Yesterday morning I said to James, “You will have to take both boys with you to baseball practice on Friday night. I will be at the camp out.” ”Camp out. What camp out?” He responded. “You know. For preschool registration. Registration is Saturday morning” I replied. Shocked James said, “You have hardly even mentioned it this year.” ”It old hat now” I said back.
So remember this and this and this?
Well it is once again time for preschool registration. Yeah me and the village of people it takes to get Griffin into preschool!
Last year when I had to break the news to James we had to camp out to get a spot in this preschool for Griffin, he moaned and groaned like most fathers and was not shy in sharing his thoughts on the ridiculousness of this (which I do agree with by the way). I promptly told him that we just have to do this, this year. Once we are in, we are in!! But then I learned that although that might be technically true, you are NOT guaranteed the days and program you want. So yes, once again the parents of currently enrolled students camp out in the hopes of getting their desired classes.
Out of the 105 spots for the 3 year old program, only 45 spots are for the 3 day a week program; the most desired of course. Thus, the need to camp out.
I have a strategy this year. I teaming up with three other moms from Griffin’s class. We agreed to not share our plan with the other moms in the class, because at this point, everyone is competition! 
One of the mom’s parents lives in the neighborhood next to the school. While her parents watch her children, she is going to drive by hourly and check to see when the line forms. We are on stand-by. As soon as we get “the word” via text and email, we will all head to the school with camping gear in hand and claim our spot in line. Both my parents are on standby for watching the boys and actually standing in line (my sweet, sweet dad). My mom did part of the camp out last year and said no thank to that this year. (I don’t really blame her.) Of all the times, I am in the Mystery Book Reader in Nolan’s class tomorrow. I just pray the line has not started before I get home from Nolan’s school. Seriously. Is this not complicated enough?
I dreamed last night it was 9:00 PM on Friday night and I just remembered I was supposed to be camping out. Somehow I don’t think I will forget about registration, but this is not the first time I dreamed about this.
So today, I get everything together for the camp out. Final plans need to be made with the other moms and, and oh, I have to go pick out six books at the library that will keep the attention of Kindergartners tomorrow.
This morning I got this text from my neighbor who knows I am camping out tomorrow. “I just saw on the news that parents have been camping out in Coppell for the last two nights and registration is not until Tuesday! Arlington ISD is charging $50 per camper to pay for potties and security for their school registration camp out. You are in good company. All ridiculous, but so in camping out for Black Friday and for new phones. At least education is more valuable!” Well said my neighbor!
Wish us luck! My stomach is in knots just thinking about it!
I can’t believe you are having to do this again! Bless your heart and your Dad’s. It is really sweet of him to do this for you and James. I think maybe a steak dinner for him would be a nice payment for his service.
Keep us posted on your progress and we wish you luck with the camp out. Is it possible to sneak a little wine, just kidding.
Have a good weekend and we will talk to you on Sunday.
Love,
Gran & Poppy