James has the best bus driver ever
We have three school buses that service the neighborhood: One for kids in K-2, one for kids in 3-6, and one for the high schoolers. The K-2 driver, since we moved to the neighborhood, is Amy. And she's the sweetest, best bus driver ever. We love Amy.
Amy decorates the bus with pictures the kids draw for her. Occasionally she gives them sugar-free lollipops or other treats when they're well-behaved. And she always toots the horn or waves if she sees us from the street.
Since the beginning of the year, my neighbor Lori and I have been wondering why Amy has been stopping about half way down the street to pick up one lone kindergartner whose house is situated between two official stops. We finally figured out why today: It's because his mom just had a baby over the summer, and she also has a younger son who's in pre-school. Kindergartner must be accompanied to and from the bus stop by a parent or guardian, and Amy didn't want to make that mom walk to one of the stops with her infant and preschooler in tow, especially as the weather gets colder.
It's stuff like that that makes Amy worth her weight in gold. I'll be so sad when this school year is over, because James is in second grade now, so he won't be riding with Amy anymore.