tables turned

Last night I got an email from one of the mothers of another student in Lauren's class. She asked if Lauren could join her daughter, Olivia, for a play date Friday after school. I accepted, and looked forward to sharing the news with Lauren.

There have been many times when Ella has been invited to play with a school friend and, naturally, Lauren hasn't been asked to join them. Most of those times there were tears, and hugs, and maybe a sweet little something from my stash, as I reminded her that sometimes friends don't invite sisters who aren't their friends.

This morning I announced to Lauren, "Guess what? You have a play date on Friday with Olivia."

"I do?!" She could hardly believe it.

"Hey!" Ella protested. "Why don't I have a play date?"

Reflexively, Lauren said, "You can come, too, Ella."

"Actually," I interrupted, "Only you are invited, Lauren." I waited for her reaction.

"Only me?"

"Yes."

She actually gasped, and then I watched her little, round mouth turn up ever so slowly into an absolutely huge smile that spread across her entire face. It reminded me of the Grinch, except that it was really, really adorable. Ella wasn't swayed.

"I should be invited, too."

"Re-mem-ber, Ella," Lauren said, "Sometimes a friend doesn't invite a sister who isn't her friend."