Multiplication

The other day Ethan informed me that he likes living here "like ten times" more than Fairyland. Apparently the winding mountain roads and carsickness (and general time spent in transit) had gotten to him. When asked how he likes school he said "like two times" more than Fairyland. This of course has to do with half-day kindergarten. I mean really, who wouldn't trade in a 7:30am-4:30pm workday for an 8:30-11:30am schedule? This is the schedule I'd always hoped he'd have--(sorry Mr. President, I'm just not a believer that more hours in the school day and more years in the school career is the answer to all that ails public education--perhaps re-instilling family values will work better, but alas, that is another post entirely). You see, he'd gone from being home with mom all day to 9 hours of school/travel time. That's a big jump for a five-year-old. I assumed that was why he was so cranky after school.

I was wrong.

He is cranky after school because he can be, or because--I really don't know, but the shorter day has not done all that much for his attitude. So, although I love the short day theoretically, in practice, it has thrown a few wrenches in my life like no more magic hour. Magic hour was 3-4pm in Fairyland. Elliot was asleep and Ethan was on a bus. Now, Ethan is home, Elliot has entered utter nap rebellion and with big brother home, there is not as much energy available to put into forcing the issue. So, we mourn the end of the magic hour. I also have to get used to the idea that I no longer have the options of an errands day. I have about 2 hours in the am for errands before I must meet the bus and afternoon errands require dragging around 2 cranky kids. I'm adjusting. I'm also considering shopping around for a full-day kindergarten. Kidding.

It is also a big shift going from a school district with 4-year-old kindergarten options and uber-strict attendance policies (did I tell you I got a nasty letter from the principal after Ethan was sick 5 days threatening to prosecute me?), to a school district that not only has half-day kindergarten, but is a bit more lax on attendance. Like the day Ethan came home with a note saying school was cancelled tomorrow so we could all attend the high school girls' basketball semi-final tournament game. Seriously.

Again, theoretically I like the attitude shift. I'm all for giving kids more time to be kids. They have their whole lives to be overworked and exhausted for pete's sake (who is Pete anyway?). I just have to do a little attitude shifting myself and oh, I don't know, become a better parent or something.

And for those of you who are following the moving saga known as: As Our World Moves, we are officially moved in (unofficially we still have a few boxes left to unpack). And here are a few reasons why I like this place like six times more than Fairyland (don't get me wrong, Fairyland was fantastic and beautiful, but allow me some honeymoon here alright?):

1) Living Space. We have elbow room. No more 800 sf crooked cottage in the woods. It's still crooked (it's like a 100 year old farm house for pete's sake), but here I am, typing this from my office (my wo-mancave as Matt is calling it)--a dedicated space for my desk, computer, sewing machine etc. (what, you mean it's not the office/kitchen/dining room/laundryroom anymore?)

2) Outdoor Space. The boys spend hours running around the yard, chasing turtles, riding bikes down the driveway, running on (get this) grass! I imagine summers spent with a hose and a slip 'n slide and a soft landing on grass! I imagine a tire swing, a soccer ball and horses in the pasture. I imagine more vegetables than I know how to can, exploding from my garden.

3) Storage Space. Basement and attic. Need I say more?

4) New Space. I love the smell of new carpet and new paint. I'm still overwhelmed by the welcome we've had. Yes, we've been in interim housing for three weeks, but the result of all that sitting around by the lake, is a houseful of new flooring, paint and lights and bathroom fixtures. Yum!

5) Proximity. I walk with Ethan to the end of our driveway where he gets on the bus at 8:12 and arrives in time for school to start at 8:27. We used to rush out the door at 7:30 to make an 8:10 start time. Then, school is out at 11:30 and the bus drops him here at 11:55. No more 2:50pm bell and 4:15 bus arrival for him! And did I mention there is an ice cream shop 5 minutes away? What else does one need, really?

6) Peace. There was great peace in Fairyland's waterfalls and woods. I am grateful there is peace here as well in the dark, silent nights, the calls of the cranes and geese and in a job that brings home a husband at peace in his world.

I miss my friends. I miss the falls and more. Yet, everything has fallen into place to get us here and for that, I count myself very blessed indeed.