Highlights of the week

• celebrating Christmas and Neil's birthday -- and enjoying all the good stuff mentioned in my last post!
• catching the bus just in time twice on Monday (before and after work), because (a) I didn't feel the least bit cold despite it being very cold out, and (b) not missing the bus is great in any weather.
• finishing my gift wrapping on Monday evening. It felt great to be so prepared a full two days in advance.
• hearing Madeline correct Junie B. Jones in the book we were reading. Junie B. said, "famouser" and Madeline said, "she should say more famous". That's my girl!
• showing Neil and the girls my office on the 11th floor. Not that it's very exciting, but they had never seen it before. It was not what Sophia had pictured.
• having a totally free evening on Tuesday. It seemed like forever since that happened, and I needed it.
• taking some of my shortbread cookies out of the freezer and finding out they're actually pretty good.
• feeling much better Christmas morning despite having some sort of stomach ailment Christmas Eve. That was a huge relief; I was worried.
• hearing and seeing the girls' reactions to their gifts. My favourite part of Christmas!
• receiving some gifts that were complete surprises.
• experimenting with my new 50mm camera lens.
• getting ALL of our Christmas decorations put away by noon on Sunday. Ahhhh! I am SO happy that's done. I do not like to start a new year with Christmas stuff lingering, and I have to work the next three days so today was the day.
• buying Madeline's birthday gift. It's perfect. Can't wait to give it to her! (We were able to do some shopping while the girls were at L&B's Sunday afternoon. Thanks again Laurel!)
• making plans for Georgia's birthday celebration. It's going to be simple and fun.
• surprising the girls with an electronic keyboard on Sunday evening. They wanted one so badly (especially Madeline) and we thought, why not get one while they're really interested. I would be thrilled if they learned to play an instrument someday.