Well, here I am, having survived a looong day of birthday party fun! ;) We had a really good day together. :)

It began with us picking up my daughter's friend, M., and then driving to the Pet Shop. We had Mr. Riley with us so that we could fit him with a new collar. It's proven to be quite difficult to find one small enough for him. Anyway, when we got to the pet store, they were closed. :( We were disappointed, but it was okay since we had more party day plans than we did time! lol We decided to get some lunch and go to the park instead. Riley had a grand time running around, and the girls giggled and laughed as they rolled down a hill just a short distance away from our picnic table. :) When we were finished, we took Riley home (where he promptly zonked out!), and then drove to Wally World for shopping. And shopping we did! I truly think I created a shopping monster in my daughter by taking her shopping with me when she was a toddler. lol That girl can shop!! We were there for at least 2 hours, and ended up leaving with new clothes, new lip gloss, a couple of very lightly-colored eye shadows (yeah, I know, she's only 11, but you don't know her - she's really mature for her age, and puts on makeup better than I do! lol) and, since we were there and there's no time like the present, all of her school supplies for the coming term, as well. Whew!

We left Wal-Mart just in time to take the girls to the movie theater. I didn't go with them after all, as they decided they'd like to go alone (made 'em feel more grown-up, don'tcha know *wink*). After we dropped them off, we went home to chill for a bit, only to realize we had left Wal-Mart without some of the main items we needed to get, so back to the zoo we went! Ugh! I hate shopping there, especially on weekends! Anyway, when we finished up with our second shopping trip, we went to pick up the girls. We arrived about 10 minutes early, but were able to find a park right up front, so it was cool. We were just sitting there visiting when my cell rang. It was M.'s mother. She wanted to know if the girls were home from the movie yet or not. I told her that we were sitting in front of the theater waiting for them as we spoke. She asked that I have M. call her when they got to the car, and I told her I would. The girls came out shortly thereafter, and I handed my phone to M. and told her she needed to call her mom. I should have known something like this would happen ...

I'm glad Callie had a great birthday even though her friends flaked out on her. I just can't imagine doing that to a friend of mine when I was 11, and I absolutely know that my parents wouldn't have allowed it even if I did want to behave that way.

Thoughtfully shared by: Brandy at August 17, 2003 08:17 PM

Same here, Brandy. But therein lies the difference -- our PARENTS taught us not to treat people like that!

I think my daughter needs to find new friends. :|

Thoughtfully shared by: Leigh at August 17, 2003 08:30 PM

Callie is an EXTRAORDINARY girl...but I am sure that you and dad already know that. Perhaps Callie received MUCH more than any store bought item you may have found. She learned a valueable lesson about friendship, trust, morales and decisions in REAL LIFE that we all make. Some are good, some are bad...but ALL have consequences. Guess M. learned that "you CANT have Callies cake and eat it too!"

Thoughtfully shared by: amit at August 17, 2003 09:30 PM

I like Amit's closing sentence.

I'm just shaking my head here in disbelief. Have things really changed that drastically since our day, or is it, like you say, that Callie needs to find some new friends?

Shame, shame, shame on those moms.

Sounds like you had a great celebration in spite of the disappointment and that's a great thing.

Thoughtfully shared by: Leslie at August 17, 2003 09:37 PM

You have got to be kidding me... the friend's mom called in the middle of a "over night" party???
I would NEVER EVER do that to Joey... while the thought is nice, didn't she know about this game ahead of time??

I feel so bad for your daughter...

BTW love the new look!!!

Thoughtfully shared by: Rachel at August 17, 2003 09:48 PM

amit,
You're right - she IS extraordinary! :) You're also right about her learning a valuable lesson. It's one that, unfortunately, she's learned before, but she bounces back quickly. I just think she has this innate ability to sit and think about things, and see what really matters, ya' know? Once, a long time ago, I was sitting out on the steps to our deck, and I was crying about something - I don't remember what. She must have only been about 4 years old. She asked what was wrong, and I told her, then she said (and this I will NEVER forget), "I know, but that's life, and you just gotta' go with it". I was flabbergasted at such wisdom out of someone so young! But then again, that's Callie. :) Love your ending sentence, btw! :)

Leslie,
It sure looks that way, doesn't it? I just can't figure it out. I guess some people just weren't raised to really value friendship the way we were. *sigh*

Rachel,
Yeah I know, isn't it amazing? Totally unbelievable! We felt so bad for Callie, too. It broke my heart. But it turned out okay. Actually, I think we may have had more fun together without M. here! Oh, and thank you, I'm glad you like the look. :) Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about you. ;) I promise I will get to it SOON! :)

Thoughtfully shared by: Leigh at August 17, 2003 11:01 PM

I'm so sorry that two of Callie's best friends did what they did. :( But, at least her night didn't end in tears. :))) By the sounds of things she had the bestest evening with her dear mum and dad. ;)
A hug for the Energizer Bunny *grin*--> (((((Callie)))))

Thoughtfully shared by: Debbie at August 17, 2003 11:34 PM

Disappointments are the mortar with which we build lasting success.

Thank you for sharing this wonderful paradigm of life's journey.

Your loving, motherly heart shines.

Thoughtfully shared by: theo at August 18, 2003 08:02 AM

Nicely put, Theo.

Thoughtfully shared by: Leslie at August 18, 2003 05:27 PM