Wednesday's Words of Wisdom Not My Own.....

Deep summer

is when laziness

finds respectability.

~Sam Keen

Summer....

Summer is fast approaching. Sam is already done with school. Peter has just 8 more days. I'm starting to panic.

My kids idea of a perfect summer is unlimited video games, pool time, and sleep. I like summer to be just a little more productive than that. Last year I tried to have a S.M.A.R.T. summer. It flopped. I'm not sure what to do this year. We do have several activities planned. Scout camp and things like that, but we will still have plenty of down time. I have learned over the years that too much down time leads to kids that are cranky, argumentative, and bored.

So, I'm coming to you for help. What can I do (or have my kids do) that will be fun, productive and inexpensive? Any ideas??

Goodbye, Summer.....

Even though my kids have been back in school for a few weeks now, today represents the official end of summer. I guess it's because, among other things, it's the last day that the neighborhood pool is open. So, here is my 'end of summer' tribute:

In June, Laura and Jennie came to visit.....

We played at the park......

And went swimming at the neighborhood pool......

In July, we celebrated our country's independence........bought two new (used) cars.........

babysat turtles while our friends were on vacation.......

And went swimming at the neighborhood pool....

In August, we started school.......

Played in the backyard........


And went swimming at the neighborhood pool......

Special thanks to Sam and Peter for being the best 'pool buddies' ever this summer!! You guys really made the summer fun for Sirius and Sabian. I know that I couldn't have done it without you......THANKS!!

I hope all of you had a great summer, too......I can't wait for next year!!

One more day of Summer...

Peter had a great weekend with Jared, one of his best friends ever. Jared came over on Friday afternoon and they 'hung out' until late Saturday afternoon. They rode bikes in the neighborhood, went to the pool (to 'check out the ladies') did parkour at the playground, shot paintballs at each other, went to a late night movie (The Dark Knight) followed by a late night trip to McDonald's, rode bikes to visit friends in the neighborhood, rode around in Peter's car (Joe drove), played video games and basically just enjoyed one of the last days of summer. They start school on Tuesday.

Here they are preparing for battle. Jared with the gun, Peter in the helmet. Jacob, Sam and Sabian are watching.

Here is Peter reacting to being shot.....I refused to take a picture of the welt, let's just say it was a shot 'below the belt'!

Peter and Jared in Peter's car....Joe drove them around the neighborhood, but here they are planning future adventures.............

Watch out, ladies!!! Who could resist these two?

Yes, they really are that cool!

Now that the weekend is over and school starts on Tuesday, along with early (EARLY) morning Seminary that starts at 6:15, we have been talking about school night rules/bedtime. We agreed that the television would be off by 8pm on Sunday nights and will probably not be on at all Monday through Thursday. (I can dream, can't I??) We were going to start our plan tonight...until Peter saw this:

And then I saw this:

And heard: "Please, Mom!!"

Now, granted, school doesn't start until Tuesday, so technically it's not a school night yet. But the first time he saw this movie I had to listen to him talk like Napoleon Dynamite for months. (Gosh!!) I really don't want to go through that again. But, I'll probably throw caution to the wind and give in......after all, it is still summer......for one more day.....

Company!!

We had a great weekend with Laura and Jennie visiting. They showed up on Friday afternoon and stayed until late Sunday. We had lots of fun just sitting around talking, watching movies (August Rush & The Bucket List), swimming, playing video games and partying. We did a double celebration on Sunday of Laura's birthday (24!!) and Father's Day.



Celebrating the birthday.......



Laura and Sirius being silly.....

Jennie and Sabian.......

Sabian and Laura snuggling on the couch......

Goodbye hugs for Jennie......

And for Laura.......

All tan from hanging out at the pool~~

S.M.A.R.T. Summer!

My kids are in trouble now! When I was reading one of my new favorite blogs, I was turned on to S.M.A.R.T. Goals. Apparently, this is a tool used by corporate america (and smart parents everywhere!) to encourage productivity. S.M.A.R.T. stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Timed. There are many variations of this, of course, but you get the idea. So as I sit here with a houseful of people who think that they will spend the summer sleeping in, surfing the net, and playing video games, I am instead coming up with all kinds of ideas about how to have a more productive summer. Don't get me wrong, they can still have fun, I'm all about balance in life, I just plan to sit down with them and encourage them to set some SMART goals. For instance, Sam and Peter have Eagle Scout projects to finish, summer reading to do for school, and a room to clean. S.M.A.R.T. Goals, here we come!! Mary needs to finish her paperwork for college and get a job....S.M.A.R.T. Goals to the rescue! As for the rest of us, let's just say that I'm sure we could benefit from S.M.A.R.T. Goals as well. S.M.A.R.T. summer here we come! (I'll let you know how it works out!)

The Last Days.....Armbruster Style

It seems like we've had a lot of 'last days' lately.....

Eleanor and Mary had their 'last day' of school the first part of May. They are both taking the summer off, and Mary will probably take off fall semester, too, so she can work and save money. Our plan is that she goes to BYU Idaho in January.

Sam and Peter had their 'last day' of seminary on May 16th. I was a great year for them. Sr. Terry is such an awesome teacher! I'm glad that they've had the opportunity to learn from her. I hope she continues to teach seminary (at least until they graduate!)

Sam and Peter's 'last day' of school was May 22nd. I guess it was an okay school year. Great as far as friends go, okay as far as academics, but we're all glad it's done. I know I was tired of homework every night! Peter is most likely switching schools next year. He wants to go to Woodmont. That's fine with me. Sam wants to stay where he is though, also fine with me. At this age, I tell them to pray about such decisions, and let me know what they decide. I trust them to choose the right path for themselves.

Sirius had his 'last day' of school on Friday last week. He had a great year!! He came out of 4K reading a little bit, made lots of new friends, and is ready for Kindergarten next year. He also had an end-of-year party that was pretty fun.

Joe's 'last day' of work is tomorrow. Still no job, but he has a couple of 'irons in the fire'. One is Atlanta (think traffic!), the other in Asheville. He has interviewed with both, and now we're just waiting to hear something. He sends out resumes every day, everywhere in the country. I could tell that he was getting desperate when he told me that he applied for a job in Minnesota!! He's still thawing out from when we lived there before (1984-85) I think we're entering 'The Fourth Watch". Which must mean that this trial is almost over! (I could be terribly wrong, but let's hope not!)

My 'last days'......to send kids out the door for seminary and school, to yell at kids about homework and projects that are due, my last day to send my husband off to work. My last day of sanity? Let's just say, it could be a LONG summer!