staying rad for the bus!

Dotzies are truly the best. We were finishing up all of our summer projects and this little beauty is finally done! It took forEVER to finish, but it looks so cute! If you're unfamiliar, they are teeny, tiny crystals that you use a teeny, tiny tool to pick up and place on an extremely sticky surface with a pattern/picture. The crystals sit in little trays that you fill with each particular color as you need it.

Imagine sneezing, jerking your hand, or sitting next to a 10 year old... They fly everywhere! It takes a bit to get these things done. We love them, though! It is so relaxing to just sit quietly and focus on the specific task or color at hand.

My kid may be one of the few that packs notebooks and pens to write and draw on the bus each morning. Her best friend takes a different bus this year, so she has been bummed. BUT now she has a fancy new notebook to doodle on the bus with. And it's all her. She chose the colors and we put every stinking crystal on. 

Here we are, crafting fools just staying crafty, staying positive, and staying together to get the fun done. Google Dotzies. You'll thank me. (There are different types. These are just one brand.)

another mom panic moment

I am hoping that everyone has had that particular moment of panic. You don't have to be a mom to have the moment where you think you missed something! This morning we were on our A game: hot breakfast, packed mask, good mood. Check, check, check. It was going so well! I was even checking out the side window to keep an eye out in case the bus came early.

It's simple. We get up a little earlier than needed and that's what works. Now we have time for braids, extra breakfast, whining, whatever ;) The bus comes across the street from our driveway so I can look out the window and see everything. I win.

We get outside and notice no neighbors waiting. Well... we were only 4 minutes early. They recommend 5 minutes. I know! Pure chaos! So then the doubt sets in. Are we early? Are we late? Where is everyone? I ran back in to check the time. Nope. We are on time... I have time to drive her to school, but she likes her routine and I don't want to mess with that. 

Right as I am about to check the bus app, our favorite driver rolls down the road. Why does this make me panic? If she missed the bus, it would've been our fault. Yet, it would've been okay. We all would've been to work and school on time. Can I just breathe for a second and realize that it's okay to not be perfect before 8am?!

I know that how a kid starts their morning changes their whole day and their whole mindset so we keep it happy and light. No need to tick off the bus driver or teacher because we had a tough morning. It is okay. It will always be okay. I just need to chill out and realize I got this and my best is the best that anyone is going to get. And to think, I freaked out about a bus... 

 

back to the bus!

A lot of people did a lot of things to get our kids back to school safely. Some kids are staying home and some are heading to school. Those who are heading back may be taking the bus. This is the first thing I think of when I think of my kid on a bus! Why are people in such a rush when they could just leave earlier or be more patient?

We are so lucky that we got the same bus driver as last year. He is a wonderful man that is kind and patient with the kids. He addresses them by name and always makes us laugh. My daughter's best friend is e-learning so she doesn't have a bus bestie any more. Our bus driver switched her seat so she can sit near another girl her age.

Make sure you thank a bus driver this year!