Public School for us!

What may have sounded like a haisty decision to some, was a result of months of me disliking homeschooling. There are things that I really liked, as reflected on my blogs...but there were many more moments, that outweighed those, that made it torture for me to get through the day. I think it may have begun really when we moved here. There is something about me being in confined spaces that makes me get stressed out really quickly. I felt that way when we lived in an apartment, and it got better when we moved to Maumelle. That house had tall ceilings, and big open rooms...I felt I could breath, even when we had 8 people living in our house. Then we moved here. I like the house fine, but the rooms are small, and just my personality, I don't know, I felt like I was climbing them everyday. Mix that in with a special needs, high maintenance child, and I really was stressed. I thought when Talan left, things would get better. They didn't though. Everynight, at bedtime, I just felt this sickness, this sense of dread at the thought of getting up the next morning and teaching my kids. Yeah, it was that bad, and that is when I knew it was a time for change. That wasn't fair to my kids, or to me. It made me so grouchy, and there were too many days that I just threw up my hands and said, I can't do this today. Throw in a 1 yr old, and a newborn baby I hadn't planned on (but was such a delightful surprise) and you have 1 crazy homeschooling mama. I am ashamed to say that everyday for over a month, I threatened the kids with public school, and everytime Clay walked in the room he was met with complaints that, "I hate homeschooling. I wish the could go to school. I am so done" Every-single-day. Bless his heart. I know they were all so sick of listening to me.

So, alas, I finally got up the courage to put them in school. I know, I did this last year, and pulled them back out. I am pretty sure I am really done this time. At least for now, at this point in our life. Never say never, huh. I love my kids so much, and putting them school has allowed me to enjoy being around them again. And to miss them....oh how I miss them. And I love hearing all about their day. And I enjoy helping them with their homework, b/c I know it isn't my responsibility anymore to know what to teach them. I only have to show them how to do that one paper at a time. I love the smiles on their faces as they talk about their new friends. I laugh with them when they talk about the kids in their class that get in trouble....and laugh to myself knowing that is how my kids had been acting for me at home. I love their school. I love their principal. She is so genuinely nice, and really cares about her kids. Took a special effort to place my kids with teachers that would help them adjust. She is awesome. Gave us all a hug when attended a Math/Science night at school, and was genuinely excited to see us there.

Have I mentioned I can see their school from our house? How spoiled is that? I told Clay today that it would be hard to ever move from here, being so close. I love that I can step outside and see it, will drive by everytime I run an errand.

The first day I walked to pick them up from school. I think it is really quicker than driving.

I forgot to take their picture before school the first day, and they weren't the most enthusiastic bunch after school.

And, I would like to share with you the most awesome infant carseat/stroller combo ever. It is SO nice. Someone, whose friend bought it for foster babies, is letting me borrow it. I call it my limosine stroller, b/c it is that nice. I would have never bought something this nice for myself but I am LOVING it!

We saw a snake skin on the street on the way home....see, we are still learning together

And I looked over, and saw Miss Rachel chowing down on her left over lunch while we were walking. Silly girl.