SWIMMING PATCH

It was a beautiful day for swimming. Warm but not real hot. The girls are ready to start their testing for their 3rd patch. As soon as Nikki finishes getting her bathing suit on, the testing will start.

We first started with a discussion on Swimming safety. Talking about the dos and don'ts of swimming. Things such as Do swim with a buddy and make sure an adult is always near by watching. Don't swim when you see or hear a storm coming.

We also talked about how to help another swimmer should they get a cramp, is shivering from hypothermia (a new word they loved and used all day), had a sunburn or heat exhaustion or is just tired.

They were then teamed up with their buddy and would have to put what we talked about to practice during the swim test.



First the girls showed that they knew how to use a flotation device, how to cooperate with someone who is trying to rescue them, how to tread water and using good sense in cold water, deep water, in a current and rough water. They also had to show they knew how to pick out and wear personal flotation device.

They were tested to see if they could Glide 6 feet, kick 25 yards, swim the crawl 25 yards, swim doing two different strokes for 50 yards.



They also had to pick a buddy check call and use it so their buddy would know if they needed any help.

They learned to snorkel and showed they could choose a mask and make sure it would fit them and how to use them.

They had to show they could swim while breathing through the snorkel only and how to go under water and clear the snorkel and mask.

They also had to show they could do a surface dive in both shallow and deep water. They had to jump into the water of the deep end and go to the bottom.

Here Jesse is checking out her "buddy", Nikki, to see if she has hypothermia. She had her get out of the water, wrapped her in warm dry towels, checked to see if her lips were blue and had her sit in the sun to warm up.

After all the testing was finished, the girls were tired and hungry. Here they are waiting for lunch to be brought home.

They all ate lunch and rested up a bit.

Then it was time to learn how to make snow cones.

They liked being able to pour their own flavor on the ice.

Some how, no matter what it is, if kids help make it then it always tastes so much better!

They also enjoyed not only the flavors but mixing them to make the ice turn other colors. They knew red and blue made the ice purple and had fun watching it happen right before their eyes.

They all sat on the swing and enjoyed their snow cones. They also talked about what other things they wanted to do in Girl Scouts.

It was agreed they wanted to learn to cook and to help animals. They want to go to a shelter and bring blankets and food. They also would like to learn to sew and take a trip to San Diego Zoo. With their cookie money they all said they wanted to go to Build a Bear.

So I guess that is what we will be working on for the next few months.

It was then back into the water for some free play time.

I think it was really good to have the girls spend this time together. It gave them time to bond and strengthen their friendships.

They had a lot of laughs and got along so well. It was like they had gone through the testing together and passed together and now they were a team together.

They were making memories and it was fun to watch and listen to.

They did not want the day to end. Each one said they wanted to stay and if they had to leave they wanted to come back again sometime.

They played Marco Polo. Each taking turns and all playing fair.

Then when it was finally time to leave, Zeke gave the girls kisses good bye.

It was so cute to see the girls loving Zeke as much as he loved them.

I was very proud of the girls today. They were so good and really tried hard to do things they weren't sure they would be able to do. They learned new things and showed their fellow Girl Scout Sisters things they knew.

They earned their Swimming Patch and also got a Swimming Fun Patch.

I think this was by far the most fun these girls had since I've been the Troop leader and it made me happy to know they had such a good time.

I think of these girls as "My Girls". I'm so honored to be their Troop Leader.

HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP BADGE

Our meeting started out with Trinity leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance and The Girl Scout Law and Girl Scout Promise.

Everyone showed their completed papers they took home last meeting. I was so proud they all did the assignment needed to complete our first badge.

Each girl got the BEING MY BEST Badge.

We talked about some up coming events taking place and voted on going to Camp Sherman and maybe to the Pacific Aquarium. Both will take place in Oct so we may end up only going to one.

The girls voted on what they wanted to do to celebrate the girls birthdays. It was decided to have a cake or cupcakes and all the other girls will bring a small gift to the birthday girl.

However, the money spent on the gift has to be earned by the girls and can't just be handed over by their parents. This will teach the girls to work for their money and they will take pride in being able to earn the money to purchase the gift.


We then started to work on earning the patch HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS.

We played the friendship game. Each girl took turns drawing a question then having to answer it. It helped to show them that even though they may not realize it, there are certain things that attracts you to someone you want to be friends with.

There are qualities and characteristics in people that they look for when picking friends. They also saw how being a good friend themselves is a great way to make other friends.



We also made a list of 6 different things to do with friends that are either free or inexpensive. Before our next meeting, the girls will put one of their ideas into practice and do one of their ideas with a friend and write down what it was.

We learned that there are signs to show how someone is feeling. They learned how to read nonverbal communications.

Each girl drew an emotion that was typed out on a piece of paper. They then had to act it out without using any words. The other girls had to guess what the emotion was.

Some were easy to guess. Some were a bit harder. Can you tell what emotion Trinity is showing in the picture above?

The girls then wrote down three ways to improve communication in their families. Before our next meeting they will try one of the ways out and report back to us how it went.

They also did role playing with different situations so they could develop positive responses if things should ever happen. They did things such as having a friend talking in class and passing notes but then they are the one who gets caught and has to go to the principle.

Then it was turned around and they were the ones who got their friend in trouble. What would they do?

I was proud that all of them would have stood up and admitted it was their fault and not the friend. They learned to accept responsiblity for their actions and when wrong to deal with the consequence.

We missed having Jesse with us. She was with her daddy hunting. We all said we hoped she was having a nice time and look forward to seeing her this coming Friday when we get together to work on our swimming badge.

Then as a way to show those we are already in a relationship with how much we care for them and what they do, we made cards.

It could be a card for any reason such as a get well card, thank you card or just for no reason other then to say hi. It could be for a family member, a friend, a neighbor or anyone they knew.

Each girl quickly thought of someone they wanted to make their card for.

They all agreed they love getting a homemade card and/or mail. The best ones are the ones you are not expecting. They brighten your day and make you happy.

I loved seeing each card and hearing the reason the girls made them.

Nikki made her card for her neighbor who babysits her. She said she wasn't being very nice to her earlier in the day and felt bad so she wanted her to know how much she really means to her.

How sweet! I bet the babysitter will be thrilled to get this card.

Haili made her mom a card because she is so good to her and is her best friend.

Aww, that would melt any mom's heart. I think mom will keep that card forever.

Trinity made her grandpa a card to thank him for working so hard and working on extra days just so she and her grandma could have extra money to go do fun things.

Isn't that darling! I'm sure grandpa will be so happy to get that card.

As long as the girls do their projects at home they will have earned another badge.

The girls love getting badges and we seem to be able to earn them pretty fast. Of course we won't be getting a badge every meeting but we we will keep on working towards them.

We then cleaned up, packed things away and said good bye.

We will be getting together at my house this Friday. The girls will all be doing the things needed to work on their SWIMMING badge.

ANGEL GAME and BANNER PARADE

We had a blast today! It was our first outing since I've become their leader and everything was perfect. The weather couldn't have been nicer, the girls all got along perfectly, we had a lot of fun and we got a cool patch.

I got to know the girls a little better and I can honestly say that I love each and every one of them.

After what seemed like forever, it was finally the day to go to the Angel Stadium for a day and night full of fun.

It was the first time everyone got to see our cool new Troop banner.

Thanks go out to Maureen White for purchasing the banner for the Troop. The girls all said they really liked it and was happier with it then the one they were going to make.

The girls were really excited about getting to go on to the field and walk in the banner parade.

I have to admit, I was a bit excited myself. After all, I have never been on the field of Angel Stadium. It's not often you get an invitation to walk down there.

We had to wait outside after we checked in and that turned out to be a great chance to snap some photos of the girls.

Haili was always ready with a smile. No matter how long I would wait to snap the photo she had her smile ready. She was so cute.

But then, sadly I caught her with her eyes closed! Some photographer I am.

Nikki was excited about getting to hold the banner. She had fun running around wrapping it around me and we ran around together out in the parking lot showing off our banner.

She really wanted to hold one of the ends of the banner. So of course, she got to.

Poor Trinity. Yesterday, she cut her foot pretty badly and she was in a lot of pain having to walk on it today. But, she was a trooper and held up well.

Jesse cracked me up with her hat that was to big for her. She seemed to love wearing it and even though it was hard to see her face most of the time she looked darling in it.

Even though we had to wait for over two hours, the girls were all very well behaved and I was proud of them.

Still waiting in the parking lot before the parade starts.

Don't the girls look sweet in their hats?

Just hanging out and goofing off.

Still waiting...

The crowd just kept getting bigger and bigger as we got closer to the time to line up for the parade.

It was finally time for us to line up and get ready to walk the field!!!

The music was on, people were cheering and as we walked the field the girls danced a bit, waved a bit and most of all had a great time!

Troop 746 loves the ANGELS. That's right girls. Show off those shirts. You look great in them.

OK, so we had seats so high up that only the blimp was higher then us. Who cares. We still had fun.

Plus, we had plenty of extra seats around us so everyone could move around and sit where they wanted to.

Haili didn't give up hope of maybe catching a fly ball. Hey, stranger things have happened in life. You just never know. Plus, a girl scout is always prepared! Way to go Haili!

The best part of the night was getting together with family and friends and sharing time... oh ya, and food. Lots and lots of food.

I should have known better then to sit in front of these two. I got bopped on the head with big fan fingers, things tossed in my lap and even had rice some how find it's way into my hair. Only to have giggles come from them right after these things happen.

Of course, they had no idea how those things happened to me.

High on sugar and full of excitement, the girls laughed, talked, joked and had a great time. They all got along so well.

I hope they also made some memories that will last a life time. I know I did.

Yes, even those who sit in the last row, way up high, can still be a Number One Fan!

I love this picture. Even with all the fun going on in the stands, the girls, every now and then, actually watched and enjoyed the game.

They were actually interested in how fast the ball was being thrown, who was on base and if the Angels were going to be able to get the other team out before they had a chance to run home.

It was then time to say good night and good bye. Wish everyone a safe trip home and make plans to see each other again in just a few days for our meeting.

I'm really happy we went. I think the girls were too.