Missed Bus & the One I Couldn't Escape

I always make sure my kids are at the bus stop BEFORE the required time--today was no exception.  I monitor them while they are waiting (nice warm March 1st morning--wierd), and thought I heard the bus stop about a block before its normal position.  Sure enough, I went to the front door and watched the bus zoom past my children.  Must be a substitute driver. 

I told them to wait a few more minutes while I got dressed to take them to school--just in case the bus circled back.  It didn't.  My husband took my daughter to her campus.  I, with my bead-head and all, took my son to his campus. 

After dropping off my son, I got back on the main road to head back home to a shower.  I was in the left lane and noticed children waving crazily from the bus in the right lane--they were my own students who I will see later in the day.  I passed the bus--whew!  I could stop waving.  Then stoplight.  Bus passed me.  More waving.  Stoplight.  This continued for about ten akward minutes.  Too bad I gave up any food not fixed in my home for Lent or Tim Horton could have saved me.  I'm sure I will hear about this later in the morning.

Science Project . . . Continued

So the dreaded science project was turned in and displayed with all other classmates at the Science Fair our school hosts each February.  I was an excellent ribbon on my daughter's board, and didn't really think much else about it.  I'd say nearly 2/3 had this ribbon or the superior on it.  Overall, I think she got a "B" or "B-" on the project.

The next day at lunch (I work at the same school my daughter attends), the science teacher leans over and says, "Oh by the way.  There was a scoring error.  Your daughter made it on in science fair." 

It was one of those moments where you are happy and proud as a parent, but are simultaneously thinking "Oh crap!  Another commitment to add . . . and for something that really was not EARNED."  Nonetheless, I congratulated my daughter, and we are off to regional science fair in a couple of weeks.

I Survived the Jr. High Science Project

For the third . . . yes, THIRD consecutive year, we had crying the night before the science project is due.  I (the most cold-hearted mother in the world) stood and shook my head for the third year in a row.  In late October the last three years, I have informed my daughters the following:  "Please, do not wait until the last minute to do your science project.  I would be more than happy to help; however, I will NOT help the day before it is due."  Last night, as is tradition, my daughter came downstairs in tears realizing that her board she started yesterday afternoon (did I mention it was due today?) had incorrect data charts.  I looked at the clock and said, "It's 9:30--you'd better get reprinting."

The funny part of this is that my youngest cannot wait (or so he says now at the ripe old age of eight) to do a science project.  He already has his topic picked out.