Swimming Lessons

Punky took swimming lessons this week. I signed him up at a lady’s home, and she has a swim school that she runs right from her backyard. I. love. it.  They are super great with the kids and have umpteen tricks up their sleeves to get the kids motivated to swim.   They are great!

Punky had major trepidations each morning as we were home getting ready to go. He would beg, plead, and bargain for the chance to NOT swim each day. Until today!

I heard, “Mama, go take a shower, I want to go swimming under the water right now!”

So, I quickly got ready, and we headed out the door. (I forgot the camera, which I promised Hubby I’d take pictures and a few movies, so I had to turn around and go back home to retrieve it!)

Punky got there, and the boys stand around until it’s there time to go into the pool. (11:15 AM)

Waiting their turn to go into the pool area. Punky chose to pose like a diva!

Coach Taylor and Punky out in the water...

Punky waits his turn on the step while his buddy goes out in the water with Coach Taylor!

Punky's buddy (and his cool goggles) with Coach Taylor!

 

Punky on the noodle! He loves that thing!

About to practice blowing some bubbles in the water...

Pool Time Fun!

Punky had a friend come over last Friday to have some fun in the “Frog pool.” Fun is definitely what they had!

 

Ready to RUN and JUMP into the Pool!

Time for a Drink!

Lots of laughing!

I love this picture of Punky!

Summertime Fun!

Check out the hair!

Smile!

Summertime Studs!

Wow! It’s Cold!

Splashing Around

A Striking Resemblance?

Here’s a picture of Hubby:
  

Here’s the “My Dad” portrait that Punky made for his “Dada” today when we were at KidCreate Art Studio:

What do ya think?

A Breakfast of Champions

This week, this has been Punky’s request for breakfast each morning:

Yes, that would be buttered toast with these on top:

Mustard and Ketchup.

But, this morning, he wanted this concoction with a side of:

Baby dill pickles.

As much as my stomach churned when I handed him his plate, he went on to make his concoction even more disgusting:

He combined the two! 

Ick.   Now all he needs is a frickin’ burger!  (Don’t give him any more ideas!)

Remember this delicacy in our house?    I will NOT Be trying the one from this morning.

He then gobbled it up like nothing was wrong with this picture.

Thank God Hubby will be home tomorrow morning to help with the preparation of Punky’s breakfast.

Worth Trying

Both of these are fabulous recipes I found in a Weight Watchers Cookbook.   We had them both this week, and Hubby loved them, too, so I thought I’d share!

 

Angel Hair Pasta with Prosciutto and Mushroom Cream Sauce
1 (9 oz) package refriegerated angel hair pasta
Olive Oil Cooking Spray
1 (8 oz) package mushrooms, quartered
1/4 cup julienne-cut ready to eat sun-dried tomatoes (such as California Sun Dry)
1 1/2 tablespoons minced garlic (about 5 cloves)
2 ounces very thinly sliced prosciutto (about 4 slices), sliced crosswise into 1/2 inch strips
1/2 cup dry white wine (you can substitute Fat Free less-sodium chicken broth, but come on!)
1/2 cup fat free, less-sodium chicken broth
1 cup frozen baby green peas, thawed
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 (10 oz) container refrigerated light Alfredo sauce (such as Buitoni)
1/4 cup preshredded fresh Parmesan cheese

1.  Cook pasta according to package directions, omiting salt and fat.  Drain and keep warm.

2.  While pasta cooks, heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.  Coat pan with cooking spray.  Add mushrooms, and saute 5 minutes or until tender.  Add sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and prosciutto; saute 2 minutes.  Add wine and broth; bring to a boil.  Boil 3 minutes or until liquid is reduced to 1/2 cup.  Stir in peas, pepper, Alfredo sauce, and pasta; toss gently to coat.

3.  Spoon pasta into individual bowls, and sprinkle with cheese.  Serve immediately. 

YIELD:  6 servings (Serving size: 1 cup pasta and 2 teaspoons cheese)

POINTS value (if you care):  6

Lemon Caper Pork Medallions
1 (1pound) pork tenderloin, trimmed
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon oilve oil
3/4 cup fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
3 tablespoons capers
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 lemon, thinly sliced

1. Cut tenderloin crosswise into 8 slices; place between 2 sheets of plastic wrap, and pound to a 1/4 inch thickness using a meat mallet (or a small heavy skillet–that worked GREAT!) Sprinkle pork with pepper and salt. Heat oil in alareg nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add pork, and cook 2 minutes on each side or until browned.

2. Add broth and remaining ingredients to pan; bring to a boil. Cook 2 to 3 minutes or until liquid is reduced by half. Transfer pork to a serving platter. Spoon sauce and lemon slices over pork medallions.

YIELD: 4 servings

Points: 4

I served this over pasta tossed with chopped flat-leaf parsely to soak up the savory pan juices, and added steamed green beans for a meal with a total points value of 6 per serving.

Just checking in….

Summer has begun!

We went to IL this past weekend for a family wedding, and we had so much fun seeing everyone!  Stacey and Jason were beaming all day long, and the whole party, ceremony, reception was beautiful!  Here’s a quick pic of  the couple (Stacey is my cousin):

Some of us had a bit too much fun.     Not naming any names, but someone threw up in the minivan as Hubby was driving us back to my parents’ house.   But, hey, I made it INTO the garbage can, then wrapped up the bag and handed it to Hubby when we got home.  I haven’t done that since college years…..a L-O-N-G time ago!   Merlot, anyone?   Didn’t think so.   I don’t care for any either….yet.  Give me a few more weeks.

Punky got his haircut for summer….a fauxhawk.   It cracks me up, as he is so worried that it looks ok at all times! 

I guess he wanted me to NOT take his picture anymore!

But, I never listen to him.  

a nice attempt at a smile…

Punky and I have been choosing a room a day to clean out in search of garage sale fodder for our sale in July.   Yesterday we conquered the  kitchen.    Today, we’re still arguing over which room gets done!    I have to move his GeoTrax set up first!   That in itself could take a few days! (they are in a different room as teh one that is pictures, but you get the idea….)

Instantaneous Depressive State

I logged in to check the weather at the National Weather Service as I had been thinking of some fun things to do on Saturday night and Sunday with the family.

Here’s how to instantly get depressed…

Really?   Come on…

What a way to spend the first weekend in JUNE… wearing frickin’ sweatshirts, jeans, and rain coats!  So much for getting a bit of a suntan before the wedding in IL next weekend!  

Guess, we’ll be planning on indoor activities!

A Great Loss

I started back at Weight Watchers a few weeks ago.  As of tonight……I have lost 7.8 lbs!  Woooooohooooo!!!  

Just thought I’d share this easy, yummy, and very filling recipe with you!

Cinnamon Granola

prep: 6 minutes;
cook:  9 minutes;
other: 10 minutes (cooling)

1 cup old fashioned rolled oats

1/4 cup toasted wheat germ

3 Tablespoons turbinado sugar

2 Tablespoons coarsely ground walnuts

2 Tablespoons nonhydrogenated buttery spread (like Smart Balance), melted

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Cover a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.  Combine all ingredients on prepared baking sheet.  Bake at 400 degrees for 9-10 minutes, stirring after 5 minutes.  Cool completely.  Store in an airtight container for up to one week.  YIELD:  4 servings (Serving size: 1/2 cup)

Per serving:  Calories 191 (43% from fat); Fat 9.1g (sat 1.7g); Protein 5.3g; carbs 24.6g; fiber 3.8g; cholosterol 0mg; iron 1.7mg; sodium 192mg; calcium 17mg and if YOU are keeping track of points, each serving is 4 points.

I have been sprinkling my serving over a serving of Honey Bunches of Oats Cereal (2 points)(Well, the Aldi version of that cereal, Good Gosh, how I HEART Aldi!) and I am completely satisfied until my lunch at 12:15! (with absolutely NO snacking between my classes!)

So, give it a try and let me know how ya like it!  Yum! Yum!

Park Pleasures

Punky and I stopped at a park near our home on our way back from another yummy dinner at Chris & Rob’s tonight. 

He had so much fun steering the ol’ pirate ship!  (These are pics from my cell phone, so forgive the quality!)

A Recapitulation…

of life at our house the past 2 weeks.

Memorial Day weekend:  We went to the lake on Saturday.  Hubby, Brian, Dad, and Punky put in  the dock.  I raked out and weeded one of the gardens, ran errands for “staples” in town.  After our lunch, Brian and Dad headed out, leaving the 3 of us there.   It was weird being at the lake alone as a little family of three.  Punky enjoyed fishing from the dock.  He even caught a 7″ bass!  Punky and Hubby went out on multiple paddleboat rides as well.   I even joined them for one.  We had a fire outside and roasted marshmallows.  Punky just likes them uncooked; I love mine charred, and Hubby likes his lightly toasted.  (Of course, we didn’t take any pictures at the lake… no, really, we didn’t!)

Memorial Day: we went to Blue Earth, Minnesota for my mother-in-law’s family’s reunion.   It’s weird going there without her, but it’s so nice to see her sister and her family.   That’s why we keep going!     Blue Earth Minnesota is home of ….

Yep, that guy!  The one and only… Jolly Green Giant!  (I know, you’re all singing…..”Ho ho ho, Green Giant!”)

And, just in case you missed him in the picture above, here’s Punky…

Life in our backyard is growing!   Our seeds are up!   Our rhubarb is humongous! 

Hubby even put together the fire pit we bought and set it up.  We had our first fire at home on Thursday night.  Punky loved it, and wanted to know where the marshmallows were!

And, just in case you wanted to see it, this is the freakiest picture I have ever taken of our cat, Charlie.

 

Friday, Saturday, Sunday we had the flu bug… well, I did, then Hubby, and KNOCK ON WOOD, not Punky yet!

This next week will be busy with various meetings at church, packing up the classroom, and trying not to get too excited that summer (for me) is only 2 weeks away! 

Letting it all go…

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a sucker when it comes to signing up at all those “party” companies.   So, as of midnight last night, I am done.

• Done being an AtHome Specialist with AtHome America.
• Done with being a Consultant with Creative Memories.
• Done with being a SPA Consultant with BeautiControl.

I have to start cutting back with the “stuff” all around me.   I feel overwhelmed,  overtired, overworked, exhausted, and I am sick of trying to keep up with all of it.

So, I am done.

And, I feel…free!

A new fave

Walking through Super Target in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, purple and gold crap stuff, and a huge amount of Twins paraphenelia, Hubby spotted a CHICAGO CUBS hat in the Boys department.  Punky got so excited!  The Cubs!

We bought it for him, and we took it home.  He immediately had us take off the tags, and it hasn’t been an arm’s reach away from him since.

He. loves. his. hat.

He hangs it over his bedpost when he sleeps.  He put it on this morning, then stumbled into the bathroom to go potty.  This past weekend when we were in Owatonna at a hotel, Punky slept with his beloved Chicago Cubs hat on the bedstand right next to his head.   He popped right up in the morning and promptly plopped it on his head.

See, he LOVES it!

And trust me, it doesn’t leave his side!

An Apology

My Brother-in-law and my father-in-law have grossed me out for years talking about their “Macaroni and cheese.”  I always cringe wwhen they talk about it as it sounds GROSS! They love their mac-and-cheese with jelly mixed in with it!  What?!?!?  Can I get one big collective “Ewwwwwww.?!?!” Ick.

Punky would not eat his macaroni and cheese last night for supper.   Apparently Kelly makes it the best, and mine is subpar.

So, Hubby chimed in, “Ya know how Grandpa Kenny eats his mac-and cheese?”

Punky, wide-eyed and eyebrow raised:  “How?”

Hubby: “with jelly on it!”

Me:  eyes roll towards the heavens

Punky: ” Me try it!”

Hubby goes to get the jelly.   Apparently, it’s best with grape jelly, but we only had raspberry.  So, Hubby scooped out a massive red blob on the day-glow orange macaroni and mixed it up.   Unable to stand it anymore, and to put this disgusting entree to rest in my mind, I grabbed a spoon and tried it.

Yum.

Surprisingly, it was very good!

So, as my big brother (in-law) (Hi, Brian!) says, “Hey, don’t knock it, til you try it!”

So, I apologize from the bottom of my enormous heart to my big brother and my father-in-law.   It was tasty!

Summer Activities

My mind has slowly been checking out of school this week.   Not surprising with 97 degree weather yesterday and 95 today…

Summer is coming.

Thank. God.

So, I am starting to find things to do with Punky.   Some of our favorite things to do in the metro area…

• Como Zoo (including Cafesjian’s Carousel)
• KidCreate Studio (The Thomas the Tank Engine class is très appealing!)
• Local parks
• Elm Creek Beach (We had LOTS of fun there last year!)
• Minneapolis Farmers’ Market
• Storytimes
• Library Visits
• Movie Theater Specials for Kids

This summer I want to go to the Minnesota Children’s Museum, which I have a hunch is just like the Kohl’s Museum we went to in IL in March.

I also want to go to the Minnesota Transportation Museum.   Punky would love the Jackson Street Roundhouse!

I’d like to go to the Firefighter’s Hall & Museum too.

We’ll probably be heading to Chicago for a week, too, to visit my family.  Punky is already talking about his trip to see Gwandma Holly and Gwandpa Ed! Plus, we have the Annual Hill Picnic!

I will keep checking the GoCityKids website for daily ideas for even more fun…

My Morning Sweetness

Daycare is closed so that Kelly can go on a field trip with her little guy, so Hubby is home with Punky.

I was leaving for school and I said, “Bye Buddy!  Have a good day with Dada!”

“Mama, say hi to your students for me.”

“Do you remember some of them?”

“Yes, but say hi to the ones I haven’t met yet too.”

Awwwwwww.  He just warms my heart.

Finally… shorts weather!

Punky has been asking for weeks to put out his sand/water table in the backyard.  We told him it was still to chilly, and when he started wearing shorts, we could put it out.

This morning, as I helped him into his shorts, the light bulb flickered. 

“Hey, Mama, now that I wear shorts, we can put out my water table.  Maybe tonight.”

So, tonight Hubby set it up for him in the backyard…

 

 

He had lots of fun!

Did you see it?

I haven’t seen one in quite awhile.

The old fashioned, slap-you-in-the-face cliffhanger season finale.  Remember when you’d be watching the season finale, you’d be at the edge of your seat…. your stomach would tighten, your pulse quicken…and then, the credits would roll and you’d be left thinking about possibilities until the fall. 

We all remember  Dallas’ “Who Shot J.R.?” 

The West Wing when shots were fired at President Bartlet (Martin Sheen)

When Jim finally kissed Pam in The Office

The Dynasty wedding when the bash was interrupted by terrorists

Who shot Mr. Burns on The Simpsons

When Ross said the wrong name during his wedding on Friends

When Kimberly was going nuts and trying to rig a bomb to blow up Melrose Place

Remember those?

This week, I watched the Brothers & Sisters finale.  Yawn. 

I have yet to see the How I Met Your Mother, Two and a Half Men, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, and American Idol finales as they are on next week.

But, I did watch Grey’s Anatomy.

Holy Crap!

Talk about taking your insides, repeatedly wringing them out, then just as you are about to hang them out to dry, you get slapped in the face…..and not just a slap…… a frickin’ walloping smackdown! 

I sat there…with my mouth wide open, jaw on the floor, kleenex in hand, sobbing as the credits rolled wondering what the hell just hit me.

Wow.   I miss those kinds of cliffhangers…

So, I will spend my summer wondering what the heck hit me, where Izzy is going?   What did that look mean?  Where was Denny?  Did she understand why George was there with her?  Where will George go?  WHAT THE HELL WILL GREY’S LOOK LIKE WITHOUT THOSE TWO?  They are my favorite characters…and what will that mean for everyone else on Grey’s?  Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm. 

Did you say it?
I love you
I don’t ever want to live without you
You changed my life
Did you say it?
Make a plan
Set a goal
Work toward it
But every now and then
Look around
Drink it in
Cause this is it
It might all be gone tomorrow.

Maybe I should have titled this post, “Did you say it…”

TMI and Charting

So, no secret here, we’re trying to get pregnant.   We had no problem conceiving Punky.  In fact pregnancy #2 wasn’t hard either, but since then…woah.  I have been taking Clomid for three months now and have been charting my basal body temp (BBT) each morning.  Have you ever charted before?  It’s so damn interesting!  (And, when you click the mouse and can put all of your charts together, you get a nice colorful graph of your cycles…anyone who knows me…..color, graphs, cool!)  So, here is my “chart overlay” for the past three months…all three months are on this chart.  If you have no clue about charting, I’ll fill you in a bit.

So, I take my temp every morning before I get up.  The beginning of my cycle, I usually hang out in the 97 degree range.   Once I ovulate, my body produces progesterone, making my temperature rise.  You can see in the graph that after ovulation, I hang out in the 98 degree range.  Then, if the egg is not fertilized, your body begins getting ready to discard it… so your body stops producing the massive amounts of progesterone, so your temperature “nose-dives” right before your period.   If you are in fact pregnant, your temperature will stay elevated, as your body will continue to produce progesterone.  Make sense?

So, why do I share this with you?  Because, today my temperature nose-dived.  (See that blue line?!) I just wanted to throw my thermometer across the room this morning! 

I know God has a plan for us.  Putting all my faith in God and His plan still has not made me feel any better today.

I know I’ll pick myself up, dust myself off, and keep trudging along… but damn this is frustrating!  So, next week,  I will return to the doctor’s office and go through my charts.  I know the meds are working, as I am ovulating, regularly (which was the original problem).  I will gear up for round four.  Keep us in your prayers……

We also rejoice in our sufferings, because We know that suffering produces endurance; endurance, character, and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has been poured out into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given to us. (Rom 5:4-5)

Punky talks about having a little brother or sister, and it just breaks my heart… I want to yell, “Sweetie, we’re trying!  Nothing would make Mama happier!”

Until then, I will gear up for Round 4, hug my blessings, and continue to plod along!

My Human Post-It Note

Punky never forgets anything.  And I do mean A.N.Y.T.H.I.N.G!

He’s having a rough time this week – being sick doesn’t help it either – but the boy cannot wait for summer when he gets to stay home with me.  I told him over the weekend that I would make him a calendar for the fridge so that he can countdown the days until it’s summer!  Last night, I was putting him to bed, and as he was starting to drift to sleep, he bolted up and said, “Mama, you didn’t make me my calendar yet!”

The boy forgets nothing.

So, I just finished printing out his calendar, and as I promised this morning, I will pick him up early and we can snuggle on the couch (as this is all he wants when he is sick!)

Punkycalendar – Here’s the easy-to-read, toddler friendly, clear calendar template I found online for Punky’s countdown.  I found it here.

Mother’s Day

My most favorite gift for Mother’s Day… came from Punky.   He painted a flower pot and planted a flower in it for me.   He also answered some questions and Kelly wrote them down for him.

So Sweet.

I have the BEST Mom ever!

This is a picture of my mom!   (Punky drew a green alien looking face on his sheet)

My mom is 5 years old.

My mom is 9 tall.

My mom has brown hair.

My mom has blue eyes.

My mom’s favorite color is pink.

My mom’s favorite food is chicken nuggets.

My mom smiles when I do good things.

My mom likes to spend time with me.

I LOVE MY MOM!

Love,

Punky

He wasn’t completely right on every answer…. but he got the most important one right!  

“My mom likes to spend time with me.”

I love you, Punky.  All the way up to the moon and back down to the “erf” (as you say).  I absolutely love being your mommy! 

Happy Mother’s Day to all of you!

And, probably most importantly, Happy Mother’s Day to my mom… Grandma Knock Knock!  Thank you for teaching me through your example all about being a wonderful mom!  I love you,  and I miss you all the way up to the moon and back down to the Earth (or “erf” in Punkinese!)  Thank you for being YOU!