Which, by the way, we are smack-dab in the middle of.
And it is killing me.
Anyway, Elle and I have spent a lot of time here:
And because she’s so in to Instagram she utilizes my phone to document life quite often.
We are working hard on our green-smoothie concoctions and have tried a bunch of recipes from the comments in this post. (Thank you for those btw.)
I’ll have to post our favorites when we get them figured out.
While Dave was in China our friends threw an “old fogy” party for their husbands birthdays complete with a shuffleboard tournament. Almost everyone dressed up and there were some pretty funny get-ups.
It turned out the machine was faulty and the American Mothers were not trying to make a bomb after all 🙂
The good news is that we still made our flight and were able to get back home without going to jail.
Way to go, Max.
Lucy 
Max has been scrambling to get his grades up. If he wants any chance to get into BYU (or Stanford, or Harvard, or wherever…) he has to keep a 4.0. We are crossing our fingers.
That is a post in and of itself for later. I’ve asked everyone around me ’til I’m blue in the face what they do to motivate for good grades. If anyone has great words of wisdom please send it on over.
I am valiantly trying to turn my family into bookworms. 
I’ve discovered that if I expect them to be bookworms I better become a little better one myself.
This summer is it. I’m making us all readers if it kills me.
It has been abnormally hot and so we have put the pool to good use.
Lucy has had two different swim lessons going on simultaneously and I am SO happy that she is really getting it.
She is even confident enough to jump off the waterfall.
And I’m confident enough to watch her and not have my heart stop still.
She even dares to take the slide.
Love this one:
Ouch. That’s gotta hurt.
27 comments
You are so funny. This whole post had my cracking up. 🙂
For good-grade motivation: We pay $10 per "A" and $5 for an "A-." B's or lower get nothing. If there are straight A's (no A- 's) they get a $100 bonus. This can be done 4x each school year, once for each term's report card. Yes, it's kind of a stretch, but it does motivate our kids and so far our first two girls have gone to college with pretty much full scholarships based on their great grades! (so the theory is that it saves us money in the long run).
i love the little tid bit of posts! I already worry about what school my kids will want to go to , and my oldest is only 8! LOL Never to early right 😉
I love to read, and Grace my oldest does too, i am sooo hoping my others follow me and not their dad in this!!
ps, can we have an update on the new house 🙂
Hello!
I am one of the other moms that was featured on Shannon's blog last week. I was honored to be asked, but when I saw that you did it too, I was quadrupled honored to even be remotely connected!
I have been following your blog for awhile now and love every post.
You are an inspiration.
Love the catch-up post!
I am a fairly new reader and wanted to comment to say thank you. I have been reading your blog for several weeks, and thoroughly enjoyed going back through some of the archives as well…a beautiful family indeed. I was super inspired by your family's practice of scripture and prayer together each morning, before the day runs away. We have now begun that practice in our home too, and it has been such a HUGE blessing in the few days we have been doing it. In fact, this morning as I was walking down the hallway towards the kitchen table where we gather, I peeked in and saw my 6 year old son reading his Bible on his bed. When I asked him what he was doing, he responded with, "Mom, I am looking for some scripture to read and share with everyone this morning!" It took my breath away, and my eyes stung with tears…they are again just writing this. Such an uncomplicated thing like rising a little earlier to kick off the day together with scriptures and prayer…making a HUGE impact on our little family. So thank you!
I can't wait to see what huge things God is going to teach us as we journey through scripture together each morning, and I pray heaps of blessings over you and your family as well!
–Anne
that last picture is super, super awesome!!! giggling at work. love you guys and miss you like the dickens! 🙂
He can get into college without getting all A's. That is a lot of pressure
My parents have always guilted me saying I was a disgrace for getting bad grades. They always say they are ashamed and don't talk to me.
I find however, that if I am motivated by myself I get better grades. Because of all the pressure by them, I am terrified to get bad grades.
Sometimes its more important to do your best than get good grades. And, self-motivation works to.
Yeah–there is life outside of BYU 🙂 or the ivy league. Getting a 3.5 will you get you into any decent school and as a hiring (HR person) some studies have shown that those with less than 4.0's make better employees. The idea being that they are more open-minded thinkers, think outside the box, think idependently not just obey orders, etc.
oh, and i was going to ask too..
Who is in charge of paying for school In your opinion? You as parents? the ?, etc etc. It's something that I thiank about often. ( same as missions)
just wondering!
You probably already have tried, but for Lucy's feet have you tried "Keen" shoes? I have a friend who has to have wider ones for her leg braces and that is only brand she can wear, because you can take the inside out and she can fit her brace and foot.
Hopefully you find something that works.
Love the everything post!!
I didn't know that flat feet had to be treated. Both of my girls (especially my oldest) have flat feet. Is this something I should be having checked out? She's due for a check-up soon. Maybe I'll mention it.
Love these photos, such an awesome and cute family! Lucy's chubby cheeks are made for pinching, what a sweet little girl! 🙂
It's AMAZING… just simply AMAZING.
I have been reading your blog for a while now, and have never commented to say thank you! Your love for your family and dedication to your children is sweet and inspiring, and I appreciate you sharing that love.
I'm mostly commenting about getting into BYU. I did that whole process last year and man oh man is it stressful! You do have to have good grades! But if it's any consolation–I got in, and I didn't have a 4.0. And my ACT score wasn't high as the sky either. Work him hard, but don't feel too much pressure. 🙂
On green smoothies: I find that if I blend just the greens up first, that it turns out much smoother. Also, lemon or lime juice (fresh) is my favorite ingredient. It masks any unpleasant flavor that might be lingering from those greens. Have you checked out http://www.greensmoothiegirl.com? She has a whole collection of recipes.
On BYU – grades and ACT scores are certainly important. The recommendation of his Bishop, Stake President and seminary teacher are also very influential. And, I believe they also like to see kids who are excelling outside the classroom in other activities (like volleyball, etc.) Sure, getting a 4.0 great…but doing sports and other activities and pulling a 3.8 is more impressive.
My parents paid me for good grades too. It was a nice bonus for my efforts, but I didn't aim for the A's because of the money. I did it because I wanted to go to BYU.
Has Max gone to any camps at BYU (or another college he wants to attend)? That's what sealed the deal for me. When I was 14 I attended a week long music camp at BYU and I was sold! It was a great experiences and gave me a taste of what I working toward.
I've been reading your posts for quite some time and I love it all! Thank you for being so honest and open.
As far as reading – my parents used to create lists on the fridge for each of us and if we hit a certain number of books we got a prize that varied from ice cream to choosing games for game night, a special dinner, or a new book (which was always my choice) and those things were motivation enough. Generally the size of the prize increased as the number of books did.
I'm a teacher and have seen everything (I mean EVERYTHING) as a reward/motivation for grades. I think it obviously varies from family to family and child to child. I'm always impressed when students seek out extra help at lunch, afterschool or in the morning. And I generally remember that when it comes time to grade things. Seeing that motivation, determination and solid effort can help.
Oh am I ever on the same page with the readers/grades issue. My boys do well, but there is no sense of urgency or ambition. At least to my satisfaction. 🙂 I guess I would love to have some words for them that will motivate…what is something I can say that will make an impact. Incentives are fine, rewards can work. But having the fiery desire to meet goals is what I want to nurture. Love having this forum to seek advice and guidance!!!!
Holly
First, I have to comment on that picture of you driving with your leg up! Both my cousin and my sister drive like that. My cousin has an autoimmune disease and I think I remember you saying you have one, too, which makes me wonder about my sister.
Anyhoo, being an almost graduated high school senior, I have to say that a lot of motivation to get good grades is going to have to come from Max himself. Encouragement from you will help, as will making him sit down and do his homework (:
In my opinion the motivation for good grades has to come from inside themselves. Parents can encourage and even reward (we don't reward with $$, we reward with a fun family activity). I had a friend who's parents "made" her get good grades. She felt extreme pressure and had panic attacks for a "B". He did end up with a 4.0 in high school, but in college said "forget it" and had fun and flunked out. I think putting the pressure on for a 4.0 doesn't make for healthy children.
That card was HILARIOUS!!!
I have really enjoyed hanging here for a bit. You have a lovely blog and a beautiful family! Hope you have a wonderful weekend! ~Barefoot mama
I just wanted to stop in and tell you how much encouragement I get from reading your blog. You truly have a blessed family!
PS I second the request for updates on the new house!
Also, can you share more of your daily schedule? As in, cleaning, errands, summer at home with the kids etc. Thanks!
We take them ours out to dinner, but they are younger than yours.
It's so refreshing to see someone relishing motherhood the way you do.
I'm doing a motherhood project…going to have to link to your blog! Thank you! http://www.5for50project.blogspot.com
By the end of this post I was actually crying from laughing so hard! Laughing that hard is good! Thanks for catching us up on what's up there…the good, the bad and the hilarious!
I just found your blog and I love it!
My oldest just graduated from high school. She starts at BYU in the Fall. She had a 3.8 GPA and a 26 ACT. She has done a lot of service but no sports. She did take some tough classes too. They do look at seminary and ecclesiastic endorsements. I think living outside Utah increases your chances of getting in as well. Good Luck!
I just found your blog through another blog and I just love it and think your family sounds very special. I am not married or a mother yet, but your reads make me very excited for it one day.
Thanks!