for only a moment

I’ve been thinking these past few days about where Hannah should go for kindergarten next year. I had decided to keep her at Montessori, but lately, the cost has reminded me that maybe I ought to consider other options. She’ll have to switch for first grade anyway, and maybe it’s better to switch when every child in her class is new also, to get in on the ground floor as friendships are made. Half day kindergarten presents additional challenges of afternoon care so I’d prefer a full day program because of the logistics as well as preferring her not to be relegated to tv and toys in the afternoons.

The catholic school in our parish is a good choice because it has all day kindergarten and after school care so she would be able to stay there until I pick her up at 4 or 4:30. She could ride the bus to school so Clint wouldn’t be dropping the girls off at two places, and Clara could stay at Montessori 5 or 3 days a week if she did the preschool program at the catholic school. It’s two mornings a week and would give her familiarity with the school. For 4 year olds, it’s 3 mornings. Then she could start kindergarten at the same school. That same year, Hannah would make her first reconciliation and first communion with her 2nd grade class, and we would be able to bypass CCD which would be more convenient, and probably better religious formation. Clint is surprisingly open to sending them to catholic school. My plan A would be that they continue there thru 8th grade, but the public schools in our town are also good, so our plan B can be to switch them if we determine that is better suited to their needs in 6th grade or earlier.

Also at the catholic school, they are not required to make their confirmation in 8th grade which is good because I feel that is an adult’s commitment of faith and would prefer they wait until they are adults to make that decision. I think it will be more meaningful to them if it’s truly their decision. I want them to experience public school before college and so after 8th grade or junior high if we switch to public, they could go to the local high school. It’s huge, but chances are that they would qualify for honors classes and would be going with other friends from their elementary/junior high and they’d meet more kids with similar background and with other backgrounds that they would have plenty of opportunity to fit in.

I think part of me wanted to leave her at Montessori so I could postpone this hefty decision. But it’s the right thing to reconsider. Hmm.

11:05 and I’m wondering if the girls are asleep. It’s been late nights around here, even though school has started. They don’t get up til 8:15 or so, I’m guessing. I’m not here. Because people, I have a job.

Not a job in which I teach children apparently. But a job. Anyway, the teaching children part comes later. This part is the testing of new students, forms for all students and trainings and meetings oh joy! 

Anyway, this in not going to be about work, so let’s move on. Right, 11:05 and not sleeping. The girls were so good tonight while daddy was at bowling. We were just hanging out, watching some Toot and Puddle and SuperWhy, and then they played in Clara’s room. I should have put them down earlier, but they weren’t bothering me and they weren’t crying and they’d already eaten and bathed, and had jammies. So… 5 minutes turned into 30…

They are doing well, in spite of the upheaval of staff at their preschool. At least they are returning to classes they sort of never left. They went 2 half days each week in the summer. Hannah of course loves it and so does Clara although her transition has been marked by more difficulty settling to sleep at night. Hannah will really love kindergarten next year. I wonder where we’ll send her?

I’m planning to meet my mom and sisters in law for a girls weekend/mother daughter bonding weekend. I’m really excited. Seems far away still, but the four and half weeks will pass quickly.

My wonderful husband brought me tacos so time for me to and brave the hallway, hoping no one notices I left the bedroom!!

So summer is almost over. We had planned to be on vacation this week and then later decided to spend the money towards our new kitchen instead. Oh did I mention we’re re-doing our kitchen during the first weeks back to school. Awesome. And not so much with the timing.

Oh well. 

This summer has been so easy with the girls. I took a class. But other than that, we spent our days at the water park and playing with legos.  Or toothpicks. Or foam packing bits that fell out of the attic. Whatever was available really, and bonus if it made a big mess.

But we’ve had fun. And it’s simple fun. I am amazed at how little it takes for my girls’ imaginations to take off. Clara echos Hannah’s sentences so well that she can now finish the sentence for Hannah. Also, Clara detests transitions with the will power of a mule. No. No. Three more minutes. Squeal. No. Then "Waaaaaaaahhhhhh!" when it really is time for whatever is next, whether that thing is fun (nap) or not fun (going somewhere). I think I switched those around. No matter. She protests with the same tenacity either way. 

Today I had Hannah’s hair cut. Clint hates it. I like it. I think it’s an improvement from the shaggy bangs and grown out "short" hair cut look she was rocking before. This time I will let it grow because I’ve gotten her to let me brush it everyday as long as I spray conditioner in it first. 

And now can I just say how much I really don’t want to go back to school? I love my job, but this is better. 

Yesterday Clint was shaving and Hannah was watching. He asked if he should shave it shorter and she said yes. When he was done, she said, "You look different. But you’re still my dad."