signed Dorian & Malachai back up for school.  I was doing some reading this morning, and found out that K is compulsory for the state of Florida, and I was essentially too late to send in a Notice of Intention (I could get around it because of the move, but I am not prepared for a portfolio review or testing of K skills) to the Board of Ed.

So we got everyone dressed and drove down to HACS to see if we could get a scholarship again this year, or if I had to go deal with the local public school.

We spoke with Rabbi Denberg (who I have a fundamental difference of opinion with, but is a really nice guy) who asked what we could afford per month. I said give me a number, he said no, give me a number. This went back and forth, and I said, well, what would it cost. After the heart attack (it’s more than the mortgage on the house to send both boys, wtf?) I said well, this month I can give you X and I said we can re-address it next month. This was after telling him today, I have 31 dollars. Period. He said he wouldn’t take our last 31$, and the number I gave him was fine for Nov. and we’ll discuss it again once we get settled in a bit. They gave me four shirts for Dorian (we gave his to the school last year when we pulled him out) but I realized we’ll need to see if we can exchange one for a short sleeve or see how much they cost. If I can get my embroudery machine up and running, I think I can make them myself (after buying the shirts, but three of the four were just Old Navy child button downs).

That went a lot smoother than I anticipated. I honestly thought they would say no, and that would be that.It’s one of the reasons I love the Jewish community. They want the kids there, the classes are smaller than public school and it’s nice. I am not forgetting the issues we had last year (why we pulled him) but I am hoping they aren’t issues this year.

He even said he could walk Malachai to his class, and then go to his class himself! Last year someone, anyone but me, had to take him into class and basically coerce him into staying. He freaked. So we’ll see how it goes. He starts next Monday, which gives us a week to get his stuff together and get used to waking up early enough to be there on time.

We went to Target to get him a costume. He is a devil, pitchfork and all. He’s very excited about it lol  He also got new shoes (size 1.5!), socks, and a new nightlight (hey, I think it was Lisa who posted about it, so thanks! We got the same skully one. I wanted the purple pumpkin, but the boys liked the skull). Oh, and M got a piranha game, since D got a game when M got a costume, and I promised him a game when D got a costume. Damn that long term memory!

So I am kind of bummed that both my boys are going back to school, and I’ll be home alone with Shivie but on the other hand, I am glad, because the HS group I am with isn’t so much into co-op learning as it is park days. I plan to keep up with them, but this is better all around, I think. Or at least I am telling myself. We’ll see how it pans out financially. They’ll be taking lunch, so I think our only output is a small amount for tuition, but there is also gas and all. It at least keeps us on the right side of the fence regarding school for D next year if he goes to public first grade, keeps us in good with the school if he stays at HACS for first, and it gets us all into a good schedule.

I really wish I had someone to tell me it’s the right thing to do though. Mom stood be hind me 100% no matter what I chose, and so does Michael. My dad didn’t care, so long as it didn’t cause problems, and when I read we needed K, I kind of freaked, and my first thought was HACS, so I know it’s not the *wrong* choice. We’ve both been weighing the pros and cons, and it stays sort of balanced.

We have all got to live and learn.