Our School Decision

Kindergarten! 

My baby starts kindergarten in August! I cannot believe it.  Absolutely cannot believe it.

But where?

A brief recap....

We are fortunate to live in a city where public school choice exists.  Therefore if your zoned public school doesn't live up to  your expectations, desires and wishes for your child's education you can apply for a spot at a Magnet school.  A Magnet school here simply means its student population must be at least 20% non-zoned students and have an area of focus (STEM, Dual Language, Fine Arts, Montessori, Gifted & Talented, Math & Science and Languages).  It's a lottery system, though one has to qualify for the Gifted & Talented school.  However, one must put the application in for the Magnet lottery BEFORE knowing if one's child is indeed G/T as the test occurs 6 weeks after the application deadline.

So I put in Tate's application in December and included 4 Gifted & Talented schools on our application list in addition to 5 others.  He took the G/T test in early February.

In addition I applied to two private schools...one all boys school as well as a co-ed school.  Both have a solid Christian base which was very important to me.

He spent an hour at the co-ed school one morning to see how he would 'fit in' with the rising kindergartners.  He also had to take the WPPSI-IV for the co-ed school. 

For the all boys' school he had to spend an entire day there with the Pre-K4 class who he would be joining for kindergarten in the fall.  While he was there, they administered an admissions test.

Friday morning March 28 at 5:30am I received notification that he did indeed test gifted and talented...WOOHOO!  

That meant his name went into the lottery for all nine public schools that we had applied to.  Along with 50,000 other children.

We were waitlisted at every. single. school.  My first choice school, the G/T IB school on the way to work, directly on my way to work...we are #347 on that list.  My second choice school, the awesome STEM school....we are #269 on their list.  The highest on the waitlist we are is at a G/T school that is quite out of the way for my work commute at #38.

The results of his WPPSI-IV show that Tate's intelligence is 'high average.'  He is actually one point below an intelligence rating of 'superior.' :)  So apparently I have a smart little guy on my hands.    

That got us waitlisted at the co-ed school for kindergarten as there were only 4-6 spots for about 60 applicants of which 8 were siblings.  I received a letter in my mailbox on Tuesday, March 4th.  I had heard that afternoon at work that a patient had received an acceptance for that school for 2nd grade, so I drove home nervously.  I knew that if you were accepted a current parent would have come by with a balloon to tell you the good news.  I wasn't sure how that worked for applicants whose parents worked, but assumed if Tate had been accepted there might be a balloon on our gate.

There was no balloon on our gate when I drove up to our house.  I found our waitlist letter in the mail that very day.

The awesome news is that he was accepted at the all boys private school!  WooHoo!!!  I was waiting for this news with bated breath and on pins and needles.  I cannot express how happy I was!

The fantastic news came on Friday, March 14.  I knew that they would be sending letters out on that particular day;  I just assumed the letters would go out in the mail on the 14th meaning I would then find out that Saturday the 15th when I checked my mailbox.  So Tate and I went about our normal Friday morning routine.  I took him to swim lessons, and I went upstairs to the observation room where I was alone.  I was scrolling through my email when I saw an email from the admissions director at the school.  I opened it immediately and it said "Congratulations!  Your son is a ...!"  I was stunned and had a sharp intake of breath and just about jumped up and down in my seat.  The director of the swim school was in the next room and heard my gasp and ran out to see what was wrong as he thought someone down in the pool was hurt.  I apologized and said all was good, but that I had just found out that my son had been accepted to 'X'!!  He was so very kind and told me congratulations and gave me a hug!  

I went around on Cloud 9 for the rest of the weekend.

Even as I was on Cloud 9 I was already worrying about the hefty price tag.  

As always I turned to prayer.  At this time I didn't know what our public school choices were or weren't.  I had already prayed that God make my choice between the co-ed school and the all boys school obvious; that I needed a sign to help me choose between the two.  The fact that I missed the financial aid application deadline for the co-ed school was a clear sign.  But knowing me, it wasn't enough.  Not getting in was a much clearer sign :).

Then I prayed and prayed for some clarity as I waited for the results of the public school lottery.  I really felt like Tate would do well wherever he went because he's a pretty easy going child.  But I just didn't know what to do.  I felt like the past 6 months I've been teeter-tottering on this tightrope of school choice and decisions and I just couldn't take much more of this.  I've been doing it all on my own.  My parents cannot comprehend of private school even being a choice as we are all products of an excellent public (suburban) school system and the price tag of private school just puts it in a realm they cannot begin to fathom.  Most of my close friends' kids are in public school in the burbs.  I have a couple who have kids in private school, but it's paid for by their companies, so that's a no brainer.  I felt completely and utterly alone as I navigated this entire system of education these past few months.  And I was and still am exhausted from it.

I prayed that God would help me and make it clear as to where Tate should go to school in the fall.  Though I was unable to rank the public schools in the order to which I would like to apply, I hoped and prayed that my choice for Tate would be clear.  I needed some help, some guidance, some sort of sign because if I was given a choice I simply would not know what to do.

As always God came through.  Being wait listed at all 9 schools made my decision obvious, though not easier.  Being #347 on my first choice and #269 on my second choice made it even more obvious.  Sending Tate to the all boys school was seemingly God's plan for our lives.

I still wrestled with this decision though.  Why I can't even say.  I so don't want to make a wrong decision.  It's so hard to be making these kinds of decisions all alone.  Noone, and I mean noone is as invested in this child like I am.  This is the first time I've really missed having a partner in raising this child.  Someone, just one person, who cares like I do about the choices I make for Tate.  And it's not that my parents and sister don't care like I do, but it's just not the same.  They aren't making the payment, they don't get a real say in the decision, they haven't toured the schools...they simply aren't my co-parent and that has been so lonely.  For the first time I've felt lonely in this single mother business.

Though I know I'm not truly alone.  I've got this amazing God on my side.  So much so that we even qualified for some financial aid.  We got a small grant to help cover our costs.  I have to reapply every year, but we've got some money for next year.  

I've signed on the dotted line, sent in my deposit and accepted the grant.  

On the wings of a prayer, the love of our amazing God and the support, love and devotion of his mommy, Tate is going to start kindergarten in mid-August.

Another chapter in the life of our family is about to begin.

Love In Action

As I sit in bed this cozy Saturday night in the home of one of my oldest and dearest friends from college  up in Dallas with my sweet boy snoozing next to me, I'm the happiest I've been in a long time.  Tired but happy.  We've had a great weekend, just great.  And it's only Saturday night :)

Yesterday we got up, I washed my hair, finished our packing and got us out the door just 5 minutes late for swim lessons.  A quick stop to get gas, running home to make Tate's lunch for the road and we were on our way to Dallas.  Why?

It's time for the Day Out with Thomas!!!

This was our third year to go.  I think I look forward to it more than Tate does.  I love getting away with my little guy, though I absolutely abhor driving.  But most places we travel to I need a car, so I'm stuck if I'm staying in Texas.  But Dallas is just about far enough that I can justify flying and renting a car, but so far I've held off.  Tate is a great car traveler, rarely complains, doesn't spend alot of time on his Leappad (I usually allow him 2 30 minute sessions while we're driving this distance), happily reads books, listens to music or just simply enjoys the view.  How much luckier could I get?

Listening to his 'Nemo' read-a-long book!

Time to color!

Showing off his coloring!

I always buy some new books, download a couple new apps to his leappad and get some new coloring books for him and dole out half for the ride on the way and half for the ride home.  It's worked out really well for us!

We arrived at my old college roommate's house in the late afternoon.  She's married with a 6 year old daughter whom Tate has met before.  Susan (mom) and I lived together my senior year in college and had an absolute blast all those years ago.  I love love love this girl, and I'm so glad we've stayed so close.  And I love that our kids are friends.  She's a physician and she's just the bestest.

We let the kids play outside for a bit as the weather was absolutely gorgeous;  I had brought Tate's bike with me from home, so they were in heaven.  They joined a couple of kids from the neighborhood and rode around for about 30 minutes while we moms hung out and chatted.

We ordered pizza, had some wine and chilled out.  I got Tate bathed and in bed pretty close to his normal time, so all was good.  Susan and I hung out just a bit, and then we headed off to bed.

Tate had a rocky night, waking up at least 3 times, but slept until 6:30 which was very nice.  We rushed around after he had some breakfast as we had tickets for the 9am Thomas ride.  I wanted him to be able to see Thomas before the ride when it's not very busy and the kids actually have time to hang out and 'talk' to Thomas.  We were keeping my girlfriend Angela's daughter for the day (the one who rode Thomas with us 2 years ago!);  her grandmother was meeting Tate and me at the Thomas ride and handing O off to me since Angela had to work.  We met up and I grabbed O, and we were off to ride the train!  

As an aside...it was freezing, ok freezing to us Texans.  The temps were in the low 50s this morning.  Thankfully I remembered that it had been chilly the last two times, but this time even the kids complained.  Sigh.

A couple of pics with Thomas and we boarded the train!

The kids were so very excited!!

I love how he's looking at her.  He adores O!

I think the feeling is mutual :)

(We had already made a stop at the Thomas store!!)

After we got off the train we took O to ride the ponies;  Tate wanted no part of riding the ponies today which surprised me.  Then we had to get some Thomas tattoos!!!

By this time we had connected with another old friend of mine from college whose family had come in town to ride the Thomas train as well.  She lives up here with her husband and kids, who are 12, 14 and 19 (in college).  She, like Susan, was one of my sorority sisters in college.  Love, love, love her too!    Susan had called her the day before to tell her I was coming up.  Barbie turned around and called me so we could make plans to see one another.  I was just so happy to be so loved.  She had brought her 12 year old daughter along and while her brother and his family rode the train, they were free to hang out with us.  We took the kiddos off to ride the trackless train!!

Barbie and her daughter rode as well!

The next generation!!!

Tate and I got in line to see Sir Topham Hatt while Barbie took O along with Susan and her daughter S who by then had arrived to go ride the ponies again.  Tate was a bit out of sorts because he was so very cold, but he soldiered on after some convincing.  I even bought some cotton candy for him, O and S, his first time having cotton candy.  Surprisingly he didn't like it at all.  Go figure.

Barbie and her family had to go, and our kids were starving, so Susan and I took Tate and the girls to a hamburger dive for lunch.  As always, Tate was very touchy feely, wanting me to hug and cuddle him while we ate.  He's always like that when we go out to eat, and I love it.  In fact, when Raik was in town a couple of weeks ago and we went out to eat, he mentioned it.  I thought it was a nice testament to my relationship with Tate.

Anyway, Susan and S had to leave after lunch, so Tate, O and I walked around the historic downtown for a bit stopping in a couple of cute stores.  I gave them strict instructions in one store which was full of glass and ceramics to not touch one thing, to keep their hands on their toys they had in their hands.  And they listened!  I couldn't have been more proud of them, and I was sure to tell them when we left how proud I was of their excellent behavior and listening skills.

As we walked along the quaint little downtown area, people were always looking at us, many made comments on the kids and their gorgeous curly hair.  Many of them seemed quite impressed with how well behaved they are;  I noticed this the last time I had the two of them out together.  They are the same height, have very similar hair, and they get along great....what I quickly realized is that they appear to be twins.  People in shops and stores are always saying 'Your brother this' or 'Your sister that'.  The kids don't correct them, nor do I many times.  What I also have noticed is that people seem to be really surprised that I would bring my 'twins' out by myself, especially back when I brought them out in 2012 when they were just 2 years old.  I find it funny and endearing for some reason :).  But mostly I'm proud of the mothers Angela and I are to have raised these well behaved sweet kids...all on our own!!!

A little treat!!

A quick stop to buy a couple of photos at the Thomas ride, and I let Tate and O watch a Thomas video in the depot and we were on our way to visit another friend, sorority sister of mine about 30 minutes away.  This is my dear friend who just finished her breast cancer battle one year ago last month!!!  Remember our Fight Like A Girl 'celebration' last January?!  It was in her honor, our way to shower her with love and support!

I promised O we could listen to 'Frozen' on the way to Julie's

(its Monday night now)
We stayed at her house for about 2 1/2 hours, talking and catching up.  The kids were amazing!  They played with the puppy, drank some hot cocoa, amused themselves with some legos and just played with one another.  This was in a home with two boys...12 years old and 14 years old. (Sadly they were not home).  What I'm getting at is there were no real toys for them to play with.  O had Tate's Anna doll and he had his new train from the Thomas adventure.  We did take them to a playground for about 30 minutes, but it was chilly and rainy, yet they had a blast!  It was so wonderful to see my dear Julie again.  She looks great and I'm ever so grateful that she has recovered so well.  We are so blessed.

Tate, O and I were then on our way again.  More 'Frozen' music including another duet 

and we were off to drop O off at her mama's work...her mama is an AWESOME ER physician!  So proud of me and my sistergirls and all that we have accomplished.  Me, Susan and Angela...docs in the medical/dental profession.  Julie has an MBA and was a fantastic marketing rep before deciding to stay home and raise her boys (I'm so very jealous).   We're pretty fabulous if I may say so myself.   We hung out a bit at the ER then Tate and I headed back to Susan's for the evening.  She had a most delicious meal going when we arrived.  I got Tate situated with his dinner while enjoying some wine with Susan.  We were treated to a fabulous piano duet while we noshed on some yummy chicken and veggies (and wine).  Then Tate and S decided to create 'Frozen 2' complete with puppy and Tate playing Keith Urban on the banjo.

Hugs good-bye for Aunt Angela!

'Frozen 2'

Tate and S played for about an hour together while the three of us adults enjoyed some conversation.  Finally got Tate to sleep and we all decided to enjoy a quiet evening.  S was asleep by 830 or so (she had to work on Sunday), and I climbed into bed around 9 after loading the car up as much as I could.  I was sound asleep by 10 (piddled on the computer ... starting this post :) ).

At 1:30am, Tate woke up with a horrific case of croup.  Poor baby has been congested since early last week.  The pollen in Houston is just terrible, absolutely terrible.  Everyone is miserable.  I've been giving him Zyrtec every night, and I take his Xoponex with me everywhere because he coughs alot due to his allergies, but it's a dry cough, almost asthmatic.  We had been outside almost all day, and the pollen in Dallas is as bad as it is here.  So I shouldn't have been surprised that he got croup because all his mucous tends to land in his vocal cords when he gets a cold or congested.  But this time he was scared.  Poor baby was almost hysterical every time he tried to get a breath which prompted the awful barking.  It took a couple minutes for him to calm enough to get some puffs from his Xoponex, but once he did, he was much better.  I then opted to give him so Ibuprofen to help reduce the inflammation of his cords as well to also help him breathe.  He was asleep less than 15 minutes after he woke up.  Normally it's hard for me to go back to sleep after he has an episode though I know what to do...go into the cold, Xoponex etc.  That night I was able to sleep easier knowing that Susan was upstairs.  Having friends who are physicians who would do anything for you or your child makes the long, scary nights much easier.  (She's family med doc who practices lots of emergency medicine)  How lucky am I?

We slept in!  Ok slept until 6:30.  Sadly it was pouring rain when we got up, but we persevered.  I got Tate some breakfast, got myself a shower and got our stuff together.  Susan was working that day at 8am, so as she left I brought my car into the garage and loaded our stuff up.  We were on the road at 8:15.  A quick gas stop and we were trudging along in the torrential rain.  It rained on us for 4 long hours.  We got a reprieve just outside of Houston proper.

Once home, Tate was on the floor with his new train, The Flying Scotsman, while Vincent moaned and groaned about how terrible we were to leave him home alone.

A whirlwind weekend to be sure.  I did alot of driving around and entertaining of some little people, but  it was so nice to be around some of the people I love the most in the world.  No matter where we are or how long it's been since we've seen one another, it's like coming home.  Coming home to these friends in my life who are my rocks.  I saw Barbie last January for the first time in 24 years.  24 years!!  And now I've seen her 3 times in the past 18 months!  For these brief moments when we all hug and connect all is seemingly all right.  We're all so busy, and we certainly all have our difficulties, stressors and sadness, but that foundation we built shores us up.  We all know it too it seems.  All conversations end with "I love you"s.  All of them.

That's how I want Tate to end his conversations with me, his family and his friends.  Knowing he's loved and loving in return.  That's why I make all these trips, yes part of it is because I know he'll love the adventures, but mostly to show him love in action.

A Picture....Worth A Thousand Words, isn't it?

We co-sleep on that bed.

Not for much longer :)