Toodle-Doos & I Love Yous: what to do with a yucky toodle-doo?

For those of you that don't know, Ella has a security blanket with an elephant on it. I taught Ella that an elephant makes a toodle-doo sound - how else can you explain the elephant sound? She started this blanket attachment around the age of 1 and if she is holding the blanket, her thumb goes in her mouth. She is a thumb sucker, but only when going to sleep or when she's upset such as when she gets hurt. Toodle-doo was a huge part of her adjustment to preschool last year; he soothed her. As she began to take him to school, I began to worry about losing toodle-doo. Since they didn't make him anymore (Aunt Debbie bought him at Target as a shower gift), I paid $50 for a new one with tags on eBay. Crazy, but worried...

When she had some unexplained nightime vomiting (now believed to be teething & sinus related), toodle-doo became yucky and I had to substitute feel-better-giraffe. This worked - thank goodness : ) Aunt Sara bought the giraffe for Carson and I bought a second one just in case; although I did hear that the manufacturer is keeping a quantity of security blankets available for sale on hand for desperate parents. What a smart idea! Anyway, sometimes Ella drools on toodle-doo and makes a corner yucky. When she goes to bed or is getting sleepy in the car, she wants the yucky toodle-doo. Well, the yucky toodle-doo is getting a much needed bath in the next day or so and I am sure that will make for a terrible two tantrum.

I promised more about preschools and the decision is not yet final. Last year, Ella attended SonLight Preschool at Erlanger Baptist Church. Although there was a transition period, the staff and teachers are loving. Ella adored Ms. Barbara and Ms. Jeannie and she still talks about her friends from school. The hours and perfect (9:30 - 1:30) and the cost is reasonable ($140 per month for 2 days). This is one of the only mothers' day out programs in the area that accepts one year olds. Our plans were to continue with this program this year; however, we began to have concerns at Orientation. The classroom is half the size of last year's room without a window and she pretty much knows what they plan to teach. We recognize that social skills are a big part of her development and yes, she still needs to work on them, but Ella loves to learn. When we talked to the teacher, she commented that many of the kids in the older two class did not know their shapes, letters, colors or how to spell their name; Ella can do all of these things. The teacher did say that she would try to introduce some of the older two concepts to Ella on an individual level, but I don't feel that is very feasible given the ratio of 10:2. Ella was placed in the younger twos based upon the birthdates on the kids that enrolled. Most preschools would have classified her as an older two because her birthday falls between Sept 1 and March 31.

Because I was pregnant and not thinking rationally and therefore not capable of making decisions at the time of open registration for another preschool, Creative Beginnings, I reserved Ella a spot in this program. This program is quite the opposite. It is highly structured and very academic. You receive a monthly calendar with the activities (story, music. art) identified by day. They work in 15-20 minute cycles which seems very quick and not allowing for much transition. I have not seen this in action so I am trying to be patient. The hours (9:00 - 11:30)are not near as convenient/flexible and your days are set (Mon & Thurs/Tues & Fri). It stays this way through next year. The 4 year olds go three days a week. They do provide for drop-off and pick-up so that I don't have to drag Carson into school. The director is very on top of things to the point of providing me with 30 minutes to decide whether I wanted to switch days or not. She called me at minute 31; I was feeding Carson and she was next on my list. Again, this school is very recognized and they had a waiting list so she was able to fill the spot that same day. This is the same school for which a parent arrived around 3PM on a Friday to reserve a spot in the 3 year old program; registration began at 8AM on Saturday.

I have also looked at the Goddard School and the Little Red Schoolhouse in Richwood. I hope to tour the new Little Red Schoolhouse in Edgewood this week and then we will make a decision. Ella would be moved to a new classroom between 34 and 36 months at these facilities so we may change schools at that time if nothing else is working out. For now, she is attending both Creative Beginnings and SonLight Preschool. Next year is a whole new ball of wax and Montessori schools and other church preschools will be considered. Decisions, decisions...