So we've been putting off the inevitable for a long time, but Ds school ends with 3rd grade, so we have to decide where he's going next year. Soon! This week I finally went to a couple of schools (including the public one), and that opens a whole 'nother can of worms.
Apparently the FOLLOWING year (5th grade) there are several public magnet schools that ONLY take kids starting in 5th grade. So if he goes to one of those, we are looking at only a one year time at whichever school. Of course, none of the magnet schools have a 4th grade.
Our public school has "open-concept" classrooms, which seem icky but I've never actually experienced them. Also each class has 25-28 kids, but since it is open concept there are really about 100 kids in each room (with 4 teachers). That is a huge difference from where he's been, but it's already paid for!
Private school #1 is very much like where he's been going, but about 2ce as big. Also more expensive. AND it only goes through 5th grade, although it sounds like most of their students go to the magnet schools at 5th grade. It would probably be a good fit, as it is very close to Js work (we'd have to drive him).
Public School #2 (out of district) has an excellent gifted program. He has taken the test and may or may not qualify to be in, and if he does we would be at the bottom of the list (very limited space) as we are out of district. That also means we have to drive him, it is by the Costco - which means about an hour of driving round trip. Not the worst, but every day that gets really old.
Private School #2 is a Christian school, and I'm kinda not wild about the religious aspect of it, but I'm more worried about the academic part. Haven't actually gone to this one yet, they seem really unorganized and that also makes me nervous (doesn't everything?) It would probably be slightly cheaper than the other private school. It is farther away but not as far as the OOD public school.
There are other options (like homeschool - argh!!!) but they are even more driving, and I am just hating the idea of him commuting for 2 hours every day at 10.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Saturday, February 26, 2011
We are sick...
Back from our southern california excursion - but all three of us are sick. And it is a delightful 5 degrees right now, up from the negative numbers of the night hours. So we're not really getting a lot done these days. I would feel guilty if I could focus on anything besides breathing...
Disneyland was very fun, although really wet! We got in about noon the first day, and my friend J took us over to the park for a little tour before he went back to work. We did have rain ponchos (excellent purchase!). We tried the Fast Pass ticket option (awesome), available for the most popular rides, for Soarin Over California which is like a hanglider ride. Really cool, D loved it. We stood in line for an hour (in the rain) to see World of Color which was cancelled.
Did eventually see the World of Color 3 times - amazing water/music/light show. They also projected images on the spray, and incorporated the lights from the ferris wheel behind - really worth seeing.
Went down to San Diego to SeaWorld, the whale show was great, but I was kinda disappointed with the aquariums.
D was not enthusiastic about the whole trip, but he ended up really liking most of it (except Space Mountain, the worst experience of his short life). World of Color, Matterhorn and Pirate Island were favs.
Disneyland was very fun, although really wet! We got in about noon the first day, and my friend J took us over to the park for a little tour before he went back to work. We did have rain ponchos (excellent purchase!). We tried the Fast Pass ticket option (awesome), available for the most popular rides, for Soarin Over California which is like a hanglider ride. Really cool, D loved it. We stood in line for an hour (in the rain) to see World of Color which was cancelled.
Did eventually see the World of Color 3 times - amazing water/music/light show. They also projected images on the spray, and incorporated the lights from the ferris wheel behind - really worth seeing.
Went down to San Diego to SeaWorld, the whale show was great, but I was kinda disappointed with the aquariums.
D was not enthusiastic about the whole trip, but he ended up really liking most of it (except Space Mountain, the worst experience of his short life). World of Color, Matterhorn and Pirate Island were favs.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
10 years of wedded bliss
Well, our big anniversary came and went in Dec, but we finally got around to a bit of celebrating! This weekend D had a sleepover for his friend's birthday, and I decided we should take advantage of the child-free time. We booked a room at the snazzy hotel on the lake and went to romantic dinner at the floating restaurant. Lots o fun, even though we were on a pretty tight schedule for getting back in the morning.
Since it has been ages since I posted to the non-music blog, I will try to bring it up to date. If anyone missed our fabulous end-of-year missive, here is the link:
http://userweb.windwireless.net/~jimc/xmas/Xmas2010.jpg
We visited MANY people up and down the I-5 corridor the week after Xmas, Grampa C was up from AZ and we got to see most of the cuzinz on that side of the family first, north for all the cuzinz on my side of the family. We took in a museum with miniature trains, and a trip to a huge car museum, but probably Ds highlight of the trip (aside from cuzin time) was going to the Japanese steakhouse. One of those places where the chef puts on a show while you all sit around the grill - lots of flame and flipping of knives etc. Our guy ate a HUGE amount, the seafood platter including lobster, shrimp and mussels. Of course I had steak (it IS a steak house, right?!).
I've been treading a lot, really need to do more as it is obvious the treading is NOT enough. Considering joining (re-joining?) a gym. Of course then you have to fit into their schedule, but it's probably worth it even if I only go 8x a month. Of course it is cheaper exercise at home, and easier to fit in the schedule, but also easier to NOT exercise. Will contemplate.
This year we are going to have the boat. J has agreed to have a "boat man" work on it, and I have a lead on a good one. So hopefully we will really get it out on the water, since it is kinda silly to have a boat that is just a giant planter out by the garage. Also hoping to get noticeable work done in the yard, contouring and sprinkler system put in with grass. We'll see how that pans out.
Since it has been ages since I posted to the non-music blog, I will try to bring it up to date. If anyone missed our fabulous end-of-year missive, here is the link:
http://userweb.windwireless.net/~jimc/xmas/Xmas2010.jpg
We visited MANY people up and down the I-5 corridor the week after Xmas, Grampa C was up from AZ and we got to see most of the cuzinz on that side of the family first, north for all the cuzinz on my side of the family. We took in a museum with miniature trains, and a trip to a huge car museum, but probably Ds highlight of the trip (aside from cuzin time) was going to the Japanese steakhouse. One of those places where the chef puts on a show while you all sit around the grill - lots of flame and flipping of knives etc. Our guy ate a HUGE amount, the seafood platter including lobster, shrimp and mussels. Of course I had steak (it IS a steak house, right?!).
I've been treading a lot, really need to do more as it is obvious the treading is NOT enough. Considering joining (re-joining?) a gym. Of course then you have to fit into their schedule, but it's probably worth it even if I only go 8x a month. Of course it is cheaper exercise at home, and easier to fit in the schedule, but also easier to NOT exercise. Will contemplate.
This year we are going to have the boat. J has agreed to have a "boat man" work on it, and I have a lead on a good one. So hopefully we will really get it out on the water, since it is kinda silly to have a boat that is just a giant planter out by the garage. Also hoping to get noticeable work done in the yard, contouring and sprinkler system put in with grass. We'll see how that pans out.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Another birthday approacheth...
For the boy, not me. He will be 9 this time, and this weekend we're going to that lovely oasis in the middle of the state to celebrate with cousins. Fun fun fun! We are probably taking the Ant RV for its last excursion this year.
NEXT weekend is the Laserquest party - which is apparently the talk of the school. I was wondering if we should invite the girls (what WAS I thinking????) but they are all really into it. Probably we won't want to compare accuracy scores with my little Einstein, but maybe he has improved since last year.
Driveway is lovely, I took a picture but of course the camera is .... somewhere in the house. Huh. Anyway, we are now consulting with Sprinkler Man, hoping to get the sprinkler system back online for next year (only two years after completing the west wing)
Started burning today. J is very unhappy that I'm using HIS wood, but he gets to spend his days in the nice HEATED office! So unless he wants me to go to the nice HEATED mall to keep warm, he should be happy I'm at home burning wood. hehehe
NEXT weekend is the Laserquest party - which is apparently the talk of the school. I was wondering if we should invite the girls (what WAS I thinking????) but they are all really into it. Probably we won't want to compare accuracy scores with my little Einstein, but maybe he has improved since last year.
Driveway is lovely, I took a picture but of course the camera is .... somewhere in the house. Huh. Anyway, we are now consulting with Sprinkler Man, hoping to get the sprinkler system back online for next year (only two years after completing the west wing)
Started burning today. J is very unhappy that I'm using HIS wood, but he gets to spend his days in the nice HEATED office! So unless he wants me to go to the nice HEATED mall to keep warm, he should be happy I'm at home burning wood. hehehe
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
driveway
For any interested parties - we finally decided to chipseal the driveway! If you have been here during the Rainy Season you will be appropriately grateful. Right at this moment the drive has been excavated about 1 foot and is partly filled with big chunks of asphalt (I think it's asphalt) and part of THAT is covered with ground up asphalt. It is pretty bumpy right now - but supposedly they will be done by the end of the week!
D is in third grade now, I have pix somewhere and I will try to get them up soon. At the moment (soon to change) he is into France and all battle related French things. Today his class to a field trip to the local car salvage company - J's favorite place - and we got to watch them crush 4 cars. Fun times.
We finally found an acceptable piece of furniture for the new living room to put the tv on, so that meant we had to go buy a big tv! The furniture was from a "goodwill" type place, but we have been looking for ages and nothing new was the right thing. This will do for now, and it has the added bonus of being cheap, AND on wheels (J loves that part). The tv is awesome, although J doesn't like the CC (too small). He loves to watch with the sound off. I hate that.
I'm playing an opera now (which you know if you read the music blog), and am trying to schedule our vacations! P is coming to visit for over a week at Thanksgiving (!!!) and C is probably coming after Christmas - can't wait. We will probably have D's party at in the middle of the state at C's new house, but that is still a bit up in the air. No actual dates have been discussed. I think we'll also have a "school buddies" party at the laser gun place.
D is in third grade now, I have pix somewhere and I will try to get them up soon. At the moment (soon to change) he is into France and all battle related French things. Today his class to a field trip to the local car salvage company - J's favorite place - and we got to watch them crush 4 cars. Fun times.
We finally found an acceptable piece of furniture for the new living room to put the tv on, so that meant we had to go buy a big tv! The furniture was from a "goodwill" type place, but we have been looking for ages and nothing new was the right thing. This will do for now, and it has the added bonus of being cheap, AND on wheels (J loves that part). The tv is awesome, although J doesn't like the CC (too small). He loves to watch with the sound off. I hate that.
I'm playing an opera now (which you know if you read the music blog), and am trying to schedule our vacations! P is coming to visit for over a week at Thanksgiving (!!!) and C is probably coming after Christmas - can't wait. We will probably have D's party at in the middle of the state at C's new house, but that is still a bit up in the air. No actual dates have been discussed. I think we'll also have a "school buddies" party at the laser gun place.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Visiting!
Crazy family visiting! So glad we got to see so many people this summer. I can't even remember everything (hopefully someone can, or what a waste of time) but in August we started out meeting the Hs in Leavenworth, at a rental house with a pool! Fun times, the kids were impervious to its icy temperature, and even the old people got in by afternoons. Good idea mom!
From there we proceeded to Onalaska for the fest of Js family, rain rain rain! D left his coat at home on the bed (don't forget to pack this!) so he was wearing my giant sweatshirt and a slicker grampa found in the camper from dear grama. The boys had a brilliant time "hunting" in the woods for...what, probably cathaginian soldiers or something. Many sticks were called into service as spears and guns. The rest of us huddled under awnings and drank lots of coffee. And visited, great visiting!
Then we went directly to the beach - Cs have a cabin in Long Beach and grampa and L came out the 2nd day. Lovely time, but rain again. J remembers that being "beach weather" anyway, so it was good. We bought lots of books at the new used bookstore, hopefully it will still be around next time we go.
After the beach we met mom and dad in Morton and dropped off D for a few days of GramaTime. Never enough (so she says), but I think they made the most of it - and on the weekend they drove over to our place where the other H reletives were gathering! We had a lovely time with P&G, over from HA and M&D who we see more often but never enough (sense a theme here?) A caravan trip to Greenbluff (local farm community) was one of the highlights, eating out on our awesome new deck with the snazzy gazebo (which hasn't blown over yet, although I'm holding my breath!) and trips to the park. M was kind enough to actually take photos, these are in Manito Park. I don't think my camera made it out of the bag - but in another life I'll get to all that!
Catching fish
Not quite Hawaii
From there we proceeded to Onalaska for the fest of Js family, rain rain rain! D left his coat at home on the bed (don't forget to pack this!) so he was wearing my giant sweatshirt and a slicker grampa found in the camper from dear grama. The boys had a brilliant time "hunting" in the woods for...what, probably cathaginian soldiers or something. Many sticks were called into service as spears and guns. The rest of us huddled under awnings and drank lots of coffee. And visited, great visiting!
Then we went directly to the beach - Cs have a cabin in Long Beach and grampa and L came out the 2nd day. Lovely time, but rain again. J remembers that being "beach weather" anyway, so it was good. We bought lots of books at the new used bookstore, hopefully it will still be around next time we go.
After the beach we met mom and dad in Morton and dropped off D for a few days of GramaTime. Never enough (so she says), but I think they made the most of it - and on the weekend they drove over to our place where the other H reletives were gathering! We had a lovely time with P&G, over from HA and M&D who we see more often but never enough (sense a theme here?) A caravan trip to Greenbluff (local farm community) was one of the highlights, eating out on our awesome new deck with the snazzy gazebo (which hasn't blown over yet, although I'm holding my breath!) and trips to the park. M was kind enough to actually take photos, these are in Manito Park. I don't think my camera made it out of the bag - but in another life I'll get to all that!
Catching fish
Not quite Hawaii
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Dusting off my blog
I can't believe it has been 6 MONTHS since I posted here... this (for anyone who doesn't remember) is the non-musical family happenings blog. And lots of things have happened in our family - but skipping all that for now!
Today is actually my darlin's big b-day - he is NOT happy about this marker of time. AND he has a cold threatening. Poor baby. Because I love him I will not post the lovely photo I took this morning. We had a wee celebration last weekend, just a bbq with the neighbors, but there was ice cream cake! Tonight I have rehearsal which is too bad, but I'm sure the celebrations will continue as we approach the family gatherings in August...
Tomorrow we are headed off on a family trip (ok it is totally for me so I can play with in Helena, I guess I'm an emergency sub) - they are putting us up at the college there in a suite. Should be fun, D wants to go to the sapphire mine where apparently they let you look for gems. They have a great city pool with all that "stuff" kids like - slides and dumping buckets and sprayers. I believe you can also swim there.
The kayaks are still on top of the camper, so maybe we are taking them - there are several lakes in the area that look promising. D had his first solo kayak experience in the Tetons last month, he did great (til his wee arms got tired). And our plan is to go up through Glacier on our way home Sunday (and maybe Monday).
On the homefront - we got a pavilion tent thingy for our new deck! It is quite large, and I love it - we dithered about buying one, or building some sort of pergola, or doing nothing at all... J put it up all by himself (crazy man) and of course the day after we got the biggest windstorm we've had for ages - I was so worried it would just rip itself apart! But it survived and it looks great, and the shade in the afternoon is great but there are still sunny places if you like sun...yay!
Today is actually my darlin's big b-day - he is NOT happy about this marker of time. AND he has a cold threatening. Poor baby. Because I love him I will not post the lovely photo I took this morning. We had a wee celebration last weekend, just a bbq with the neighbors, but there was ice cream cake! Tonight I have rehearsal which is too bad, but I'm sure the celebrations will continue as we approach the family gatherings in August...
Tomorrow we are headed off on a family trip (ok it is totally for me so I can play with in Helena, I guess I'm an emergency sub) - they are putting us up at the college there in a suite. Should be fun, D wants to go to the sapphire mine where apparently they let you look for gems. They have a great city pool with all that "stuff" kids like - slides and dumping buckets and sprayers. I believe you can also swim there.
The kayaks are still on top of the camper, so maybe we are taking them - there are several lakes in the area that look promising. D had his first solo kayak experience in the Tetons last month, he did great (til his wee arms got tired). And our plan is to go up through Glacier on our way home Sunday (and maybe Monday).
On the homefront - we got a pavilion tent thingy for our new deck! It is quite large, and I love it - we dithered about buying one, or building some sort of pergola, or doing nothing at all... J put it up all by himself (crazy man) and of course the day after we got the biggest windstorm we've had for ages - I was so worried it would just rip itself apart! But it survived and it looks great, and the shade in the afternoon is great but there are still sunny places if you like sun...yay!
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