First Bus Ride Home
This past Thursday and Friday Henry attended Kindergarten round-up. He was so excited until it got a little closer. As we dropped the girls off, his stomach began to hurt. On the 10 mile ride to the school he started asking if I was going to stay all day. As we got to Mrs. Anderson's room he seemed to stick closer to my leg. And, as parents were starting to leave and I said it was time for me to go to work, he replied "I didn't really want to do this." There weren't any tears and I knew it was only temporary. But, it was a new room, with new faces, and new things. The teacher's aide helped me escape without any problems.
As the day went on, I got an e-mail from my mother-in-law with a "Henry Sighting." He had gone down the slide at least 100 times at recess and was helping someone at lunch get their milk open. All was good. I was to pick him up at 3:25 p.m. and was there right as the buses were loading. Down the hall I headed to get him from his classroom. Mrs. Anderson let Henry know I was there and he came bounding out of the line. But, only to break into tears because he thought he was riding home on the bus. No reasoning or explaination that he would be riding on the bus on Friday stopped the flow of tears. He was upset at me. Not exactly what I was expecting on day 1, but oh well, we roll with the punches. Grandma Kaisand was at the end of the hall and offered to take Henry home. The offer stopped the tears! Before I left, he gave me a hug around the legs.
On Friday morning he woke up announcing that he would be riding home on the bus. Yes, sir. I had been notified by the school that his drop-off time would be approximately 4:25 p.m. We talked about that it would take a while to get home and there would be lots of stops before our house. He would be the last child dropped off!
By 4:15 p.m. I was positioned at the end of our drive-way just in case the bus came early. I anxiously awaited the buses arrival. 4:25 passed, 4:30 passed, 4:31 passed, 4:32 passed, 4:33 passed.
When finally the school bus came around the corner.
Bus No. 1 came to a halt.
And, down the steps came Henry. Is this my boy? He looks so grown up. When I excitedly said "How was the bus ride?" The response was as if he'd ridden it a million times. "Good."
We headed to the house, his book bag and coat weighing him down.
My little boy is growing up and headed to kindergarten in the fall.
As the day went on, I got an e-mail from my mother-in-law with a "Henry Sighting." He had gone down the slide at least 100 times at recess and was helping someone at lunch get their milk open. All was good. I was to pick him up at 3:25 p.m. and was there right as the buses were loading. Down the hall I headed to get him from his classroom. Mrs. Anderson let Henry know I was there and he came bounding out of the line. But, only to break into tears because he thought he was riding home on the bus. No reasoning or explaination that he would be riding on the bus on Friday stopped the flow of tears. He was upset at me. Not exactly what I was expecting on day 1, but oh well, we roll with the punches. Grandma Kaisand was at the end of the hall and offered to take Henry home. The offer stopped the tears! Before I left, he gave me a hug around the legs.
On Friday morning he woke up announcing that he would be riding home on the bus. Yes, sir. I had been notified by the school that his drop-off time would be approximately 4:25 p.m. We talked about that it would take a while to get home and there would be lots of stops before our house. He would be the last child dropped off!
By 4:15 p.m. I was positioned at the end of our drive-way just in case the bus came early. I anxiously awaited the buses arrival. 4:25 passed, 4:30 passed, 4:31 passed, 4:32 passed, 4:33 passed.
When finally the school bus came around the corner.
Bus No. 1 came to a halt.
And, down the steps came Henry. Is this my boy? He looks so grown up. When I excitedly said "How was the bus ride?" The response was as if he'd ridden it a million times. "Good."
We headed to the house, his book bag and coat weighing him down.
My little boy is growing up and headed to kindergarten in the fall.
Kindergarten is a real milestone, a beginning of letting go. As I read your cute story, I felt a lurch as I remembered other 1st milestones...even though it has been well over 30 years since the last first.
Blessings!
Reply to this
Awwwww!!
Reply to this
Oh Heidi, this brought bittersweet memories and a tear to my eye. They grow up so fast!
Peggy
Reply to this