BRONZE AWARD CELEBRATION!!!

The girls worked very hard for a year on their Bronze Award.  The earned two badges, the Wild Life Badge and Pet Care badge.  They each earned the Sign of the Star patch and the Junior Leadership pin.

They did hours and hours of community service projects, helping out animals and then finally they did their big project of holding a Dog Adoption.

Several families and dogs have been matched and are now living happily together because of these girls.

The day was finally here for them to actually receive their Bronze Award and each one of them was very excited.

The beautiful Wyndham Hotel was kind enough to provide us, free of charge, one of their lovely meeting rooms so we could have our ceremony there.

Thanks goes out to Trinity's Grandma, Maureen, for setting this up for us.

The girls had practiced what they would be doing and the table was set waiting for them.

This was also the first time our troop did a proper flag ceremony outside of the two times we were at camp.

Elizabeth is this months troop assistant leader so she was the one in charge of carrying the flag.

The girls led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.

After I spoke to everyone who came and explained about the Bronze Award and how the girls earned it, each girl got up and told everyone what the Bronze Award meant to them.

They had each written out what they wanted to say.  No one told them what to write. 

The words they spoke were typed up by me but were words they wrote from their heart.

I was pleased to hear what each girl felt was important to them about how they earned the Bronze Award.

They all gave their speech perfectly! 

I was beaming with pride as I'm sure each parent was too.

Then Michelle spoke to the group.  Afterwards, the girls each came up to the table.

One by one, they took their candle and lit it from the flame of a candle that could be traced back to the first flame lit by the founder of the Girl Scouts in 1912.

After the candle was lit they each recited two lines of the Girl Scout Law.

I will do my best to be, Honest and Fair.  Friendly and helpful.

Considerate and caring.  Courageous and Strong.

And, responsible for what I say and do, and to respect myself and others.

Respect authority.  Use resources wisely.

Make the World a better place and be a sister to every Girl Scout.

The girls then came up and got their Bronze Award pin and certificate.

Nikki's mom, Sara, gave all the girls a pretty sunflower.

It was then time to take photos with their parents.

They were all so proud of their daughters.

The girls were all so happy to have their parents there too.

Everyone was very happy and there were smiles everywhere I looked.

I think everyone had a very good time.

It was wonderful that so many people came out to help the girls celebrate.  I'm sure it meant the world to the girls to have everyone there.

Since the girls got their Bronze Award and will be Bridging during the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouts, I thought it would be fun to give them all a pink shirt that says Juniors 1912 which is the year Girl Scouts first started.

They loved them and all wanted to wear them over to the Rainforest Cafe while we had lunch.

We all headed over to South Coast Plaza and had a celebration meal together at the Rainforest Cafe.

A man who made balloon animals made the girls cute little guys to take home.    Nikki and Trinity both got dogs.  They looked alike but were different colors.  They were so cute!

Elizabeth got a little dog on a big leash.  So sweet!

Brittnee got a twin to Nikki's dog.  Darling!

No dog for Jesse though.  She wanted a sword.  It even came with a holder that went around her waist.  Very clever.

While we waited for our meals to be served, we had some fun on the bar stools.  I loved them and so did the girls.

But wait a minute!  Where is the other 1/2 of the animals??  Jesse, did that sword have anything do with this??

After eating, Trinity's grandma ordered a dessert for the girls called a Volcano.  Wow!  That thing is big!!!  It even comes with fireworks.

They dug into that thing like there was no tomorrow!  It was like a swarm of ants attacking a piece of candy.

This was all that was left. 

After everyone had finished eating it was time to go home. 

It was a special day that I know I won't forget and I have a feeling the girls won't either. 

These are five super girls that I love with all my heart and I'm very thankful that they allow me to be their leader. 

Great job girls!  You all ROCK!