The Mexico! 2011
The trip was awesome. For me, it was the perfect length. One more day would have been a tad bit too long; one less day would have felt not quite enough. Overall, I couldn't have been more pleased with the trip. Everyone got along very well, which evidently might be a bit of surprise to the menfolk since I know of at least two spouses who inquired as to whether there was any female drama.
I always feel a certain pressure for things to go very smoothly when going with people to our casa. If the vacation was to be a let down, I would feel somewhat responsible given it's our house, etc. However, I don't think Loreto Bay let me down. Construction noise was minimal (relative to construction noise levels); the dust was less than it's ever been due to the paved paseo; the water was only out one day (not a common occurrence, but not uncommon either since there's always on-going construction in other developments near us); the town was very easy to navigate; and the people, as always, were very friendly.
It was such a successful trip that it's now on all of our calendars for this time next year, too.
Preschool
My reentry yesterday was greeted with an appointment for me to tour a preschool for Avery at 10 AM. What was I thinking? We managed to make it there on time. It felt really good to me, so I signed Avery up to do a trial day there today. When I came to get her, she did not want to leave. She really, really, really liked it. So, I put the deposit down to save her a spot in that school.
It's the polar opposite of a Montessori school. However, what I've realized is that, like most other decisions Damian and I make, I'm making this one based on my gut rather than on a set of criteria that a school needs to meet. Childpeace, our first choice and a Montessori school, just felt right the two times I've toured/visited it. I love it each time I enter the school. I get a really good feeling when I'm there and the kids seems very happy. I could see Avery thriving there and loving it. I've been to two other Montessori schools, including one this morning to do an observation, and neither of those have had the same effect on me; I couldn't immediately see Avery fitting right in and loving it. Given Montessori is a lot more expensive than the (play-based) one she went to this morning, I can't justify the cost versus the benefit. I have little doubt that if Avery gets into Childpeace, we'll forfeit the deposit on the play-based one and send her there; but, I'm also not worried about whether that's going to happen. I feel good about this decision. It was quick, but we always make big decisions quickly and based on our guts and that has yet to fail us (aforementioned casa being a possible exception, depending upon how you want to look at it).
Cabinet
Before I left, I had a cabinet installed in the toilet room of our master bathroom. I cannot wait to organize it, but this is the first time I've really had time. I'm heading up there now.
