"Our" first day of School

The original title of this post was "Kate's 1st Day" but since I stayed at pre-school with her the whole time.....I changed it. I never thought I would be one of those mothers that stayed at school with my child;)

Kate was accepted at the Montessori school that Harry previously attended in Virginia and we had planned to begin this Fall.  When we decided to move, I applied to a school here that I knew of.  Kate was on the waiting list which was fine with me.  I figured we would get settled and when there was an opening, we would try it out.  Well, the other day, I stopped by the school to get some forms and they invited Kate into the classroom.  She LOVED it.  She said, "Mama, I like that school, friends." When they offered her a spot on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, I said sure.  Both the boys went 2 days at this age and they loved it. She is very inquisitive and I thought this would give her a chance to socialize with children her age.

Well, Miss Kate loved it as long as I was in the room (that is why I got so many photos).  If I even went near my purse or looked as though I was leaving she wrapped herself around my body and screamed!  So, I stayed.  Luckily, the school has a loving "phase in" transition where parents are welcome to stay the whole time for the first few weeks.  As you can see, Kate mopped and played in the kitchen, she had music class and went on the playground.  She even ate lunch, read books and painted.  In fact, her beautiful schoolhouse dress is covered in paint (as are my nice clothes).  Lesson learned...I need to buy Kate some"school clothes."  The teacher said to me, "Oh, don't send her in anything you care about."  Inside I was thinking..."oh, you don't know me....I don't buy clothes for Kate if I don't love them!"  Luckily, I am the queen of stain removal. 

I will say this, pre-school is exhausting!  I would much rather be at home with Kate than there.  But I will keep going until she is comfortable.

Now, I know you all want a house update....

We still have not decided.  THANK YOU for all of the comments and insights.  Each one made me think and consider new things.  I truly mean that. In fact, that is what I am thankful for today! We were supposed to meet with the builder on the new house this morning to see if we could make some cosmetic changes to the exterior but I had to stay with Kate.  I flip flop back and forth. No one loves an old house like I do.  I am just not sure about not having a breakfast room (or table) and not having some practical living space.  It is not a really small house, it just lacks some practical spaces. And while I would love to overlook that, I despise chaos and clutter.  Also, eating in the formal dining room might be nice but it might get really old.  

I see how much more we all bicker in this small apartment and that makes me nervous.  Hands down...I would buy the old house if we were a family of four but that third child adds a lot of stuff and need for space.  I am anti-McMansions and feel very conflicted. I have prayed about it and this morning before I even opened my eyes, I prayed again.  I saw and heard one word, "wait."  So that is what we will do for now...wait.  We might lose one or both of the houses by doing so but I would second guess myself too much if we made an offer right now.

And just to show you some of the "old" house details that the builder put into the "new house"...here is some eye candy.

This is the upstairs hallway. Isn't it beautiful?

P.S.--the new house is completely new and has never been lived in.  It was furnished for staging and a showcase of homes. And for you Kimi---the photos in the last post are in this order..."old house " kitchen is first and "new house" kitchen is second.  I am not sure if people were confused.