Like, the Best Day Ever

Last night, facing the end of her swim session (including the bump up to Level Two, meaning a new teacher AND new kids in her class), as well as the end of camp, Julia had a massive sobbing melt-down, lamenting over everything from the above-mentioned activities to the fact that she will be starting kindergarten at a new school in the fall with an entirely new set of kids.  My heart broke for my poor daughter as she bawled over what feels like a really, really big deal for a five-year-old.  Despite my assurances that she would only gain more new friends and experiences as things progress, it seemed she just needed some time to cry and get some comfort while she expressed herself.  Thankfully, the chapter of "Ramona Forever" that I read to her at bedtime was enough of a distraction from her woes, until her big-mouthed mother decided to re-open the wound:

ME: (upon finishing the chapter) So, Jules, are you feeling a little bit better now?
JULIA: Well, Mama, I was thinking so much about what was going on in the Ramona chapter that I forgot all about being sad!

This morning, Julia was in more chipper spirits, and managed to have a day jam-packed full of excitement.  Not only did she get to take her Saturday morning trip to the bagel store with Daddy and Madeleine, but we got to take a family grocery-shopping trip, only to discover it was PARTAY CENTRAL at the Trader Joe's.  Apparently they were celebrating their 15th anniversary, doling out free samples in every aisle, handing out plastic leis, and holding a raffle for all customers who wished to enter.  Julia and Madeleine were both ENTHRALLED with their faux-Hawaiian necklaces:

"Mama, I got red, which is SORT OF like PINK!"

And guess who won the raffle and got a free bag of Trader Joe's loot!?!:

As we arrived home to get ready for a fun afternoon at our friend Wyatt's birthday party, Julia joyfully exclaimed, "Mama, this is, like, the BEST DAY EVER!  First, I got to have a chocolate chip bagel for breakfast.  Then we went to Trader Joe's and I got to try TWO FREE SAMPLES, then we got these NECKLACES and STICKERS, and in the car I got to eat some CHOCOLATE POPCORN that you won in your bag, and now we get to go to Wyatt's house and go in the SLIPPERY SLIDE!"

That would be the Slip 'n Slide, down which both kids hurtled their bodies with reckless abandon:

They also got the added bonus face paint, as well as chocolate cake, goody bags, and a take-home helium balloon.  Check out their mermaid faces:

And, as if that was not enough, after the birthday party the girls got to go to free swim at the pool with me, where Julia showed off some of the fancy moves that got her into Level 2 swim lessons in the first place.  She had the whole order planned out, deciding her bob under water would be her "Grand Finale," then changing her mind and opting to open with her bob instead.  Enjoy!:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=47Fo6Jmr6O0