When the girls got back from mass today, Shelby informed me that one of the kids in her Sunday school class was having a birthday party today and she wanted to go. I told her no way. That's just not enough notice. But she had a note from the boys mom, and relayed a message from her not to worry about a gift since the notice was so late. So I called the mother of the birthday boy to discuss the viability of going to a party with two hours notice. At which time she re-iterated the gift-waiver.

Since we didn't really have other plans, I took Shelby to the party (no 18) while her sister went to my brother's indoor soccer game. I did have her make a card before we went. And I didn't worry about a gift like the mother said, however in retrospect I wish I would have just stuck a five in there or something. The very first thing the kid asked Shelby when we walked into his house? "What did you get me?" You should have seen the look on his face. Six year old faces like that don't lie. Emotionally that is. They haven't yet learned the very grown up trait of smiling on the outside when it hurts on the inside.

Great. Now I'm a giftless loser. Lesson for the day... always bring a gift, even if it's just a cool rock.