Where is Waldo?

I live in a county that is populated at about 245,3000 people. You would think that is a lot but in reality it isn't. Have you ever heard about the "6 degrees of separation"? well we joke that that here in our county there is only  "2 degrees of separation"...it seems that everyone know someone that you know. With that said, can you imagine what it is like when you go to a parade or fair in the county? I do what I call "Where's Waldo?". When I attend a parade I am not there to see the floats or marching bands....NO~! I am there to scan the crowds and parades for all the kids that I have transported on my school bus over the years. I love seeing them way at the all the people sitting on the sidewalks as they walk in the parade routes. Just last week at the 4th of July I say 10 kids that ride my bus  in the parade. But my Favorite part is when I see them walking with their parents and siblings towards me. Because I do something that just cracks me up!....so picture this....You are having a great sunny day with your family at the fair or parade. As you are strolling you have this women come up to your child, and she starts asking questions like " how is your summer going? Are you done playing soccer? Who will be your teacher next year? ect.." The look on these parents faces is priceless...it is a mixture or Who is this? How do they know my child and all these details? Should I be worried? is this a "stranger danger" situation? ..LOL! Then I introduce myself and the sign of relief in their face is awesome!!!  


On the other side of the coin is the  look on child's face as well.  I swear the kids don't recognized you on the street unless you have this great big yellow thing wrapped around you. Plus I think they believe that we don't live outside of our buses and have real lives / families. so the look of puzzlement is a bonus.


So when school starts in the fall and the kids  are getting back on the bus the first thing they say is " I saw you at the parade/fair this summer!" .....I just smile and reply "yes, you did!"