#2 might not be an option. Most public schools won't just let you register your kids in the school of your choice, you must live in that zone, not even just the district, but that exact school's boundaries. In our local school district, we do not have choice, so I don't think it would be an option here. They require proof of residency to establish that you live in that school's zone. Closing papers would count, but I don't think an open contract would. Has she already verified that she'd even be able to do that? Besides, what if something falls through before Oct. 1? That would really cause chaos. We moved our kids 4 years ago, with two of them in school (grades 6 and 2 at the time) a month after school started. It was out of state, so there was no commuting option for me. I guess I could have homeschooled them for a month, or a year, but I didn't. I sent them to their "old" school for a month, them enrolled them in the new when we moved. They started on day 1 knowing they would be moving. But the benefit I saw was 1) The daily routine was still intact, despite the change of location. There was still bedtimes and homework times. 2) They were able to see and say goodbye to friends they'd known for a few years but didn't see over the summer. It gave them some closure, a chance to exchange addresses, etc. I did, however, withdraw my preschooler from the preschool she was registered for before they started. I decided since preschool wasn't necessary, there was no reason to start a young child then move her. Then I never did put her in preschool, I kept her home until kindergarten. My oldest has moved twice mid-school year. I grew up moving a lot- 7 schools in 9 years. Transitions are tough at the time, but you come through them stronger as a family. I don't think it's make or break whatever she chooses to do. My experience, as a child and as an adult, is that the stability of the family far outweighs the change of address and school. If the family life and routines are still intact, the kids will adjust quickly to whatever she chooses to do. That is how I came through lots of moves with no issues, my family life was still consistent.

Fun, did you have more than one living space growing up? We had a formal living room and a family room so the family room is where our toys were kept. However, we didn't have nearly the same amount of toys as kids do nowadays! The way our family room was laid out, there was a corner where all the toys were kept. I shared an average size room with my sister, so we didn't have much room for playing in there. I'm sure we did a bit but for the most part, we were in the family room when we were young or outside. I also can't imagine having kids' toys in every room. That would drive me nuts! Most of the houses around here have basements or more than one living area so the basements store the bulk of the toys and then the family room, which is typically open to or next to the kitchen is where the main floor toys are stashed. Having four kids has relaxed my anal tendencies but I still go a little nuts with crap laying around. The peninsula in my kitchen becomes the drop zone but I can't stand having that clutter. And dh is the worst b/c he will leave his stuff there and never come back for it but then get annoyed if I move it or ask him to. He's used to clutter from his childhood. I used to have complete order in the house b/f I went to bed, but now I'm so exhausted by then that I have slacked off a bit and then get all stressed when I come downstairs the next morning to clutter and have to clean up b/f I can function. I'm like that with cooking too - I can't start cooking unless the counters are clear, no dirty dishes out, etc. DH looks at me like I have two heads. Am I the only weird one like that? Oops, sorry, I have a habit off going off on a tangent!

I took a look on Wayfair Closeout rugs and if you spend a little more you can score a much better rug.. These are all available in 9x12 and IMHO would work beautifully. Also keep in mind that a rug under a dining table takes abuse with the crumbs and chairs so it's better to consider something better in quality. I know the first one is dark, but with a black clock on the wall and the industrial barcart, it would look very smart. My personal favorite is the 4th one. The last one looks as though it may look better in a traditional home if you want colorful and classic. All good. https://www.wayfair.com/rugs/pdp/the-conestoga-trading-co-hand-tufted-blue-area-rug-cntc4236.html?piid=16370097 https://www.wayfair.com/rugs/pdp/wrought-studio-kari-deco-browngray-area-rug-wrsd1454.html?piid=30918717 https://www.wayfair.com/rugs/pdp/wrought-studio-kari-deco-bluegray-area-rug-wrsd1453.html https://www.wayfair.com/rugs/pdp/red-barrel-studio-hogan-hand-tufted-wool-graygreen-area-rug-rbrs7553.html?piid=22588486 ^ ^ ^ ^ This one is a very good deal https://www.wayfair.com/rugs/pdp/meridian-rugmakers-san-juan-hand-tufted-light-blue-area-rug-mrdn2018.html

You would still have much empty space behind these doors. That is almost a little creepy to have that much space that sits empty under your roof...like a deserted hotel. Whether your house is big with a lot of out buildings or big with a lot of unused rooms, it adds up to being a lot to maintain and have it empty most of the time. It is almost a little sad and a little creepy. Two empty nesters waiting with a big house for all the kids and grandkids to come..... Realistically, for most people, they are not going to all come that often. They have their own life, careers, friends, other side of the family, etc. Maybe you should save your resources and use them to go and visit the kids and grandkids at their house and maybe have a rented place once or twice a year for a big family vacation. Otherwise, you are going to be two people living in a big empty house. Retire and travel and maybe take a kid or two with you, for experiences with grandma and grandpa. If you have a place that they all are expected to come to every time ,they may get to resent it because maybe they really wanted to go somewhere else or do something else. yet they have that obligation to you because you went and built that big house.......... and they are expected to do that, every holiday. As the grandkids get older they will have other areas of interest outside of the family and other obligations to school programs, sports, camps, etc. And, don't forget that you will be getting older, too. Life will change for you too. You might want to rethink saddling yourself to the commitment of a large piece of property that requires attention as you retire. Instead of anchoring yourself and your family there......go places with them and without them. You might find that the family memories that you create at the rented beach house with all of the cousins, aunts, uncles, etc. may turn out to be richer memories than of everybody dutifully gathering around a 30 pound turkey at the holidays at grandma and grandpas. Plan a vacation at Disney, or take a couple of the older ones on a trip to Spain, or arrange a ski vacation with them...whatever your means allow or your inclinations are. You could, maybe, consider retiring to some place that has some amenities and attraction so that there is something to do when any do come to visit, and maybe you only need a more reasonable sized house for a smaller crowd.