Another day off of school and the weather is predicted to be beautiful!  Although I love days off from school and having my children home, I do want them to know and understand and appreciate why we have a day off.  President’s day originally began to celebrate George Washington and then Lincoln’s birth dates.  However, it now is a date to celebrate not just our Founding Fathers, but all presidents who have served.  Being military, I think it is important to honor all who serve and support our government.

In 1968, Congress passed legislation placing any federal holiday on a Monday, including Washington’s birthday, to create a three-day weekend. In 1971, President Richard Nixon combined Washington’s and Lincoln’s birthdays into Presidents’ Day. It would be celebrated on the third Monday in February, regardless of which day it fell on. Presidents’ Day is now viewed as a holiday that pays tribute to both Washington and Lincoln, as well as all those who have served as president. 

My children have excitedly come home bearing posters and facts of the presidents.  We have played games with those facts.  We have tried to find presidents we relate to and have similarities with.  We have even discussed our favorites from past and present.  We have tried to come up with “motto’s” for each presidency.  It has already been a week of learning, studying and discovering.

Although it is always nice to have a day off, I still want my children to learn why we have the freedom to believe, speak, learn and live.  I want them to know their past so that they can change their future.  I am excited to spend time as a family (maybe on the beach:)) on this holiday!  Two Presidents who are notable swimmers are Ronald Reagan, who was a lifeguard before he became president; and John F. Kennedy, who enjoyed swimming at Martha’s Vineyard.  So in tribute to them, we’re off to the beach!

What do you have planned for president’s day?

As we embark upon the Independence Day holiday, we begin in earnest a summer of fun. The key is to keep it safe. As kids are more active outdoors there are a few key things to keep in mind to make sure the toys kids do no harm. Here are some tips from OHealthy’s article, “How to Buy Safe and Fun Toys.”

One of the neatest things about being a parent is that you get to pick out all sorts of fun toys for your children. But although that revives the child within us, it also should remind us that without our adult discretion, those joyful toys can pose a very real hazard to our children.

Toy-related injuries send tens of thousands of adults and children to the emergency room each year. Most injuries occur when parents give their children toys meant for an older age group.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says a good toy should be safe for that child’s age, well-constructed and durable, appealing and interesting to the child, suited to the child’s physical capabilities and suited to the child’s mental and social development. Although there are age ranges given on the packaging of many toys, children within these age ranges vary in abilities and maturity. Take this into account when selecting gifts.

The nonprofit group Safe Kids Worldwide advises you to always supervise your children and use caution with these toys:

• Toys with long strings
• Toys with small, removable parts, sharp points or edges
• Toys that make loud noises, like toy guns and electronic musical devices (mp3 players)
• Propelled toys, including darts and projectiles

So what’s left to give a kid? Try some of these age-appropriate toys:

• Infants to 1 year olds – activity quilts, stuffed animals without button noses and eyes, bath toys and squeaky toys.
• 1 to 2 years old – books, blocks, fit-together toys, balls, push-and-pull toys, pounding toys and shape toys.
• 2 to 5 years old – non-toxic art supplies, books, videos, musical instruments and outdoor toys like a baseball tee stand.
• 5 to 9 years old – bicycles, crafts, jump ropes, roller skates, sports equipment and appropriate safety equipment to use with bikes, skates and sports equipment.
• 10 to 14 years old – computers, microscopes, board games and sports equipment.

Click here to read the full article.

Sketch by Flickr user Whitney Waller

During a holiday visit with my family, my brother found a sketch of two anime characters kissing drawn by his 12-year old daughter. Hilarity: It did not ensue. My brother and sister-in-law were very unhappy that she had drawn such a thing.

It made me wonder: What was the big deal?

The drawing did not contain any graphic detail not commonly displayed on television, even children’s television. There was no questionable activity, no other action than the act of a kiss, which, in my niece’s defense, she probably drew only as a means of expanding her  skill as an artist.

There’s no question that I’d prefer Mini to draw someone kissing than engaging in other behavior. There’s also no question that shielding your children, especially older tweens, from that part of growing up causes them to go looking for knowledge, and not always from a safe source of information.

Perhaps it’s something I’m not that concerned with now, as Mini is 9 and still in the “boys are icky” phase (a phase that I’d like to last into her 30s). Maybe it’s something I’m not that concerned with because I know that the niece is a generally good kid and isn’t going to do dangerous or silly things. But, whatever the case, I really thought my brother overstated the dangers in the sketch of a kiss.

What do you think? Is a sketched kiss “within bounds” or a bit too far for a tween to draw? Make suggestions and share ideas in the comments.