Whose kid is this???

Yes, he looks like my kid. Carries a Thomas the Tank Engine lunch bag like my kid. He's even wearing my kid's shirt. (Don't worry, it's been washed since last week's post)

But he isn't acting like my kid!

You see that cute yellow school bus die cut he's holding? That's his name tag. All of the kids have them. They're really only used by the kids who ride the bus to and/or from school. Do you know why he's holding his name tag so proudly??? Because he just got off the school bus! Ack!

Last week, Nathan assured me that he didn't want to ride the bus until he was 6, which will be next year. Fine with me.

Today, I waited patiently at school, in the !@#&!@ 103* heat. The bell rang and a happy, confident Nathan was the first one out the classroom door. He lined up along the wall like they're supposed to, but didn't come rushing over to me when they were dismissed. Hmmmm...

Instead of his usual exuberance at seeing me, he was a little reserved. He gave me a brief hug, then said, "Mommy, I want to ride the bus home today".

Me: "What????? Are you sure?"

Him: "Yes."

Me: "Why?"

Him: "Because it's fun." (Evidently, riding in the mini van with Mom is no longer fun.)

Me (trying not to panic): "Okay, let's walk to the bus together and take a look."

Him: "I can do it myself. I know how. It's fun."

What's a mother to do???

We did walk to the bus together and I spoke to the driver. I figured it was the least I needed to do since this was his first time. Luckily, we live right on the corner at the second bus stop.

He seems to have turned a corner this week. There have been no tears in the morning. There has been no clinging or other octopus type behavior. He has still been holding my hand while we walk to the quad, but once we get there, he drops my hand and gets in line with the other boys. I barely get a hug and a kiss goodbye.

Oh how quickly they grow up.