Consequences...

Caleb has a little friend across the street he plays with rather frequently.  We actually have a great group of kids in general on our street for the kids to play with, with the exception of 2 little girls who seem to always cause drama when they enter the picture.  The issue had been coming to a boiling point over several weeks and we finally had to tell our kids they were no longer allowed to play with these girls.  A few days later, C and his friend were playing out front and one of the girls was refusing to leave the friend's porch.  After several requests the boys apparently decided that they needed to take matters into their own hands and dialed 911.  Caleb immediately realized it was a bad idea so they hung up but, of course, an officer was sent out to check since it was a hang-up.  In their defense, the school 911 assemblies had taught them that if someone is breaking into your home (entering without permission) that is something to call 911 for, so it's at least partially understandable why the thought initially occurred to them...
The next afternoon the other boy's mom and I talked about an appropriate consequence.  We decided that the boys should write an apology and we would go to the station the next day to hand deliver their notes and some treats to the officers on duty.

The boys were all smiles until we walked through the door.  The clerk at the front desk was biting her lip to keep from laughing when we explained why we were there, and I could see the 2 officers she retrieved from the back doing the same as they approached the front door.  The officers were great - they explained why it's dangerous to call 911 when it isn't an emergency but also were quick to reassure the boys and explain that they want children to know how and when to use it appropriately.  It was a rather humbling experience but one whose lesson will stick, I hope!