Every. single. time. we have seen a bus, G has exclaimed: "Da Buhz! Das my buhz?" Or the always-popular claiming statement: "Das MY buhz!"
We have discussed over & over & over again how Joseph takes his bus to school. Over & over & over.
So today was a huge day. This was the start of his new schedule - special preschool in the morning, followed by a BUS taking him to his regular day care, where I would later pick him up. We reviewed this huge change in routine many times so G would be as prepared as possible. I made him pictures that showed each step in order. My concern was that - given the huge focus on the *bus* part of the day, that G would be unpleasantly surprised by the other parts of the day, like the *Mama leaves* part. No matter how many times we reviewed the different parts, the only part that got any attention was, yes, the bus.
We've been doing a countdown of days until "New school AND you ride the bus."
This morning when G woke up and asked for "my buhz?" I finally got to say: "Yes! Today you will go to your new school and ride your bus!"
Drop-off at the new school went ok. G was definitely hesitant, watching everything. I took a photo with the drop-off buses since I wouldn't get a photo with the Real Event.
You can tell he was nervous. He held tight to my hand. But when the teacher told him to "hold hands with Caden," he did - even though I had just seen Caden picking his nose moments earlier. ugh.
Then, as I turned to leave, the teacher mentioned: "Oh. The bus company said that instead of sending a bus for G, they might send a Suburban."
Oh my stinkin word.
I warned her that would be an issue, but... the school bell was about to ring, the kids were marching in, and... I left him.
Apparently, it did not go well. G was VERY upset. The teachers harnessed him in to keep him in the vehicle. Poor little dude. He didn't understand. His mama had promised him a bus. He'd been looking forward to a bus. And - I found out later - not only was it not a bus, but it was not a Suburban - it was a white van. As in - the same kind of vehicle that always used to take him back to the orphanage after our visits together. Can you imagine? I feel sick thinking about it.
The teachers did send him home with picture:
Little late with that one.
He was clingy tonight, but still isn't communicative enough for us to discuss what happened. I talked to him, but don't know how much he comprehended. I do know he was exhausted and fell asleep right away.
So that was our disaster for today. I do feel bad just posting that much when I have huge praises I could be posting.... G was accepted into special preschool! He'll get speech therapy, occupational therapy, and more! We have transportation to get him to day care! He's safe & growing! We'll survive the Bus Incident. Good things are happening. God is good.
