It was so relaxing. We did the same party we've done for the last three years—swimming and sandwiches—but this year was the best ever.

1. Almost all the people knew each other. Rose invited one family friend and the rest were kids from her class. Because most of the kids had not passed a swim test, we asked the parents to come too and please bring siblings. So, it turned into a great socializing event for families who had already hung out on the playground and chaperoned field trips together.

2. The kids are really starting to swim well. Even if they weren't quite ready to pass the swim test, most of the kids were safe in the shallow end and could be supervised easily in the deep end. I remember previous years when we had to make all the grandparents put on bathing suits and get in the water just so we had a 1-1 ratio.

3. The weather cooperated. Last year it poured. We still had fun, but it's so much easier not to be rushing around shivering.

4. My back doesn't hurt. With great empathy for Scout and other chronic pain sufferers, life is doable in chronic pain and restricted motion, but it's so much easier not. I've been thinking about this a lot recently because my back went out on the camping trip last year. So, all the big summer events I'm doing right now—the trip to Chelan, Rose's birthday—I did last year in pretty severe pain. I'm so much more relaxed this year, and I think lack 'o pain has got to get some of the credit.