Monday was my daughter April's birthday. We hadn't planned a big blowout -- no Chuck E. Cheese or Mr. Gattis were in the works.

We hadn't even planned a special dinner out like we usually do but it was assumed that's what we would do.

April's outgrown clowns and ponies and birthday parties in general -- not that she ever got a pony at a party. But it took me by surprise yesterday when she came into our home office where I was on the computer and asked me to pick out a pair of earrings and I had to do it fast because her date was on his way.

I picked out what I thought was a nice pair, she grabbed them and put them on just as her date arrived. Out the door she flew.

We barely had time to wish her a happy birthday. But I guess when you're 28 years old, you've had enough of family birthday time.