The big news around here is that Catie can no longer ride the bus. I mean she could if there was a bus coming anywhere near our house. But, thanks to budget cuts, there will be no Yellow Chariot of Happiness rounding the corner to our cul-de-sac to safely pick-up and drop-off our child. Actually, this is the case for lots of families, some with more complicated situations than us.
But our family’s disappointment cannot be understated. Seriously. This unfortunate development affects every one of us.
Nate, for one, can give up his dream of starting pre-school. Well, to be clear, Nate had no idea I was considering school for him, and was surely not dreaming about being away from his family (and paci) hours a week. But with the no-bus wrinkle in our plans there’s no way we can juggle three schools.
Sam and Elisabeth’s school begins at the same time as Catie’s. This means our whole half-dressed crew will be leaving way earlier than before. And pick-up? Gone our the twins’ days of leisurely afternoons snuggling with mommy reading books and waiting for the bus. Now we will be joining the other hundreds of mommies waiting in the monster car pool line. I’ve already bought the twins lap desks and myself a new smoothie maker for healthy snacks on the go.
Catie, well, Catie is dealing with the news as well as to be expected for a girl whose entire social life takes place on the ten-minute ride to and from school. I’ve written about it before, but the girl loves the bus. I think she’s in denial a bit that it’s gone. But she is pretty sure she doesn’t want me and all her younger siblings walking or biking her there.
M and I are confident we’ll come with a plan. He’ll take some kids some days. I’ll take others other places all days. And I know we’ll embrace it and love it and wonder what we ever did without this extra time with our kids.
But, in one last moment of bus love, I leave you with one last image…the wonderful days of bus.
May KISD bring her back to us soon.
