4 Month Check-Up

Thatcher had his 4-Month Check-Up last week and got an A+ from the pediatrician. He smiled and giggled throughout the entire appointment until he got stuck with shots. At least it started off good :)

Thatcher's 4 Month Stats:

Height: 25 1/2 inches 75%

Weight: 15 lbs. 10 oz 70%

Samantha's 4 Month Stats:

Height: 26 3/4 inches 97%

Weight: 14 lbs. 4 oz 60%

Movie at the Drive-In

After sitting abandon up near UCSB in Goleta for 19 years, the Drive-In Movie theater reopened recently. Last night we got the kids bathed and in their jammies, packed up blankets, pillows and lots of snacks and off we went to see Toy Story 3.

Samantha had the best time! Actually, we ALL had a good time (Thatcher had a good nap). The movie was really funny and cute. And Samantha stayed awake until we drove out of the parking lot.

I would choose the drive-in over the regular movie theater any day. It was cheaper, cleaner and I didn’t have to smell or listen to strangers chomping on popcorn near me.

This morning I asked Sam how she liked the movie and she kept saying, “Who was that man Barbie was talking to?” (It was Ken…..) and "Can we go to the Drive-In again to see that Toy Movie?" and "Next time I am going to take ALL my stuffed animals to see the Drive-In".

4th of July 2010

Prima Ballerina

Dancing Grandma would be so proud!

The 6 week ballet program Samantha was in ended however I learned the other day that it started again. I was hesitant to put her in the same 2-year-old Mommy and Me class because it was a bit hectic with all the parents and toddlers running around. Samantha was hit and miss when it came to listening to the teacher and performing the moves.

I decided to see if she could try out the 3 to 5 year old class. I had a feeling that if she was in a class where I wasn't in the room that she would pay better attention. Plus, like most kids, they like to mimic and be with the older ones. The teacher said as long as she was potty trained and okay with me leaving, she could try it.

I couldn't believe my eyes. She had improved so much. Since they don't let parents inside the room, I had to sneak around the corner to get a little video and a few pics but they don't really prove how good my little ballerina was.

Dress-Up Fun

Samantha is always asking Thatchie to play with her. She reads him books and shows him her toys. I always prop him up next to her and let her hold him. The only thing he does is pull her hair and drool on her. After that happens she is done playing.

Samantha spotted her old Halloween costumes and wanted to play dress-up with her brother. She thought this was the greatest thing ever and Thatchie was a pretty good sport about it.

Sammie was so upset that she couldn't get the lamb costume to fit her.

I had to show her this picture to get her to understand that it fit her when she was a little baby.

Growing Up Fast

Yes, I propped him up there :)

He has been described by friends as "Stout", "Sturdy" and "Someone you want to wrestle with." He seems to have skipped that newborn stage where they are small, delicate and wobbly. I am afraid he is going to grab the keys to my car and go for a drive or something. Slow down Thatchie!!

Jerk Pork Tenderloin with Pineapple Salsa

This marinade is excellent for pork tenderloin. I skipped the habanero chiles and used some mild jalapenos instead because I was afraid of making it too spicy for the whole family. The pineapple salsa is a great accompaniment (I omitted the jicama the recipe calls for only because they didn't have any at the store I went to). I recommend barbecuing the pork because it will give it a nice smokey flavor and crispy outer skin. Great summer recipe!

Adapted from Food and Wine Magazine

Serves 4

Ingredients
1/4 cup canola oil
2 scallions, thickly sliced
2 garlic cloves, smashed
2 Scotch bonnet or habanero chiles, stemmed and seeded
1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon light brown sugar
2 teaspoons ground allspice
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon thyme leaves
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
One 1-inch piece of fresh ginger
2 pork tenderloins (14 ounces each)
Salt

Directions

1.In a blender, combine 3 tablespoons of the oil with the scallions, garlic, chiles, soy sauce, lime juice, brown sugar, allspice, black pepper, thyme, nutmeg and ginger. Puree until smooth. Transfer the marinade to a resealable plastic bag. Add the pork tenderloins, turning to coat. Seal the bag, pressing out the air, and refrigerate for 4 to 8 hours.

2.Light a grill or preheat a grill pan. Remove the pork from the marinade. Brush with the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil and season generously with salt. Grill the pork over moderately low heat, turning occasionally, until an instant-read thermometer reaches 135 when inserted in the center of the meat, about 20 minutes. Transfer the pork to a cutting board and let rest for 10 minutes. Slice the pork and serve with the salsa.

Pineapple Salsa

Ingredients
2 tablespoons finely chopped red onion
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice
1 1/4 pounds peeled pineapple, cut into 1/2-inch dice (3 cups)
2 tablespoons fresh pineapple juice, squeezed from the rind
5 ounces jicama, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch dice (1 cup)
3 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro
1 tablespoon light brown sugar
1 jalapeño—stemmed, seeded and finely chopped
1 scallion, thinly sliced

Directions
1.In a bowl, combine the red onion with the lime juice and let stand for 10 minutes. Add the pineapple, pineapple juice, jicama, cilantro, brown sugar, jalapeño and scallion to the bowl and toss. Serve with the jerk pork tenderloin.