Police Ride to School!

This morning's ride to school was a real treat! The girls got to ride in a police SUV to school with Antonio! Stacy and Marco bid on and won the "Police Ride to School" auction item at the CES Fall Festival in October with the idea of using it for a ride to school for his birthday, which is tomorrow. Stacy invited the girls but asked me not to tell them since it was a surprise for Antonio and she didn't want the secret slipping out. So, we decided to tell the girls this morning while they ate breakfast that they had a really big surprise! Usually we go to Run Club early on Friday mornings and Antonio goes with us. So, Sofia's guess was that Antonio wouldn't be going to Run Club with us, but I told her it was way better than that!

At 7:15am we headed out front where Antonio and his parents and Grandparents were waiting. Soon we saw a police SUV driving toward us and turn into our neighborhood. He turned on his lights and made his "police noise" as he pulled in front of Antonio's house. We told the girls they would be driven to school by the police SUV! They couldn't believe it! Officer Prater got out of his SUV and introduced himself and Antonio was super excited! He was so friendly and showed the kids his handcuffs and his belt full of "police tools" as he called it. We took a few photos of the kids with Officer Prater and then they loaded up with Antonio in the front seat and the girls in the backseat. They were all super excited!

Today was Walk to School day, so it really was the perfect day to get a ride to school in the police car. Marco, Stacy and I followed the police SUV in their car so we could get their booster seats back. Officer Prater drove into school like he owned the place and the poor car in front of him thought he was being pulled over! He pulled right up to the front of the entrance (cutting off the parents waiting patiently in line for car drop-off) and let the kids out. They loved it! Strangely, Olivia got out of the SUV and just walked into the school building like she arrived by police SUV every day. After school, I asked her and she said she never even saw me standing there taking pictures. Sofia hung around and thanked Officer Prater and Marco and Stacy before heading into school. It was so super cool! I know Antonio really loved it and it turned out to be a very special birthday surprise!

Officer Prater and Antonio chatting

Officer Prater, Antonio and Buddy

The girls and Antonio with Officer Prater!

Chatting about his belt full of "police tools"

Antonio is ready to go!!

The girls in the back of the police SUV

All set to go!

And they are off!

Driving outside of our neighborhood toward school

In the school zone

Drop off!