Saturday 
Our new ride. Yep. It's a VAN. We succumbed to the lure of the mini-van. Deeee-lux accommodations and aging parents (Matt and I as well as the grand p's) sort of brought us to this decision. We were losing our swagger getting in and out of the sedan models. Matt still has his road-hugging 2-door Dodge Stratus which quickly restores our cool while driving and reminds us that we are not as limber as we used to be when we get out.

Mieke thinks this van is "magical" because of all the button pushing you need to do to get in and out. It has even created a competition for our little riders to see who gets to "push the button". There is a button for everything. The key fob has a variety of buttons for opening and closing and it's a little confusing on the right and left door buttons. (my right? or the car's right? facing or from the rear? oh, hell, just push a button!) Mieke has chosen the third row, passenger side seat for her domain. Furthest from mom and you get to feel all the bumps.

Sunday

Mieke loves her big sister Jelena. These two fell asleep watching a movie while we were out to lunch on Sunday. Jelena goes home the 12th of June to Serbia. Sniff, we will miss this bright young woman!

Monday

I have a part-time summer job! Hudson has a Summer Kid's Adventure program for the 12 and under set. It is in desperate need of overhaul. No one would step forward to lead so.......I threw in my application and ......being the only applicant.....I got the job. Seriously, we need something for kids to do around here with no pool and no rec center. I have 5 teens working with me four mornings a week (still leaves us lots of pool time).

SO the photo above is all the broken crayons from a large box of very sad looking crayons that came from the Community Center in Hudson. I know there is a craft for these.....yep little ones melting crayons on city property...bwa ha ha! And that is Pinkie Pie Perfect, Mieke's newest stuffed thing to love. It's a hamster.

Tuesday
Matt's dad took a ride in the new van from Paullina to Waterloo on Tuesday. Sunday he fell and had to call 911. Long story short, he has a herniated disc in his lower back. He will have surgery at Covenant Hospital today, Thursday, if all goes well. See, that van has already fulfilled its purpose.

Wednesday
Long day of errand- running.

Thursday
Mieke has been dreaming of a lemonade stand. Garage sale weekend is here so we are "building" a lemonade stand. Hot chocolate if it is cold. At the moment Mieke is picking up the toy room and when she is done, we get to build.

Keep you posted on the progress.....