Monday, June 1, 2009

All Signed Up

Elizabeth is 4 years old now, so that means preschool next year! Unfortunately, we found out that the public school system would not be offering preschool this next year due to budget cuts. I was so very disappointed. I have been counting on that for next year. So I asked around for people's opinions on the private preschools, and then called for prices. I had made up my mind for Calvary Lutheran preschool, and put Elizabeth's name on the sign up list.
But then a funny thing happened. A small article in the local paper last Friday mentioned that the public schools would be doing a preschool after all, and sign up started Monday morning at 9 am. No bus transportation would be provided, however. I can handle that. After all, preschool through the school district would be saving us $75 a month.
So this morning as soon as I got Emma off to school, I got the remaining 4 of us ready to go sign Elizabeth up for preschool. Everybody dressed, potty-ed, shoes on, diaper bag packed with the essentials, birth certificate, proof of address, immunization record, Moby wrap already tied around me and we were off! We arrived at the district office, I took Annie out of her infant seat and got her snuggled into the Moby Wrap, grabbed the diaper bag, Maddie's infant carrier, and took Elizabeth by the hand, feeling that I totally had it all together walked into the district office at 9:02.
Can you believe it? We were already late and had to stand in line. That's ok, I planned for this and had toys and binkies in tow. It was finally our turn and I gave all the paper work to the secretary. She made the appropriate copies, I signed the appropriate forms, only to be told that I would now have to go over to the elementary school Elizabeth would be attending to finish the process. *sigh* There is no decent parking there, so we walked across the street to the elementary school. All the while, I swear Maddie is gaining weight by the pound. She weighs a good 19-20 lbs without the infant carrier anyway. My right arm was killing me by the time I arrived.
As we walked in, there was a table set up in the hall, so I went over there only to be asked if I'd been to the district office yet. Yes, yes I had. Then I needed to go to the office for the rest of the paper work, and then I could come back to the table. So over to the office the Kannely Traveling Zoo went. Then I was asked again, had I been by the district office yet? Again, yes I had. I was given a folder with paperwork, they took copies of the immunization record and birth certificate (again) and I went sit down and fill out paper work. Ugh. I had to put the paper as far away from myself as possible, because Annie kept trying to grab either the pen or the papers. My handwriting as not as pretty as it could have been. I kept answering Elizabeth's questions, ferried questions about twins and the reason for Elizabeth's glasses, entertained the twins with binkies, etc. and felt myself wishing I were rich enough for a nanny all while filling out paperwork. Then I was told that Elizabeth was behind in her shots and couldn't be signed up until that was fixed. So I was told to come back later when that problem was solved. I took my folder of paperwork, looked with envy at all those presentable people who took showers every morning and took my brood back to my minivan. As I was pressing the unlock button on the key chain, I hear, "Yoo Hoo!" (Yes, I am serious, she said "Yoo Hoo.") It was the nurse hurrying from the school, across the street in my direction. I took a quick survey around me, wondering if it was really me she was trying to flag down. Or, what did I forget to take with me? Turns out, she's been giving the wrong information to parents. Those shots are needed for kindergarten, not preschool. Elizabeth was fine and could she have my folder to take back to the nice secretaries? So I gave her Elizabeth's paperwork and I think we are all taken care of. The babies cried all the way home, since it was time for them to eat again and I was just plain exhausted. It was an hour long trip. And Elizabeth was disappointed that preschool didn't start today...

8 comments:

Natalie said...

It makes me tired just to read your blog!! I am glad they are having preschool and that Elizabeth can go. I always wonder why they make you fill out the same forms over and over and over and copy the same documents. I think you are fabulous and brave for ever leaving the house!! Way to go Danae!!

Woodrich Family said...

Every post that I read, I am more and more impressed! I'm so happy that she gets to go to free preschool even if you do have to drive her. 2 in school and 2 to go!!

The A Team Mom said...

Don't people offer to help you??? I would love to squeeze up one of those little babies! Of coarse you could get a wierdo who would want to hold one of the babies... I guess that wouldn't really be helpful! Congrats on preschool- it is THE BEST.

Ellerbeck Family News said...

I know it doesn't seem like it now but what great stories/memories-I hope you save all your blogs--
Tasha had her baby-boy/8 lbs 11 ounces/19 inches-he is very cute--
she will blog and put pictures-
I am glad they are both safe and doing well-
Love Aunt Jeanne

Tiffanie and Jeff Bodine said...

Next time you have to do something like that, just DROP OFF one of the twins with me!! Totally Danae, I don't mind & it sure would be easier with one baby rather than two. I'm really going to need some practice taking care of a baby with Keanu & Kalani to care for too!! At least it wasn't all in vain & you were able to get Elizabeth put into preschool for free! (We're footing the bill for Keanu's preschool next year - he's not 4 yet. Ugh)

Brooke said...

I let out a long sigh after reading that. I remember doing that with Audrey and dragging Alex in his car seat. It was torture, I can't imagine doing it with a baby also strapped to my chest! Kudos to you. What are the odds that we'll survive summer?

Becky said...

All the work will be worth it . . .

I am so glad they are still doing the pre-school. I tell my friends here in Yakima about the free pre-K classes in Sunnyside and they are GREEN with envy. There is only one pre-school in our area and the 4 year old class is I think $125 a month. The one in Moxee (where Bev lives) is over $200. I am starting to save now to be able to put Lillian in Pre school!

Brynne said...

Oh Danae! You are my hero!!!