School Bus Blues

Sorry this is such a difficult picture to see of Ava, but she gets off the bus so fast that I barely had time for a snap shot.

So I have to tell you all the horrific story of Ava's first school bus ride. (horrible for Les and I...not so much for her) As you all know...or some of you...when you go to a private school...nothing is free. Now we live 8 minutes from St. Francis West. (That is from our door to their door.) Ava all summer long begged us to let her ride the school bus. I being the erratic parent I am thought it was crazy. I mean she is ONLY 5 years old. No...I would much rather pick her up and drop her off. That way I know she will be in good hands. Well...she talked her dad into it...and of course after much wear and tear they wore me down. I agreed on one semester...one way ($230.00) Yes...that's right. One way, one semester, $230. Now...I'm not cheap, I just think it's crazy that I can drop her off for free. Les on the other hand was thinking of the experience. So...first day: Her drop off time is scheduled for 3:30 (They get out at 2:50). I park myself on the porch about 3:05. That's right....25 minutes early. Les meets me out there about 3:20. 3:35 I start asking where the bus is. 3:40 I'm chewing my nails. 3: 45 Les casually mentions how it's the first day and they are probably running late. 4:00 Les starts asking me what time it is. 4:15 Les, keys in hand, announces he is going to go look for the school bus. Now...I'm the erratic one, but for some reason I tell him he should call the school first because...my goodness there has to be at LEAST 20 school buses out there. 4:20 Les calls the school. They tell us our daughter is not there, and they will call the bus driver and call us back. 4:40 Les and I are both white when the phone rings and it's the school. Yes, they have our daughter, yes she is safe, yes she missed her bus stop. Now...can you please go pick her up at the bus barn. After 3 misdirections by the school...and Les losing his patience, we received our daughter at 5:05. 2 hours and 15 minutes after school let out.
Now....the bussing system is contracted through the school. So...even though it was in no way the school's fault, they are still liable for her. After a much heated argument, me threatening both Les, Ava, and the bus driver....Ava now has an assigned seat, and is their first drop off. I thought the school was going to have a heart attack. I have since forgiven Les for conning me into it, forgiven Ava for those beautiful batting eyelashes that begged me, forgiven the school for hiring someone who would lose my child amongst the older kids....but have not yet forgiven the bus driver for knocking me to my knees when I thought my child was stolen from the playground by some guy as she was getting on the school bus.....Ava has since been dropped off by the school bus no later then 3:30 every day. :)