first bus ride

Last week, a couple of the guys who work with me in the lab were presenting their projects at a banquet on campus. "Uncle" Shameem and I were planning on going to the banquet from the lab - which required a short bus ride. When I mentioned to Erin that the event was open to the public, that there was free food involved, and that getting there required a bus ride, she got very excited.

You see, riding the bus was a very special activity for Erin as she grew up. Often when Grandma Brenda was working, Grandpa Paul used to take Sara and Erin on bus rides all the time. From what I've heard, they used to get on the bus and ride it until they got back all the way back to their original stop, possibly even riding for multiple laps. The girls would politely ask other passengers if they could push the "stop" button for them when the bus approached their stops. I think sometimes ice-cream was involved, which further sweetened the experience.

So Will and Erin joined us on the bus and it was great fun. Will learned what a "bus" was and we pointed out several of them along our ride. Will was a little nervous at first, with the loud noises and all the people - the tension peaked when Shameem casually responded "no" to a casual question and Will thought it may have been directed towards him and got a little upset. After a few minutes Will seemed to enjoy himself though. It was a pretty new experience for him, because whenever he rides in the car he has to be strapped into his seat, by himself, in the back. And he can't see out the windows very well in the car. So he got to see a lot more and wiggle around a bit. Mostly, however, I think this was really fun for Erin.