Highlights of the week

• seeing fresh peaches, pears, and nectarines on the counter when I got home from work one day. What a lovely sign that (a) summer is here, (b) my kids like fruit, and (c) Neil does our grocery shopping. (I'm grateful for all of these things!)
• hearing Sophia tell me all about how Tuesday was "The Best Day of School Ever!" because her class (grades 2/3) threw a surprise wedding shower for their teacher who is getting married this summer. I love seeing Sophia's smile and the twinkle in her eyes when she's so excited about something.
• visiting a new local bakery, Koko Pâtisserie, on Tuesday with Neil and Georgia to get gifts for the girls' teachers (thank you for the idea, Cheryl!). We bought beautiful lemon and chocolate petite gateaux (cupcakes) for the teachers, and a fleur de sel caramel and dark chocolate tart for ourselves (mmmmm!).
• hearing what a student said to Neil on one of the last days of school: "Do you know why lunchtime was the best this year? Because you were our supervisor!"
• working on my June 12 of 12 scrapbook page on Tuesday -- and having the girls go to bed exceptionally well for me while Neil was at the Rider game.
• attending a fascinating technology discussion at my workplace on Wednesday, featuring Dr. David Gerhard, from the Dept. of Computer Science and Dept. of Music at U of R, speaking on new developments in human-computer interface design: "Human interface and new technologies: Beyond point and click."
• receiving the news from my doctor that my renal utrasound looked fine. Such a relief.
• reading Sophia and Madeline's report cards. They did very well in school this year and I'm very proud of them!
• getting out in the yard four times to do some weeding. I filled a large yard bag each of the first three times and I'm nowhere near done with the whole yard. It's a good thing I don't mind doing this task. In fact, I find it quite satisfying. I love the result and being outside.
• having supper at L&B's in their backyard on Friday with lots of family on Neil's Mom's side. Thanks to Shauna and Donna for preparing everything! I especially loved the fruit crisp for dessert.
• going to the Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings concert on Friday night. Fantastic! They put on a great show and it was awesome to see them perform their songs from their time together in The Guess Who as well as their separate careers, especially Bachman-Turner Overdrive. Scads of familiar songs and I liked the stories and background they interjected between songs. I also enjoyed the opener, Booker T (and his band for this tour which included Marc Ford of The Black Crowes, and Troy Gonyea of The Fabulous Thunderbirds -- amazing lead guitar!). I knew nothing about Booker T previously and was surprised the whole set was instrumental. Check out this video of classic 60s music written by Booker T (playing the organ): Green Onions. (I love the dancing in this video!)
• surprising the girls with a trip to Candy Cane Park at 9 a.m. on Saturday morning after picking them up from a sleepover at Laurel's. Perfect time to go to Candy Cane Park! We almost had the place to ourselves. I've only been there when it was crowded.
• knocking a bunch of items off my long to-do list on the weekend. I'm thrilled to have some free time again! I even managed to completely organize our linen closet which was quite a disaster area. So much better now!