Respect Is

... putting on a clean shirt and combing your hair before you go to the store with your parents
... staying with you grandparents rather than spending the night with a friend
... saying "yes ma'am" without being told
... helping your granddad when you had rather be playing ball
... not interrupting your Mom when she is talking on the phone
... opening the door for your Mom when she is bringing in the groceries, then offering to help with the rest
... thinking about the feelings of others before you make a comment


Self Respect is
... putting on a clean shirt and combing your hair before you go to the store with your friends - caring about how you look to others
... caring that your teeth are clean
... caring how others view you and your actions
... feeling good about yourself
... not picking a fight with your brother or sister - it makes you look bad

Oh my! I just heard that school begins August 2nd!
Summer vacation is all but over!

Things from my past

Pogo stick

Hula hoop

Paddle ball

Kalediascope

Hop scotch

Marbles

Hangman

I spy

Simon says

Tag alphabet

Pick up sticks

Jacks

Hours of fun from these simple games!

Half Over

Our independence as a nation was celebrated this past weekend.  That marks the half way point of summer vacation for those in school.  The rest of the summer will be focused on the "going back to school" chores and getting ready for another year of sitting in a classroom.

Some of you will be going to school for the first time and you are looking forward to the newness of the learning experience.  The fear and uncertainty that you are feeling will disappear as soon as you know the rules and find your place in the "pecking order" of your classmates. 

Those of you returning to the same school, the same classmates, the same teachers will be more secure in your return and you may or may not be looking forward to the return.  Alas, it makes no difference whether you like it or not, it is the process one must go through to learn the essential facts needed to go forward in this life.

The experience of learning something new is invigorating, stimulating and a joy.  It motivates a person to go further, learn more, and stimulates the mind to reach out for more. 

I have had teachers that made me learn facts and figures and I have had teachers that made me want to learn the facts and figures.  My hope for you is that you have teachers that challenge your mind and gives you the desire to learn and succeed.

Enjoy the rest of the summer - there are several weeks left of fun and play - then get ready to learn, learn, learn!

Happy reading!
Belle