Growing Up

Yesterday was one that I have been thinking about for a while, and stressing over as it drew nearer. Preschool registration. I didn't stress for the normal reasons that a mother with her first child heading to preschool would stress over though. It has been on the forefront of my mind because I want Lilly to go to the school that is just a couple blocks away in our neighborhood. This school is coincidentally a public school that is state funded and therefore $25 for THE WHOLE YEAR. Any other private preschool at a church starts at $100 per month. Difference much? It is also actually the elementary school I attended! Anyway, The problem with registering is that they allow low income families to fill up the spots first then it goes off a first come, first serve basis. We are financially hosed, but we do not qualify for low income. I heard stories of people getting in line for the 8am registration as much as two hours early. I didn't think that was quite necessary so I planned on arriving at 7am or shortly after. I made my intentions of this well known to my friends. Well.... 7:05 came, I was at the school. There were two other cars in the parking lot. I didn't even bother stopping, I just kept driving and went back home for 25 minutes. When I got back at 7:30 three cars were added to the mix, all teachers. I was going to head back to the car after checking out the empty office but then one of the office personnel asked if I was there to register and gave me the paperwork even though registration hadn't technically started yet. WIN! I had indeed accomplished my goal of being the first person in line to register. Why is this so crucial? Because... first come, first serve. There have to be an awful lot of low income families this year for us to NOT get a spot. I am me so I will probably still worry about it, but there really isn't anything I can do about it. The really pissy thing will be if she doesn't get a spot. We don't find out until May if she is accepted and by then there wont be any preschool options anywhere in the city let alone the one that is free and 2 feet away from my house.

I should point out that I was the first person to register by about 35 minutes. No one else showed up until about 7:45. Oh well. I didn't want to take any chances I absolutely cannot afford $100+ per month for preschool. I think we would be looking into home schooling really fast at that point. That or just trying to get her in AK!

The other thing about the preschool stuff and Lilly actually just dawned on me tonight when I was sitting at the table having dinner with her and Edison and Paco had run an errand quick to a friends. I am going to be without Lilly from 9am to 1pm 5 days a week starting in August. It made me want to cry! She can be a twerp but what four year old isn't sometimes? I don't know what I am going to do with just Edison! I haven't been a parent of one since 2010 and I have gotten so used to my little Lilly girl being around. I realized I will completely be that mom who is just bawling while my kid runs off all excitedly to the classroom. I am obviously happy to have her go learn and meet other kids and have time away from me but I will just miss her. Boo to kids growing up too fast.