Clownfish, the problem solver

My son hates his rain coat.

It is a perfectly normal blue raincoat with fleece lining.  It does not have anything childish on it, like ducks or dinosaurs.  It fits him just fine. But for some reason, he hates it. On rainy days, I get to play the role of the meanest mommy in the whole world because I expect him to wear it. In public. To school, even! Where he can be seen in it! The horrors.

Thursday was a rainy day.  I was braced for the usual battle.

Me:  Clownfish, its raining. Put on your raincoat.
Him: Can I wear my fleece?
Me:  Its really pouring out there.  You're wearing the raincoat.
Him:  *hesitation*  Ok.
Me:  *thinking*  *really?? This easy? Must reward good behavior so...*
Me:  If you'd like, you can pack your fleece in your back pack and if its not raining at play time or going home time, you can wear it instead.
Him:  No, its ok. I won't have room.
Me:  *somewhat nonplussed but gotta get going*

Clownfish happily puts on his raincoat. And zips it up.  He happily puts up the hood.  He climbs into the car, much drier than I was because my umbrella was in the trunk.  We drive to school.  We arrive at school.  Ordinarily, I walk him to the door, but it is pouring, and he can and does occasionally walk himself to the gym door.  His "before school" teacher is right inside.

Me:  Have a great day!  I love you!
Him:  Love you too!  See you after school!

He alights from the car and I watch as he pulls up his hood on his zipped rain coat and runs to the gym door.  He's dry, I'm happy.  I wait to make sure he gets inside -- he usually waves to let me know that all is well, the teacher is there, etc.

He stands in the vestibule.  He proceeds to take off his raincoat, fold it up, and shove it into his school bag.  Then, he opens the door and goes inside, turning and waving to let me know that all is well.

I couldn't leave his school for a good three minutes.  I was laughing so hard that the tears temporarily blinded me and I lost my ability to drive.