Well, something just happened when I dropped Jack at preschool that caused some hurt feelings. Jack's a little, but mine mostly. I guess it shouldn't. I got a tiny sneak preview of some of the heartache that my kids will go through in their days. This is the kind of thing I wish I could protect them from completely even though I know it would be impossible and silly and maybe even harmful to do so.

Jack is shy. Well, not shy, a little withdrawn. Reserved. He'll talk you a blue streak if you bring up the right subject (trains) but the kids at school are into Star Wars and Power Rangers and fire breathing dragons, etc. He just isn't interested. He is very good at doing his own thing and being perfectly happy with it. Recently he started calling two little boys, who happen to be in a set of triplets, his friends. This is a big step for him. Usually if you ask who his friends are he'll name some of his cousins or Zoe.

So I'm talking to the triplets' mom about Kindergarten and how she's decided to keep them in preschool one more year. I asked when their birthday is and she's says April 6. "Oh, it's coming up soon!" I say cheerfully. The other moms come in and say things like, "(insert boy's name here) can come Saturday." or "We're going to be out of town this weekend." I'm not thinking much about it. But as soon as the triplets walk in the classroom they are gushing about their birthday party. "Lots of people are coming and we're gonna have cake and go swimming."

Jack wasn't invited.

He just looked up at me in the doorway. I don't know if he caught what was going on or not. And he'd never admit it if he did. He walked over to the circle and sat down and started talking to one of the teachers. I waved goodbye cheerfully, trying to ignore the lump in my throat.

Normally, this sort of thing does not bother me a bit, and in this case, I might be a little relieved, seeing that there would be three gifts to buy. As a mom, I know you can't invite everyone to a party, and for Pete's sake, Jack didn't invite any little friends to his party. But this time my heart just sank. The two boys that he's calling his friends. Bummer.

All of those feelings from my school days just rushed back about who likes who best and who is not invited and who is and who gets to play on what team. I know these are my feelings and not Jack's, but man, it smarts. I'm just going to have to play it cool and forget about it. I know he won't think about it again and good for him. Way to go kid. It's just too early to deal with this, you know?