It is amazing what can happen in just a few days.

We toured schools this week and fell so in love with the school we are zoned for that we have decided to start Dillen IMMEDIATELY. Forget waiting until the fall - Dillen was giddy to return to the traditional classroom right after our tour. And, honestly, I was giddy for her. The atmosphere was completely different from what I had imagined (I had less then desirable preconceptions) and the Principal was incredibly friendly and... well... human! I say this after having had a terrible experience with a previous Principal and after meeting another, almost robotic, Principal from a more affluent neighborhood. Our new Principal has a background in dance - having studied at the Martha Graham School of Dance in New York - and still takes dance today. I felt an immediate connection with her. The classroom walls were covered in decorations showing academic learning and success but there was an abundance of beautiful colors and artwork, as well. There seemed to be an emphasis on making learning FUN. I had an instant desire to volunteer in each of the classrooms we observed. The teachers were all very warm and welcoming.

Tomorrow and Monday are both holidays, so Dillen will start school on Tuesday. We will go shopping for a new back pack this weekend and I will stay with her on Tuesday for as long as she needs me. Roxy has already expressed her desire to start Kindergarten IMMEDIATELY, as well. She is not so happy that Dillen gets to start before her... While dropping off all of the enrollment paperwork today, I caught Roxy longingly looking at the Kindergarten children playing on the playground. For the first time, I was tempted to consider a preschool program for her. But the fall will be here before we know it and I will find a summer pre-K camp for her just before.

Homeschooling has been an incredible experience. I wouldn't change a thing about the last 6 months. But, realistically, it is not our long-term solution for education. I will always admire the families that commit themselves to that lifestyle. There are incredible benefits to raising children through homeschooling. But, for us, we have found that we need more consistent peer interaction - more consistent child groupings to allow for friendship building.

Though I know I will miss Dillen while she is at school, I admit that I am looking forward to a less rigorous day raising children and "running" a home. And when Roxy starts Kindergarten in the fall and it is just Piper and I during the day... I don't think I will have any idea what to do with all of the time on my hands. ;)