Poor Bandit

The Bandit is breaking my heart.  Sassy started 1st grade last week.  There was a lot of energy spent the week before getting her ready.  The typical stuff: uniforms, school supplies, new lunch box and back pack, etc.  The Bandit expressed the usual amount of frustration that he didn’t get to purchase these things, too. 

One thing on the list of items she needed was 2 shoe boxes.  Well, I’m here to tell you, I’m not giving up any of my shoe boxes.  My shoes are currently living in them.  And besides, the Manolo Blahnik shoe box is every bit as important to me as the shoes nestled inside.  So I purchased a pack of 5 clear plastic ones at Target.  The Bandit has confiscated one of the left over boxes and has been putting together his Kindergarten Box.  He has it full of crayons and sharpened pencils, coloring books and note pads; all the things he thinks he will need for kindergarten.  He takes it apart, and inspects it, and reassembles it often.  He approached me with the box and announced, “I’m ready for kindergarten.  Can I go now?”

I’ve tried to explain that he has to be five years old. But he is so frustrated.  Being four is really hard.  Especially when his sister gets to do some many of the cool things that six year olds get to do.

This morning we were eating breakfast and the kids were picking at each other as usual.  When commanded to stop, Sassy, of course, told her father that The Bandit started it.  My Honey informed her that usually the older kid gets in more trouble than the younger one.  She was outraged as one would expect. 

“Why?” she demanded. 

“Because the bigger kid should know better.”

The Bandit threw his fork on the table and ran to his room wailing, “Now I can’t even get into trouble!”

Poor little boy.  Don’t worry, Sweet Babbaloo, I’m quite certain that won’t be a problem.