Rainy Day

With rain on its way, Harvey and Ryan worked outside yesterday to get ready for our first storm. As you can see, Ryan was quite prepared for the job.

This is also the outfit he chose for our trip to the grocery store. For the first time, as we were driving, he asked if I thought people would laugh at him for wearing pajamas to the grocery store. (The helmet maybe, but not the pjs). I assured him that they wouldn't, knowing that most would love his attire and the rest were probably too busy to even look down (their loss in my opinion!). One of my closest friends in college shared with me how her little boy jumped in the car with a Mr. Potato Head mustache taped to his upper lip (so he could be like his dad). She said right then and there she had to decide what kind of mom she was going to be. He kept the mustache! This photo captures what I thought having a little boy would be like (except we don't have any capes yet!). I have always loved watching Superman and Spiderman walking proudly through Target in March!

Harvey spent the day cleaning out gutters!

Erik was trapped inside!

Fun rainy day/Erik napping activities today.

Erik doesn't look like he was having fun, but after Ryan layed down he went over and snuggled next to him. It was precious. Today was the best time they have had playing together. They really did well.

Today was our second visit with our social worker. It was just Erik and me. It was a great visit and she said he was 'thriving'. We meet with her again in December. Now we need to get working on the final adoption papers.

Yummy Veggie soup on a rainy day! We all love this soup and it is super healthy and easy to make:

large yellow onion

green bell pepper

red bell pepper

celery

carrots

large can diced tomatoes

cabbage (1/2 head)

zuccini (add at end)

frozen peas (add at end)

stew meat (cut in 2 in. pieces)

chicken broth

Brown meat in oil, add salt and pepper.

Pour chicken broth/water over meat, add 1/2 onion and bring to a boil. Simmer 1 1/2 hours. Remove cooked onion.

Add chopped veggies, cook until almost tender and then add zuccini and peas.

Salt and pepper to taste.

Cook about 20 min. more or until tender

NOTE:

This is as specific as recipes from my mom's head come. I think that this was a hospital cabbage soup. Our family isn't into main courses sans meat..hence the meat. You can leave it out if you want a truly 'veggie soup'. This soup is so flexible and forgiving you can put in whatever you like in any amount. Harv doesn't like bell peppers so I skip them. I also add corn and lima beans. I get the two large pieces of chuck at Costco, cut one up for dinner and cut the other up and freeze it for the next time.