keys for kids

I just registered Pepe for piano lessons (keyboard) in the fall. I am outraged by the price - $350/semester, plus $50 registration, plus $20 book. Now we need to buy a keyboard as the course involves practicing at home, and hope that Pepe will be into it and actually do the practice. Will have to recruit Michael who has been taking the class for over one year now, and can actually play with two hands...and he is Pepe's favorite friend!

Still, I can't get over how expensive anything extracurricular is. I certainly am not one of those moms who overschedule their kids, and piano will be the only activity that we'll have Pepe enrolled into..maybe a bit of swimming (sans parents), will see. It's not just the money (although that's important) but I do think that it is much nicer to interact with kids in an unorganized manner, free play and take life at its own pace. There will be schedules and activities and deadlines in the near future, I know, there is no escape, but for now, taking it easy is the way I'd like to go, money aside and all.