Addie came home from her first day of Kindergarten in an unmarked police car.
Escorted by a detective with a gun and badge.
No part of that is a lie.
You see, Addie was supposed to ride the bus home after school. The bus came to the top of our street, the doors opened, the kids poured out, the doors closed and the bus drove away.
No moosh.
I wasn’t even sure what to do.
So I told my neighbor “Soooo…the bus didn’t bring my kid home.”
She quickly turned to her husband (a detective) and said “GO! AFTER THE BUS! ADDIE IS ON IT!”
So he took off in his unmarked car.
I wasn’t even sure if Addie was on the bus or not.
The bus stopped again at the other corner, still no Addie.
The bus continued around the corner, so did the police car.
We stood on the corner.
We waited.
And waited.
Finally the car came back around the corner and into the driveway with one curly headed Kindergartener in the back.
One oblivious curly headed Kindergartener.
She was talking to her friend and FORGOT TO GET OFF THE BUS.
Which in mom speak translates into “ALMOST KILLED HER MOM DEAD.”
So.
Other than that? Addie thinks Kindergarten is the bee’s knees.
I however may be dead by grade one.
(photo by Kim Orlandini)
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Comments off.
By ClassyFabSarah on 08.12.10 7:23 am | Permalink
Twitter: @ClassyFabSarah
She was having SO MUCH FUN on the bus she forgot to get off.
Those were the days!
I’m glad you survived mostly in tact. Good luck today!
By Kelly on 08.12.10 7:26 am | Permalink
That would have stopped my heart too! Glad she’s home safe and sound.
By Jen on 08.12.10 7:31 am | Permalink
Twitter: @jayesel
oh goodness! LOL I know you were probably freaking out, but this will be a GREAT story when she’s older
Glad she made it home safe and had a good time!
By Life As I Know It on 08.12.10 8:00 am | Permalink
Twitter: @LifeAsIKnowIt
ugh. the bus. every year on the first day of school there is at least one kid who gets on the wrong bus, which results in one panicked parent. So far (knock on wood) that kid hasn’t been mine.
Glad she got home safely and loved kindergarten. It will be a fun year, for both of you
By SciFi Dad on 08.12.10 8:22 am | Permalink
Twitter: @_scifidad_
Aahhh!!!
That had to be the most nerve wracking few minutes of your life. I cannot even imagine.
I am glad she had such a good first day of Kindergarten that she forgot to get off the bus though. That’s good.
By designHer Momma on 08.12.10 8:27 am | Permalink
Twitter: @designhermomma
I would have messed myself. I bet Addie did it on purpose, so you all could have a good laugh at her high school graduation. Because some day, this is going to be a really funny story.
sam {temptingmama} Reply:
August 12th, 2010 at 8:40 am
@designHer Momma, ROFL! I would have messed myself too.
By Sarah on 08.12.10 8:32 am | Permalink
Twitter: @sadiecass
I almost had the fire chief have to go after mine!! LOL. Riley’s first day of kindergarten just about yielded the same results. I just screamed at the bus driver before she could pull away (barely in time to catch her). If I hadn’t, my fire-chief neighbor would have had to do the same thing *lol*
By caroline on 08.12.10 8:41 am | Permalink
Twitter: @socarolinesays
This is too cute. Day one of so many…
Upside – she didn’t come off the bus crying. Like I did on the first day of school for two years. Ok three years.
Cheers to your kindergarten kid!
By sam {temptingmama} on 08.12.10 8:42 am | Permalink
Twitter: @temptingsam
I would have likely been bawling. BAWLING.
And even in a situation like this: you have all the luck! OF COURSE your neighbour has a police car at home. OF COURSE.
(Dear commentators, inside joke, please don’t hurt me. You see, Casey has golden horseshoes up her butt and I like to bug her about them. Mostly because I AM JEALOUS!)
By Avitable on 08.12.10 8:53 am | Permalink
Twitter: @Avitable
Having too much fun with her friends and didn’t want to come home?
Wonder where she gets that from!
By Belle on 08.12.10 8:53 am | Permalink
I love the photo of you two! My daughter is obsessed with all things Snoopy and Charlie Brown right now.
So glad Kindergarten is being good to your sweet Addie!
By Sherry Carr Smith on 08.12.10 8:55 am | Permalink
Twitter: @prCarrS
I am glad Addy was ok and that you have fodder for the list of “ways you almost killed me when you were growing up”. It’s an important list to keep up to date.
By Hamlet's Mistress on 08.12.10 9:04 am | Permalink
Twitter: @hamletsmistress
I love your neighbor!! It’s like living next door to Elliot Stabler.
HM
Casey Reply:
August 12th, 2010 at 11:33 am
@Hamlet’s Mistress, ooh. if I lived next door to elliot stabler *I* would go missing more often…
By Ronda on 08.12.10 9:05 am | Permalink
My kindergartner got off the bus just fine, but upon further inspection, his tag with the bus number had the wrong number. My middle child thought it would be cool to ride the bus of our former driver. Thank God someone caught it before he made his great escape!
Another bus story: in the first grade, our oldest was in a bus/car accident, and didn’t get home until nearly 5:30. Multiple calls, and their only answer was everyone was fine; please wait at your home.
Being a parent of bus riders is not for those easily spooked.
By Marie Green on 08.12.10 9:18 am | Permalink
Twitter: @lifeinatinytown
Oh, man. That’s the best 1st day of school story I’ve ever heard. Though not so great for you, I’m sure. At least, not as it’s happening… but later? Great story to tell.
By Marie Green on 08.12.10 9:19 am | Permalink
Twitter: @lifeinatinytown
Oh, and also? Can I express my shock that your little girl is old enough for SCHOOL? CANNOT be possible.
By amy turn sharp on 08.12.10 9:21 am | Permalink
Twitter: @amyturnsharp
OMG. I am so glad she is OK> My mom has a scary K bus tale of me- the bus driver tried to drop me at the wrong house and I screamed and stamped my feet and they took me back to the school! LOL. She’s gorgeous babe! I am in shock she is in K already! Time! Fly!
By Sunshine on 08.12.10 9:22 am | Permalink
Twitter: @beingfranklin
That’s it! We’re holding Isaac back a year!
By Michele D on 08.12.10 9:26 am | Permalink
You almost killed me dead too. Whew. I am thankful every day that I walk my kids to and from school (it’s at the end of our street). Glad she wasn’t upset.
By Tweets that mention moosh in indy. » addie came home from kindergarten in a police car. -- Topsy.com on 08.12.10 9:29 am | Permalink
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Casey-moosh in indy., Emily Tickle Thomas. Emily Tickle Thomas said: RT @mooshinindy: new post. http://bit.ly/biTXWH moosh came home from kindergarten in a police car. [...]
By Miss Britt on 08.12.10 9:29 am | Permalink
Twitter: @missbritt
I was going to let Emma ride the bus to school on Monday for her first day of kindergarten.
Now I’m not so sure.
My neighbors aren’t cops.
By Tiffany on 08.12.10 9:36 am | Permalink
Twitter: @CTSanders
That pic almost made me cry, I am not looking forward to next year when my baby goes off to school! Really sweet pic.
By Jenny on 08.12.10 9:57 am | Permalink
Yikes! I bet that was the longest 20 minutes(or however long it took to find her) of your LIFE!
Glad Addie is safe and that she loves Kindergarten.
By air classic bw on 08.12.10 10:07 am | Permalink
Twitter: @air classic bw
wow,glad to hear the kids is ok
By Mr. Blonde on 08.12.10 10:10 am | Permalink
Twitter: @mrsblonde1
I can’t imagine how deep that sinking feeling must have been! So glad it all worked out! And, great post headline.
By Sluiter Nation on 08.12.10 10:52 am | Permalink
Twitter: @ksluiter
This is the best first day of school story in the history of ever!
By Heather on 08.12.10 11:12 am | Permalink
Twitter: @proudporkmom
This is too cute. It appears she is already loving school. Just remember what doesn’t kill us, makes us stronger.:-)
By kris on 08.12.10 11:37 am | Permalink
My son did this very thing his first day of kindergarten, too… though I called the district office and they brought him back home rather than the police. Oh the joys!
By Manda on 08.12.10 11:42 am | Permalink
Twitter: @insidedog
I think I had a heart attack just READING THIS. Thank goodness she’s ok. And now? I shall start researching HOME SCHOOLING.
By Emily on 08.12.10 12:04 pm | Permalink
Twitter: @emihill
That would have given me a heart attack. It nearly did reading about it!
By Barb @ getupandplay on 08.12.10 12:10 pm | Permalink
Twitter: @getupandplay
Gah! I would have died! I’m glad that you had good friends with you to help!
By Megan M. on 08.12.10 12:14 pm | Permalink
Twitter: @taxmegan
Oh heavens. Yep, my heart would have stopped beating as well. It’s amazing how quickly our children age us!
By Issa on 08.12.10 12:32 pm | Permalink
Twitter: @Issascrazyworld
Sheesh. I can’t even imagine. However? I also can’t believe the bus driver didn’t know to help kindergartners get home okay. Hmmm, I now understand why I don’t let mine ride the bus.
Am glad she loved it. Beautiful photo by the way.
By Jen L. on 08.12.10 1:08 pm | Permalink
Twitter: @jennelsonlane
You know, this is why I read blogs. The real stuff is so much more interesting than fiction. Told ya she’d rock kindergarten.
By Nanette on 08.12.10 1:37 pm | Permalink
This is the BEST story ever!!!
By Amy in StL on 08.12.10 1:47 pm | Permalink
Twitter: @Amy_in_StL
Wow, I didn’t ride the bus until I was 13 and even I almost missed my stop a couple times for that same reason!
By Malia on 08.12.10 2:10 pm | Permalink
Twitter: @justmalia
You’ll be telling this story about her for the rest of your life. It’s a good one!
By Meg on 08.12.10 3:02 pm | Permalink
Twitter: @crapshooting
That is scary, but HILARIOUS at the same time! Glad your neighbour was around to use his magical cop skills and that Addie was ok!
By Ami on 08.12.10 3:09 pm | Permalink
Sooo…..do we need to go to Walmart to get some hair dye to cover up all that new white hair? Because, good hell, that’s seriously scary. I would probably have passed out, or started shouting incoherently. Thank Heavens for Law & Order neighbors.
Love you (even with all your new white hair).
By kj on 08.12.10 3:27 pm | Permalink
Twitter: @KJ_is_GFree
This happened to me on my son’s first day of K too. Bus drove right by our house, only to turn around so he could be dropped off without having to cross the highway.
I was a scared Momma, but quickly learned.
By Elizabeth Kaylene on 08.12.10 3:46 pm | Permalink
Twitter: @elizabethbarone
Hahaha, oh no! I can only imagine how those few minutes must have felt. My dad tells me all the time about how one day, when he came to pick me up from first grade, I wasn’t outside waiting for him. I’d decided to go down to the park — which I wasn’t supposed to do by myself, but all of the other kids did every day — because I thought I had enough time to go play before he got there, but apparently not. My poor dad!
I’m so glad Addie’s okay. I seriously can’t imagine the panic I caused my dad.
By Kat on 08.12.10 4:26 pm | Permalink
Twitter: @sassyirishlasie
Sounds vaguely familiar to my son’s first day last year. Well except for the policeman, and the gun and the fact I put him on the wrong bus but similar none-the-less!
Glad she got home safe and sound
By Colleen - Mommy Always Wins on 08.12.10 4:26 pm | Permalink
Twitter: @mommy_wins
Oh Lordie. *whew*
By Rachel ~ Southern Fairytale on 08.12.10 4:34 pm | Permalink
Twitter: @sthrnfairytale
Too sweet. Poor Mama xo
By Becky on 08.12.10 4:36 pm | Permalink
Twitter: @msbatman
My 1st grade teacher put me on the wrong bus the first day of school. Of course I was too shy to say anything as she drove right by my house. Twice. When she had made all her stops, guess who was still on the bus?
Me.
Thank God my mom had already called the school and they were looking for me.
I never let that teacher put me on another bus the rest of the year.
By Keonte' on 08.12.10 4:47 pm | Permalink
Twitter: @IamKeonte
This happened to our family too. The bus always comes at the same time, and I make sure I am always there to see my son cross the yard.
One day, the bus did not come. I sat there, peering out the window, and pacing the floor. I waited it out for a few minutes (which felt like a hour) because I know things happen. Still no bus.
I finally called the school office, who in turn called the bus dispatcher. I could hear the entire convo on my end. No one knew where he was.
Finally, the found him. Turns out the bus driver missed him. He is normally a car rider, so there was some confusion. Needless to say, the bus driver checks for him each time now.
Your ending is a little more cool. He didn’t come home in a police car. But I am sure we have a few years to get there. LOL!
By Olivia on 08.12.10 5:21 pm | Permalink
Twitter: @Olivia_ocd
I’m sure it didn’t even phase Addie. That girl is pure steel. And way too grown up.
By Zak on 08.12.10 5:32 pm | Permalink
Twitter: @Zakary
When I was in first grade, I decided to ride a different bus home, you know, one with my friends on it. One that didn’t even come close to going by my house. My family fah-reaked and it took them almost five hours to find me.
And your daughter is GORGEOUS.
By Camels & Chocolate on 08.12.10 6:18 pm | Permalink
Twitter: @LunaticAtLarge
Ahhh, moosh! Cut your mom some slack, will ya? At least wait until the second MONTH of kindergarten to start pulling such shenanigans!
By alexis @ depressionsandconfessions on 08.12.10 6:21 pm | Permalink
Twitter: @alexistlesa
ummm, the apple fell pretty close there.
By Mama Bub on 08.12.10 6:43 pm | Permalink
Twitter: @mamabub
Wait, you left out the part where you vomit repeatedly after the bus drove away with NO MOOSH. Holy crap, lady. Glad she loved kindergarten!
By punkinmama on 08.12.10 6:50 pm | Permalink
Twitter: @Punkinmama
Isn’t it the Bus Driver’s JOB to ensure each kindergartener gets off the bus at the right stop on the first day of school?! Wow.
By heather... on 08.12.10 7:10 pm | Permalink
Twitter: @mamaspohr
I love her so much.
By Domestic Extraordinaire on 08.12.10 7:18 pm | Permalink
Twitter: @hdurdil
oh my goodness!
I never had that issue, altho I have gotten a call about why my child wasn’t at school the one day I let her walk with friends in 5th grade. It turns out that the teacher let one of the kids take attendance and they marked her absent instead of the kid above her absent. That was a fun time.
By MommyTime on 08.12.10 7:25 pm | Permalink
Twitter: @MommysMartini
This happened to my mother the first day I rode the bus too. Only I wasn’t on the bus at all. I had stayed behind at school under the mistaken impression that I was on the “second load” (each driver drove two routes). She was frantic until the second load driver returned me to my proper house (once his entire route was finished and I hadn’t gotten off). I was nearly two hours late. She was a wreck.
By Barbara Weaver Smith on 08.12.10 8:25 pm | Permalink
Twitter: @thewhalehunters
So, now you’ve survived your worst bus nightmare. Gotta be uphill from here! Hope that you and Addie have a great kindergarten year.
By Mel on 08.12.10 10:32 pm | Permalink
Twitter: @melissalistens
aw! I used to HATE riding the bus…I would never have forgotten.
That’s cute!
By Taryn on 08.12.10 11:25 pm | Permalink
Wow, this is exactly why I’m not sure I could let my girl ride the bus yet. She’s only in PreK though. And I am in shock that school has started for you. It’s mid august. That is crazy!
By Ohh Betsy! on 08.13.10 7:01 am | Permalink
Twitter: @ohhbetsy
I realize a heart attack may not have been your ideal ending to her first day but…kinda funny. I can just picture her chatting away.
By CaySedai on 08.13.10 8:46 am | Permalink
Twitter: @CaySedai
First day of kindergarten, my older daughter got on the wrong bus, sending her out of town. She didn’t get home until 5 p.m. after my frantic calls to the bus barn, I totally understand what you went through. Good thing your crisis was so quickly taken care of.
CaySedai Reply:
August 13th, 2010 at 8:47 am
@CaySedai, Forgot to mention – she’s 17 now, with a whole new set of worries. Imagine what you have to look forward to!
By Elizabeth on 08.13.10 11:06 am | Permalink
Twitter: @hernewdeal
What a memorable first day, and a story for her to tell forever! I’m glad you got her home swiftly and safely.
By Theresa Krueger on 08.13.10 11:38 am | Permalink
Last year my boys were in 5th grade. One day BJ gidn’t get off, the driver was too quick for him. I had to wait until they came back around. I wasn’t worried about his safety, just late for work!
By pixielation on 08.13.10 6:38 pm | Permalink
Twitter: @pixielation
That is a brilliant story! terrifying for you, but fabulous! I love the way your neighbour orders her hubby to scoot after it too!
I presume she knows him well enough to go with him, and not flat out refuse to get in his car because you’ve not said it’s ok??
By Janice (5 Minutes for Mom) on 08.13.10 6:49 pm | Permalink
Twitter: @5minutesformom
Funniest kindergarten story EVER!
I MISS YOU!
By Nicole on 08.13.10 10:17 pm | Permalink
Twitter: @nicostuff
Oh my goodness! What a day for both of you.
By Mary on 08.13.10 10:31 pm | Permalink
Twitter: @mbrownmoore
Holy. Havana! But that’s a terribly funny image. You know, apart from the mom hyperventilating part.
By Jeanette on 08.14.10 3:26 am | Permalink
Twitter: @jenty
My oath, I would have had heart failure!! Hope she doesn’t do that again too soon, but very cool that she has a friend
By Mommycosm on 08.14.10 11:41 am | Permalink
Twitter: @Mommycosm
So…she survived the first day of kindergarten…but you almost didn’t?!
WOW – talk about a memorable first day!
By Lisa @ Crazy Adventures in Parenting on 08.14.10 4:01 pm | Permalink
Twitter: @crazyadventures
Oh my gosh, how cute is she? Also? If it had happened to me, I would’ve been chasing the bus down, crazed-momma-style “Give me back my baby!!!” and the cop would’ve been putting ME in the back of the car for scaring the daylights out of everyone. Heh.
{Hugs}
By Neeroc on 08.14.10 11:37 pm | Permalink
Twitter: @therealneeroc
Whoa, I’ve just decided, I’m walking V to school until grade 10. She’ll love it, I just know it.
By Colleen on 08.15.10 4:11 pm | Permalink
Twitter: @AMadisonMom
On the very first day????? Oh my word… that would have caused great panic. But at least it was because she was so happy with a friend… and at least she was actually on the bus.
But… ACK!!!! Tell her don’t ever do that again to her mom!
By Ann's Rants on 08.15.10 6:46 pm | Permalink
Twitter: @annsrants
I fell asleep on the camp bus, on the way to camp as a kindergartner.
Woke up to nice bus driver hovering over the seat. He drove me back to camp to the relief of entire staff and much to my own embarrassment.
By Ann's Rants on 08.15.10 6:46 pm | Permalink
Twitter: @annsrants
On second thought, the counselors probably didn’t even know I was missing.
HA!
By bekah on 08.19.10 9:29 pm | Permalink
Twitter: @countrymouse_
How cute! I used to drive a school bus (great job!) and I used to try to double check that the kindergarteners got off on their stop, but every now and then one would forget to pay attention, and sure enough, Id drop off the last stop and look in my mirror and see one tiny tot standing in the aisle crying! So heartbreaking! I hugged so many five year olds on the first day of school!
Glad your neighbor could chase them down!
Oh and I dont know how it works where you live, but our policy was that if a child was on the bus after the stops were completed we would call their parent, and try to take them back to their stop. If no one could be reached we would take them back to their school! So if that ever happens again…call the school, and check to see if the big ol bus comes back through!
By Lisa Leonard Online » making me happy… on 08.20.10 10:56 am | Permalink
[...] little girls who come home from school in a cop car, [...]
By denise @ victory rd. on 08.20.10 12:25 pm | Permalink
this is a great “remember that time,” but what a story! i’d so have had a mommy heart-attack.
By Kellee on 08.20.10 7:33 pm | Permalink
Twitter: @Photographerkel
Hahahaha, kids. Goodness. So funny.
By Janice on 08.26.10 10:33 pm | Permalink
Twitter: @grandmajannie
Great story! I laughed out loud when I saw the beginning of the story. So glad she’s okay!
Warm regards,
Janice