My poor sweet boy...

This morning we got ready for school just like any other day. Michael usually wakes the kids, but this morning while he was in the shower and I laid in bed, I heard the kids were awake in the back. We all sat down together for breakfast, Matthew asked for oatmeal over cereal (not unusual). Michael left, I loaded the kids in the car ready to go to school. Everything normal. When I went to drop the boys off, Matthew said he wasn't feeling well...what??? Why is this the first time you mentioned it to me? "I just felt it" he said. "Well," I said, "why don't you take a sip of water and you'll feel better." "If you get to class and you still don't feel well, tell your teacher and I'll come get you." After all, everything seemed fine at home. But this was a bit abnormal because Matthew loves school, and this is Friday...Pizza Friday. The one day they buy lunch, and its Pizza! And he's never said this all school year, always happily gone to school.

So he jumped out of the car, and as they waited with the crossing guard, I sat and watched as his lip began to furrow and he rubbed his eye with his fist, trying to be strong. I said, "Matthew, why don't you jump back in, and we'll see how you feel in an hour." He jumped in and I said he'd be laying in his bed, no cartoons. Then he jumped back out. Crossed the crosswalk with his brother...then 10 seconds later came running back across the crosswalk and jumped in the van, tears starting to well up. Poor boy was tormented with his decision. He cried all the way home because he really wanted to go to school (odd, isn't it?) and to have pizza at lunch.

Sidenote: You see, Matthew is a bit of a ringleader in his class. I got this note from his teacher which makes me very happy. But he is a leader amongst his friends, and I hope a good leader. Just a few days ago I showed up to eat lunch with him. Before he saw me, I saw him through the glass windows of the cafeteria just sitting down at the end of the table...as I walked forward, I saw him get up to go down about 10 students to sit by whom he says at home is his "favorite friend in class" Kishon. I saw 2 other friends, Boston & Cascade, who WERE next to him on the end pick up their lunches and try to follow him down to the other end when a teacher stopped them and told them to stay where they were. She didn't see Matthew move (which I kinda felt bad about that he got away with it and the others didn't) but the 2 boys were sad that they couldn't sit by him. Then I felt bad.

Then later Boston's mom says to me "Boston says Matthew is his best friend in class, but he knows that he isn't Matthew's best friend" To which I am slightly horrified that this is made known somehow. We have had the conversation before (he and I) but I re-itterated the importance that we are friends with everyone and we don't necessarily need to notify one or the other that they are "bests" just keep it in your heart, we don't want to hurt any feelings. He seems to understand my explanations, but I guess I can't keep my son from favoring one friend over another, even if he doesn't say it, it shows.

Back to the sick story:
When we got home, we went to his room where I tucked him in. He said he felt tired because Alyssa woke them up so early. I suggested he try to rest and then if he felt better we could go to school in a little while...he wasn't warm, seemed ok. So I left the room and went to the kitchen and convinced Alyssa to wait for her normal morning cartoons. As I loaded the dishwasher, I heard the sobs from the back. Oh my....I went back and he was inconsolably sad. He couldn't rest because all he could think about was what he was missing at school.
So I changed my mind...I said he could come watch 1 cartoon (to calm down and relax) and then we would decide what to do.

Well 1 show turned into 2, and he was still torn because he really didn't feel great, but really wanted to go to school. At that point I decided he needed to stay home, but try to close his eyes and sleep. I sent him to my room to rest alone for a while and then after a good rest, he may be able to watch another show (what? thats what you do on sick days, right?) or sort through his Pokemon cards. I guess mine and Alyssa's play group plans are cancelled today....
I love my sweet boy, and it breaks my heart to see him sad, but I guess sometimes I have to convince my kids that they need to stay home and NOT go to school on pizza friday.