Showing posts with label character development. Show all posts
Showing posts with label character development. Show all posts

Sunday, April 27, 2014

Kelsey needs a cell phone ~ #selfie, #cellphones, #girls #tweens, #friends, #tweengirls, #blogs #gratitude

Hi girls! Happy Sunday! Kelsey is 12 years old and was sitting at home on a Saturday evening as bored as ever. Her parents had recently told her that she would have to wait until she turned 13 to get a cell phone of her own. Kelsey freaked out and complained to them about this rule. After all, Kelsey's friends (Tiara and Shannon) had their own cell phones! In the meantime, she had to share a phone with her sister Lacey who was 16. Kelsey did not like sharing the cell phone because Lacey was always away from their home with friends. When Lacey was home, she only let Kelsey talk to Tiara and her other friends for 5 minutes. "You have five minutes! No longer!!" she would tell Kelsey. Kelsey told her parents, but it did not do any good. Her mom told her to be patient. Kelsey told her mom that she was the only 12 year old girl in the world that did not have her own phone.Her mom just gave her a funny look. Kelsey felt frustrated and discouraged. That night, she fell onto her bed so hard that her pillow fell onto the floor. She didn't bother to pick it up. The next morning, Kelsey awakened with a sore neck. Kelsey woke up thinking about another long year of waiting for her phone. Kelsey got up, went to the kitchen and grabbed a piece of French toast from the skillet on the stove. She took a bite, turned around and saw Lacey with her arm reaching out to her with the cellphone in her hand. "It's Tiara. Hurry up.", Lacey said. Kelsey grabbed the phone. Tiara asked Kelsey to come over to her house for a birthday party. The party was for Tiara's little brother who was turning 4 years old. The party was at a nearby park and they were going to go swimming. After asking her mom, Kelsey said yes and Tiara's mom picked her up. Kelsey met Tiara's friend whose name was Summer. What a cool name, Kelsey thought. Summer was new in the neighborhood. The girls listened to music, swam in the pool, and played with the little kids. The girls ate grilled chicken burgers with sweet potato fries and Kelsey laughed as she and Tiara took the onions off of their burgers at the same time. The girls talked about their favorite color(s) of swimsuits. The girls were putting sunscreen on when Tiara asked Summer where her mom bought her swimsuit. Summer said that she was staying with her grandparents. She told Kelsey and Tiara that her mother was in a treatment center. Her mother slept a lot,drank too much alcohol and took too many prescription pills. Summer said that her father left the family and went to stay with a woman. Kelsey was surprised to hear Summer say those things. Kelsey learned that Summer did not have a cell phone either. She could tell that Summer missed her parents very much. The girls got up and played with the large beach ball in the swimming pool. They raced each other from one side of the pool to the other. Tiara won the race. Kelsey watched Summer as she clapped for Tiara. Summer was so nice, she thought. While eating birthday cake along the side of the pool, Kelsey asked, "Summer, why did you clap for Tiara? You lost the race!" "Losing my parents hurt, but my grand ma said that being sad is a waste of time. She told me to be kind to others and I will have a happy heart instead of a sad one." Kelsey smiled. The party ended and Tiara's mom drove Kelsey home.She felt so lucky to have her mom and dad. Kelsey opened the front door and walked in to her house. "Mom!" she called.Her mom came out of the laundry room. Kelsey ran over to her and told her that she could wait for her own cell phone. Her mom looked at her with surprise. " Uh, ok Kelsey.Good!" Kelsey later told her mom about Summer.They hugged. Kelsey learned that everyone has problems... some are big and some are little. Suddenly, having to wait to get a cell phone was her little problem. Kelsey decided to fill her days with thankfulness. (Hope you liked this girl story! Hugs, Marie)

Sunday, December 15, 2013

What are you expecting for Christmas? Happy Holidays! #Christmas, #holidays, #gifts

What's on your shopping list this December? Are you giving gifts of receiving them? It doesn't always take money to give a gift. ~ A handmade card, a warm smile, kind words, a favorite cookie, gloves that you don't wear, lip gloss from the drugstore, and compliments are some of the BEST gifts! Happy Holidays! Marie

Thursday, October 11, 2012

The skin she is in ~ #socialissues #tweens #tweenblogs

Erin was waiting for her toast to pop up so that she could hurry off to school.She pondered if she should tell her mom what happened the day before in gym class. Erin has a best friend named Kanesha.Kanesha and Erin met during ballet class when they were six years old.They lived in Atlanta,Georgia and remained friends.The two girls had sleepovers and loved swimming,music,scrabble,drawing,and the Just Dance video game. Now they are in seventh grade and had English and gym class together.English class was good.Erin and Kanesha both loved reading books. Gym class always began with warming up.The class ran two laps around the basketball court.The gym teacher said that they were going to play a couple of games of basketball.Erin and Kanesha really did not like playing basketball.They had trouble dribbling the ball sometimes and thought it was a wierd game. Tracy and Dian picked their basketball teams.Erin was on Tracy's team.Dian had to choose one more girl and picked Kanesha.Kanesha had a feeling that Dian didn't want her on the team by the expression on her face.Kanesha just brushed it off. The games began and Kanesha made 10 points to give Dian's team the first win.Dian was happy and gave Kanesha a high five at the water fountain.Then,Dian wiped her hand on her gym shorts as if she had touched something dirty.Again,Kanesha didn't think too about why she was acting so snobbish.Dian's team won the second game also,and the gym teacher dismissed the class. In the dressing room,Erin and Kanesha talked about what they were going to do after school.As they were getting dressed,they heard two girls talking in the shower.One of them said,"That ghetto girl can play basketball!" Erin and Kanesha waited to see who said that. Out came Dian and another girl.Erin had fire in her eyes from anger.Kanesha told her that she knew Dian didn't like her.Now she knew why.It was because Kanesha was a Black girl.Kanesha pulled Erin out of the dressing room quickly and told her to forget about Dian.Erin and Kanesha talked that night about skin color and race.They thought that the way Dian acted was so dumb! Erin and Kanesha decided that they loved everybody... no matter what color.Their parents had taught them that at a young age. Erin was now eating her toast and told her mom what had happened in the dressing room at school.Erin's mom told her that there are two kinds of people in the world.... Those who help others and those who want to see others fall down.Erin kissed her mom goodbye and her mom smiled and waved at her.Erin's mom knew that she had raised a rockstar! Sweet feelings~Marie

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

hanging with the thief ~ #friendship,#tweens,#peerpressure

Joni,Heather,and Mary Beth were friends and went to the same middle school.Heather and Mary Beth made the honor roll each semester.Joni was a good student,but did not make all A's.They all lived in a quiet neighborhood near Pittsburgh,Pennsylvania. Heather and Mary Beth went over to Joni's house to ask her parents if she could go to the mall and shop.Joni's parents said that she could go after she finished her chores. She had to clean up her room.The girls came in and helped Joni clean her room and throw away some trash.Joni told Heather and Mary Beth that she did not have much money to spend today.Heather told her that it was okay. Heather's older sister dropped the girls off at the mall and they headed to Claire's and Justice.They looked around and picked outfits that they liked.Heather had a large pink bag with her.Mary Beth carried a small blue shoulder purse.Claire's was filled with earrings,bracelets,bff jewelry,boots,hair accessories,nail polish,mirrors,fashion glasses,socks,etc. Mary Beth and Joni each picked out a bff owl necklace.Mary Beth chose the pink necklace and Joni bought the purple one.The two girls checked out and looked for Heather.Heather was at the back of the store and had two hair bands in her hand.Heather paid for the hairbands and the girls left the store. Heather's sister called and said she would pick them up in thirty minutes.They all were hungry and went to the food court to get some chicken nuggets and a drink.After sitting at the eating table,Joni noticed that Heather's pink bag was full of stuff from Claire's.Joni could see a Justin Bieber diary,earrings,sunglasses,and writing pens.It was stuff that she didn't pay for! What was going on? Did she steal those things from the store? Joni told Mary Beth of her suspicion when Heather went to get more napkins from the chicken store.When Heather returned,Mary Beth asked her about the stuff in her bag.Heather said,"I put some things in my bag, so what?" Joni and Mary Beth looked at each other in disbelief.They were in shock at what had just happened! They were hanging out with a shoplifter.... a thief!! Heather's sister arrived to take them home.Joni and Mary Beth sat quietly in the back seat of the car all of the way home. What would you do if you found out that one of your friends was a thief? ~sweet thoughts, Marie

Sunday, October 7, 2012

Jessica and the red paint ~ #tweens,#friendship,#tweenblogs

Jessica and Ariel ran up the steps to the school choir room before the class started.They had "free time" in choir today because the choir teacher was out of town.Jessica and Ariel brought paints from Art class and were going to make abstract drawings in class. Jessica almost tripped on the step to the choir room and sat down to tie her shoe strings.Ariel went inside and began to take her brush and paint out of her backpack. Jessica looked over and saw a girl by the rail.She had an old worn purse that sat on top of her school books.Jessica said "hi" and asked her what her name was.She said,"Lilly".Lilly said she was waiting on her cousin. Jessica saw Beverly Simon coming up the steps of the choir room.Beverly was mean to certain girls and made fun of them all of the time.Jessica heard Beverly tell another girl,"Ewweeee!Look at that old ugly purse!That looks like a grandma purse!!"Beverly and the other girl started laughing as they entered the choir room. Jessica saw that Lilly heard what Beverly had said.Jessica told Lilly not to pay her any attention...She told her that Beverly always put others down to make herself feel good. Lilly did not say anything,but Jessica could see that her feelings were hurt. Jessica said goodbye to Lilly and went inside to sit by Ariel.She told Ariel what had happened. Jessica thought about Beverly's behavior and was boiling inside,but knew she had to keep calm. Choir class was almost over.Jessica and Ariel sat the red paint on one of the chairs because there was no room on the table.The girls were admiring their works of art when they heard someone running behind them.It was Beverly.As she was running by,she tripped on the leg of the chair with the red paint.Beverly fell on the floor! The chair and the tub of red paint spilled onto her hand,arm, and her white jeans! "Ouch!!" said Beverly.Jessica and Ariel helped her to her feet. Everyone in the class laughed.Beverly was crushed with embarrassment.She had to walk through the hallway as the kids stared,pointed,and laughed at her. Jessica only hoped that from now on Beverly would try to be kinder to others. Sweet words, Marie

Saturday, October 6, 2012

Marissa's bubble gum ~ #tweens,#peerpressure

Marissa and Devon looked at different flavors of bubble gum as they walked up to the counter of the local convenience store in their neighborhood.Marissa was allowed to stop by the store one day a week to spend part of her weekly allowance.Devon did not receive an allowance,so Marissa shared her bubble gum with her.They loved blowing bubbles and tried to see who could blow the most enormous bubble.
They saw cherry,watermelon,kiwi fruit,orange,tuti fruiti,coconut,grape,peppermint,ice cream,lime,pineapple,chocolate,and lemon bubble gum.It looks like the store had a new flavor of bubble gum.It was pink lemonade and sugar free.So Marissa bought one package for herself and one for Devon.Marissa's mom told her to eat dinner before she chewed the gum.Devon walked home.A few minutes later Devon called Marissa and told her to bring the gum to school tomorrow.Marissa knew the classroom rules....No chewing gum in class!Afterall,Marissa had an "excellent" in school conduct and following the school rules. She thought about it and agreed to bring the sugar free gum.She had no intention of chewing it in class.Marissa put the gum in her bag that night so that she would not forget to bring it. The next day Marissa sat by Devon in Science class.They had just finished an experiment when Devon pulled Marissa over to the side.Devon put her hand in her jean pocket and pulled out the pink lemonade gum.She told Marissa that the teacher would not care if they chewed the gum.Marissa said,"no!" Devon looked around to see if the teacher was watching.Then she slipped the square of gum into her mouth.She was careful that no one noticed.Marissa told her that she was going to get caught. Class was almost over.Devon still had the bubble gum in her mouth and kept telling Marissa to chew her gum. Marissa gave in and took it out of her bag.She slowly lifted the gum to her mouth.Then it happened!The teacher looked up at that exact second to ask Marissa for her worksheet.The teacher asked,"What is that in your mouth,Marissa?" Marissa had to confess."It's gum." Her teacher was disappointed and told Marissa that she took 10 points off of her conduct for the 9 weeks. Gosh! Marissa was angry with herself.She knew the rules and still listened to her friend......Now she had a spot on her perfect conduct grade. Blah! "never again, I will used my brain and think before I act!", she promised herself. Pick sweet friends, Marie

Friday, October 5, 2012

What's wrong with Emily? #tweens,#tweengirls,

Cara is in seventh grade and lives in a small town in the country.She was quiet and only had a couple of friends at her school.She sat in the back of the room in Language Arts class and talked to Nicole during class.Cara could read well and finished all of her assignments.Emily was a girl who lived in the same town and is a year older than Cara. The school cafeteria was small and the seven and eighth graders ate at the same lunchtime.Cara and Nicole would sit together in the lunchroom every day and talk it up.Cara would take out her small mirror and comb her hair after she ate.While looking into the mirror,she saw Emily sitting on the row of tables behind her.Emily was staring at Cara with a mean look on her face and her teeth tightened."WOW!",Cara thought.Cara wondered what was going on.She barely knew Emily.Cara stood up to take her tray to the school kitchen and glanced over at Emily.Their eyes connected and Emily rolled her eyes at Cara.Cara did not know what her problem was and it made her uncomfortable. The school year went by quickly and Cara just ignored Emily.Cara knew that Emily had no reason to act ugly towards her. Field day was coming up and Cara was happy about the day of activities.There was going to be food,games,and activities.Field day came and Cara and Nicole went outside.They did the sack race,parachute game,and appple bobbing game.Cara wanted a snack and went over to get some fruit.She got some oranges and bananas and then turned the corner to go back.She took two steps and ran smack into Emily.They gazed at each other for the longest moment.Finally,Cara took a breath and said,"Do you want some fruit?" Emily gave Cara a smile and said,"Yeah,thanks."Cara gave her an orange slice and skipped back to the activities. Cara told Nicole what had happened and they both laughed.Cara laughed so hard that her last piece of banana fell onto the grass. Emily always said hello with a smile after the incident. Cara thought: OMG!It is great to be kind to others.If they are angry and grumpy,it is their issue.I will always keep my happy,no one else will steal it! sweet thoughts,Marie

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Alyssa~ #friendship,#tweens,#tweengirls

Alyssa was excited about starting 6th grade in her new school.Her family had moved from California to New Jersey during the summer.She made friends with two girls (Erin and Tiffany) in her new neighborhood.Alyssa was invited to Erin's birthday party and the three girls went swimming together at park. On the first day of school,Alyssa woke up early. It was raining pretty hard.Her mother had just left for work and Alyssa was to walk to the bus stop with her new friends.She was holding her umbrella,backpack,and purse.Somehow she slipped on the wet pavement and fell into a mud puddle.Her purse was wet and her shoes and pants were soaked with the muddy water. Alyssa was upset and really embarrassed.After picking up her things,she stepped onto the school bus.She look down the aisle of the school bus and saw that Erin and Tiffany were laughing and pointing to Alyssa's soaked shoes.Alyssa could not believe it! This was not a good morning for Alyssa... how could the first day of school go so wrong?!When the school bus arrived at school,Alyssa went to the bathroom to clean up as best as she could.The physical ed.teacher even gave her some clean socks. She wanted to ask her new friends why they laughed at her.Did they have any manners? Should Alyssa keep silent and remain friends with the girls or ask them about the way they treated her that morning? Sweet thoughts, Marie

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Friends are all around~ #friends

Hi girls, What do you want in a friend? Should they be nice,honest,fun,smart,or a little bit kooky? Think about why you like to be around that person.Should a friend be a real good listener? They may listen to the same music as you do. Is it important to be friend with the girls who are popular in school? Does it really matter if you are friends with the new girl in school who sits by herself in the school cafeteria? Show some love ... spread the friendship on this day.You may be glad you did! Keep it sweet, Marie