This morning things went off pretty smoothly - well, a little attitude from my Mr. Man Zachary, but quickly put him in check!  I walked the kids to the bus stop and Maddy seemed OK  on the walk over, but as soon as she had to line up, she got really quiet and I could tell she was apprehensive about the situation.  The little girl (first grader) from our street wanted to talk with her, but Maddy was not interested.  She smiled at one point and looked at her, but I could tell she was not really listening.  I asked the little girl if Maddy could sit by her and she said yes (she likes Maddy and they have had several playdates), but Maddy did not want to, she wanted to be with her big brother, her protector.  Daddy stopped and talked to her for a few minutes.  She smiled and waved goodbye, happily.   Once he was on his way, Maddy just started to stare at the ground.  The bus finally arrived and she was not fully ready.  Zach went ahead of her so he could pick the seat for them.  I told him that he had two jobs: 1) sit by her on the bus and 2) walk with her into the school and help her find her teacher.  She tells me he did what I asked.   I actually didn't think he sat by her. I saw him sit down but I didn't see her.  The windows are tinted so you can barely see who is who.  I then see someone sit next to him and I couldn't tell if it was her.  I was a little worried that maybe he left her and she sat alone.  Come to find out that the little girl had stopped her as she was walking and wanted her to sit with her, but Maddy tells me she told her she wanted to sit by her brother. PHEW! I guess it would have been harmless for her to sit next to S since I did ask earlier, but I just didn't know what was going on and that was stressing me out!!!  I wanted to get on the bus and check out what was going on, but I refrained from doing so and just trusted that everything would go well. 

 

So the morning goes by, very slowly, and it is time to meet her at the bus stop.  I wait and wait and wait...It was taking a long time.  Then, my phone rings.  It is the school, her teacher.  She tells me that Maddy is in tears and sobbing because she said she is not supposed to be on the bus without her brother.  Her teacher asked if there was a mix up and if she was supposed to be on the bus. I told them she was to ride the bus; however if she was refusing, I would be there in 5 minutes. They said they will explain to her that she is to ride with Zachary TO school and that after, mommy will be at the stop to meet her after. I told them if she continues to have a hard time with it, I will go get her, but I never got another call. It broke my heart and I wanted to fly there, but I trust and know the bus driver, so I knew she was in good hands. As soon as she saw me, she broke down and ran into my arms. It was so hard to see her like that. I think I may have to pick her up for a while. She said she will let me know how she feels about it later.  Poor my Maddy Cakes!  Other than that, she seemed to have a good day.