Catching the Bus

Sometimes he’s so much like his (time challenged) father.

Me:  Noah!  Time to be done with breakfast.  You need to get to the bus stop now.

Mr. SP:  But I’m still eating.

Me:  You need to be done eating.  Hurry!  Get your stuff on and run down to the bus stop.

Mr. SP:  (slowly takes his dish to the counter and slowly gets his backpack).  Wait.  I need a sweater.

Me:  Honey, you need to go quickly.  You are going to miss the bus.  Check in the garage.

Mr. SP:  (runs UPSTAIRS to look for a sweater).

Me:  Noah!  Noah!  NOAH!  NOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAH!  Get down here!  You need to get your shoes on!  You’re going to miss the bus!

Mr. SP:  (slowly walks downstairs.  Gets shoes.  Slowly puts on shoes).  Where’s Sarah?

Me:  Sarah’s already at the bus stop!  You’re LATE!  Let’s GO!

Mr. SP:  It’s OK, Mom.  I’ll still make it.  I can go out the front door.  That’s closer to the bus stop.

Me:  No, honey, the front door is locked.  Go out this door. It’s just as close.

Mr. SP:  No, I can just zip right down from the front door. (Starts walking to front door).

Me;  Noah!  Honey!  Your backpack!  Go out this door!  This door!  THIS DOOR!

Mr. SP  (runs to front door.  Wiggles doorknob.  Wiggles doorknob.  Wiggles doorknob.)

Me:  Noah!  The door is locked!  Use this door!

Mr. SP:  (Wiggles doorknob.  Wiggles doorknob.  Wiggles doorknob. And then says in a very astonished voice) Mom!  This door!  I think it’s locked!

Me:  NOAH!  Just use the back door!

Mr. SP:  Oh!  I unlocked it!  (Slowly closes door.  Walks down steps and notices that the bus is pulling up to the stop a block away.)

I watch from the window as he sprints down the sidewalk and makes it to the bus door just in the very knick of time.  Sigh.  Given my still-present fear of missing school buses, this morning scenario pretty much emotionally exhausts me for the rest of the day.