Boy Scouts of America is terrific! 

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

Summer is Here!

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?

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)

Why is growing up so hard to do?

Honor Your Mother

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

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.