The Bus

Today I read to Gillian's class. Since I was leaving work early, I wrote notes for both kids to take the bus home instead of going to Time Plus. I can see Newman Springs Road from my front window. So I sat in the window while waiting for John's bus. I saw the traffic start to slow down and I headed to the bus stop. As I got there I saw John's bus. The driver slowed down but never turned on the lights. And he didn't get off the bus. I thought I heard one of the kids shout to me "He didn't get on the bus!" Now I'm beginning to worry. Maybe he got on the wrong bus. Maybe he went to Time Plus. Gillian's bus arrived and we went home. I told her to keep her shoes on because we were going to have to get John. She was confused "Why didn't he take the bus?" My thoughts exactly Gilly. 

I sat in the window hoping John would just miraculously arrive. I called Time Plus, but no one answered. So I got Gillian in the car and we drove to John's school. And there he was. Sitting at the tables with the other kids. I tell the teacher that he was supposed to take the bus home. She was surprised and said "What does the sign out sheet say?" Right next to his name it said Bus. John kept apologizing. He said "I forgot." I'm not mad at him. Something went wrong, he forgot to go to the bus, the Time Plus teacher didn't realize it when she took attendance, and it resulted in 20 long minutes I thought my little boy was lost. So scary. 

Friends

John has a friend named Maddy. Maddy is in the first grade at his school but not in his class. They met at Time+. Yesterday I picked up the kids from school and John told me "Don't be mad, but Maddy and I wrote F's on our hands. Because we are friends!"  In the bathtub that night he said "My F washed off. Tomorrow, I'm going to write it on my arm where it won't get washed off." Tonight at dinner, John rolled up his sleeves. Daddy noticed something on John's arm and asked "What's that?"  John said "A B and an F." Daddy said "I can see that. Why?" John said "Well Mom knows already." Again he didn't answer Dadddy's question. Daddy said "Well, tell me." John said "I have a friend named Maddy. She goes to Time+ with me. I have a B and an F on my arm because we are best friends. That's why!" 

For the record, I am not happy that he is writing on his arm and hands, but I am very happy he has a best friend. 

The Batwing Megazord

John had half a day at school on Friday and he spent majority of the day in Time+.  I picked him up first and in the car he told me that he and two other boys came up with a great idea during Time+.  He told me: "Someone read a book about teeth.  And we decided that we would make the ultimate fighter.  I will be a narwhal and someone else would be a shark and the other guy would be an elephant.  And we would be rich.  Wanna know how we are going to be rich?  Well the elephant would work on cars, because he could lift them up.  I would tie a string to my tooth and catch fish.  And did you know that shark loose their teeth every day?  Well he would just put his teeth under his pillow and the tooth fairy will leave him money."

I thought this was the end of the story with the narwhal, elephant and the shark.  But it didn't end in there.  He talked to me the entire car ride to go and pick up Gillian.  The car ride from school to home.  And when he saw Daddy, he told him all about his idea.  He also decided that the three of them could combine to become a "Megazord."  After dinner, he sat and drew out plans for a "Batwing" and some weapons that each of them would carry. 

Today, he decided when all three of them combine into the Megazord, and use the Batwing they become "The Batwing Megazord."  I'm not really sure I understand all of his logic.  But I am glad that he is using his imagination.        

tickets - part two

Last Friday, I wrote Tickets.  It was all about John and how he earns tickets at Time + (his aftercare program at school) for being quiet and well behaved during attendance.  Last Friday, he had 9 tickets but on Monday, he earned his 10th ticket.  He was so excited.  When the kids have ten tickets, they get to pick something out of the big prize box.  He picked out some sidewalk chalk.

Yesterday, I picked John up from school.  As he was getting his backpack, one of the teachers was saying "John!  Wait John."  We stopped and she handed him a green ticket.  She said "He picked up garbage on the playground without anyone asking him.  As a thank you, he deserves another ticket."  I thanked her and praised John.  "I'm so proud of you John!  That is very responsible of you to clean up after your friends."  He said "I was just trying to help."  So modest and responsible.  But on our way into the car he said "I can't believe I got TWO tickets in one day!  At this rate, I could have ten tickets in no time!"

tickets

Since Daddy and I work full time, John needs to stay after school in the Time + Program.  The program runs from after school until 6 pm.  John loves it.  Every day the kids are given time for a snack, then they work on their homework and then they have free time to play games or play outside.  After the first week of school, John came home and told us "It got a ticket!"  He further explained "We get tickets if we are quiet during attendance.  If we get ten tickets we get to pick something out of the big prize box!"  The next day, we asked him if he got a ticket.  He told us "No!  And I don't know why!" 

It's been hard for him to get tickets.  He currently has 9.  Every day this week I have been asking if he has gotten the elusive 10th ticket.  Every day we get a different story.  Today, I asked him and he said "It's really hard for me.  It's not just being quiet.  I gotta sit still too.  It's hard."  I am glad that it is a challenge for him, but at the same time I hope he gets the 10th ticket soon.