Only datetime objects can be serialized exception

[Terri Kelley]

On a windows form there is a textbox to enter a persons date of birth. This is a string. In mysql there is dob set for DATE (not DATETIME).
I masked the textbox and in code check it then re order it for mysql:
ElseIf DobRegEx.IsMatch(strDobCheck) Then
Dim strDateOrder As String = "${Year}${Month}${Day}"
strDataDob = RegEx.Replace(strDobCheck, strDateFind, strDateOrder)
'TODO: send strDataDob to database
End If

strDobCheck is the str from the textbox.

in the add newrow I have:

...
newRow("dob") = strDataDob
...
ds.update...

It was my impression that mysql handled the conversion from string to date. But I get the Only Datetime objects can be serialized by MySqlDateTime expection thrown when it tries the update.

Mysql 4.0.20 and the latest MySql Connector/Net being used.

Any help appreciated.

tk