Quiet Day At Home

Today was a nice and quiet day at home.  Matt stayed home for a second day (neither of us were feeling well).

The boys are just as happy go lucky as ever.  They have such a good time playing together.  It is so much fun to see them do that.  They really enjoy all the Thomas the train tracks and trains we have (thanks Dad for starting such a great thing).  Max builds the track and sometimes Ben breaks it, but most of the time Ben just gets some trains to run on Max's track.  It is a common occurrence to hear, "Chug-a, Chug-a, Choo Choo" in our house.

I got some work done of Christmas projects, Matt played poker on the computer and we had an all around good day.

Dinner was yummy ( I cooked this time).  I made Rita's TaterTot Casserole and the kids just love it.  Simple to make.....

1lb ground beef
1 bag frozen veggies
1 can cream of mushroom or celery soup
1 bag of tatertots

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Brown the ground beef and drain.  Place the frozen veggies in the bottom of a 9 x 13 pan.  Layer on the ground beef next, then spoon the can of soup over the beef.  Last, cover the whole thing with tatertots and bake for 1 hour.

Easy and we all loved it.

Tonight Max had soccer practice and he loves it.  He is getting pretty good at kicking....too bad he is not better at listening.  Sometimes Max goes off in his own little world, but that is to be expected at that age.  Ben was good and sat in his stroller most of the time....when he got fussy, I took him out and let him kick Max's ball around a little.  He is good too and quick.  Hard for me to catch him some times.

All in all a great day...Thanks to God for all of our blessings.

Amazing Husband

I woke up this morning sick, sick, sick.  102 temp, no voice and a cough that beats all.  Matt was kind enough to stay home today to take care of the kids while I tried to recuperate.

I have to say that I am so stinking lucky to have him. He is just amazing with the kids.  I hardly heard a peep from them while I was sleeping.  Matt did give a little eye roll when I told him I had to get up and bake cookies for preschool this afternoon.  Not only did I not have to get up, but he made them from scratch.  These were the best oatmeal raisin cookies I have ever had.

I did get the kids fed and Max dressed while Matt did some things on the internet, but that was my input for the day.  After Matt took Max to school, which he hates doing, he came home and made an amazing roast (again from scratch).  We were able to eat as a family before he left for school tonight.  WOW, my husband can cook.

I don't know how I got so lucky to find someone like him.  (Thanks for bringing him up right, Rita.)  He is such a giving and loving person.....I have want everyone to know it.  I am so blessed and so thank to have him.

Oh, the kids are doing great....Max got to see a fire truck at school today and had a great time.

Fabulous Weekend

I have to say that we had an amazing weekend. Our little Kleve Family enjoyed time together......

Max is now playing soccer. I was not sure how he would like it. Matt does not think it is a "real" sport (sorry Aunt Amy). I have to admit, though, Max loves it. He had so much fun at practice on Friday.....but since that was the first practice I was nervous about the game on Saturday. It was actually a good game. We have one kid on our team that dominated and scored 3 times. Max got to the goal and kicked, but was blocked twice. The second time he came screaming across the field crying about not being able to get it in the goal....we finally convinced him that he did a good job just trying. Some of the kiddos did not even get to kick the ball. After that, Max got to play goalie and he blocked a goal. It was awesome and we tried to focus on that rather than the missing goals. I think all in all he had a great time. We went straight to Walmart after the game to get him some shin guards and his OWN soccer bowl. He spent part of the afternoon practicing in the back yard. We have another practice this Wednesday and then a game on Saturday.....I am now officially a soccer mom. YEAH!

Sunday was a great time......we all went to Happy Apple Farms to pick pumpkins. I thought it would be great to pick berries too. The kiddos ran after Daddy as he tried to find berries for them to eat. Once he was able to show the boys berries and let them taste them, it was all over but the crying....literally. Ben would go around and pick berries, ripe or not, and eat them. Sometimes Max would follow, but mostly Ben. He would bring some to me if the stem was stuck on it. When we tried to pull him away to go and get pumpkins, it was all tears. Finally we got to the pumpkins and the boys tried to pick them all up to see if they could. Max got a couple of big ones that he struggled with, but lifted. He was told if he could carry it to the front he could have it. After a few that just did not work, he settled for a smaller one with curves like Mommy's. Ben picked one that fit in his berry bag (no berries, just an apple and a pumpkin). Matt got a typical round pumpkin.

After pumpkins, we decided we needed to find something to eat. It just so happened that the Pueblo Chili Festival was going on.....so off we went. It was pretty crowded and way hotter than we had planned for the day. 90 degrees. UGH! Anyway, we all had a good time....ate some fabulous green chili and enjoyed each other.

Sitting here on a Monday, I have to look back and be thankful for all that I have in my life. The boys are really good and my husband rocks.