Yellow bus

Zachary has long held a special fascination for buses; even when he was really young, he saved his biggest laughs and smiles for the shuttle buses we'd take (during his early frequent flying days) from the airport parking lots to the terminal. More recently he's gotten more specific, liking 'yellow buses' (in particular this song/album), then 'school buses'. A few weeks ago we visited mommy at work at lunch, and the multiple city buses going by across the street gained his attention; when I explained that they weren't school buses, he said "Want to go city bus!" We've still got to find some time to try out the light rail, which I think he'll love.

Anyway, today was the first time a bus came specifically for him -- to take him to the first day of preschool! His teacher had indicated that the buses often run 10-15 minutes late on the first day, but he was so excited that we all (mima and papa came over for the momentous occasion) ended up hanging out on our driveway waiting for the bus. Zachary didn't even notice it as it started down the street, but then the lights came on and he was all smiles. The door opened, the friendly driver welcomed him and mommy aboard, and she got to buckle him into his seat. (The modern school bus apparently has seatbelts in all seats, and further, a fold down 5-point-harness seat for the Zachary-sized kids.) He continued to smile and laugh as the door swung shut and the bus pulled away.

Several hours later, the bus pulled up once again. Zachary was completely conked out, and vaguely blue-looking as well -- as we learned later from an e-mail from his fun new teacher, they'd done an art project involving blue stamps, and he'd gotten it on his hands, face, mouth (inside and out!), and when I got him ready for bathtime, even somehow through his shirt and onto his chest. Anyway, he woke up as Meh transferred him inside, and didn't end up taking much of a nap -- but definitely seems to have had a great time in the classroom on his first day. Teacher K even indicated that he said goodbye when he got back on the bus at the end of the day -- such a good big man!

Here's the full photo album of the day from our perspective.