Anthony has been in love with the bus since the first time it stopped in front of our house. He stands at the door and watches the kids get on the bus every morning and then waves and waves while he yells, "Bye, Miss Kathy". He loves the bus and he loves Miss Kathy. A couple of weeks ago I was up at the school and Miss Kathy was in the office. I peeked in to let her know the kids didn't need to be picked up the next morning due to dentist appointments. She started talking to Anthony and asked him if he wanted to take a ride on the bus before school got out. Well you would have thought that he had been invited to Disneyland! He has asked every morning since if today is the day he gets to go on the bus with the kids. Well the day finally came! We got up this morning and ALL got dressed to go to school. The bus pulled up and he went running! We drove up to the school and hung out on the bus until all the kids were off and then sat talking to Miss Kathy while we waited for the buses in front of us to pull out. Then Miss Kathy drove us back home. How cool is that! Anthony and Abigail both loved it. I'm pretty sure that we have the best bus driver ever!
They are reconfiguring the two elementary schools for next year. Because of the changes they will be combining the high school/middle school kids with the elementary school kids on the buses. I am not too happy about the idea of my 6 year old being on the bus with 12-18 year olds. The 4th and 5th graders can be bad enough. It will also mean a longer bus ride since the 2nd-5th graders will be moved to a school about 6 miles from here instead of 1/2 mile up the road we live on. Anthony will miss the bus and Miss Kathy next year which is why today was even more special.
Abigail and Anthony with Miss Kathy
Since I never got these posted I thought I'd include Emma and Nathaniel's first day of school this year (K and 2nd grade). I took pictures of Nathaniel's first day on the bus, but I can't seem to find them. Tyler didn't start for a couple of weeks after the first two so I don't have him in this picture.
This is Emma's first day of school and first time on the bus last year (1st grade).
This is Tyler's first day of school and first time on the bus last year (3rd grade).
Even though Emma and Tyler started riding the bus on their first day of school last year I still followed the bus and walked them into class for the first little while. It was hard enough to put them in school, but putting them on the bus and sending them off was more then I, or they, were quite ready for. We have come a long way since that first day. It was a good choice for our family, but it took a while for all of us to settle in and enjoy all of the new experiences. There were a lot of tears from both mom and kids. This year hasn't been without it's challenges as well. Nathaniel is on his 3rd teacher for the year, something that should never happen to any kindergartner. But even with the bumps I feel truly blessed to be where we are. I just hope that the transition to the new school, new teachers, and new faces goes well next year.
