Too School For Cool

Today we officially submitted all the necessary paperwork to choice Julia into an Academy District 20 elementary school. For those of you not familiar with the process, the entire city has a choice program, meaning you can choose to attend whatever public school you want as long as they have space and you are willing to make the commute. I very much agree with the concept because it introduces competition into the "marketplace" in terms of school performance.

We live near the crossroads of three major districts in town. So, although we would have to make the 10 minute drive to school every day, it's not a very far commute. The school we are looking at for Julia is on my way to and from work, as well as next to places we run errands and the YMCA, so it shouldn't add much driving to our day. Our first choice was Chinook Trail Elementary. It's a relatively new school and located in a newer, higher-end neighborhood.

We took a tour of our neighborhood school and Chinook Trail. Although our neighborhood school was OK, there was a pretty obvious difference between the two. The District 20 office and school staff were more responsive, the facility and environment was better, the other children that attended the school seemed happier and more well-adjusted - basically everything appeared to be better and a better environment for Julia. It's not surprising that test scores for the school are as high as any other elementary school in the state. Additionally, other factors like reviews online and feedback from a former teacher confirmed this as our top choice.

Now would be a good time to say that we're not "those type" of parents. We're not psychos about getting Julia into the best school possible or that we're in competition with others. It's really about getting Julia into the right environment for her to learn and grow. If there is a great school a few blocks away (and free), why wouldn't we choose to send her there? We also want her somewhere that will allow her to realize her potential and challenge her, not stifle her. We think this school will be a better fit for her.

We'll find out by April 1st if she was accepted. We feel confident given the numbers we know that she'll make it in. If not, we'll probably keep her at the school she's attending now at least for another year and try again.

Touch A Truck Video

Some footage of the kids having a great time at the event. Lots of running and jumping...

Best Valentine's Day Card Ever

A text message from Stacey:

Jules keeps coming up to me, giving me kisses and lovies and telling me that I'm the best mom in the world. Then, she goes on to say that she has the best dad and the best brother in the world. I asked her why all the lovies and she said, "I don't know, I just love you guys."

Touch A Truck

This morning was the third annual Touch a Truck event. We had never heard of it until this year. The word spread quickly on Facebook so we decided to be there when it opened to avoid the big crowd.  We stayed for two hours and by the time we left the place was packed.

The kids absolutely loved it. There were cars and trucks of every kind...construction vehicles, police cars and fire trucks, race cars...all parked and ready to be climbed on and around. It was fun for the adults too. Jonathan bumped his face when he tried to climb down a wheel well, but other then that he loved it.

We saw a total of about 10 people that we knew, including classmates of Julia's, so it was quite the place to be this Saturday morning. The event was definitely kid and Grandma approved.

Hidden Camera

Jonathan being a monkey at 5 a.m.
Julia and Freckles taking a nap
The kids getting fresh air and cold - cuddling for warmth