When Matt and I were in Shelbina at the end of April we gave our nieces Madalyn and Lauren their birthday cards. Both girls have birthdays in May and we were fairly certain we would not see them again before their birthdays. Lauren opened hers immediately and was delighted with the check we had included ( I wish we saw the girls often enough for me to be able to have a better idea of what to give them for their birthdays, but for now, money will have to do). Madalyn, the traditionalist, saved her card (with check enclosed as well) for her actual birthday. When I came in the door after work today, Matt handed me a cute, little, pink notecard, gave me a look, and told me to read the notecard first. I opened it up and it is a thank you card from Madalyn that said "Thank you Matt and Lindsay. You have to explan this check cashing thing to me. Call me (and then she included her phone number) Love, Madalyn" She also included a picture of Matt and I that she had drawn on the inside of the card.

Then Matt told me to read the index card that was included inside Madalyn's thank you card. She basically explained that Madalyn had never received a check before and thought that we were sending her a bill for $20. Chris (Matt's sister) said that after she stopped laughing she had explained to Madalyn what a check was, but apparently she is still doubtful that Madalyn will accept that she is telling the truth until Matt or I calls to tell her that we are billing her for $20 and are instead giving her a gift.

I told Matt that his sister needs to write a book including all the stories of her kids.