My 8 yo son was invited to a birthday party - at the movies.  They are going to see the movie Zoom.   Me and hubby weren't sure if we should let him go, but in the end we decided he could.  We tried to find reviews on it, but since it only opened today, there weren't any yet.  M is going to stay with D to watch the movie with him.  For one, we don't like leaving him alone with people other than family, and for two, if there is anything in the movie that we don't like, we can discuss it with him.  If we don't know what's in it, how can we show him what's wrong.  This is only the third movie he has gone to see.  First was Veggie Tales and the second was Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.  He was so excited when he left here.

They called us to invite us yesterday.  We didn't have much notice.  When my hubby was getting ready to leave, he realizes that we don't have a present for the boy.  Oh no!  But I stayed calm, went to my stash of presents (I shop all year), and pulled out a hover disk.  Perfect.  Too bad for the kid it was meant for, though.    I've never been so glad I keep a stash of presents on hand. 

Moral of the story?  Overprotect your child and shop like crazy.