The "My Teacher is a Real Person" phenomenon

Pardon another entry about the Grantster, folks, but this one's funny...

Grant's been sick this week, but today he took a turn for the better and was teasing Jack, so I knew we were on the road to recovery. I thought I'd venture out big-time and run into the grocery store with the boys to get some milk and tortillas. (Turns out, I was halfway through making enchiladas when I realized that tortillas are kind of an essential ingredient...) I said, "Grant, just throw on your fleece and your dinosaur boots; it's okay if you're in your pajamas." He complied without any protests initially, but as we pulled into the parking lot, he became slightly anxious. "Mom, but people are going to think I look weird." "No, sweets, you just look like a cool army guy." But he insisted on laying on the floor of the backseat so the old couple unloading groceries into their car wouldn't see him.

We finally made it into the store, and he went in like a secret agent on a stealth mission, clearly hoping he was invisible to the general public. But alas, it was not to be. As we rounded the corner into the dairy aisle, we heard the following:

"Grant Richards! At the grocery store in your pajamas, after missing school this week? What a surprise!"

Grant literally froze in his tracks. I could see the color draining from his face, as he turned to meet....

his Teacher.

I tried so, so hard to keep a straight face. I carried on a pleasant little conversation, while Grant fought a multitude of emotions. I'll bet this was one of the most emotionally charged moments of his young life. He courageously managed to squeak out a farewell, and off we went, but as we left the store, it wasn't "How embarrasing!" or "I can't believe she saw me in my pajamas!" Oh no, the final thought was

"Mom, Mrs. DePaul goes to the GROCERY STORE?"

Grant, we love you. (Of course, didn't we all wonder that as kids?)