Belle, we will start the commute in September about 45 min to 1 Hour each way. Our now DS6 (Today was his b-day). We are looking forward to it. We really belive going to this new school will be great for him. My DW will start a job near the school so we only need to go once a day. She will be a TA at a nearby public school. We will try and have activities in the car, dvds, books, snacks,talks, books on tape, etc.......

It's been a hard choice, but somtimes you have to leap in and see how it goes. Congradulations on finding a school that looks like it will work out.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO EDWIN'S SON!!! Enjoy his special day.

I just completed day 1 of a 5 day Lego camp commute of 1 hour each way, and can safely say...that's not for me. By Friday though, who knows? Maybe I'll have this car relaxation down. (It didn't help that for the first few days, my daughter is doing an art camp that requires some extra back and forth!) 45 minutes seems so much nicer than one hour.

Best wishes to Belle!

Dottie

Birthdays party's are hard work, we had a campout last night in the back yard, tents, campfire, smores, and lots of kids. This was his first year that he had school friends. Local public school K. He starts his new school in Septemeber, so we wanted him to stay in touch with local kids, so that he has some friends nearby. The kids loved the camping, and campfire. Being a Boy Scout leader I had lots of gear, built a gateway, a full campsite in our back yard. Today is an Angel Game, and tommorrow is take down. The things we do.

It's worth it Edwin, he'll treasure that day forever. Sounds like the party was a great hit! Keeping friendships when the schools differ requires some effort, but it can be done.

I don't know if the other commuting parents have done this, but we have activly had playdates with his K class friends. We felt it important that he have local friends. The new school, although great, pulls studnets from all over. He will make friends there also, but it's always nice to have some friends nearby. Is anyone else doing somthing like this?

Thanks Dottie

Wish your son a happy b-day. My dd9's b-day was yesterday.

It is good planning to have activities for the car. We have started listening to audio books in the car. If it is a good book sometimes you do not want the ride to end. My dd and I have been known to sit in the car after we get home to finish a chapter (when it is not blazing hot outside). Snacks are also important especially after school. My dd is always thankful that I have a snack in the car when I pick her up. It is a great time to get them to eat fruits and vegetables if that is the only thing you bring. Of course it is not unusual for my girls to eat breakfast in the car on the way to school. Thank goodness they are both old enough to help clean out the car now.

Happy B-day, Edwin's DS! My kids' friends go to a different school just because our neighborhood is near the dividing line for the school attendance areas. I think, in some ways, it actually works out better for DS because he can play with his local friend (who will be starting K in the fall) and the fact that they are in different grades doesn't really come up in conversation. They are just two boys riding scooters out front and wearing holes in their socks because they didn't put their shoes on

Happy birthday to Summer's daughter as well!

Cathy, I wonder if in part it's a boy thing. I thought DS9 might be the youngest at his Lego camp (5th+), even with his "legal" cheating. On pickup I asked him about some of the other kids' ages and grades, and his answer to each question was "I don't know". Fortunately he did know the name of the kid he worked with for 3 hours. My girls are always all over that sort of info! Apparently it was a non-issue for DS.

Dottie

If you ask my wife, its a boy thing, dad thing, DS15 thing.

Happy Birthday to Summers DD as well.