They are chaotic, loving, and incredibly warm. We have now shared true family stories that

remind you of the joy and flaws that make each family special, touch your heart, and

capture the beauty of ordinary life. My son, who is ten years old, came home in tears.

For the teacher’s birthday, everyone was asked to bring their mother’s speciality dish,

with the exception of him, since “he’s the poor kid.” I became enraged. My son will never

feel inferior because of me. I therefore spent the night creating my well-known pie.

I approached the teacher in private at school the following day. However, she appeared

completely taken aback and exclaimed, “Today is not a birthday! Your son is having a great

time with his friends outside! It was time for recess. I was shocked to find my son counting

a wad of cash with his friends when I went outside. He had been charging $4 for pieces of

my pie! He admitted the truth that night: he had made up the tale to get money for a video

game that I had informed him we couldn’t buy. I’m currently caught between two emotions:

pride in my son’s developing entrepreneurial spirit and disappointment that he is such a skilled liar