Little Lion

Charlie was a very sweet Lion for Halloween this year. He was happy as could be before we left and just as chipper a few houses and animal crackers later.

My Three Sons...My Three Sickos

Yep! That's right our boys are sick. Isaac started the whole thing a week and a half ago. He's on the mend but he left Theron and Charlie in his dust. Each of them have two ear infections and yucky coughs. We have gone through quite a bit of tissue. Charlie had the most endearing hoarse cry. Even though he cried for most of two days I wanted to be by him because his cry was so pathetic and sweet. We've got them both plump full of antibiotics now and are looking toward the light at the end of the tunnel.

Our little Gymnast

Theron is taking gymnastics from Coach Mike. He is learning to swing on and spin around the high bar, walk across the balance beam, do cartwheels, and forward and backward rolls. It's a great time for him and a fitting sport. He doesn't have to be a team player and if he falls there is always a soft landing.

Number Nine

This year was Isaac's second year playing soccer. He did a great job working with his team and following the ball. He even got in several great plays. He is so cute. At the end of each quarter he comes off of the field to get a drink and dump water on his sweaty head. He does it like a real athlete. His team is the Sharks and he is #9.
We captured a classic moment when Theron was really into the game. It is such a hillarious time watching games for kids this age. At any given moment picture this:

• at least on player on the field is crying
• one of the fullbacks is picking a dandelion to put inside of the grass nest he just made
• the goalie is sqautted down with his back to the rest of the players
• the happy kids has just waved to his mom for the third time
• two blue Sharks are trying to take the ball away from each other
• and Isaac is randomly kicking his leg into the huddle of players that could all tip over at the slightest push.

Honda Plant Tour

Our neighbor Kevin works for Honda. Today we got to go with him and his wife, Jennifer, and their two girls, Gabrielle and Julianna to tour one of the Honda plants here in Ohio. The plant is HUGE!! This is an understatement but there is not much to say to explain how big this place is. It was amazing to see how many, many parts there are to a car and how complicated a car really is. One of the neat things we saw there was the welding department. This is where they have lots of very large robots that seem to "attack" the car all at the same time to weld something here or there. It was amazing. I am allowed to say that twice in the same post because it really was.
We were not allowed to take cameras in but one of the workers took this Polaroid of the boys inside. Gabbi and Julianna were "too cool" to sit next to the dog (what a crack up!!) We'll catch their smiling faces another time. We had a great time at the Honda plant!

Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe

My favorite recipe right now is Tikka Masala. As many of our friends and family know we are a bit crazy about this dish. We can finally make it at home and be nearly as satisfied (we still have to clean up the mess).

Tikka Masala
**This is NOT a hot spicy dish

1 1/2 Tbls. vegetable oil
1 medium onion
1/4 tsp. salt
1 Tbls. (heaping) curry powder
1 can (12 to 14) ounces unsweetened coconut milk
1 cup fresh diced OR canned diced tomatoes
2 Tbls. tomato paste
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed
1/2 cup packed fresh baby spinach

Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and salt. Cook until soft (6-7 min). Add curry and stir constantly for 1 minute. Stir in Coconut milk, tomatoes, and paste. Cook until thickened (5-6 min). Stir in chicken and cook about 6 minutes or until chicken is fully cooked. Stir spinach in and cook for a couple of minutes. Season to taste with salt. Serve over Jasmine rice.

This serves 4-6 people.

One last plug...all three of our boys love this dish. Yep, that's right even 9 month old Charlie boy!

Neighborhood affair

Isaac looked out the window on his birthday. When he saw that the neighbor’s yard had been covered in toilet paper he said, “They’re decorating for my birthday!”