Holy cripes. Allison and I went to two different preschools this morning to see about getting Ava enrolled when school starts back up. She’ll be really young, just having turned three in August when she would start. I felt pretty good about this until we actually got to the places and then I found myself really worrying a little bit.
* Will they be teaching her stuff that I don’t really care for her to be learning?
* Is she going to be sick all the time?
* Can I trust these people with my child?
* Is this really worth the money?
Honestly, I think it’s going to be good. And it’s only two and a half hours a day for three days out of the week. We’ll see how it goes. I’m fairly confident that we’ve picked a good one and I know that Ava will have a blast.
And now for something completely different.
I made a few variations of a wallpaper in photoshop last night. Brushes and filters are fun. Use one of them if you should feel so inclined.
Just click on whatever size image you think might work best for your screen resolution and then “right-click” and “save-as” – or “set as desktop background”.
Warm // 1600 x 1200
Warm // 1280 x 1024
Warm // 1280 x 800
Warm // 1024 x 768
Cool // 1600 x 1200
Cool // 1280 x 1024
Cool // 1280 x 800
Cool // 1024 x 768
Dirty // 1600 x 1200
Dirty // 1280 x 1024
Dirty // 1280 x 800
Dirty // 1024 x 768
You rock, Ryan!
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I really like the third one! It is edgy, but soft in a way. It is also not so soft as to be feminine! Very cool!
http://walkaschildren.blogspot.com/
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Love the wallpaper!
)
And she will get sick, they always do
) But she’ll enjoy being there with kids to play/learn with. Did you ask to see the curriculum/plan of what they’ll be teaching her? Its the best way to find out, and most are pleased to show you! 
) If they don’t want to show you, then you might want to worry 
)
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I’m sure she’ll have an absolute blast, and it’ll be great!
Thanks for the great backgrounds
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Just think of all the new things she’ll be learning–it’ll be a great thing, for all of you.
Thanks so much for the pretty wallpapers. I snagged 1 & 3.
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My daughter just finished her first preschool year. She turned 4 in Feb but was in the 3 year old class because her bday was too late. It was only 3 days a week too. She wasnt sick any more than usual and even though I think I was teaching her more at home than they were at school to prepare her for REAL school she had a LOT of fun. It was more about making friends and learning to share than it was learning. In August she will start 5 days a week and we both cant wait
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Okay – so my oldest (who is now 16) went to preschool when she was 4. My youngest (BiL – who is now 12) didn’t.
A couple of weeks ago BiL was having lunch with friends at Middle School and they were saying to one another, “So where did you go to preschool?” They compared notes, were amazed to find that some of them HAD known one another earlier in life, and then they turned to BiL. “Where did you go?”
“I didn’t.” He said. “My Mom kept me home.”
He said he’s never understood before what it felt like to be looked at as if you’d grown a second head or something – but that did it!
It’s considered a rite of passage any more! I dunno – I’m such a Mom! – I wanted my babies home with me! We had to put Jess in preschool cause if we were still gonna have a roof over our head, I had to go back to work. It was short lived – and well, I was so conflicted when the doctor put me on bedrest with my pregnancy with BiL because that meant I got to have Jess home!
I tell you – this raising kids thing is hard! My girl is looking at colleges in BOSTON – we live in OREGON!
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All my friends have kids who are preschool aged, and I always hear good and bad stories about their children coming home sick. The best preschools they’ve chosen have hard and fast rules about whether a sick kid is allowed in class, so that’s always a question to ask.
Thank you for the wallpapers. It was about time I replaced that picture of my husband with the Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders I had on my screen.
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Wow I love these wall papers, I can’t decide!
As for preschool, I am sure you have choosen a great one for Ava. She will be fine and will love it!
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I’ve taught in Preschool/Daycare and I really think you are doing the best thing for Ava. Preschool is truly about learning social skills. The ABC and 123 stuff is nothing compared to the life skills she will learn. She will learn how to share, cooperate, and make friends. Many kids who are held back in kindergarten are held back because they don’t have the social skills to move on. Also it will provide her with time away from the new baby and the ability to grow as an individual away from her family. I know it’s scary for you but it is the best thing for Ava and that is really what counts. And don’t worry if she cries. 99% of children quit when they can no longer see you and start playing and having a blast.
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My almost 3 year old has been in preschool at a local church for nearly a year now, and I have to say it’s one of the best things I’ve ever done.
Not only do I get 8 hours a week of peace, quiet, and uninterrupted chores (bliss, right?), but he’s having a blast playing with the other kids. I get compliments all the time on how friendly he is, and I think the time he has to interact with other kids has played a big part in that.
He also comes home repeating all kinds of good stuff, singing Jesus Loves Me and talking about what they learned that week.
It’s a little scary at first to hand your little ones to someone else, but once you find a good school with teachers that you trust, it can be a super experience for both of you.
Best of luck! Look forward to hearing how everything turns out.
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First of all…the wallpapers are amazing. Thanks for sharing…
As for preschool…she will get sick. My son has been in full-time daycare since infancy (he turned 3 last month), and he now has the immune system of a wild yak (assuming wild yaks have crazy-good immune systems). He LOVES school…and is actually disappointed when we keep him home on our days off.
It’s difficult at the beginning, but the rewards are so worth it. I love coming home and learning about the world through his eyes. I love that he is learning things from other people…and understanding how different perspectives affect the way you look at things. I teach him one way, they teach him another–and together we help cover the bases.
Good luck!
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I like your wallpapers!
The preschool decision is not an easy one!
When you have a chance stop by my blog. I’ve given you an award!
Thanks!
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Love the wallpapers. Thank you!!
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Awesome! Thanks for the RAD wallpaper! Very cool!
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Like the third one best..has that worn and weathered look about it. Thanks
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Ah, preschool! I remember having those same thoughts. It all was good though. I didn’t send my oldest, but my youngest was a young three when she started and was reading by the time she was four. She still can remember her preschool days and her teacher. (she’s 27 now) It turned out to be a great experience for both of us. And gave her a great start in her schooling.
Good luck with Ava’s.
Thanks for the wallpaper…very nice!!
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My daughter started school half-days last August. She turned 3 in October. After never being sick in her young life, she got her fair share of colds, etc. And brought them home to baby sister.
But. She LOVED it. I’ve watched her blossom from a somewhat shy, introspective child into an amazingly inquisitive, brilliant, outgoing girl.
Yes, that monthly tuition check SUCKED. But I would do it again in a HEARTBEAT.
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On the getting sick thing, both my kids (now 4 and 6 1/2) were in day care/preschool since they were 3 months old and (knocking on wood now) they have never really been sick beyond a runny nose and one single vomiting incident for each of them. We’re really fortunate.
And second what others are saying about the benefits preschool will provide everyone in your family. Ava will be much better prepared for K when she gets there. Parents get time alone with the new baby – which is a wonderful thing. The balancing act of having 2 kids is really challenging — I don’t know how people with 3+ kids do it!
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Even though I didn’t go to pre-school (or kindergarten for that matter) I would be happy to answer your questions (even though they were probably meant to be rhetorical). I have the ability to do this because I’m practically an expert on everything.
* Will they be teaching her stuff that I don’t really care for her to be learning?
Yes they will. 99% of it will probably be ok though.
* Is she going to be sick all the time?
No but more often.
* Can I trust these people with my child?
Probably yes.
* Is this really worth the money?
Probably no.
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Love the new wallpapers!
Preschool is such a debated decision around these parts. We chose to keep her home with me (it’s what I am here for!) and I don’t regret it for a second! As far as the social thing, we are not homebodies so they are getting what they need and then some. I am sure Ava is going to do well no matter what you choose! You just have to do what is right for your family
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Thanks for the wallpaper! I chose “dirty”!
I’ts hard to send them off the first time…we kept our now-almost-8yo son at home with one of us until he was almost 4. It was the right thing for him, but he is an only, so school is where his friends are
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You will always question every decision as a parent. Just make sure those questions come from *your heart*, and not your neighbor’s/MIL’s/aquaintance’s unthinking blabs. It’s easy to fall into the trap of worrying what others will think, and judging everything your kid does against a decision you worried about.
I homeschool my oldest, and pre-school my youngest. Preschool has benefitted both my kids, mostly by getting them out of the house for a little while as I recovered from their youthful energy! In our house, that is the best reason to preschool. And since we homeschool, those 6 hours a week for a couple of years are not lost time, we still have many years together.
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Really love the last wallpaper – very atmospheric.
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I have an Ava too who will be turning 3 in August. Checking out local preschool also, and it terrifies me. She has a baby sister, 7 months old.
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Love the wallpaper — the “Dirty” version is my favorite.
Ava will get sick, but she will learn so much just from being around other children.
Good luck!
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Wow, love the 3rd one! My daughter Tayler will be 3 in August and we are trying to figure out preschool too. O hard to come to a decision!
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Cool! I’m using the 3rd one.
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Love the wallpaper! Pre-school is sort of a scary thought! I’m sure she’ll have a blast. And just think of all the crafts she’ll bring home to you!
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I used the third one as a background.Cool.Thanks.
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She’ll have fun but she will get sick. It usually takes two to three weeks to work through all of the new germs. Be ready for the separation anxiety. It took two weeks of my child screaming every morning when I dropped her off for her to get settled in.
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My goodness, as smart as you and your wife are, who needs preschool? She is still so young and can learn colors, shapes, numbers, etc. at home. I think you have good instincts and your concerns are valid. I might be a bit biased since none of my children attended preschool. They certainly haven’t been warped or felt out of it because they didn’t go. I mean, how much do you remember at three? They grow up faster than you’ll ever realize. I vote for having her close as long as possible, if I get a vote.
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*cough* HOMESCHOOL *cough*
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thanks dude! thats awesome!
don’t worry about beans, once she starts she won’t want to come home.
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I’m sure she will love it. Being an only child, I would have loved to have gone to pre-school for playmates especially—that was before pre-school existed and dirt was new.
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Thanks for the wallpaper…
The place needed sprucing up !!!
; )
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I think I want to be Dirty…
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Thank you for the wallpaper – I really like/am using the “dirty!”
About preschool – I have a 3 yr old daughter and we struggled with the decision to send her or not. For now, we decided to keep going to our Mother’s Day Out (2 mornings a week) and her activity/dance/music class.
Your daughter is just beautiful!
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Thanks for the background. I snagged one of the “warm” toned ones. It’ll be nice and calm when I’m trying to write.
Melinda
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Having my three year old home when I had my second baby was awesome. She was such a great helper, I didn’t have the added stress of having to be somewhere at a specific time so we could ease into our days and make our own schedule. When baby was a year, I had planned to send my now 4 year old, but they played so well together and I could really see the bond forming. So we ended up not doing preschool at all and I don’t regret it for a second.
Love the purple wall paper!
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I have been a birth – 3 teacher for 10 years. Wash your and Ava’s hands comming and going from school. She will get sick and share it with the family, so wash wash wash! Being involved in the classroom, knowing the curriculum plans, the other families and teachers will really help.
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That is so cool! The first couple look like the design I’m already using for my wedding! Very nice!!
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Thanks for the free wallpaper!! =)
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Thank you very much, this looks lovely on my computer. Please email me if you would like a fabulous (and easy!) recipe for flatbread in “trade” for this nice gift.
Cheers, Debra
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thanks for the cool wallpaper, very nice…
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Nice ideas! I was having some porblems about what you already mentioned, Now I will probably be higher!
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