Buttons and Lacey- Storybook-2-©Copyright-Sheryl Hale Black

Buttons And Lacey, The Good Manners Bears
And Their Pet Balblitzes
Storybook#2 "Playground Plans For Buttons And Lacey And Their Pet Balblitzes"

Saturday has finally come and the birds are singing right outside Button’s window. This was surely to be a promising day for both Buttons and Blueberrie. Remember, Blueberie is Button’s pet Balblitz, the pet that can talk and remind Buttons of his manners. Today is the day that Button’s and Lacey made plans to meet at the school’s playground. To refresh your memory, little did they know as they were making plans to meet on the playground, so was the entire first grade. Button’s and Lacey really think they are going to be alone and enjoy playing with their pets there today. We will see what happens when they find that they are not really alone at all.
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With joy in his heart, Buttons jumped out of bed as soon as he opened his big blue eyes. When he finally landed on his feet, he quickly remembered what his mother had taught him about responsibility. He was growing up now and his first responsibility in the mornings was to make his bed and straighten up his room. Having a clean room makes a person feel organized with everything in it’s place and when you need a certain toy or possibly clothing, you will always know where to look. With all that in the back of his mind, Buttons begins to make his bed and straighten his room. While he was making his bed, he also remembered that his mother also told him, "What is worth doing, is worth doing well". So, instead of just throwing the bedspread on top of wrinkled sheets, he took an extra moment to straighten them out so the bed would look so much better.
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Buttons could not help but notice that Blueberie, his pet Balbliz, was snoring. Today was going to be a big day for both of them so he knew he had to wake Blueberie up and he did just that. Buttons began to tickle Blueberie until Blueberie woke up in shock like many of us do when someone wakes us up in that way. Buttons giggled but knew he had to apologize for alarming Blueberie. Another thing Button’s mother taught him was" Treat others as you would have them treat you". Buttons could just imagine the day Blueberie would be waking him up that same way and this is something he was not looking forward to, so he apologized for alarming Blueberie.
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Blueberie laughed and told Button’s that everything was okay and then Buttons reminded Blueberie about the plans to go to the playground today. By now, both of them were giggling and moving around the room, making beds and putting toys and clothing back where they belonged.
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When all their chores were completed, Buttons and Blueberie went into the bathroom that was located off the hallway next to their bedroom. They both needed to wash their faces and brush their teeth and put clean clothing on before breakfast. While they were washing their face, Blueberie asked Buttons why everyone needed to brush their teeth before they ate in the morning. Laughing, buttons told him that was the same thing he had wondered until he asked his mother about it. He said that she had told him about the germs in the mouth that collect each night as we sleep. Before we eat, we have to get rid of those germs so they don’t go back through the body again.
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With this answer, Blueberie grabbed his toothbrush and started brushing so hard that Buttons had to grab his hand to slow him down. Buttons was laughing so hard about that time that he could hardly stand up. The look on Blueberie’s face told Buttons that he had better explain to him that the germs would not kill him. What a sigh of relief Blueberie made, and they continued to clean themselves up and hang the towels back up when they finished, before going downstairs.
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When they walked into the kitchen, Button’s mother was baking biscuits in the oven. Buttons asked where everyone was and his mother told him that his stepfather was in the garage working on a project and his sister, Shawna Bear was combing her hair. She told both Buttons and Blueberie to set the plates and silverware on the table for her and the both of them did just that after telling her "Yes Mam". This morning’s breakfast was going to be in the large dining room, instead of the kitchen where they had normally eaten breakfast. Button’s mother explained that she wanted Buttons to have a nice start with a good breakfast because she knew he had a big day planned. When she told him this, Buttons thanked her for thinking about
him and planning such a nice morning.
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Button’s father came into the large dining room about the time that breakfast was ready to be served. Shawna Bear came in with smiles and telling everyone that she was going to go shopping today. Buttons and Blueberie immediately said "Good Morning" to both of them. His dad smiled and said "Good Morning" back and they all sat down to eat.
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Buttons always remembered his manners while eating in the presence of others. Button’s mother started teaching Buttons good manners at a very early age. When she knew he could understand what she was teaching to him, she taught him important rules on how to act in front of others. She also explained that even if they are your own family members, you should always show good manner. A few of the things she taught him were:
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Always wear clean clothing when eating at the table. When you talk, speak pleasantly. Never say harsh words to anyone, nor say things that might make another person uncomfortable. Our words are powerful and should be used in the right way before when we speak. Ask for food to be passed to you and never reach across someone else or across the table. Never lean on the table over your plate. Keep your elbows off the table. When you are chewing, keep your lips closed and while you are drinking, do not gulp or slurp. Always remember that you should behave the same way that you would want someone else to behave in front of you. With that thought, it is easy to remember good manners.

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Across town, Lacey had wakened about the same time that Buttons had. Pinkerie, Lacey’s pet Balblitz was the one who had gotten out of bed first. Pinkerie was whistling a cute little tune and without knowing it, she had awakened Lacey. The tune was from "The Land Of Blitz" where Pinkerie was from. Lacey began making her bed quietly as she listened to Pinkerie. Once Pinkerie saw that she possibly had awakened Lacey, she apologized. Lacey told her not to worry about apologizing because hearing the cute tune was a wonderful way to awaken in the morning.
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Lacey began to explain to Pinkerie that they had a big day planned at the playground and Pinkerie was going to be meeting another Balblitz. Tiny squeals came from Pinkerie when she heard that. She was so thrilled that she could hardly stop the squealing. Lacey began to laugh at her because she had never seen Pinkerie act so happy before. Lacey explained how she had met a little boy bear at school on Friday and one thing that they both had in common was they both owned Balblitzes. She went on to explain that they made plans to go to the playground so the pets could meet one another too.
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Immediately Pinkerie began to ask questions about the little boy bear’s pet. Lacey told Pinkerie that there was no time for questions because they both had to get cleaned up and go downstairs for breakfast. Pinkerie agreed and the both of them had the room sparkling in no time at all. Lacey was from a wealthy family, so she had her own bathroom adjoined to her bedroom. When they finished cleaning, they both brushed their hair and brushed their teeth. Before they left the bathroom they had done everything that Lacey's mother had taught Lacey to do before leaving the bathroom.
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Keep in mind that someone else may want to use a bathroom after you do, so keep it clean. Always put the toilet seat cover back down after you use the toilet. Always make sure the toilet is flushed. Put back, or straighten towels that you have used. If there is a mirror over the sink where you have washed your face and hands, make sure that you don’t splash water on the mirror. Never turn the facet on all the way, this keeps water from splashing so much. When you finish washing your face and hands, check the bar of soap to make sure it is clean also. Wipe off any water that may have splashed up on the counter around the sink. Make sure there are no clothes laying on the floor, nor towels
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Lacey’s parents owned a clothing factory so her mother was not always home during the day because she was busy running the factory along with her father. Because Lacey’s mother was gone during the day, they hired a very sweet lady named, Lola Bear. Lola Bear was very fun loving and Lacey thought the world of her. She was most of the time, using her good manners around Lola Bear, and when she forgot to do that, Pinkerie would remind her to use her good manners and Lola was very proud of the both of them for being that way. Lola Bear cooked all the food at Lacey’s house and she was waiting for them in the kitchen that morning. Lola Bear knew that Lacey had made big plans, so she also planned something special for the both of them. She made them both homemade doughnuts that they could take with them to the playground.
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When Lacey and Pinkerie entered the kitchen the both of them said "Good Morning Ms. Lola Bear!" Did you notice that they said MS. Lola Bear? Lacey’s mother taught Lacey that when she is speaking with an adult, she must always address them as Ms, Mrs. or Mr. Lacey’s mother also explained: "You are much younger, and addressing the adult is a sign of respect to the older person. This also shows that the younger person is well trained, and it makes others like you more."
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Lola Bear replied with the same "Good Morning" wish to the both of them and gave them a big hug for being so considerate. (Considerate means to think of others and what you can do to make them comfortable.) Then Lola Bear told them that they now had doughnuts to take with them today to the playground. Immediately they began to jump up and down with excitement thinking about Ms. Lola Bear’s delicious doughnuts.
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When Lacey and Pinkerie had finished breakfast they brushed their teeth and washed their hands and prepared for the big day at the playground. Lacey told her parents that she would be ready for her father to pick her up at the playground by 4P.M. She kissed her mother at the door and as she and Pinkerie got in the car with her father, her mother told her to remember all of her manners and to not speak to any adults that she did not know. With these instructions and a picnic basket full of doughnuts, Lacey replied that she would remember and then waved good-bye to her mother and Lola Bear.
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Meanwhile, Buttons and Blueberie were also getting into Button’s stepfather’s car and waving good-bye to Button’s mother as they drove away toward the playground. While driving to the playground Buttons and Blueberie were so excited they began to jump around inside the car. Button’s stepfather told them to settle down and he then explained why; " When you are in a car or truck or even your school bus and an adult or anyone who has a driver’s license is trying to drive the vehicle that you are in, it is so important for you to remain as quiet as you can because of safety. If you are making a lot of noise and the driver takes his attention off of his driving, that is known as: "distracting the driver". If you happen to distract the driver, then it is very possible that the driver will make a bad mistake while driving and it is also possible that there could be a wreck and those that are in the vehicle could be killed."
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Buttons and Blueberie sat in their seats very silent with their mouths open as they thought about what Button’s stepfather had just told them. Noticing this complete silence from the two of them, Button’s stepfather smiled and told them that it was not necessary for them to be completely silent. He told them that they could talk with one another but never yell or speak loudly. The next thing that was heard from Button’s and Blueberie was "Yes Sir", then they began to talk normally until they arrived at the playground.
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They lived about the same distance from the school’s playground as Lacey and Pinkerie, so when they arrived, they arrived at the same time. Once they all were out of their cars and after they asked their fathers to pick them up at 4 P.M., they looked in shock at all the little bears that were all over the playground, playing and having a great time.
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It almost seemed like a long time that the four of them stood there looking at all the other little bears, then the silence stopped as Button’s remembered his manners and began to introduce Blueberie to Lacey and Pinkerie. For some reason Pinkerie was so happy to meet another Balblitz that she started jumping around and before you know it, they all were laughing together.
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Two of the little bears who had met one another in class on Friday at the Caveville Elementary school, walked up to Buttons and Lacey and introduced themselves. The little boy bear spoke first and introduced the little girl bear first to Buttons and Lacey. Let’s hear what he said to them:
			Hello, "This is Mandy Bear and my name is Kelly Bear. We remember seeing you in class on Friday. We had no idea that you would be here too. Everyone here is having fun and we were wondering if we could play with you also." Buttons and Lacey, along with Blueberie and Pinkerie by that time were
standing in front of the two little bears as they smiled from ear to ear. They were all silently thinking to themselves; "Even though the playground was not going to be a quiet place to be that day, this might turn out to be a lot of fun for all of us."
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Buttons remembered how Kelly Bear had used his good manners and introduced Mandy Bear first, so he began to speak and said. "Hello, glad to meet both of you. This is Lacey, and these are our pets Pinkerie and Blueberie, and my name is Buttons. We would be glad to play with you today."
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Lacey was still smiling and so were the Balblitzes. When Lacey had gotten out of her father’s car before she and Buttons had noticed one another, she had laid the basket full of doughnuts on the picnic table under the big cherry tree. Lacey immediately thought of the doughnuts and told Kelly Bear and Mandy Bear that they were welcome to eat the doughnuts with them. Lacey thought to herself how glad she was that Ms. Lola Bear had put so many in the basket for her. She would try to remember to thank Ms. Lola Bear for doing that.
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Meanwhile, Blueberie and Pinkerie found a big chair by the table and got up on the chair so they could start talking to one another about themselves and "The Land Of Blitz". Buttons and Lacey, Kelly Bear and Mandy Bear saw that there were only two smaller chairs by the table and not all of them would have a place to sit.
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Immediately Kelly Bear spoke to Buttons and said; "Please, you and Lacey sit in the chairs. It is your table because Lacey had already put her basket on the table when she got here. Mandy Bear and I will stand here for just a few minutes and then we will go back to our other friends that we were talking with and tell them that we will be over here with you for a while. Maybe you can meet them also after you and Lacey have had some time to talk. We can find something to sit on when we get back."
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Did you notice that Kelly Bear has manners too? Did you also notice that he was considerate of his other friends enough to go back to them and tell them of his plans so they would not feel left out? Buttons and Lacey had a few minutes to speak with one another after Kelly Bear and Mandy Bear went back to the playground to talk to their other friends. They both liked the little bears that they had just met and they wanted to get to know them better also.
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It was now time for the two father’s to pick up Buttons, Lacey and the Balblitzes, and all four of them decided that this day had turned out so well, even though the playground was so crowded. They played with Kelly Bear and Mandy Bear for a long time and found out that Kelly Bear lived on Button’s street and Mandy Bear came from a wealthy family also and lived down the street from Lacey. They were thrilled with their new friends and all of them were looking forward to seeing one another again on Monday.
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What a wonderful day it was for Buttons and Lacey. It would have been so easy for them to be upset and mad about all the other little bears being on the playground. However, because the both of them have been taught that having good manners always makes things turn out better, they not only had a good time, they also met so many other little bears that day and especially such good friends as Kelly Bear and Mandy Bear. It is never good to think of your self so much that you keep away others when those they might just end up being the best friends you ever have in life. It is not that hard to think of others first.
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Also, Lacey remembered to tell Lola Bear, as soon as she arrived home, how thankful she was to have had so many doughnuts to share. Lola Bear told her that she had a feeling that there would be other little bears there and that is why she baked so many.
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End Of Storybook #2 Let's Go Now To Storybook #3 Lacey Meets Buttons Family For The First Time Click Title Above Or Image To The Right.