Belle's Kids

Feedback

2012-02-15T16:21:00.000-05:00

"Whimpy Kid " books - I LOVE THEM, what do you think?

Letter to Scouts

2011-03-09T16:52:00.000-05:00

Dear all you boy and girl scouts,

I am so sorry that we have legislative representation that either are jealous of your hard work or either too stupid to know what scouting is all about is trying to abscond with your funds. According to our elected officials, you have gotten away with not paying taxes for long enough and they intend to seize your profits and therefore limit your progress and growth.

Your organization is a great educational tool in the social structure of our society. Promoting teamwork as well as individual responsibilities, scouts is one of the few organizations left for our youth to progress in a positive and healthy way.

Thank you all for your hard work and dedication.

Belle

2010-09-23T12:08:00.001-04:00

Give your problems to Jesus, he has the answers.

2010-09-23T12:06:00.001-04:00

Does Jesus walk with you?

2010-09-22T13:23:00.000-04:00

Have you hit the 12-14 year age group? Do you feel you don't count?

It happens to each and every one of us sometime during this age. Your body is changing, your mind is changing and it seems as if your world is changing. You have questions you are afraid to ask and when you do ask the answers don't seem to fit.

It does get better! Slow down and take your time. Watch your words and think before you speak.

2010-09-17T11:30:00.000-04:00

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16 NIV

2010-09-17T11:22:00.000-04:00

Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them.

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

Matthew 19:13-14 NIV

2010-08-09T11:25:00.000-04:00

Boy Scouts of America is terrific!

Respect Is

2010-07-18T15:41:00.000-04:00

... 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

2010-07-14T12:46:00.002-04:00

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

Things from my past

2010-07-09T15:43:00.000-04:00

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

2010-07-08T12:34:00.000-04:00

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

Summer is Here!

2010-05-27T12:45:00.000-04:00

This weekend marks the beginning of summer for our state. Schools are out (or soon will be) for the season and vacations have begun.

Summer camps are starting for many different groups, from boy/girl scouts, football, cheerleading and many church groups. It is a time for making new friends and renewing last years friendships. New ideas will develop at just a hint of suggestion from a new found friend or someone you admire.

Whether you are vacationing with family and friends or camping with your favorite group use good judgment.

Don't be fooled by the actions and talk of someone new just because they look and sound cool
Don't let someone talk you into to doing anything that you know is wrong
Be friendly
Remember who your friends are
Trust your family and friends rather than a stranger
Remember your manners
Remember your safety rules

But most of all - HAVE FUN this summer and please all you guys - STAY SAFE!

Belle

What is Puberty?

2010-05-20T12:54:00.001-04:00

Puberty is . . .

realizing you smell sweaty and not so good anymore
wishing your hair looked different
not understanding why Dad no longer makes sense
feeling funky and not knowing why
looking at girls/boys in a way you never did before
changing your interest
finding hair under your arms and on your legs
wanting to be alone sometimes, just to think
finding out your brother/sister is silly and gets on your nerves
your body feels funny
realizing your Mom doesn't know you
wanting to be with your friends more than you want to be with your family
wanting to dress different
wanting to be more like your friends, instead of just being you
feeling scared because you don't know you anymore

Oh and what about

zits
dirty fingernails (didn't matter before)

2010-05-19T12:09:00.001-04:00

Why is growing up so hard to do?

Honor Your Mother

2010-05-09T10:59:00.000-04:00

Celebrate today in honor of your Mother. Yes, she can make you mad. Yes, she can be unreasonable. Yes, she gave birth to you. Yes, she provides food and clothing and a warm hug when you are feeling down. Yes, she keeps you safe. Yes, she makes you bathe. Yes, she makes you clean your room. Yes, she spends time with you instead of her friends. Yes, she tells you no. Yes, she helps you learn.

She does all of those things because she loves you.

Do you look for all the good things your Mother means to you or do you only look for the things about your Mother that you don't like? Be fair. Being a Mother is the toughest job on this earth. Just like God molds us into what he wants us to be, so a Mother shapes us.

Be positive. Be understanding. Be loving, but also be loveable.

Happy reading!
Belle

2010-05-03T13:02:00.000-04:00

Okay all you cowboys, princesses, baseball players and ballerinas, the question for the day is "What do you do when it is pouring rain outside and you are stuck inside?"

My favorites in their order of preference -
with friends
Scrabble
Monopoly
Trivia
Clue
Yahtzee

alone
Watch a good movie
Solitaire - 3 different forms
Coloring
Writing

Sorry, I wasn't raised in the play station/game boy/ds era. I guess that would be a lot more fun, but the only game I know is Tetris.

You are the future!

2010-04-05T11:43:00.001-04:00

Do you know your congressman, county commissioner or governor? Do you know how your government works? Here are some great links to help you keep in touch and get answers to questions you may have about you local and state government.

In the state of Georgia you can click on Georgia and get to the website of all the agencies and departments in the state including the Governor's Office.

For other states, in your search box type in the state name followed by government.

For local government sites, in the search box type in the city or county followed by the state.

Here are some links to the federal or United States government offices:

The Library of Congress provides access to legislation and bills
The USA website provides access to all United States agencies, departments and authorities

Any elected official would be happy to receive a letter from you whether to let them know you approve of the job they are doing or to answer your questions.

Stay in touch with your elected officials.

Words

2010-04-03T09:50:00.000-04:00

Aren't words wonderful? Do you have a favorite word?

For years my favorite word was acclimate. I loved the way it rolls off the tongue. I would find a way to appropriately fit it into a conversation as often as possible. I used it so much at one time that my co-workers started calling me Miss Acclimate. Among my other favorites are intuitive and demonstrative. I also love words that express feelings - joy, happiness, glee, elated. Words don't have to be long and hard to pronounce to enjoy them.

Another of my favorite words is appropriate or its opposite inappropriate. I started this love of words in middle school when our class subscribed to the Reader's Digest and utilized (another favorite word of mine)the word games it contained. It was a very effective way to get me and my fellow students interested in new words. Reader's Digest still has those word game in their magazine today. One of my professors' favorite words was behoove. He was constantly telling us that it was behoove us to thoroughly read a chapter or it would behoove us to know this information.

When I took my first course in Computer Science a whole new world of words opened with the learning of bits or bytes and ram and rom. Today a new way of spelling has emerged with cell phones and texting. Some I can understand, but others leave me wondering. The merging of alpha and numerical sometimes stumps this old lady, but makes perfect sense once you can decode the message. That goes to show you that you can teach an old dog new tricks. It reminds me of my court reporting class with all the letter combinations and shortcuts. It all goes back to a good background in phonics, but definitely throws some of the rules of phonics straight out the window. Actually texting has gotten people back to the written word and hopefully over the long haul will result in better writers and spellers, unless of course they don't start writing 2day, some1, 4ward or u r the 1. Can you imagine what the business letters of tomorrow might look like?

Can you decipher these?

the 10or n the back row needs some1 2 help them out
I would like 2 c the company go 4ward n a positive manner
if u would ): more people would b more receptive 2 ur ideas

Of course many changes have taken place over the years with words, descriptions and phrases. The meanings of words have expanded and words are now utilized in different ways and concepts. I read not long ago that there is an accepted word list somewhere out there and some words were being banished from the list. Who in the world goes to a list to see if they are using the appropriate words?

Words communicate. Write, type or text and keep in touch with words.

Are you a middle child?

2010-03-19T11:56:00.000-04:00

The first born in a family has a firm spot, they are the oldest child, their place cannot be taken away. They are secure in their status in the heirarchy of the family. If no other children are born into the family, they are also the youngest child. Their spot cannot be taken away - they will always be the oldest.

The youngest child for now, the child that will be the youngest until another one appears, doesn't have a firm spot. They can be replaced by another child at any time making them the middle child.

As children, the middle child always seemed to be the most versatile. They had the ability to play with younger children and were just as comfortable playing with older children. They always seemed to fit in. The middle children I know appear to take the best of both the oldest and the youngest and go on their merry way. They don't depend on their status in the heirarchy of the family, they depend on themselves.

Middle children have their own interest, not being dependent on either the youngest child or the oldest child's approval or acceptance. They do not display the neediness of their younger sibling - they probably wouldn't get the attention anyway - nor the security of the older sibling. I have noticed that middle children are normally more introverted than either of their siblings being more shy and quieter. Okay, I must admit I have limited experience with the middle child and I am writing strictly from my experience.

As adults, the middle children that I have observed are very stable, resolute in their beliefs, and are responsible, but do not share their feelings well with others and tend to let stress build to an unhealthy level. If they have been raised in a tumultuous household, they seek peace and quiet and do not welcome outside influences that are not in agreement with their beliefs.

I would like to hear from middle children. Are my observations in line with the way you feel about yourself? What kind of problems do you experience in your household as the middle child? How do you handle conflict with your siblings? Do you feel you are treated equally with your siblings?

Let me know your thoughts.

Happy reading!
Belle

Siblings

2010-03-18T13:52:00.000-04:00

What is a sibling?

A sibling is that brat of a sister that has to tell on you for every little thing - like throwing pencils at the ceiling hard enough for them to stick.

A sibling is that brat of a brother that makes faces at you while you talk to your best friend on the phone until you say a nasty word and then runs to mom to tattle.

A sibling is that sneaky brother who stole your last cookie when you ran to the bathroon.

A sibling is that lazy sister who only half dries the dishes claiming she doesn't feel good and then you have to finish the job alone.

A sibling is that person or persons that you grow up with that somehow knows all you secrets, all the times you have gotten a smacking, well, everything about you and love you anyway.

As children, siblings (the brothers and sisters of a household) are your worst nightmare and your worst enemy even though you can play for hours on end together without the first cross word and then an adult comes into the picture and everything changes.

There has been rivalry between siblings since Cain and Abel. (Genesis 4:1-16) Relationships between brothers and sisters are very special and cannot be encroached upon by outsiders, especially not parents. I remember doing something that my sister ran to tell my mother after which I can a good tanning. That night as we were trying to go to sleep, my sister said to me "I didn't want you to get a spanking." Give me a break! If you didn't want me to get a spanking, you would have kept your mouth shut! I can look back on many of those spankings as a result of my sister's tattling with a smile on my face and then there are those that I still want to pinch her for.

The rivalry between siblings is normally a desire for the acceptance. attention, love or affection of their parents. A daughter quietly reading with her mom notices her brother playing scrabble with their dad. Regardless of how content the daughter is cuddling with her mom, there is nothing she wants more than to be playing scrabble with her dad - not her brother and her dad - just her dad. I have noticed this quest for attention is normally instigated by the younger child. I call it the "catch up syndrone". The younger child is trying to catch up with all the attention the older child received before they were born. Of course, you have to remember, I am the oldest child so my views may not really convey the thoughts behind the actions of a younger child.

As the older child, I resented that little bundle that now occupied my mother's and father's time and attention. Of course that little wrinkled pink thing was cute, but what is it good for but to cause my parents to have no time for me? The little pink thing had to be fed or it would cry, it had to have its diaper changed or it would cry, it had to be rocked or it would cry - good grief, I do believe that is where the term cry baby originated. Now, everything was focused on that crying little pink thing and it could not even go to potty by itself.

It was a time of insecurity and uncertainty, but in no time that passed and I gained a friend to make mud pies with, pick berries with, ride bicycles with, gather the first flowers of spring, and soon she was in the back seat cheering me on as I learned to drive. It wasn't long before I was shuttling her and her friends to first one place and then another and by that time, all the disagreements and entanglements faded way into the background and were soon forgotten.

It may seem as if you and your sibling will never be friends, that you would never even like your sibling. But even those mean, hateful, tattletale, eavesdropping, selfish brothers or sisters will one day be your friend and you too will forget all the "bad stuff".

So, the next time your sister snatches the remote and runs to hide, just smile. You know you love her and she loves you or she wouldn't be trying to get your attention.

Matthew 18:2-4 NIV

"He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the knigdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."

Hug your brother or sister today and if that is too hard, just give them a smile - sometimes it isn't what is said that is important, it is those things left unsaid.

Happy Reading!
Belle

Change

2010-02-27T10:31:00.001-05:00

Danny and Ted were headed to the creek to wet a line. The boys loved fishing more than anything and could spend hours on the creek bank. It didn't really matter whether they caught any fish, they just liked to be together. The boys had been friends forever and spent most of their days hanging out.

As they reached the big bend where they always fished, they could hear the steady flow of the water running over the rocks before it hit the big hole. The excitement always starting building when they reached this point even though neither of the boys had ever caught a "big one" from the hole. Today they were fishing with flat tails and were sure they would hang the granddaddy of all fish today.

Danny had brought his rod and reel, but the boys knew they would only be fishing with the cane poles at the creek. The rod and reel wasn't a good idea on the banks of the tree shaded creek. There wasn't enough room to cast out without hanging a tree limb or a vine.

They didn't even need a tackle box. Each boy had a few extra hooks in an old plastic medicine bottle in their pockets. Extra hooks and their pen knives were all they needed. Reaching the creek bank, the boys unhooked their lines and baited their hooks, slowly dropping the line into the water. Even though the water was constantly moving everywhere else on the creek, the big hole was pretty quiet.

Sticking their poles into the sandy bank, they started exploring the woods. The boys had spent hours in these woods and knew every secret hiding place here. They had climbed most of the trees and turned over the biggest rocks. Both the boys saw the bright orange flag at the same time. Running to the fence line between Ted and old man Turner's place, they looked for more flags. There they were about 25 feet apart. That's when they spotted the bright yellow of some kind of machine.

Danny and Ted knew what was happening. Mr. Turner's son was having the timber cut. The boys forgot about fishing. They just stood and looked at the flags and the equipment. Danny asked Ted when he thought they would start cutting. Ted just shrugged his shoulders. The boys were visibly shaken.

Fighting their interest in the big equipment, Danny and Ted talked about all the good times they had had playing in the woods and fishing. During the summer, this had been their private world. A place for just them. Now they wouldn't have a place. They would sell Mr. Turner's land and houses would be built. It was happening everywhere. What had started as a fun filled day was now a day filled with hurt, uncertainty and fear.

Cutting the trees would change their creek, their woods, their life. Change was coming and the boys didn't like it at all.

To Serve or Be Served

2010-02-18T09:56:00.000-05:00

"Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Matthew 20:28 NIV

My devotional this morning spoke to me directly. I don't like to be served - to be waited on and taken care of. I try to be self sufficient - to take care of myself not needing the help of others. I clean my own house, do my own laundry, and cut my own grass. Some people think it is because I am peculiar and think no one else can do it as well as I can - that is not true. It makes me uncomfortable for someone to "serve" me even if I am paying for that service.

As I get older, I find that I am not able to do some of the chores that needs to be done around the house. I don't climb a ladder so well anymore, so I can't clean the gutters. I can't climb a tree very well so someone else must prune my fruit trees and some of my shrubbery. I don't accept "service" from others with thankfulness. I am not gracious in my accepting their help. That is wrong. The Bible teaches us to be thankful in all we do.

I don't serve like I should. I don't give of myself as I feel God would have me to do. There was a time when I would have said "I have given out," but that is not true. Through Jesus Christ we can do anything. Our strength comes from the Lord. Isn't that great! We have a friend that walks with us every day and every night. He never leaves us. God is always there!

When I was a senior in high school, my grandmother became sick. I stayed with my grandparents at night and cared for her so she would not have to go to a nursing home. Grandmother loved to be "served" and I loved to serve her. My Grandparents were the focus of my attention. I couldn't bear to see them separated by putting one or the other in a nursing home. I loved being able to "serve" my grandparents.

The year before, my great aunt needed sugery, but as my uncle had had a stroke and couldn't be left alone, she kept putting the off the surgery. I once again went to stay with my uncle and care for him so my aunt could have her operation. It was a trying summer. My aunt and uncle lived out of town. I didn't know the town and I knew I would have to drive to the hospital and to do the shopping. I was afraid I would not be able to care for my uncle as he needed. I was fearful and unsure. I must admit that I did not always serve with gladness as God wants us to do. Sometimes I only saw what I was not able to do because I had to "serve." This was not the attitude God wanted me to have; God wants us to serve with a free heart, giving of one's self.

Galatians 5:13-15 "You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command; "Love you neighbor as yourself." If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other."

It is so easy to let someone else do the serving, because they don't have anything else to do or they have more time. That is not what God wants us to do. That is not what God teaches. We are instructed not only to serve, but to serve with love. Not serve with bitterness or anger, but with love. God wants us to serve without grumbling, fighting, or arguing.

Can you think of ways you can serve? Do you help your parents without grumbling? Remember your home and family is your training ground for the future when you have your own home and family. There are many ways that we can serve in our family and our neighborhood. Pray with me this week that God will open new ways for us to be of service.

Are you afraid?

2010-02-15T12:45:00.004-05:00

Paraphrased from Dictionary.com . . .

Fear - an emotion that is distressing, causing anxiety or concern

Afraid - a feeling of fear, regret or reluctance

There are many more listings for these two words that are most similar in not only their meaning but also in their application.

It is my understanding that fear is a constant distressing emotion. Afraid is the cause of the fear. Example: I fear thunderstorms because I am afraid of the lightening produced by thunderstorms. I fear the dark because I cannot see what is making the strange noises. I fear going into the cave because I do not know what is in there.

Normally we fear what we don't understand, or we know someone who has had a bad experience. For some fear is the inability to control - you cannot control whether a snake will bite you or go on its merry way. The more we learn of things the less we fear them. Some people fear the dark, heights, water, snakes, spiders, pain, death, fire - there are hundreds of things that people fear. It is an ongoing emotion of distress and anxiety.

As a little girl I had a reconcurring nightmare that caused me and my parents much distress and frustration. I never knew when the dream would come, but when it visited me I became hysterical and distraught. As an adult, I know the incident that sparked the dream and understand how unreasonable it must have sounded to my parents, but at the time I feared going to sleep because I was afraid of the emotions caused by the dream. Ironically, in the dream I was unable to reach my parents even though I could see and hear them clearly - I could not make them see or hear me. At the time there had been many unsettling changes in my life - my paternal grandmother died, my maternal grandparents were moving, I had started to school - none of which should be earth shattering. But to a family oriented six year old it was cause for insecurity and unease. As an adult I realize that my parents were going through changes also. I was well fed, clothed and kept warm, but in due to my parent's inexperience and their emotional distress, my emotions were ignored. I did not receive the comfort and security needed during this time. As time passed I found that my parents were still there to protect and care for me and my maternal grandparents were moving in order to be closer to me - this gave me even more security. The dreams eventually stopped after two years and the fear of sleep disappeared.

We all go through stressful and distressing periods in our life. If we feel incapable of handling these emotions we feel fear. Some fears we conquer, others stay with us for a lifetime.

What are you fearful of or afraid of? Do you know why you have this fear?

Isaiah 12:2 KJV says "Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid; : for the Lord JEHOVAH is my strenth and my song; he also is become my salvation."

For me Psalms 23 is the most comforting chapter of the Bible. It is probably the most read and recited chapter of the Psalms which is also known as a book of prayer. Read Psalms 23 slowly a verse at a time. How do these prayers apply to you and your life?

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." The rod and the staff were used by the shepards in herding and managing the large herd of sheep - they were used to keep them in line keeping them from danger and harm. God's keep us from danger and harm by blocking our way, especially if our way is dangerous and harmful. Remember God is all knowing and all seeing. If we feel afraid, going to God in prayer will ease our fear.

Happy reading!
Belle

What Am I?

2010-01-27T13:44:00.001-05:00

What gas is produced when bleach (sodium hypochlorate) and ammonia are mixed? Chlorine Gas
What is the odorless, inert gas with the chemical symbol of He? Helium
What non-metallic element is used in propellants, flares, abrasives and metallic alloys? Boron
What compound is derived from salicylic acid and is used as a pain reliever? Aspirin
The earth's atmosphere contains many element. What are the top 3 gases by volume? Nitrogen, Oxygen, Argon
What chemical can be found in three states (gas, liquid and solid) and is best known for its use in refrigeration? Carbon dioxide
I am an acid for in the human stomach, but also used to clean and/or etch concrete. What am I? Muriatic Acid
What highly reactive non-metallic element that is used in producing matches, fertilizer for gardens and in some electronics? Phosphorus

Happy Reading!

Belle

2010-01-22T09:21:00.002-05:00

I have been praying about this blog for the last few weeks. It isn't quite what I want it to be, so I am about to change it's vision. Watch for new Bible Games, Trivia and Stories coming soon. Thanks for stopping by!

Belle

Chemical Elements and Their Symbols

2010-01-11T12:11:00.005-05:00

Can you match the following Chemical Elements with their symbols?

K - potassium
He - helium
Cl - chlorine
I - iodine
F - fluorine
N - nitrogen
Li - lithium
Al - aluminum
O - oxygen
Zn - zinc
Mg - magnesium
S - sulphur
Ag - silver
Na - sodium
B - boron
W - tungsten
H - hydrogen
Pb - lead
U - uranium
Au - gold
Ra - radium
Cu - copper
Hg - mercury
Ti - titanium
Fe - iron
C - carbon
Ne - neon
Ca - calcium
Mn - manganese
Ni - nickel
Sn - tin

To learn more about chemical elements and compounds, go to the Chemical Element site. Good luck and have fun!

Belle

Thanks to all those who participated and look for more fun games soon!

Unscramble for January

2009-12-30T12:50:00.002-05:00

Srxplib, wrxplib, wlxp
Gsv nlfhv izm fk gsv xolxp,
Gsv xolxp hgifxp lmv,
Gsv nlfhv izm wldm!
Srxplib, wrxplib, wlxp.

Hint

l = o
g = t
s = h

Good luck!

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-23T10:31:00.001-05:00

Merry Christmas to all my young readers! Have a happy and joyous Christmas season!

Are you a storyteller?

2009-12-10T10:33:00.002-05:00

Do you have the gift of storytelling? I don't mean a fibber, but are you a teller of tales. There are many sites willing share stories, but I have found a site filled with old stories, tales, myths and legends, check out Myths and Legends. Here you will find many old stories to share with friends and family.

Trivia for Kids

2009-12-09T15:50:00.006-05:00

Is a tomato a vegetable or a fruit?

Tomato is a fruit that is used as a vegetable

How many eggs can a chicken lay each day?

Chickens lay one egg each day

How many pounds are in a gallon of milk?

Milk weighs 8.6 pounds per gallon

How much does water weigh?

Water weighs 8.35 pounds per gallon

Which is the largest continent in size? Which is the smallest continent in size?

Asia is the largest continent. Australia/Oceania is the smallest continent.

Which is the largest continent by population? Which is the smallest continent in population?

Asia is the most populated while Antarctica is the least populated.

Australia is in which hemisphere? When does Australia experience summer (warm) temperatures?

Australia is in the Eastern Hemisphere while some of the islands of Oceania is in the Western Hemisphere. Click here for map. Warm temperatures are experienced during the months of December, January and February, but varies throughout the continent.

What are Baby Teeth?

Baby teeth are a person's first teeth and are also known as deciduous teeth. They begin erupting (or coming in) at about 6 months and continue to erupt until age 30 months. A person shedding their baby teeth beginning around their 7th year until their 12th year. The baby teeth are replaced by permanent teeth.

An acorn is the fruit of what tree?

An acorn is the fruit of the Oak tree. Oak trees are deciduous trees - they shed their lives in the winter. Oak trees can live 200 or more years and some types of oak trees do not produce acorns until they are 50 years old. By the time an oak tree is 60 years old it produces thousands of acorns each year. The acorn is a major source of food for wildlife.

Have fun and post your answers! Trivia answers will appear in 2 weeks!

Blue Moon

2009-12-09T15:18:00.002-05:00

What is a "blue moon"? Does the moon really turn blue? Where did the term "once in a blue moon" originate?

If you go by the old definition of "blue moon" December will have a "blue moon".

A blue moon is when there is more than 3 full moons in a season. The old definition says that a "blue moon" is a second full moon in a month. December 2009 will have 2 full moons during the month. February never has an extra moon.

For more information go to blue moon.

Unscramble for December

2009-12-09T14:58:00.002-05:00

Solve this popular children's rhyme.

Viadhm Riadhm goh cb o kozz
Viadhm Riadhm vor o ufsoh tozz
Ozz hvs ywbu'g vcfgsg
Obr ozz hvs ywbu'b asb
Qcizrb'h dih viadhm riadhm hcushvsf ouowb.

Hint:

b = n
c = o
h = t
o = a

Have fun!

Challenge

2009-11-30T15:26:00.002-05:00

Start a journal of Holidays (Easter, Veterans Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, or any time your family gets together) or Birthdays spent with your family or friends. Write down who was there, what you ate and where you were. Add to it every year for a fun filled memory book. You think you will remember, but there are many things you will forget.

Give it a try!

Un-scramble

2009-10-16T16:53:00.005-04:00

Unscramble the following to reveal a well known children's rhyme

Daeq'e mdq dqp
Juaxqfe mdq nxgq
Egsmd ue eiqqf
Mzp ea mdq kag

Hint:

a = o
e=s
i = w

Watch for the solution in the comments section !

Word of the Week V - morals

2009-10-14T09:29:00.003-04:00

morals - principles of right conduct
acting on the rules of right conduct

morals can be used as a noun or adjective

examples:

The morals of the man made him successful in business and his personal life.

Known for her honesty and kindness, she was known as a moral person.

LCROSS

2009-10-08T13:23:00.004-04:00

Go to the NASA link on the left to get updates and more information on the Luna Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite Project. NASA is going to crash a satellite into a moon crater in the morning around 7:31 EDT to see if there is water and ice in the lunar dust stirred up by the crash.

Frog Facts

2009-10-07T10:30:00.003-04:00

Did you know?

Frogs can breathe through their skin

Frogs will "throw-up" their entire stomach and clean it with their feet if they eat something that is bad

Frogs normally live 6-8 years, but bull frogs have been known to live up to 40 years

Frogs develop through metamorphosis - eggs are laid by the female and are known as spawn ,which develop into tadpoles which develop into frogs

Frogs can change their color to match their surroundings

Frogs have eyes on top of their head enabling them to see all around them

Frogs can be hypnotized by light if the light is shown into both eyes at the same time

Why mine?

2009-10-05T21:42:00.005-04:00

Jacob lay in the grass with his friends trying to cool down after a quick game of touch football. Dad had brought Jacob to play with the guys, while he ran laps around the field. Jacob had been watching his Dad more than playing today though. Dad was leaving for Iraq this week and Jacob couldn't understand why only his Dad had to go fight. Dad had been before and come home safe, but that didn't happen every time and Jacob was scared the whole time he was gone. At 12, almost 13, years old Jacob knew he was suppose to man up and handle things, but thinking about Dad not coming back was not a good feeling. None of his friends thought anything about it and they thought he was weird for making such a big deal out of Dad shipping out. They didn't seem to understand service to people and country. Jacob knew his Dad did something special. Dad sure made Jacob proud, but it sure did hurt when Dad was gone.

He and Mom got along real good and his baby sister was too small to even understand yet. Jacob thought that was a good thing, but that only gave him something else to worry about. He and Mom could take care of themselves, but a baby was a lot for Mom and too much for Jacob. Mom cried a lot when Dad left before, but after a while she quit crying unless Jacob started asking her questions about Dad. He didn't like to make her cry, but Mom talked to Dad when he was gone more than Jacob did and he had lot's of questions about what was going on with Dad, especially when he was gone.

Well, he needed to get up, Dad was coming back around on his last lap. The boys were just sitting around talking anyway and he was ready to head home. Dad really enjoyed his running. Jacob wondered if Dad had a place to run in Iraq. He knew he didn't have a Chinese restaurant over there and that was Dad's favorite place to go out to eat. Dad had cooled down now and was heading his way. Jacob forgot how much he loved his Dad until he got his orders to ship out. That didn't seem fair to Dad, but other things got in his mind and he just didn't think about it. Maybe that was why God was sending Dad off again, because Jacob forgot to tell him how much he loved him.

Dad ruffled Jacob's hair like he always did and put his arm around his shoulder as they walked to the car. Neither had to say a word - they felt the love they shared. Jacob knew he had the best Dad in the world. Jacob just didn't understand why Dad had to leave again.

Sunflowers

2009-10-05T19:49:00.004-04:00

Sunflowers have an intricate pattern to their blooms. They grow from seed to be tall single thick stemmed plants with very large yellow blooms. The young plants have the ability to follow the sun during the day - that is the head will move from east to west - then return to face east during the night.

The seeds develop in a spiral pattern that develops from the outside to the outside. The seeds provide food for wildlife and can also be processed for their oil which is used in cooking, cosmetics, and feed. Sunbutter, a substitute for peanut butter, can also be made from sunflower seeds.

Not only beautiful and somewhat breathtaking, sunflowers provide food for humans and animals alike.

Word of the Week IV - fable

2009-10-05T19:45:00.002-04:00

fable - a tall tale
a short story teaching a moral lesson
to tell a false tale
a legend or myth

fable can be used as a noun or a verb

example: The storyteller related a fable of the ghosts of the mountain.

He fabled the characters of the play.

Wish for Rain

2009-10-01T09:21:00.003-04:00

Looking out the window pane
Past the drools and drops
I know its raining hard outside
I just wish it would stop.

I have much to do today
The rain slows me down
If it would just go away
I could go outside and play.

It could come back at night
As I know we need the rain
While I dream my happy thoughts
Of playing once again.

Belle

Heavenly Magic

2009-09-29T12:06:00.002-04:00

The sun shone bright
Shedding all its light
On the grass, the trees, and the dew.

The moon big and round
Looked down on the ground
And shined through the blinds of the room.

The clouds floated by
As on our backs we lie
Finding animals and things in each one.

The stars just a twinkling
Our eyes are just blinking
As we watch for one to zip through the sky.

Belle

Word of the Week III - discover

2009-09-29T11:40:00.004-04:00

discover - get knowledge
to learn
to see
to find

discover is a verb

He discovered he liked geography when he found all the maps showing the mountains and rivers.

She discovered she liked sour cream when she ate it on her apple pie.

http://dictionary.reference.com/

Constitution Day - September 17

2009-09-17T10:01:00.002-04:00

http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution_transcript.html

The Constitution documents our founding fathers' desire to live in a peaceful country, without fear of tyranny, without unjust taxes, with all people being treated equally, without bias, but ensured of the protection of their leaders is the need arise.

"We the people of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

U S Presidents

2009-09-17T09:06:00.003-04:00

1 George Washington
2 John Adams
3 Thomas Jefferson
4 James Madison
5 James Monroe
6 John Quincy Adams
7 Andrew Jackson
8 Martin Van Buren
9 William Henry Harrison
10 John Tyler
11 James Polk
12 Zachary Taylor
13 Millard Fillmore
14 Franklin Pierce
15 James Buchanan
16 Abraham Lincoln
17 Andrew Johnson
18 Ulysses Grant
19 Rutherford Hayes
20 James Garfield
21 Chester Arthur
22 Grover Cleveland
23 Benjamin Harrison
24 Grover Cleveland
25 William McKinley
26 Theodore Roosevelt
27 William Taft
28 Woodrow Wilson
29 Warren Harding
30 Calvin Coolidge
31 Herbert Hoover
32 Franklin Roosevelt
33 Harry Truman
34 Dwight Eisenhower
35 John Kennedy
36 Lyndon Johnson
37 Richard Nixon
38 Gerald Ford
39 Jimmy Carter
40 Ronald Reagan
41 George Bush
42 William Clinton
43 George Bush, Jr.
44 Barack Obama

The qualifications for the Office of President of the United States are found in Article II of the Constitution of the United States http://www.usconstitution.net/const.txt . To become President, a person must be at least 35 years of age and a citizen of the United States. For more information, stories, and trivia on previous Presidents of the United State go to http://www.presidentsusa.net/ (a fun site packed with information).

Word of the Week II - reputation

2009-09-17T08:44:00.006-04:00

reputation - character
good name
regard
esteem
honor
credit

is a noun meaning the character of a person, place or thing

example: His reputation was ruined when he stole the lawn mower.

She had a reputation for being kind to others.

Word of the Week

2009-09-10T10:11:00.003-04:00

acclimate - to adapt, to adjust, to become accustomed to a new situation, circumstances, climate or environment

acclimate is pronounced ak-luh-meyt and is a verb

examples
acclimate to a new job
acclimate to the weather in a different state
acclimate to living at the seashore

When John started to college, he had to become acclimated to living on a college campus.

2009-08-24T11:54:00.005-04:00

Weight, eye kneed to catch up! With my soar knee, it is hard for me to climb. Can you slough down? Hay, look at that see shale. Eye wonder how it got on this heel. Do you think the water came this far up once upon a time?

The English language is one of the most difficult to learn; many meanings for the same words, many spellings with the same sounds, same sounds with different spellings.

How many ways can you spell . . .

I
Shell
Way
Pen
Hill
Fold
Been
Dye
Wait
Lye
Sea
Sew
Site
Flower
Hear
Neigh
Nose
Buy?

Can you think of other same sound, different spelling words?

Who am I?

2009-08-11T13:39:00.003-04:00

I was the fourth president of the United States

I am known as the Father of the Constitution because I was its principle author.

I was the first president to have served in the U S Congress.

I wrote the Bill of Rights.

I believe the government should have a system of checks and balances.

With Thomas Jefferson, I organized the Republican Party.

I was Thomas Jefferson's Secretary of State.

Who am I?

Walked on Water

2009-08-10T11:42:00.002-04:00

We know the story of Jesus walking on water. Which of his disciples also walked on water?

Hint - Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"

Fun Words

2009-08-07T09:36:00.001-04:00

The bail on the tower wrang over and over as the goat pulled the rope. The gnu made at the church could not make the goat go away. She was a site as she tried two push the goat aweigh. She did not way enough to move the goat, sew she cut the rope up heigh sew the goat wood stop wringing the bale. Hay, don't cut the rope two short the paster called. The pastor had to by a gnu rope for the bail. He tyed the rope sew it was short enough the goat could knot reach it.

Jip

2009-08-06T17:21:00.000-04:00

Jip was my first pet. She was a German Shepperd, but was real small. Someone said Jip was a German border patrol dog. I didn't matter; I loved her and she was mine. We would roam the farm together and she kept a watchful eye on everything I did.

I would lay in the grass and watch the clouds float by while rubbing Jip's silky coat. If we had to go to the fields, Jip would jump in the back of the pickup for a quick ride. She would lay under the truck until time to head home and would jump right up in the back for the trip to the house.

Jip slept under my window at night and I always felt safe. She was my best friend and a constant companion.

Tell me about your pet. I would love to hear from you. Thanks for visiting.

Public Library

2009-08-05T12:28:00.000-04:00

The library as we know it today is called a "lending library." The library "lends" you a book to read and you return when your loan time is up. Libraries offer a great variety of books and you do not have to purchase them. Some of the books are fun, some are educational, some are instructional, and some are books of facts. Libraries keep old copies of newspapers for researching events.

The library is a great source of a variety of books without having to pay large sums of money. If you are interested in a book, a good practice is to go to the library, check out the book, and read it. If you find you would like to keep the book, you can then go to a bookstore and buy it. Not many people can afford to maintain a large library for their personal use.

With the development, ease of use, and convenience of the Internet, many people have abandoned the use of the library. The library is a magical place of discovery.

Super fun websites

2009-08-04T17:51:00.000-04:00

Loaded with lots of fun stuff to do and read! http://www.fun4children.com/

Loads of games for girls and boys of different ages! http://www.learn4good.com/

Learn about weather around the world. http://www.nws.noaa.gov/

Need the history facts - http://www.history.org/, http://www.historyworld.net/, http://www.historycentral.com/

Math facts and help - http://www.math.com/

All around good reference site http://www.factmonster.com/

What book of the Bible am I?

2009-08-04T17:10:00.000-04:00

I am a book of the Old Testament.

I am believed to be written by King Solomon.

A summary of my passages reveals that a life not centered on God is purposeless and meaningless.

There are many remembered passages of this book but one of the most quoted passage begins with "There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven . . ."

I am known as the book of reflections of man.

What book am I?

Write your answers in the comment box and thanks for visiting!

Coming soon!

2009-08-04T15:41:00.001-04:00

Stories

Games

Questions

I want to hear from you!