Isabelle dons her socks and shoes. Next, she puts on her coat, scarf, and hat. Then, she plays with Ari — while bundled up — as I watch for the school bus from the sidelights of our front door.
As soon as her bus rounds the bend of our street, I call, “Your bus is here!”
She stops what she’s doing (if I’m lucky), puts on her backpack, gets a kiss on the head from me, and then heads out the door, down the driveway, and boards the school bus.
But there’s something else happening in the hustle of that moment. Ari stands there, waving, and repeatedly says, “Bye-bye! Bye-bye, Iz! Bye-bye!”
Once Isabelle sits down, she faces us and waves good-bye. This morning, kisses were blown back and forth as the bus pulled away.
Then, Ari stands there — silently staring as the bus pulls away — with the saddest look on his face. It happens daily and it doesn’t get easier to watch.
I remind him, “Izzy will be home this afternoon & you’ll get to play with her.”
I pick him up and hug him. Ari continues to look outside at the space where the bus once stood. He doesn’t cry, but continues to look sad and perplexed since the bus takes his favorite playmate away for the day.
Raising Literate Humans 
Total sweetness. What a lovey.
This is the dearest post. Poor guy looses his best friend every day for a little while.
It’s sad, but their PM reunions are amazing! So much hugging and laughing.
Oh my goodness, what a sweet post! Poor little Ari. I bet he is super excited when the bus comes back in the afternoon with his favourite playmate!
He’s typically sleeping in the afternoons, but is THRILLED when he wakes up from his nap and finds his sister at home.
That is adorable!
What a sweet post! How great that he loves her so, so, so much! I love the pictures as well!
They are the best of friends (despite their age difference). I hope they stay like this forever!
Oh, these pictures! His little sweet head watching her go! It’s so hard to be the little sibling left at home, although the older sibling might feel pangs that the little one gets to stay and play with mom all day. My mom always talks about the times my sister got on the school bus and I would run down the block back to her after waiting with my sister. I’m sure you will always remember these moments too- and now you have the writing to remind you!
Oh the photos, especially the last one! Ari and Iz — so much love. You capture the scene beautifully; even without the pictures, I could see the action.
Oh, my heart! You’ve captured the truth of these moments as they are to your little guy. The love pouring out is so endearing. ❤️
This is such a sweet post. Despite his saddness, the two have such a strong bond as brother and sister. I can only imagine his excitement as the bus rounds the bend in the afternoon.
He’s usually napping when she comes home from school. But when they see each other for the first time in the afternoons… well, it’s a love fest!
They love each other SO much!
So sweet! Your pictures tell it all. I never get tired of hearing about these two!
This is such a sweet post and will be such fun to share with your kids when they are older. I love the photos, especially of Ari at the door watching Isabelle get on that mean bus.