Halloween in Regland...

Halloween in our house has historically been a HUGE deal.  I used to plan my kids costumes in the summer.  There were elaborate plans, big purchases...much hype.  Often my kids were Star Wars characters - Luke skywalker, Han Solo, Princess Leia, Jango Fett, Anakin Skywalker, Obi Wan...  We have also had Dorothy and the scarecrow from the Wizard of Oz, Harry Potter galore, George Washington, Ninjas...I shudder to think of the money that was spent on these costumes.  The only saving thought I have here is that my children have always been REALLY into imaginative play and wore the heck out of those costumes.  I think that my exuberance for Halloween has been burnt out.  This year I did not plan anything ahead of time.  A week before Halloween three of my kids announced that they were going to be football players and for the most part they had everything they were going to wear in their closets.  Wally did decide to be Harry Potter for the second time in his life, but I given the amount of time he spends reading and rereading the books, I was willing to buy him another Harry costume that should fit him for years to come.  He really did make an awesome Harry Potter!  This year my kids planned their costumes and they did not notice that my approach was different.  This was their deal and they were just as happy with how it turned out and I barely spent any money.  It just goes to show that the amount of money that goes into an endeavor does not necessarily impact it's success.  There is so much hype around Halloween and getting the "right" costume too many of us get sucked in.  I am closing the door on that phase.  Cha-Ching....

Rally for Sanity or Fear...

Check out the rally!
http://www.comedycentral.com/shows/rally_to_restore_sanity_and_or_fear/index.jhtml

Opinionnaire

Tonight in class we had one of the most interesting discussions that we have ever had in FSS....Students had to give their initial, gut reactions to 12 statements.  They had to decide if they strongly agree, agree, disagree, or strongly disagree with each statement.  The statements were:
1. All men are created equal.
2. Girls should act like girls.
3. It's okay to be different.
4. Nobody is all bad or all good.
5. Some words are so offensive that they should never be stated or written.
6. Under our justice system, all citizens are treated fairly in our courts of law.
7. The old adage, "Sticks and stones may break your bones, but words will never hurt you" is true.
8. Speaking standard grammar proves that a person is smart.
9. A hero is born, not made.
10. No one is above the law.
11. Education is the great equalizer.
12. When the law does not succeed in punishing criminals, citizens should do so.

I learned a lot about my students today....It was very enlightening.