Aunt way out of line about niece’s birthday

Dear Diane: My daughter, “Wendy,” turned 7 last week. As a part of Wendy’s birthday celebration, her father and I — along with both sets of grandparents — purchased tickets for her and her cousin “Marsha” to attend a Hannah Montana concert.

Along with the ticket, we had gathered $200 in spending money for Wendy, which we entrusted to her aunt (my sister-in-law), “Paige,” who would be taking the girls to the concert (we paid for her ticket, too). I told Paige she could use $20 for gas, and some of the $200 to buy them dinner at McDonald’s. The rest of the money was Wendy’s to spend at the concert for any souvenirs (T-shirts, posters, whatever) she might want.

When Wendy returned from the concert, all she had was a T-shirt. I asked Paige what happened to the $200. Paige said she had to use some of Wendy’s birthday money to buy her own daughter a T-shirt. Also, she used $60 to fill up her SUV. And since Paige didn’t want to eat McDonald’s, she took the girls to a more expensive restaurant.

I told Paige she didn’t have the right to spend so much of Wendy’s birthday money on herself and her daughter. Paige said she didn’t do anything wrong, since she feels like she should’ve been compensated more for “babysitting.”

I am furious. What do I do?

— Livid in Livonia

Dear Livid: Paige was way out of line. She not only owes you and Wendy an enormous apology, she should pay back the money she used to feed herself and Marsha, the T-shirt she bought for her daughter and $40 of the gas money she stole from your child.

If getting free tickets for herself and her daughter and niece to go to a concert was such a chore for her, she should’ve told you that someone else should take the girls. Her whole “babysitting” excuse is a load of bull.

If Paige refuses to pay Wendy back, then refuse to get her a birthday or Christmas present this year. Spend the money on Wendy.