Julia, you are now 7 years old. And I can't believe it. You are sweet, funny, friendly, meticulous, and all-around amazing. You've grown so much in these past 7 years. You even had to show your friends how far you've come!
You pretty much have a plan for everything. Including your birthday party. You planned your slumber party with 5 of your closest friends...itinerary and all.
And you guys pretty much did everything on your list! Except playing Heads Up, but you were fine with that. Because, instead, you all chose to SWIM in a VERY COLD SWIMMING POOL instead!
You guys played, decorated a cake, played more, danced, sang, swam, ate, watched Toy Story 4, plated "pin the horn to the unicorn," at pizza, and all bunked up in your room for a (pretty decent) night's sleep.
This birthday party idea of yours, which was your idea from top to bottom, was one of my favorite of your birthday parties.
I get to see you play with your friends at Rainbow Pizza pretty frequently, but this was something a little more intimate, and more creatively-driven by you, your friends, and your collective imaginations.
You played "teenager" with broken electronics.
You played family for ages...inside and out.
You performed choreographed routines and unchoreographed dances inside...and out :)
And you demonstrated why you are such a beautiful person...inside and out.
After a whole evening and most of a morning without drama, some people's feelings got hurt (including yours)... it's bound to happen). You were bummed for a bit. You let of some steam by yourself, talked to your friend whose feelings were also hurt...and then came to me. I asked you what was wrong. You said "I think some people need to have a talk. Can you get me the 'peace spoon'?" So, I gave you the spoon...and you gathered your friends to have a guided, constructive talk. And you resolved your feelings...and you all continued to have a blast for the rest of the day.
Pretty amazing for a 7 year old, huh?
The party was fantastic. You collectively decorated your birthday cake (which I forgot to take a "pre-op" photo of!).
You all lasted way longer in the pool than we thought you would...and then took a big hot shower in your swimsuits together to warm up!
In the morning I made y'all pancakes (and you made your famous eggs); then there were games, pedicures, more swimming, and one by one your friends were picked up by their moms and dads...
But the memories and the friendships and the warm glow of an awesome fun birthday party will hopefully last with you for a good, long time.

















































