Poor Planning

This morning Matthew asked me if I would buy him a skateboard.  "Probably I would be really good at it," he suggested temptingly.

And probably he would be.

I replied as I do to most every request for a purchase.  "[Insert name of desired object] cost money.  If you want a [insert name of desired object], you can put it on a list and ask for it at Christmas or for your birthday."

"Oh," said Matthew mournfully.  "Okay."

Then, a moment later, "Uh-oh!  I accidentally had my birthday already!"