The Adventures of Sebastian

Sebastian has an enemy.

His teacher told me about it a while ago; that there was a boy in the class that clashed with Sebastian. "They just don't like each other" is how she put it.

But I was still a little surprised on Monday morning. I was leading Sebastian through the parking lot to his classroom when Sebastian let out a shout.

"I'll get you, Evan!"

Once we were in the classroom he said it again. That was a bit embarrassing, since Evan's mother was right there with him. Teri and I both took Sebastian aside and told him to stop it, and that he wasn't allowed to fight.

Let's skip forward to pick-up time that afternoon.

Sebastian was full of energy, running around and shouting with glee. His teacher told us that he'd had a very bad day; among other things, he'd spat in Evan's face. We told Sebastian how disappointed we were, that spitting was NOT allowed, and bundled him into the car. As punishment, he lost all TV and computer privileges for the evening, did not get to listen to a CD on the way home, and was not given a snack in the car.

He alternated between crying and telling us about his elaborate plans to not invite Evan to his birthday party. The ride seemed longer than it was. :D

Later:

Monday is garbage night. So I changed the kitty litter, gathered up trash from around the house, and took everything out to the trash can. Since we'd been away for three days, there was only one can's worth of trash.

Sebastian came along to help me - he almost always wants to come along when I step outside, even for a moment. I was wheeling the garbage can down the driveway to the pick-up spot on the sidewalk, when I glanced back.

My sturdy little helper was pulling the other, empty garbage can down the driveway too. It was almost as tall as he was, but he was doing a great job. You can't know how that made me feel.

I called out and told him that that can was empty; we didn't need to put it out. He was quite disappointed, but turned around and took the can back. I trotted back and told him that he could help me with the recycling bins, if he wanted to.

He cheered up right away. Picking up the cardboard bin, he followed me as I carried the metal, glass, and plastics bin. But the cardboard bin was pretty full, and just too big and heavy for him to carry easily. So I held one handle, and he held the other one (with one hand, he was proud to tell me), and together we took the bins out front.

The Adventures of Sebastian

Sebastian has an enemy.

His teacher told me about it a while ago; that there was a boy in the class that clashed with Sebastian. "They just don't like each other" is how she put it.

But I was still a little surprised on Monday morning. I was leading Sebastian through the parking lot to his classroom when Sebastian let out a shout.

"I'll get you, Evan!"

Once we were in the classroom he said it again. That was a bit embarrassing, since Evan's mother was right there with him. Teri and I both took Sebastian aside and told him to stop it, and that he wasn't allowed to fight.

Let's skip forward to pick-up time that afternoon.

Sebastian was full of energy, running around and shouting with glee. His teacher told us that he'd had a very bad day; among other things, he'd spat in Evan's face. We told Sebastian how disappointed we were, that spitting was NOT allowed, and bundled him into the car. As punishment, he lost all TV and computer privileges for the evening, did not get to listen to a CD on the way home, and was not given a snack in the car.

He alternated between crying and telling us about his elaborate plans to not invite Evan to his birthday party. The ride seemed longer than it was. :D

Later:

Monday is garbage night. So I changed the kitty litter, gathered up trash from around the house, and took everything out to the trash can. Since we'd been away for three days, there was only one can's worth of trash.

Sebastian came along to help me - he almost always wants to come along when I step outside, even for a moment. I was wheeling the garbage can down the driveway to the pick-up spot on the sidewalk, when I glanced back.

My sturdy little helper was pulling the other, empty garbage can down the driveway too. It was almost as tall as he was, but he was doing a great job. You can't know how that made me feel.

I called out and told him that that can was empty; we didn't need to put it out. He was quite disappointed, but turned around and took the can back. I trotted back and told him that he could help me with the recycling bins, if he wanted to.

He cheered up right away. Picking up the cardboard bin, he followed me as I carried the metal, glass, and plastics bin. But the cardboard bin was pretty full, and just too big and heavy for him to carry easily. So I held one handle, and he held the other one (with one hand, he was proud to tell me), and together we took the bins out front.