The kids and I were planning to stay at Grandma's for two days. As it turned out we ended up being there five days. Grandpa came home from the nursing home which was unexpected, so I had my work cut out for me. We had things down to a science by the fourth day. I had to get use to pushing a wheel chair around in tight spaces. Mark was there two days and able to take the kids to ride the train, see a movie and go to the play land. Hans slept every night "a dadda" and the watched shows. He say "a" instead of by. Uncle Sam came the last evening to get informed on what to do and took the kids to the park. Elle was good the entire time and when she got close he started crying and it was a monsoon by the time she got to me. Hans was excited to see both his Uncles. Uncle Erik came by and Hans didn't want to leave to go home. (Please pray for Erik as he goes in for his stem cell transplant this week.) When we were driving into our neighborhood he said no home go back. He liked all the excitement, and visitors. When we got home Abby, Andrew, Charlotte, Christian and Marshall came over and played, which made him forget he wanted to go back.

Elle is more interested in riding the trike than Hans.

Ellie loves Strawberries. It is a good thing that we are growing them.

With job losses and things like they are many of the neighborhood kids are home. They are older kids, but Hans liked having them around. They even ate lunch with us.

The best of friends! They have so much fun together.

Ellie has a new way of eating mac and cheese.

Hans started swim lessons. I was nervous, but all my high school/ college kids took great care of him. It was almost like he got a private lesson. Elle wanted to jump in but she sat down instead.

While in Miliwaukee Grandma took us to the Children's museum. Hans got to go shopping at the best grocery store sendicks. He worked on a car, rode a harley, got to be on tv, went through a heart, played doctor and so much more. He had the best time ever!!!

Hanzie and Grandma did the Jelly Belly experiment. It is one of Hanzie's favorite treats.

Grandma Cindy has so much jewelry left from Mark's mom and Grandma. Elle had the best time wearing it. At one point she was covered.

Grandpa and Grandma came to visit and took us to my favorite restaurant Zaza. Hans was going to sleepover, but we had Serina's b-day. We found out Grandma had the week off so we decided to go to Milwaukee the next day. We went to get Mark from work while we waited we went to the tree house to play.

We went for Hanzie's final school meeting for the year. They talked about how cute and sweet he is but most of all how he is the best dressed kid. They all wanted to know where his clothes come from.

We took out the jumping pit. Elle was scared at first. As you can see that didn't last long.

The way we do everything in our house is homemade. Hans is making pancakes.

We went over to Serina's 13th birthday! Happy Birthday Serina!!

Ellie is my girl that loves shoes and jewelry. She likes to pick out what she wears. I just love the pink polka dot leg warmers.

Elle loves the outdoors. She can't wait to play at her water table. She flies down the slide and swings on her belly.

For memorial day weekend, we spent the time at my grandparents. My grandpa is in the hospital and my grandma needs someone with her. Elle and I stayed with Grandma while my mom took Hans to a Kane County Cougars game. He loved being with Luke and Levi. Then we went to Russell's and met Mark. He came with our new cell phones, and I love mine.

We went to Auntie Shirley's for Garth's graduation from college. Hans had spilled one second after I got him dressed. It was quite the day! I now know there is a special angel for children. Hans went under the water for quite a while. I was worried he wasn't going to be OK. Cory was his lifesaver! When I got him I grabbed him had he hurled up water. I was pretty shaken up. I learned my lesson not to go swimming with just me and the two kids.

We got to see Erik and he looks good. Hans was really excited to see him and his cousins.

We haven't had much time for family fun nights, but we were able to go out one weekend in May! Elle loved seeing the fish, and Hans was happy to get pasta.

I am glad May is over! I am now done with school and am preparing to take certification test. I am scienced out!!!! I wish I know someone who took them recently to know what is covered. I just heard everything so I am reading cliff notes to Earth science. I now understand why I didn't take this class. I am going to be teaching Environmental Science and Chemistry, so I need to take the science test for both of these. The only thing is it covers all science, so I am worried about the physics (which I haven't taken since I was 19 and earth). Please pray all goes well.

This week my brother, Erik, is in Little Rock. He is having testing done to determine what the next step is. I am praying that everything will work out for him to go through with Kirsten's donor transplant. Please Pray for Erik and Kim!

It was such a wonderful Mother's day! Mark and I went to Kirsten and Sam's for the weekend. We had planned for the three of them to go see Star Trek while a stayed at home and watched the kids. They enjoyed it. We also got to see Luke's and Levi's baseball games. I also got to pick up some picture I was having framed, and go see the floral arrangements at Material Things to decided what I want on the credenza. Although the best stop was going to Hometown Furniture in Plainfield to pick up Hanzie's b-day gift. We got him a rotating football chair with ottoman. That is my favorite place to go, although the store in not much to look at but the prices are amazing for high end furniture! If you go ask to see the catalogs because the most beautiful stuff is not always in stock. Mark and I are trying to decide what furniture we will get next. I think it will be counter top stools and a new mattress.

Levi is into pitching. Levi and Hans prayed for Uncle Erik to get better soon so he can help them play ball. Kirsten said Levi has been praying that for a while because he want to be a good pitcher. Hans just likes to play. Levi pitched to us and Sam was impressed with our hitting skills. Kirsten and I said what do you expect when you have a brother who pitched. Mom even stepped up to the plate to hit. Levi threw a few curve balls.

Hans kept saying "come on mommy". I ran through the park with him for quite a while. It was such the perfect moment for mother's day.

Kirsten's cat and dog have the best relationship.

Reese and Hans had a great time playing ball. Reese and Hans threw it against the wall and ran to get it. Hans wasn't quite understanding the idea of taking turns.

Elle found a little girl with a chair and went to her spot an lounged. I am not so sure the girl liked her being in the seat, but luckily her parents were OK with it.

Elle was everywhere and such a mess. She seemed to be attracked to every mud pile.

We all watched Levi pitch. I thought that this was a great picture to try and capture the moment.

Heading to Kirsten and Sam's house- Hans and Elle ate and then slept most of the ride.

Monday I had to take the day off to watch the kids. It is hard to think about how much I miss with the kids. This was the first time I got to see Hans get on and off the bus. He was so excited to go, but even more excited to see me when he came home. I was able to get so much done and with the rough days at work I was thankful for the break.

Sunday Mark and I put a ceiling fan in Han's room. We decided to take out the grill. Hans ate his first bite of meat and then decided he is just going to eat the bun.

I chaperoned Prom and took pics with some of my students. This was a great year I had a bus full of students I knew. They were funny and full of energy. I was so glad to have a bunch of my boys from last year on the bus. Since I have been there four years I knew most of the students.

Adilene and a group of other girls grabbed me to dance with them. It was fun!