So I wrote a couple weeks ago about our family visit to the “little slice of heaven” school that I was hoping to get Quinn into for preschool in the fall. The application/thesis writing/ interview process was certainly far more rigorous than anything I underwent when applying to University. But this is preschool in San Francisco. This is not child’s play.

Well, I’ve been meaning to write a follow-up post because we received our notification in the mail while Thor & I were at SxSW last week. Quinn was neither accepted nor rejected. He was waitpooled. It’s like pre-school purgatory. I felt both the sting of rejection and the relief of knowing our bank account would be spared for at least another year. Pragmatically I understood that they’ve got certain demographic requirements to fulfill, age and genders to balance, siblings who take priority, only so many spaces, etc. etc. etc. But I couldn’t help wondering “What was wrong with us? What was wrong with Quinn? Can’t they see how LUCKY they would be to have him in their school??? Were they not spellbound by his beguiling charms?” So I convinced myself that I wasn’t that impressed with their preschool program anyway.

That all changed today.

I came out of a client meeting to a voicemail from their Head of Admissions (aka “Wielder of Power”) explaining that they had an unusual situation. They suddenly had an open spot. Right now. Not next fall. Actually, NOW. And they would “love to have our family in their school and wondered if we were interested in taking the spot”. Whoa. It’s like the popular girl not only suddenly inviting you to her party that you’ve heard other kids buzzing about for weeks, but asking if you want to come over early and get ready together. Um, ya!

However, this means that not only would we be spending a forturne for a year of preschool next school year, but we get to start spending a fortune immediately. Lucky us.

But how can I turn down this opportunity? Once in, Quinn will be set through 8th grade — in a creative, safe, nurturing environment. I mean, this school has a farm, people. With organic vegetables and actual sheep and chickens. Right smack in the heart of the City. (see above photo for proof). And it means we won’t have to toss our hat into the San Francisco Public School Lottery come Kindergarten. And we won’t have to sweat again over trying to get him in to this school next year and possibly the next and on and on. Because if we allow this window to close, who knows how long it will take for it to open again?

So we’ve got a big decision to make. ASAP. But I guess it kind of sounds like I’ve already made it….