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You know you grew up in the 80's if:

You Know You Grew Up In the 80's if:

1. You've ever ended a sentence with the word SIKE.





2. You can sing the rap to the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and can do the Carlton



3. You know that "WOAH" comes from Joey on Blossom


4. If you ever watched "Fraggle Rock"



5. It was actually worth getting up early on a Saturday to watch cartoons.




6. You wore a ponytail on the side of your head.



7. You got super-excited when it was Oregon Trail day in computer class at school.



8. You made your mom buy one of those clips that would hold your shirt in a knot on the side.


9. You played the game "MASH"(Mansion, Apartment, Shelter, House)




10. You wore stonewashed Jordache jean jackets and were proud of it.


11. You know the profound meaning of " WAX ON , WAX OFF"




12. You wanted to be a Goonie.




13. You ever wore fluorescent clothing. (some of us...head-to-toe)




14. You can remember what Michael Jackson looked like before his nose fell off and his cheeks shifted.



15. You have ever pondered why Smurfette was the only female smurf.




16. You took lunch boxes to school...and traded Garbage Pailkids in the schoolyard.




17. You remember the CRAZE, then the BANNING of slap bracelets.



18. You still get the urge to say "NOT" after every sentence.



19. You thought your childhood friends would never leave because you exchanged handmade friendship bracelets.



21. You ever owned a pair of Jelly-Shoes.


22. After you saw Pee-Wee's Big Adventure you kept saying "I know you are, but what am I?"



23. You remember "I've fallen and I can't get up"




24. You remember going to the skating rink before there were inline skates.







25. You have ever played with a Skip-It.


26. You remember boom boxes and walking around with one on your shoulder like you were all that.



27. You remember watching both Gremlins movies.







28. You thought Doogie Howser/Samantha Micelli was hot.




29. You remember Alf, the lil furry brown alien from Melmac.



30. You remember New Kids on the Block when they were cool...and don't even flinch when people refer to them as "NKOTB"




31. You knew all the characters names and their life stories on "Saved By The Bell," The ORIGINAL class.




32. You know all the words to Bon Jovi - SHOT THROUGH THE HEART.

33. You just sang those words to yourself.




34. You still sing "We are the World"




35. You tight rolled your jeans.



36. You owned a bannana clip.


37. You remember "Where's the Beef?"




38. You used to (and probably still do)
say "What you talkin' 'bout Willis?"



39. You're still singing shot through the heart in your head, aren't you!

National Adoption Day

NATIONAL ADOPTION DAY 2007 – NOVEMBER 17

ABOUT NATIONAL ADOPTION DAY
National Adoption Day is a collective national effort to raise awareness of the 114,000 children in foster care waiting to find permanent, loving families. For the last eight years, National Adoption Day has made the dreams of thousands of children come true by working with courts, judges, attorneys, adoption professionals, child welfare agencies and advocates to finalize adoptions and find permanent, loving homes for children in foster care.

National Adoption Day is celebrated every year on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. For the first time in 2006, National Adoption Day was celebrated in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. In total, more than 250 events were held throughout the country to finalize the adoptions of more than 3,300 children in foster care, and to celebrate all families who adopt.

Monster Cupcake

M is for Mini Monster Cupcake

RECIPE INGREDIENTS:
	1 mini cupcake
	Blue frosting
	2 candy eyes
	Red whip licorice
	1 Circus Peanut, halved

1. Unwrap the cupcake and turn it upside down. With a writing or star tip, frost the cupcake from the top down.

2. Add the eyes, the licorice antennae and peanut halves for sneakers.

Halloween safty tips for trick or treating

HALLOWEEN SAFETY TIPS FOR TRICK OR TREATING
	Trick or Treating should be one of the great adventures of Halloween for kids! They can get dressed in scary costumes and go door to door, begging "Tricks or Treats!" from neighbors or at the local mall. Lots of towns have a Harvest Festival so kids can Trick-or-Treat safely. But going door to door is the stuff of childhood memories! It should be a fun time, without trouble and pain, so following some easy tips can keep your child safe every Halloween. Children should go out during daylight hours only unless accompanied by a responsible adult. Plan a safe route so parents know where their older kids will be at all times. Set a time for their return home. Make sure that your child is old enough and responsible enough to go out by themselves. Let your children know not to cut through back alleys and fields. Make sure they know to stay in populated places and don't go off the beaten track. Stay in well lighted areas. Stop only at familiar houses in your own neighborhood unless they are accompanied by an adult. Small children should never be allowed to go out alone on Halloween. Make sure an older sibling or adult is with them. Instruct your children not to eat any treats until they bring them home to be examined by you. Instruct your child to never go into the home of a stranger or get into their car. Make sure your child carries a flashlight, glow stick or has reflective tape on their costume to make them more visible to cars. Let them know that they should stay together as a group if going out to Trick or Treat without an adult.

Are homework Expectations realistic for our children?

Are Homework Expectations Realistic for Our Children?
by Sally Sacks, www.sallysacks.com

I become increasingly concerned when I see the expectations being forced upon kids nowadays. It seems that so many kids are cutting themselves, a newer form of stress reduction, and engaging in other escapist, avoidant behaviors to dodge the pressure cooker they live in every day called school. Teachers are pressured by state requirements; they, in turn, pressure the kids, and the parents become pressured by the teacher and the school�s expectations.

Sometimes the expectations are over the top, and your job as a parent is to realize when that is happening and when the expectations are reasonable.

So many kids tell me that if they miss a day or two of school, they are so far behind, that they say, �Why bother,� and subsequently get a poor grade. Kids get sick, and they should feel that they can take the time they need to get well.

Many parents are worried, even at the fourth grade level when homework isn�t done and grades are not A�s and B�s. If the child isn�t motivated to come home after school and begin two hours of homework, they are worried they have a slacker, a lazy kid. I work eight plus hours a day and I don�t usually come home looking for more work to do.

Let�s put things into perspective. Children need to know that they have to do homework to make it through school, and most kids, unless they have serious academic limitations or other learning issues, will attempt to do it. If they downright refuse to do any homework, even a reasonable amount, then you have another problem that needs addressing. Maybe they really don�t understand the work, and aren�t telling you. Maybe they need a different school. Maybe there are emotional issues to be examined. Let them pick a time that�s best for them, and you help them structure that time. If they get restless, and need a break, let them take a break. As long as they return to it, that isn�t a problem.

It is important for parents to admit that most young kids don�t love homework and think of creative ideas to help them through it. Here is what not to do in helping your child with homework:

1. Don’t ask them to do homework as soon as they get off the bus.

2. Don’t assume that they aren’t overwhelmed by the amount, and are just lazy.

3. Understand that most kids don’t love homework

4. Don’t compare them to others and push them with your own anxiety

5. Many successful people in life didn’t love homework

6. Keep in mind your child’s age and motivation to get homework done

7. Don’t overlook the strengths of a kid who doesn’t think certain things are necessary to learn.

8. That may be true. That kid may have many independent strengths!

9. Don’t forget to help them when you can. They need support. Some of the work is very difficult

10. Don’t forget what being young was like for you.

What To Do To Help Kids With Homework:

1. Do help them find a time that works for them to do it.

2. If they are having trouble with it, troubleshoot as to why. Ask questions.

3. Do help them find solutions, and acknowledge their negative feelings or difficulty.

4. Spend time with them when you can, showing enthusiasm toward their subject.

5. Expect rebellion and procrastination. It will happen.

6. Keep calm about their consequences if they can’t get it done. They will eventually learn how to handle this.

7. If you push too hard, you will get your children to lie about doing it.

8. Show calm when they are filled with anxiety.

9. Hire a tutor if they need more support.

10. Love them and believe in them, even when they are not doing what you feel they should be to get ahead.

Sally Sacks, M.Ed is a licensed psychotherapist, with 20 years of experience, counseling individuals, children, families and couples. Sally is the author of How to Raise the Next President, a groundbreaking parents' guide to teaching and instilling in their kids the qualities they'll need to be happy, successful and productive, no matter which path they choose in life. Sally offers personal and group coaching and can be reached through her website at www.sallysacks.com.