Samuel turned 3 years old on Saturday, February 23rd. We thought about doing a space walk and inviting friends with kids over but decided to do one more year at home with just the family. He loved having his cousins over and I loved the ease of it.
My big boy is going to pre-school next year thanks to my lovely husband who went and camped out by the school at 5am yesterday morning. Open registration began yesterday and we found out from neighbors and friends that if you don't get there early, then you don't get in. So off Joey went to do his duty. I was very disappointed when he called me after he got there and found out that there was only 1 spot open for the 3 year old Monday/Wednesday/Friday class and they had decided to cancel the 3 year old Tuesday/Thursday class, which was what I was interested in. The man who got that one spot had been in front of the school since 6PM on Sunday evening. Joey put our name on the waiting list (for a fee of $10!) and came home. I was so disappointed! But lo and behold, they had enough interest in the Tuesday/Thursday 3 year old class that they decided to open that class and they called me yesterday afternoon and told me that Samuel would be enrolled for that. He could have stayed home next year but he's so ready for some socialization with kids his own age! Next year I'll face a big decision, whether to keep him at that school for a 3 day a week 4 year old program or put him into the Catholic school near us for their 5 day a week all day program. My preference is the part-time program, but what I'm discovering is that if you aren't in the school by 4 then there aren't many spots open for Kindergarten. They also had there registration on Monday and they only had one spot for K. The man who got that spot was out in front of the school on the night before at about 8 PM. I hope Joey is ready for that. This whole standing in line to get the kids into school is killing us! At least siblings get to register first so we won't have to do all this for Luke.
Samuel's 3rd birthday party - Birthday Boy - February 2008
Jacob, Joey, Samuel, Luke, Jackson, Polina
It's hard to understand why you have to stand in line for more than 12hrs to register for school. If you don't get in,what then?? Are you forced to drive your child to a different school, out of your area or are you forced to decide between public and parochial schools? What a hassle.
The party looks fun!
Looks like the birthday boy racked up. Happy Birthday, Samuel.
Great pictures, Angela. I'm glad they opened another T-Th class for 3-year olds. I think that's enough time for him to be off to a school setting. I enjoyed the party, as usual, and I know the run-and-jump crowd enjoyed it too.
Nancy, these long all-night lines are nothing new in this area. There was a Montessori school where the lines formed on Saturday for the Monday registration. This was quite a few years ago and I worked with a couple who took turns in that line. And ultimately, did not get in.