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...

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

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?

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.

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.

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….)

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!

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!

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!)

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!