The bus riding was a complete success! I had even gotten worried enough about his starting a.m./p.m. bus rides on the same day that I called Mr. Gene back last night but was only able to leave a message on his cell phone, which he apparently never got, asking if he could start picking Mick up next Tuesday, to give him a few days to get used to the change to riding home from school first, since he already knows Mr. Don and since Matthew will ride the same bus in the afternoons. I had Mick ready at 7:10 anyway. Jack's bus arrived first, and he was a perfect example for Mick. Mick did run back inside crying once Jack's bus left, but I had time to retrieve him and let him come back outside to wait for his own bus, which arrived about 7:15. He was a little anxious about the noises from the bus, especially the hissing air brake. (The bus passes our house first, turns around in the cul-de-sac, and then comes back to stop at the end of our driveway.) But I stepped inside with him (on my hip) and set him down. Mr. Gene asked him if he'd like to sit in the front seat right behind the driver, then said that if Mick wanted, he might let him drive later. Mick kind of moved over next to Mr. Gene to look out the front windshield, possibly deciding he wasn't ready to drive, and then let the para-pro, a lady whose name I didn't get, buckle him into the seat. He leaned over to look out the window and just started grinning. And the afternoon drop-off went just as smoothly. I stepped up onto the bus's first step so Mick could see me, and then I repeated his "[gasp]...Awwww....[gasp]....Awwww" (three sets) and then "Heeyyyy!" and he walked right down off the bus and waved good-bye to Mr. Don, saying, "Goodbye! See you tomorrow!" What was I so worried about? Jack got home about an hour later, giving Mick another chance to wave good-bye to Mr. Don, and about another hour later, Mick dragged the comforter onto the couch in his room and fell asleep leaning against a giant stuffed bear. Too bad I hadn't found my digital camera's battery charger in time.