The Price of a Private School Education

Alright, so I have gotten over the fact the my choice for President was not victorious, I am moving forward. But I have just a few thoughts about Pres elect Obama and one comment in particular that was played in the media - it goes something like - "Since when did selfishness become a virtue?" The comments were in regards to no tax increases for anyone. So those of us that don't want to pay more in taxes are selfish? I guess that is the conclusion that I have drawn from that statement.

Anyway, I began thinking about the choices that each of us make as families - the financial choices, like private school. So get this, the Obama's are looking at two private schools in the DC area for little Sasha and Malia. I did very limited research on these two via the Internet and found that the annual tuition for these two schools begins in the $25,000 range. Yes that is $25,000 per child per year. The highest rate was $29,000. So I'm wondering since Obama's annual salary is $400,000 per year, that means he will be paying about 12% of his annual gross salary in private school tuition, which seems fair. Now, we, the Adams family are paying about 18% of our gross annual salary in private school tuition. I'm just wondering if Pres Obama's "spread the wealth" plan will include an annual payment to the Adams family in the amount equal to the 6% difference it costs us to educate our children? Seems fair since we are spreading the wealth. And one more thing, please do not pretend to represent the middle class when you are looking at spending the amount of my annual salary in private school tuition!

Too Close for Comfort... more from Capt. J Bryant

Hey Beck. I am so sorry that I missed your birthday. We had a guy get hit on Monday by a suicide bomber and we have been by his side all week. He is in Germany now and doing well. He is headed to Walter Reed soon and will recover there. I had hernia surgery last week (I would not recommend surgery in Afghanistan to anyone!). I am allergic to percocet as well so I recovered on Motrin. Not so good either. I am doing well though and our Soldier is ok and that is all that matters. How is everything there? Tell the kids that I said hello and that I love them. We have about 70 days to go. It has gone pretty fast so far. I love you and Happy belated Birthday. Jamie

Ok, so I was a little taken aback by the latest email from Afghanistan. I'm sorry, but I thought you were over there doing some paper work and running in the desert (for exercise) and playing volleyball, not actually in the vicinity of a suicide bomber! Maybe my naivety is the only way I can deal. I don't mean to minimize what you are doing there, but seriously, I can hardly think about the real dangers that you are facing.

Jamie and I have always had a sibling understanding - we don't talk on the phone a whole lot, we are there for each other and know that when the time comes we will work together to make sure our parents are taken care of, but as far as being traditionally close is concerned we aren't two that have to talk every week to know that we are bound, as most siblings, by something a lot closer than a phone line or proximity for that matter. But as I learn more about the dangers he is facing I can only hope that we can at the very least plan a family trip together so that we can learn a little more about the adults that we have become. See you soon, Little Bro, Much Love, Beck

"Mommy, I lost a tooth!"

How could I have not been home? I have battled Mommy guilt for years now, but I hadn't felt this distraught in quite some time! I worked late yesterday - which I never do and received a phone call - when I saw the caller id I thought "can he not take care of them for an hour without calling to find out where I am?" But to my surprise it was the sweetest little voice...

Avery: "Mommy?"

Me: Hey sweet pea

Avery: "I lost a tooth!"

Me: How did that happen, you didn't even have one that was very loose!

Avery: "Daddy helped me!"

Me: OK, that explains it!

I'm not much on the tooth pulling - I actually get very grossed out at the whole act and usually leave the room. But let Travis know you "may" have one that is thinking about getting loose and 5 minutes later the tooth fairy is gearing up! Must be a man thing. I just hate that I wasn't there to see the excitement on her face as she looked at that little Chiclet of a tooth and stuck her tongue in the hole it left for the first time! I have posted a pic of the momentous occassion.