New Day for Emma Sue ~ #childhoodobesity, #tweens,#tweenblogs,#selfesteem,#writing,#journalwriting,#healthy,

(from Justice) This was a new year and Emma Sue wanted to lose some weight.She is 40 pounds overweight and she does not like it. Emma Sue's parents have been trying to buy and prepare healthy foods.They told Emma Sue that she would need to stop eating foods that are high in calories and bad for her body.Pizza,fried chicken,cheese burgers,pasta,soda,cookies,pies,cakes,candy, and ice cream were off of the menu.Instead of these foods,Emma Sue would eat healthy meals and snacks. After searching on the internet and reading articles on weight loss, Emma Sue's parents had a plan.They would make turkey burgers instead of regular cheese burgers.Greek yogurt would be substituted for ice cream and the skinless chicken would be baked or grilled. Emma Sue was willing to eat less sugar and agreed to eat smaller meals.Her parents wanted this new lifestyle to be a family task.Emma Sue's mother began to shop for organic fruits,vegetables,and bought almond milk instead of cow's milk.She read the labels of the grocery items that she purchased.Sometimes Emma Sue would look at the label of a box of cereal...there were long words that she could not pronounce! The family had to watch the salt and sugar that they put into their bodies,so they bought a lot of fresh food instead of boxed foods.Emma Sue's mom taught her how to make kale with olive oil,garlic,vinegar,vegetable broth, and a pinch of nutmeg.For snacks, Emma Sue ate apples,greek yogurt,berries,nut,whole wheat crackers, and sunflower butter. Instead of snickers or other candy,she chose to eat a small piece of dark chocolate.She was happy to learn how to cook her own food. Exercise had to be added to their daily routines.Emma Sue's dad made up an exercise schedule for the whole family. They would exercise for one hour a day, seven days a week!Emma's parents woke up early before work and walked outside or used the treadmill before work. Emma Sue walked or ran with some friends after school.Sometimes Emma would run up and down the stairs/bleachers at the school.On the weekends, the family went to their backyard,the park,or the YMCA to play games and work out.She got better at exercising everyday! Her parents encouraged her and she wanted to play outdoor games without breathing so hard.There were kids who laughed at her at school and on the school bus.Emma Sue hated it.She wanted to fit in and have good times with the other kids.Yes, Emma Sue would show them! She would not give up on herself! In a couple of weeks, Emma Sue and her family began to see great changes in their bodies.They had more energy and Emma Sue's acne started to clear up! Her mom lost 6 pounds and her father lost 12 pounds in 5 weeks.Emma Sue lost 9 pounds in the first month.She was so happy in the months to come!She looked in the mirror and saw a nice girl with new energy and a healthy body. On that day, Emma Sue decided that she would never go back to eating foods that were filled with saturated fat and sugar. One evening in March, Emma Sue got on the school bus.A boy that was in a seat behind her yelled,"Hey!Emma Sue, how did you lose so much weight?" Emma Sue turned around, and said,"I just stopped eating the food that makes YOU stand up and ask crazy questions!" Yes, it was a new day for Emma Sue.She is a Power Girl! find your kindness, Marie

Last day of 2012 ~#newyears,#newyearseve,#tweenblogging,#tweengirls

Hi girls! Today is the last day of the year 2012.Look back on the year and think about the following: *what were the good things that happened to me and my family *think about the people who helped you through those problems *what you created that was really cool *how you can improve in the year 2013 *name all of the people in your life that made you laugh! a new day~ smiles, Marie Brewer

journal writing ideas ~ #journalwriting,#diary,#writing,#journals,#tweens,#tweengirls

Are you having fun during this break from school? Here are more journal writing ideas: * write about what you like about your room * write about what you do NOT like about one of your friends * Imagine that you can not hear.What would life be like? * If you could start a business,what would it be and tell why you like it. * Write about your favorite drink,the color, how it taste,and tell what ingredients are in it. Have a super day! Marie

Presents ~ #gifts,#presents,#volunteer,#tweens,#newyear

Dear girls, Did you get everything thar you wished for on Christmas? Do you ever get things that you thought that you wanted and then after a while... well you might not want it anymore.Maybe the excitement went away or it wasn't any fun to have anymore. Weird,huh? Do you think that giving to others may be better that receiving a bunch of presents? Which is more important: getting a new cell phone or giving away some old clothes away that you don't even wear? These are just new thoughts for the New Year! good thoughts, Marie

Christmas Joy ~#christmas,#holiday,#tween blogs,#joy

Christmas is a special holiday.Family time is joyful! Who did you visit on this Christmas day? grandmother,grand father, uncle,aunt,cousins,mother,father,sister,brother,or friends?

Jessie finds joy~#counseling,#journalwriting,#Jessie,#tweenblogs,#anger

Jessie was a rude girl.She never spoke to the boys and girls at school.She would talk in class and gave a frown to the teachers when they asked her to be quiet."Thank You" and "please" was not in her vocabulary. When someone bumped into her in the hallway,Jessie would say'"Watch where you're going!"She was in a bad mood every day of the week.Her parents asked what was wrong.She did not tell them because she wanted to solve her own problems. She wore her long brown hair in a pony tail.Her family was poor and she had two younger brothers in elementary school.It was Jesssie's job to care for her brother until her parents got home from work. Seventh grade was very stressful for Jessica.It was a new school.Her family had moved to Kansas City at the end of the summer.The middle school had 1,200 studenst.Jessie hated walking down the hallway...it was so many kids and made her dizzy just looking at them. Jessie talked to some girls and boys in class,but she did not have any close friends.There were girls who tried to be friends with Jessie,but she never hung out with any of them.The teachers were nice and tried to help Jessie. One of her teachers asked if Jessie could join the counselor's group.Jessie's parents agreed to this.Ms.Marsha was the school counselor.The told Jessie that counselors were there to help her with her feelings and thoughts. Jessie agreed to join the counselor group.Eight kids were in this group. The counselor took Jessie and a group of other kids to the library every Tuesday. Tuesday came.Jessie was a little nervous and played with her pony tail as she and the others waited outside of Ms. Marsha's office. Jessie sat down on the bench and looked at the other kids in the group.They looked 'pretty regular',Jessie thought.She sat by a girl whose name was Shelly.They smiled at each other.No one was screaming or fighting. Then Ms.Marsha came out and they all went to sit at a large table in the library.Jessie was surprised to see that the kids in the group had problems just like her.One boy said that his dad left the family.The boy started to cry and put his head down into his hands.Ms.Marsha listened to the boy and told him that he would be ok.Ms. Marsha told Jessie to bring a writing journal to the next group meeting. Jessie brought her writing tablet to the meeting.Ms.Marshs told the group to write about something that made them feel angry.Jessie took out her pen and began to think about what to write. She wrote: "I don't like being away from my grandmother.We moved her during the summer and it was so hard.My father got another job and we had to leave my other city.My grandmother made me feel so special and I miss her smile.She taught me how to decorate Christmas stockings.I used to help her make chocolate chip cookies too.We would sit outside and talk while we ate the cookies with some almond milk.Grand ma would always tell me stories of what she did when she was younger.I don't want to be at this school.I am not happy here." Jessie had not figured out why she was so upset.She like the counseling class and began to talk about the things that were bothering her.If she did not want to talk,she could write it down on paper. Wow! What a relief! Jessie is doing better now and has made new friends.She was sorry for treating other so badly because she did not want to leave her grandma.The family is now visiting grandma more often which is really cool with Jessie!

Good deeds ~ #gooddeeds,#tweenblogs,#volunteer,#tweenbooks,#actsofkindness

Do a good deed today! *Smile at someone who is not your friend. *Tell a friend or family member that you love them. *Polish up your room and make it look good. *Play a new game with your brothers and sisters. *Call a grandparent,uncle,aunt, or cousin and see how they are doing. *Read a book for tween girls. *Wash your clothes or dirty sneakers without Mom having to ask. Happy Day! Marie

Justin Bieber ~ #justinbieber,#tshirts,#shopping,#tweenblogs

We love Justin!

Thinking of them ~ #newtown, #sandyhookschool, #tweenblogs,

America is sad tonight.America is thinking of the young children who have lost their lives.We are sad now. Remember that even after the darkest day, tomorrow the sun will shine. Peace and Love, Marie

liars ~ #liars,#charactereducation #tweenblogs #tweens,#truth

Stay away from people who tell lies.They can hurt your spirit and confuse your mind.~ Sweet thoughts, Marie

Holiday gifts ~ #tweenblogs,#holidays #tweengirls #gifts

What are your favorite holiday gifts to receive? Sometimes it is good to ask people what they like during the year, then you will know what to buy them! Everybody's happy! Marie

What's your style? #fashion,#style,#Barbie,#tweenblogs,#dressup,#onlinegames

Click on the pictures on the right for many fashion choices ~