What's to Consider?

Tim and I have been pondering a, what I consider to be, difficult decision all weekend.  A few months ago I applied for a job with the Cherokee Charter Academy.  Honestly, i am just putting my name out there anywhere I can get it.  I'm hoping to get a job this fall, and the charter school would be a great option.

If it opens.

But that's not the decision we are having a hard time with.  We got letters on Friday that both of our kids were accepted into the school.

And I am completely torn over it.

The "mom" part of me, who always wants what's best for my kids, knows that going to a charter school would give them great opportunities.  There will be smaller class sizes.  There will be uniforms, which leads to less competition over who's wearing what.  Each child will have their own individual learning plan, so each of my kids will be getting exactly what they need for their level.  For those of you who are unfamiliar with the idea of charter schools, they are essentially publicly funded schools that are more like private school settings.  They teach the same curriculum and are held to the same standards, but the school decides how those standards are taught.  Basically, it's a private school education at a public school price.  (Free.)

So, here's the dilemma.

Well, there are actually two dilemmas.

The first comes from the public school teacher in me.  I've always been a big proponent of public school.  I know, from experience, that the teacher is what makes the school.  I taught my first 3 years in one of the lowest schools in Cobb County.  And many days were difficult.  But there were also days when I knew those kids appreciated me more than I ever thought they would.  because they needed me.  They needed what I was giving them so they could find a way out of their situations.  Now, granted we do not live in a place  like that.  But there are poor areas in out county.  Anyway, what I'm saying is I love the public school Kendall attends.  And more importantly, she loves her school.  I've asked her if she'd like to go to a new school, and she says no.  But then I think, "Why am I asking?"  Tim and I know what's best  for our children.  We don't ask her if she wants to wear her seat belt.  And I wouldn't ask her if she was one of the kids who was going to be going to Indian Knoll in the fall.  Moreover, most of her friends live in Harmony on the Lakes and will be going to the new elementary school; so Kendall will still be left to making new friends.

OK, so that's dilemma 1.  I want her to stay where she's happy and where I'm happy.

Dilemma 2 is bigger.  Most of you (who are following the charter school scene) know that the State Supreme Court has ruled against the constitutionality of charter schools.  So there is a chance that the doors won't even open in August.  Where does that leave us?  Or, even worse, we could start there in August, an 6 months later, they could shut it down and my kids would have to change schools.

But so would all the other kids.

So, I'm still left with making this decision.

Of course, Tim and I have pretty much already made out decision.

But I still want to get everyone else's thoughts on it.

I know 1500 people applied.

And only around 800 got in.

And we were 2 of them.

And I know how badly some other's wanted those spots.

So what are your thoughts?

Favorite Photo Friday ... well, sorta ...

Tanner Michael - December 2006

It seems only fitting that I be a sappy, old, nostalgic mommy today.  I was going to post the crying picture from the first day of school since it is, in fact, the last day of school.  But then I came across this old video from when Tanner was 4 months old.

Field Trip 09/2010

Yes, that gigantic baby is only 4 months old.

And you all wondered where I got the muscles in my shoulders and arms back then.

Halloween 10/2010

Anyway, if you watch closely, you'll notice that Tanner still looks very similar to this video.  Those big blue eyes are still there.  Those enormous lips are still there.  And that gummy grin is still the same, though there are some teeth now that have, unfortunately, been affected by almost 5 years of thumb-sucking.  His little giggle is still the same today, only his voice is a little deeper.

Thanksgiving Feat 11/2010

And if you listen closely (OK, so you don't really have to listen closely.  The little voice in the background is pretty prominent.), you can hear Kendall telling me to take her picture.

Just like now.

Christmas 12/2010

So here we are, one year of school under our belts.  Of course, now Tanner thinks he is going to kindergarten in the morning.  And as I type he keeps telling me he's ready to go get Sissy because, "It's too quiet here."  I'm rather liking the fact that I'm going to have some buddies for lunch soon.  

Well, I'm liking it for now.

I'm sure I will change my tune in a week or so.

Or maybe a few hours.

Chef Tanner 02/2011

But for now, I'm happy to have my little man home with me.  After all, I've missed the constant hugs and "I love yous" that he always has for me.  And I've missed tripping over Matchbox cars.  And Trio blocks.  And flip flops EVERYWHERE.

Breakfast with Easter Bunny 04/2011

Picking him up from school was probably sadder for me than for him -- he doesn't understand that he won't be seeing these kids again.  I think we are the only people in Child's Play that don't live in Bridgemill, so we won't be going to the same school next year as his friends and classmates.  So, in a rather astonishing moment of bright thinking, grabbed some Sharpies on the way out the door so his teachers and friends could sign his class shirt.  And he is loving having everyone's autographs on his shirt.

Senior Picnic 05/2011

And years from now we'll pull out his box of "old stuff" and I'll remember how proud I feel today.  And how lucky we were to have such an awesome experience at Child's Play (for both kids).  Ms. Sheila, Ms. Katie, and Ms. Christy will never know how much I have appreciated them this year and how much I will miss Tanner going to school with them every day.

Graduation 05/2011

I am one lucky mom.

It's Graduation Day!!

I know, I know.  It's been a long time since I wrote anything.  It isn't because I haven't had plenty to talk about -- I mean, we're gearing up for summer around here!  But I've been working a lot (out of the house), and then my kids have become a job all by themselves lately.  And once again my "status updates" have begun to define me, so I haven't really felt the need to blog as much.  Yes, my book is still untouched (and the thoughts, untapped in my brain).  Tim keeps reminding me that I haven't started that yet.  I am having the hardest time figuring out HOW to start it.  I mean, like, what should be the first sentence?

Anyway, today is a big day in the Morris house.  The baby of the family, little Tannerbug, is graduating from preschool tonight.  In honor of this momentous occasion, I am writing a nostalgic, sappy, heartfelt post on how wonderful and amazing he is.  I cannot believe, looking at these pictures, that this is the same little boy who started school in August.  While he was still the same age, he has grown so much this year.  At the beginning of the year, Tim and I used to sit and wonder if he'd ever "get it."  All the writing and the letters and the coloring in the lines ... I worried because he wasn't as advanced as Kendall was at his age.  I worried because he showed absolutely no interest in school.  And most of you probably remember my posts about dropping him off at school and how hard it was to get him in the swing of things.  It was probably Thanksgiving before I could drop him off without any tears.

Tanner - First Day

Now, while he'll probably never be a bookworm like his sister and mom, he has taken a liking to his friends at school.  He loves his teachers and the other kids at school.  He comes home daily with stories of what Joshua did that day or how funny Collin was in carpool.  And after spending time at Child's Play, I can honestly say that he has made some really good friends and grown a ton.  He learned most of his sight words (which Tim and I NEVER thought would happen).  He can write his first and last name, and his middle name if we spell it for him.  His coloring has improved, and he has even begun drawing pictures from scratch.  Monster trucks and police cars are his favorite. :0)



So here I am on the morning of his graduation and I am so proud of what he has accomplished this year.  I've always loved this little boy more than life itself -- and he knows it --but today I'm PROUD.  Pride is a completely different feeling and emotion.  To stand in front of a group of adults and say, "Yep, that one is mine," makes me feel so good.  Tanner makes me smile like no other, he gives hugs like no other, and he still loves being his momma's boy.

Tanner - Graduation

As Tanner stands on the stage tonight in his red, white, and blue and belts out, "God Bless America," I'll secretly be thinking about the first time I swaddled him, the first time I rocked him, the first time he took a step, the first time he said, "Momma," the first time he walked away without looking back, and I'll smile behind those tears.  I am so proud of our little bug.

Like It Was Yesterday ...

Kendall and Madeline

April 2006

I know, I know.

It's been a long time since i blogged.  And honestly, I wasn't even going to blog today (since I have both kids at home) but they are hauled up on the couch under Snuggies, watching Matilda as I type.  And i have a much better, longer, deeper blog still brewing in my brain, but I couldn't let this picture pass by without mentioning the emotions it brings to mind.

This is a picture of my daughter and my best friend's daughter, back when they were both only children.  Stacey and her family had come to visit while I was growing tanner and we were building our new house in Canton.  We had a good time -- i wish I could remember everything we did, but I'll blame that on pregnant brain.

What I do remember is how much fun our girls had together.  As you can see from the smiles on their faces, they were quick friends.  It's hard to believe, now, that both of these sweet girls are close to being 2nd graders.  They are both almost as tall as their mothers and may be smarter than both of their mothers too. :)  I cannot wait until I get to see Madeline again in person and Kendall can play with her again.

Though I'm certain their ideas of play are different now than they were then. :)