other kids each day, sitting in the little chairs at the little table with his own plate and fork and spoon! Washing his own hands in a sink just his height ~ too cool! And learning to take his plate to the bin after eating. And making bird feeders. And playing in the sensory table. And singing and dancing and playing with shaving cream on the windows! (Owen bops to music by the way! Up and down! He loves to dance!) And the time outside each day going on the slides, digging in the sand box, exploring the garden. He'll have an absolute ball! He gets to spend the whole month "transitioning" whenever one of the older kids is out; tomorrow he'll be in Toddler 1 all day! Woohoo for Owen!

IMAGINATION
Collin's imagination is really developing. Yesterday on the way home from school, I asked Collin about his day. Essentially, he told me that he and Henry had gone on a trip (I forget where!). I asked if they had walked, run, ridden a bike, driven a car, or flown there. He said they flew. I said like a bird, like Super Grover (Sesame Street), or in an airplane? Like Super Grover. What did you see? A butterfly in the sky! Tell me about the butterfly: Green one with big beautiful wings! Did he have a name? Yes!!!! What a treat!

Oh ~ Collin now knows most of his colors and is learning to "read" (*recite) longer books, such as "Where the Wild Things Are." He's also talking in pretty complex sentences, using adjectives, adverbs, etc. It's great!