Life has gone on. It's busier with 2 who have their own activities and agendas (and I assure you, the little one's ALWAYS got an agenda). Here's a bit of catch up on where we're at:
Anna Claire:
Has been in "2nd" grade at her new private school for over 6 months now. I use those quotes as, thanks to their flexibility she's working over her grade level (by birthdate) in most subjects now. She's doing fabulously well, and the teachers and staff all seem to love her enthusiasm. Just today, her teacher commented on how many of her fellow students were disappointed that we didn't have a(nother!) snow day (for the 1/2" we ended up getting, none of which stuck to the roads at all - VERY different from last month when we got snowed in for a week straight!) . . . Anna Claire on the other hand, came bounding in to school, skipping and cheering (literally) to be there (the kid REALLY loves school). That's the good news of it. However, despite that, we don't think we'll be sending her back there next year. She is the one who actually requested it - just that, while she has lots of playmates and gets along with everyone there, she just hasn't found her niche. In all fairness, there are lots of kids who are there for very different reasons than she is (who 'need' the extra attention that comes with a 1:9 teacher ratio). She was pretty mature in addressing it, and we've agreed that school isn't all academics. It's tough though, since she's really been excelling academically.
So, what are we doing next year? Good question. Going back to our public school is always an option. It's a very good one, and we didn't leave because we were unhappy with them (just that, as a huge public elementary they are limited in terms of structure options). We also found out yesterday that both girls got spots in our local science and math charter school. Their overall numbers aren't as good (but I also don't think our state's standardized testing is worth much), but they require parental involvement (as outlined in the contract that all parents must sign when their child attends) and I do like how they integrate science and math into their whole curriculum.
Then there's a whole other option on the table . . . moving. A new nearby neighborhood, that has a floorplan we really (REALLY) like. Plus, we like the school district. A LOT. The elementary school is just 3 minutes away from the neighborhood. It's well-rated based on test scores (see above how I feel about those), but more important (to me) is the atmosphere. It is half the size of our current public elementary, and has a STRONG tradition of parental involvement (somewhat to the dismay of the powers that be in the district, as I understand it). It is an OLD school - the current building was started (and added to 4-5 times now) in 1958, but it dates back to 1841 and was razed by Sherman's troops (now THAT's some history!). The building is certainly not the most impressive (vs. our current shiny-new 6 year old building), but I'm more interested in the descriptions people use to describe it - family, community, personal. I've never heard anyone say anything bad about our current school by any means, but to ask about the potential school (if we move) . . . people RAVE about how much they LOVE it. That means a lot to me.
So . . . who knows?
In the meantime, Anna Claire has plenty of other things going on to keep her entertained and social:
Ballet/Tap, Brownies, Choir (she just got a solo!), and Swimming.
Then there's Caroline. She's every bit as bright as her sister, but she's far less ready to show it off to win anyone's approval. She keeps her cards MUCH closer to the vest, and sizes up a situation well (and just how she might maximize its' potential, lol). She's reading a bit now. Skip counting by 2's, 5's, and 10's. She loves when sissy quizzes her on addition. Even though she's on the 'younger' end of her grade (with her May birthday), we feel she's definitely ready for Kindergarten next year (and I'm not willing to endure her wrath, even if we thought otherwise, lol). SHE feels she's ready, so who are we to argue? As hard-headed as she can be at home (and OH, can she) her teachers always tell us that she's very helpful and cooperative at school, that she listens well and tries to help her classmates (and then I joke about how to pick *that* kid up from carpool . . .). She's just ready to go to school - wherever it ends up being.
She's also dancing, singing in the preschool choir, and taking swim lessons too.
Since it's been SO long, and they change so much so fast . . ..
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