the school is half a block from my house.

That's great!

I've been hearing tales of confusing bureacracy about enrolling and getting assigned schools here from the kids in the neighborhood. It's so weird. Not surprising since the b'more city schools are all kinds of messed up, but jeez. Where I grew up, the school assignments were pretty much geographical, and that was it. It's still mostly true now. The schools are pretty much uniform in quality so seeing the vast disparities here just sort of boggles my mind.

You're going to be a great mom, and part of the wonder of parenting is getting to know all that stuff. Its so exciting! I tear up every time mac comes up.

when did you send the invite to the meeting?

Ha! It was me, not ita. It is PR not BB, you have that right.

I just realized that the thing I thought I'd agreed to do tonight is actually not until next month. Huh.

Sorry, ita--that was Jesse.

IN NYC elementary school are by neighborhood. There are also magnet schools you can apply for, but most people don't.

Middle schools can be by neighborhood, but more people start applying to be in the ones they want at that point.

And highschool assignements are all made by testing and have ZERO to do with where you live. HS kids commute hours sometimes to their schools (like Manhattan kids going to Bronx Science).

Five year olds usually like to color/draw/paint/write. They usually like balls, bikes and books. He may be too old for blocks, but Legos, bionocle and the like are usually a hit. You might get him an inexpensive (even a disposable) camera. They like music. Five is really a lovely, lovely age.

My six year old suggests toy cars, Play-Doh, and "everything else."

when did you send the invite to the meeting?

Tuesday. I need to get on top of checking and rechecking before the meeting day even approaches. Because people are people.

and as we all know, people suck.