Update:

Get this.  GET THIS.  Unbeknownst (I had to look up the spelling on that one) to me, the “special seat” I had asked the driver to put Mason in was RIGHT NEXT TO THE BULLY.  SAME SEAT.  I didn’t know this at the time, because I didn’t know what bully looked like.  But Mason got off the bus in the afternoon and I asked him about his day and the bus rides.  And he confirmed that it was the bully he sat next to in the morning.  Can you believe it?

Here’s how it went down.  Mason was going to get on the school bus, and was totally fine.  On his way up the stairs, he started freaking out and started running back home.  I ran after him, talked to him and he was nervous about the bully.  Apparently the bully was right there, peeping over the seat and gave Mason quite a look.  I talked to him and told him nothing would happen to him.  I walked with him to the bus, and I got halfway on (as not to embarrass Mason) and asked the bus driver if there was a “special seat” just for Mason.  And that’s when he put Mason RIGHT NEXT to the bully.

I’m sorry.  Where is this lack of communication coming from?  Apparently we’re not all on the same page.  And apparently some of us are not the sharpest tools in the shed.  Who does that?

That afternoon, right after we got home, I called the principal.  We chatted and she said that was completely unacceptable and that she would be calling the trans. director immediately.  I assured her that if I needed to contact someone on my end, I was perfectly happy to do so.  And I told her that Mason wouldn’t be bullied off of the school bus.  That this kid needed to be kicked off before Mason would stop riding it.  She assured me she’d take care of it.

So now I wait and see what happens.  Do I say something to the bus driver this morning?  I don’t want to cause more anxiety or embarrassment for Mason, but I gotta stick up for my kid when <obviously> the bus driver won’t.  Do I spell it out for him?  I’m at a loss for what to do this morning.  And unfortunately Brett is out of town, otherwise he’d be dealing with it for me.  I’m not a good confrontational person.  That’s why I hire advocates and attorneys.  Just kidding.  <kind of>

I despise that word.  And, I was (and am) dreading Emma ever being on the receiving end of it. I was surprised when Mason came home and told me of getting bullied on the school bus. Last week got off the bus on Thursday and was very upset.  I asked him what was wrong, and he told me that a boy on the bus told him he had a pocket knife.  According to Mason, this boy had a pocket knife, was going to “stab Mason”, and that Mason would be “gone forever.”  I was baffled.  I was actually almost in disbelief.  First of all, who says this to a kindergartener?  And secondly, if you’ve met Mason, you know he has the kindest heart ever.  Ever.

I talked Mason through it.  Told him that nothing like that would ever happen to him.  This kid was a bully and he was picking on Mason.  I calmed Mason down.  I took all the information that he remembered and wrote it down.  And then I had to just think about it.  I had to process it in my own head.  I’m not sure what my deal is, but I can’t process events like that quickly.  It takes time for things like this to sink in.  We went about our day with homework and baths, the same routine.  In the evening, I was able to sit down with  the piece of paper that had the details.  And I started writing.  I emailed the teacher, principal, director of transportation, and cc’d my advocate for good measure.  I knew they would take this very seriously, and I needed them to know that we were taking this very seriously.

I got an email from the principal that night reassuring me that they would be looking into this.  Come Friday, I found out that the principal talked to Mason (who was definitely a bit nervous going into the principal’s office!) and Mason pointed the boy out, and watched video of the school bus.  Side note- so happy they have video on school buses now, but how sad that it’s come to that, right? Mason was sitting in the front of the school bus so we actually couldn’t see him or the boy in the video.  She did mention that she saw other disturbing things on the video…standing up, switching seats, throwing things, etc.  I’m glad she saw this as our bus driver isn’t as strict as I would like to see him.

The director of transportation emailed later on Friday and said that he spoke with the bus driver who didn’t hear anything.  And also corrected any behaviors that don’t fall in place with transportation procedures.  I certainly hope so.

I emailed the principal again today to follow up.  I asked if the boy in question had been called to speak with her, questioned about the incident, or confessed to anything.  I am awaiting a response.

I hate bullying.  I severely dislike bullies.  They make me mad.  No one has the right to make my child/children feel scared or threatened.  And it’s important to me, for Mason, that he sees that negative behaviors will yield negative consequences.  I’m so proud of Mason for telling me what happened.  And very proud of how brave he was to talk to the principal.  Our principal is wonderful, as is Mason’s teacher.  However, for a 5 year old, the principal’s office can be daunting!

January came to a close yesterday.  Did anyone else feel like it flew by?  This month I’ve been very diligent about my workouts and my food choices.  While I haven’t followed any “diet”, I’m just much more conscience of the choices I make.  At home and elsewhere.  If you recall last week, I went to a Mexican restaurant and DID NOT EAT ONE CHIP.  That’s never happened.  It was monumental.  I put it on Facebook.

Just last night, we had date night and we were supposed to go to sushi, which is such an easy and healthy choice for me.  But hubby got home late and sitter had to leave early, so therefore we went to our favorite BBQ place, Bryan’s Black Mountain BBQ.  On a side note, I don’t even like BBQ, but this place is ah-mazing.  I had them cater Brett’s big 40th bash last year and it was a huge success.  Anyhoo. What would I get at the BBQ that was decent?  My same thing…minus the bun and fries.  I had beef brisket with no bun.  And a small side of their ah-mazing olive coleslaw.  I figured that was healthier then having fries, baked beans, or potato salad.  And this was maybe ⅓ cup.  Nothing huge.  Oh, and I munched on a  few fries.  Because, like everything else there, their fries are ah-mazing. I left feeling completely satisfied and not at all stuffed.  Oh, and the biggest shocker (even more-so then not eating fries), was that Brett and Eric got their ah-mazing ice cream sandwiches and I didn’t even have a slice.  Not. One. Bite.

I tell ya what, it’s weird what’s going on.  My metabolism has changed.  My taste buds have changed.  Sugar doesn’t make me go gaga like it used to.  Becky brought over Clemmy’s ice cream last weekend and I even said no to that. And with those stories….I bring you my weight loss for the past week…..drumroll…….. 4 POUNDS!!!  I couldn’t be more thrilled!  I am in it to win it!

1/9: 3 pounds

1/16: 4 pounds

1/23: 5 pounds

1/30: 4 pounds

TOTAL: 16 pounds

This week I’m having to be even more on track with food.  On Monday I had 2 moles “margin punched” because they came back abnormal (see your dermatologist annually, folks) and one was moderate.  That means that I needed stitches and therefore I can’t work out for a week. So my food choices become much more important!  Until next week…