Archive for the ‘Hector’ Category

Hector Gets the Homework Talk

Thursday, September 14th, 2017

HectorHector was enjoying and afternoon of skateboarding when his dad called him into the house.

Not good thought Hector. It is only 4 o’clock, too soon for supper.

When Hector  went inside he saw his mom and dad sitting at the dining room table. They asked him to sit down at the table with them.

Uh, oh thought Hector, did I forget to do a chore? Did my sister, Maria, snitch on me for eating her snack last night? He couldn’t think what else he might have done wrong.

His dad said, “You’re not in trouble, Hector. We just want to talk with you about homework  now that the school year has started. We want you to get off to a good start. We want you to have good homework practices.

Last year, you had a hard time doing homework, not because it was hard, but because you kept putting off and then you would rush through it and not do your best work.

This year, Hector, you will have more homework than last year. It will take time to do. I know there will be times when you would rather be doing other things, like skateboarding or watching TV. But, when you put homework off to the last minute, you make it hard on yourself.

So, make up your mind to do your homework first thing , when you get home. Then you will be able to have fun. You won’t have to be worrying about getting your homework done.

So, Hector, do you promise to do your homework as soon as you get home?”

Hector was glad he wasn’t in trouble, but he wasn’t happy to have to promise to do his homework as soon as he got home from school.  He could see by the look on his dad’s face that his dad meant business. He looked at his mom. She was nodding yes to everything dad said.

His dad said, “Well Hector, we are waiting for your answer. Hector answered, “I promise.”

“Good,” said dad. “Now you can go back out and skateboard until dinner.”

As Hector picked up his skateboard and walked outside he couldn’t help but think that making promises and keeping them is tough!

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It’s That Time Again…Mother’s Day

Saturday, May 10th, 2014

Tomorrow is mom’s special day… Mother’s Day. So, if you haven’t thought of what to make or do…you better get busy!

Here are some of the things the “Can Do” Kids are doing for Mothers Day. Maybe you will get an idea about what you want to do about Mother’s Day for your mom.

  • Nellie and Willie are looking forward to having their mom home on leave from the military. They’ve decorated the house with welcome home signs. On Mother’s Day, with the help of Grandma Hattie, they are going to surprise their mom with breakfast in bed.
  • Orrie wrote a poem about what his mom means to him and will put it on her dish at breakfast.
  • Hector wrote an”I promise” list to his mom. In it he promises to do extra chores around the house for a week as his Mother’s Day gift.
  • Maria made he mom a necklace in jewelry class at the community center.
  • Yundi and Wendy made cookies with Grandma Sue’s help to give to their mom.
  • Mickey is going to give his mom a rose.
  • Bobby saved up money he got for helping Grandpa John clean up the cellar. He is going to buy his mom a box of her favorite candy.

 What you are going to do for your mom on Mother’s Day?

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Hector Is Not So Good at Doing Chores

Sunday, January 13th, 2013

Hector FrontHector is great at eating, sleeping, skateboarding, computers and math but he is not good at doing his chores.

Hector and his sister Maria have chores. Hector’s mom says,”We all live in this house and we all need to do our fair share of keeping the house nice.”  Hector agrees but when it is time to do his chores he forgets or hopes his mom will forget!

One of Hector’s chores is to empty the garbage every night after dinner. He always puts it off. When his mom reminds him,  he says he will do it in a few minutes. Most of the time he doesn’t do it.

Hector and Maria are supposed to make their beds each morning. Most mornings Hector doesn’t make his bed. He is also supposed to put his dirty clothes in the hamper each night. Most times he throws them in the corner of his room. By Friday he is often out of underwear.

Hector’s mom says if he doesn’t start doing his chores he is not going to be able to watch his favorite TV show and lose time on the family computer.

What does Hector need to do to remember to do his chores? What do you do to remember your chores?

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The Nearly New Toy Drive

Saturday, December 8th, 2012

The “Can Do” Kids were helping their parents and grandparents decorate the party room at the community center for the Holiday party. Just then Miss Sue, the center director, came in and asked to talk to everyone. Parents, grandparents and “Can Dos” all sat down to listen to Miss Sue.

“Good morning everyone,” said Miss Sue.” While I’m happy parents and grandparents are here, what I have to say is mostly for the “Can Do” Kids.” The “Can Dos” looked at each other, worried that they did something wrong but not able to remember what it could be.

Miss Sue smiled. She knew what they were thinking. “You are not in trouble, children. I want to talk with you about what we can do for all the children who lost their toys and books during the hurricane that hit the next town from us. The “Can Dos” looked sad at just the thought of losing all one’s toys and books in a flood from a hurricane.

Orrie asked,”How can we help?” Annie said, “What can we do?” Hector added, “We’re only kids, how can we help them get toys?”

“Well,” answered Miss Sue, “The holidays are coming and you will all be getting gifts of new toys and books. What about going through all the toys and books you have now and giving toys you don’t play with anymore and books you have read to children who lost all the toys and books they had?”

Hector wasn’t so sure. He loved all his toys, even the ones he didn’t play with much. Kathy and Annie were having a hard time with the idea of parting with some of their old toys too.

Orrie was the first to offer a toy and some books. Then Willie and Nellie agreed to go through their toys and books and find some that would make good nearly new play things. Pretty soon all the “Can Dos” agreed to give away a toy and a book to children who lost all their toys and books. Even Hector, Annie and Kathy said they would chip in a toy and a book.

Miss Sue told the “Can Dos” she was very proud of them. “Let’s call our project the Nearly New Toy Drive.”

Miss Sue added, “Be sure that the toy and book you decide to give to the toy drive are in good condition. They need to be clean and have all their pieces if they are games, parts if they are toys, and pages if they are books. Don’t give away anything you wouldn’t want to get yourself.”

The “Can Dos” all nodded. The parents agreed to help them pack up what they were giving to the toy drive. The grandparents offered to help the “Can Dos”write notes to go with the toys and books they were giving away.

Boys and girls reading this, here is a question for you…Do you have a toy or book that is in good condition that you could give to a nearly new toy drive near where you live?

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A Hurricane Happening and Delmar’s First Halloween

Wednesday, November 7th, 2012

School is reopening after being closed for a week due to Hurricane Sandy. Coach Campbell is out front, taking big bags of garbage out to the dumpster as some of the “Can Do” Kids walk up and call out…

“Hey Coach! Whatch’ya doing?

“Hey guys,” answers Coach. “I am just about finished cleaning up the yard out back, lots of tree branches came down during the hurricane. The yard had to be cleared, and made safe, before we can go back there and play.

How are you guys? Did you make it through Hurricane Sandy OK?”

Hector answered first, saying, “Yeah, I’m OK. We lost electricity for a while, that was horrible. No computer, no TV. Ugh!

Arthur J. added, “My grandmother’s basement flooded, but she is OK.”

Then Katie chimed in, “The hurricane ruined our Halloween trick or treating!!”

Coach smiled and said, “Well now, I am glad you all made it through OK, and if missing Halloween trick or treating is the worst of it, then you were lucky. Lots of folks lost everything.”

HalloweenAnnie asked, “What about you Coach? WHAT ABOUT DELMAR?!? Was he OK?”

“Delmar was fine, said Coach. “He didn’t like the big winds too much, but once he was back inside, he settled down and was his normal self.

Orrie asked, “Did Delmar have Halloween?”

Coached chuckled and said, “As a matter of fact, he sort of did. No trick or treating, but he went to a local kids Halloween parade. He wore his special pumpkin sweater too.”

Bobby butted in asking, “Did he have fun? Did he get any treats?”

Coach answered, “Oh sure, tons of fun, but no treats. Candy is no good for puppies, and chocolate is a huge NO-NO. Dogs are allergic to chocolate, so no Halloween treats for Delmar.

But, that’s OK, I think he enjoyed sniffing all of the downed tree branches a lot more than the parade. I mean, when else can you sniff the top of a tree without having to climb the tree?”

“Ha, ha…good one Coach,” said Bobby. “Did you take any pictures?”

Coach nodded saying, “Oh boy, you bet I did.”

Bobby looked at Coach’s pictures and said, “Wow, that’s a lot of kids at the Halloween parade. Sure wish parts of my Halloween weren’t cancelled.”

Coach nodded and answered, “Well, that is tough. Halloween is a real fun holiday, but sometimes we don’t get to do what we want. Sometimes, we lose…and I don’t just mean losing as in playing a game.

You lost part of Halloween, but there will be next year, and many years after that of Halloween. Try to remember how lucky you are that you did not lose your home, your toys, or even you entire neighborhood.”

Hector nodded saying, “Yeah, I saw some pictures on TV. It looks real bad.”

Coach agreed, “It is, and in the coming months there will be lots of chances for you to help. Next week we are collecting clothes to send to those who lost their homes. Also, starting next week, you may see some new faces around here. Some kids that lost their schools will be coming to schools near here.”

The “Can Dos” all looked at each other and then seemed to all say at once, “Really, new kids?”

“Yup, and they will need new friends to help them out,” answered Coach.

Annie added, “Maybe we could have a Hurricane-Halloween Party?”

“You know, that might not be such a bad idea,” said Coach.

Coach left them with something to think about, asking, “What other ideas do you guys have about what we can do to help out the new kids coming to our school next week?”

 Story by: Ned Campbell

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