President’s Day is a National Holiday that celebrates both George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. The official day is celebrated on the third Monday of February. From where he was born to how much education he had, read on for a few more fun facts about George Washington.
1. He was born on Feb. 22, 1732, at Pope’s Creek, Virginia
2. His family arrived in America in 1657 on a ship called the Sea Horse of London.
3. He was an excellent dancer.
4. He did throw a silver dollar across the Potomac River. The Potomac is over a mile wide, and silver dollars did not exist then. His grandson once said that George threw a piece of slate across the Rappahannock River in Fredericksburg, which is narrower.
5. He had no middle name.
6. The cherry tree story is just that: a story. The tale is that as a little boy, Washington chopped down a cherry tree in his family’s yard and told his father the truth even though it meant punishment. This story was fabricated by Mason Locke Weems, a bookseller who wrote the first biography about Washington (after George died in 1799).
7. George Washington had bad teeth and was afflicted with many dental diseases and pain, but his teeth weren’t wooden.
8. Washington’s white hair was not a wig, although he did powder his hair for the white appearance. Click here for a tutorial on how to rock the style.
9. He only had a grade-school level education.
10. George Washington never had any biological children.
11. A fun fact about George Washington is that he was the United States’ first mule breeder.
Some of the best Amazon products don’t cost an arm and leg
The only thing better than avoiding a shopping trip with kids in tow is scoring an amazing deal. Thanks to Amazon, you can have both. We discovered the best Amazon products and deals right now (most of them are $5 or less!) that will not only make your life easier but will save you money, too. Now that’s a win. And many of them aren’t even discounted for Prime Day, meaning you’ll be able to take advantage of these deals whenever you need to rebuy.
In the market for kitchen supplies? We’ve got them. Budget beauty goodies? Found those, too. Not sure what? Just scroll our list to find some of the best Amazon products that are so wallet-friendly, you won’t even feel guilty for filling your cart (not that you ever should. But just in case.). Plus, there are several products you can set up subscriptions for and they’ll automatically shipped at an even larger discount. Saving time? Check. Saving money? Check. Check out some of the best and most affordable Amazon items we’re filling our carts with.
This viral lip color has a cult following (thanks to it's neutral-pink hue that's universally flattering and non-sticky formula). Get NYX's Vanilla Cream Pie Butter Gloss for less than $5.
Whether it's hot out (hello, sandals) or cold (dry heel skin catching on your socks—shudder), keeping your feet soft and smooth with these pumice stones is really easy.
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With plastic straw bans steadily growing across the globe, you won't want to leave home without your reusable straws. With these, you can keep a set at home and put a set in your bag for when you're out and about.
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The going rate for the Tooth Fairy might surprise you
How much should a kid get when they lose a tooth? If you’re unsure what the going rate is for the tooth fairy, Delta Dental Plans Association’s Original Tooth Fairy Poll has an answer. According to the 2023 Original Tooth Fairy Poll®, the average value of a single lost tooth during the past year increased by 16% from $5.36 to $6.23, a record high in the 25-year history of the poll.
Delta Dental
Even though the average under-the-pillow cash gift was over $6, the magic number did vary depending on the geographic area. This year, kids living in the South saw the highest returns, with an average of $6.59 per tooth, an increase of 14% from last year’s findings. Kids in the West saw a huge increase (53%!) with the per-tooth average coming in at $6.25. In the Northeast, the average dropped to $6.14, down from $7.36 in 2022. The Midwest is still trailing the national average at $5.36, but there was still a 32% increase over last year’s rates.
Of the poll, Gabriella Ferroni, Senior Director, Strategic Communications, says, “Delta Dental has been analyzing the Tooth Fairy’s U.S. annual giving trends for a quarter century, highlighting the role of good oral health care habits for children “We know this time-honored tradition will continue to bring great joy to homes across the country, and we look forward to seeing how the Tooth Fairy’s giving changes over the next 25 years. Given the projection, it would be in the Tooth Fairy’s best interest to invest in a larger purse.”
Historically, the Original Tooth Fairy Poll® mirrors the U.S. economy, tracking with the trends Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (S&P 500), but this year, the average price for a tooth increased 16% while the S&P 500 experienced an 11% decline.
Have a surplus of candy because there were fewer—or no—trick or treaters this year? Or perhaps your kids scored big and can’t possibly eat all of it. Donating your haul of Halloween candy to soldiers stationed abroad, neighborhood firefighters, and others will surely sweeten someone’s day. Keep reading to find out where to drop off the dulce, below.
Operation Troop Treats
iStock
Operation Troop Treats is the nation’s largest dentist-sponsored Halloween candy exchange benefiting U.S. Service Members and their families, teaching children about good dental health and the importance of giving back to those who serve our country.
Donate Halloween candy at any participating dental office nationwide from Nov. 1-6 and receive a toy in exchange for each child's candy donation. Local dental offices will send Operation Gratitude the donated candy, dental kits, and funds to cover the assembly and shipment of care packages for U.S. troops.
Click here to find out your nearest donation location.
Murphy-Harpst is a nonprofit residential treatment center in Atlanta that serves severely abused and neglected children and teenagers. It is an emotional, spiritual and physical safe haven, offering residential treatment, placements in specialized foster care, and community programs that serve at-risk young people and their families. And they'd love your excess candy to share with the children in their care!
Drop off or mail to Murphy-Harpst, Attention: Pam Kramer, 740 Fletcher St., Cedartown GA 30125
The Halloween Candy Give-Back Program gives families a way to donate surplus candy to deployed troops, veterans, and first responders with the goal of forging strong bonds between the civilian and service communities nationwide. This year, donation locations will not be set-up due to COVID-19; however, Operation Gratitude encourages donors to ship candy directly to them (OG Candy Processing Center, ATTN: Halloween Candy, 8967 Oso Ave., Building D, Chatsworth, CA 91311), or better yet, contact a local military base, veteran organization, or first responder department to see if they are interested and able to take the candy.
If you would like to register to donate excess Halloween Candy, click here.
Ronald McDonald House supports families with children battling illness by providing a "home away from home" while seeking treatment. Some local chapters of the Ronald McDonald House accept unopened, surplus candy donations.
Find a local chapter here. Contact the one closest to you to verify that they're taking donations before loading up you haul of sweet stuff!
Local fire stations are not only where the big hook and ladder trucks are stored, but they're also where firefighters live when they're on duty, waiting for an emergency call. And, while they usually keep it pretty healthy around the house, we're pretty sure everyone likes a little late night chocolate, now and then.
PAW Kids is a community organization that provides safety and sustenance. PAW House is a safe and loving after school enrichment program where students can find reading mentors, homework help, and more. Claudia's House is a neighborhood food pantry that offers daily meals for the community, meals for seniors, and more.
Donations can be dropped off at Claudia's House on Mon., Tues., & Thurs. from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Claudia's House is located at 1633 Donald Lee Hollowell Pkwy.
Did you know that February was “National Kindness Month?” With a little research (we are librarians!), we discovered that February 17th is designated “Random Acts of Kindness Day” in several countries, including ours. We are librarians and also teachers, so naturally we embrace any opportunity to promote kindness—whether random or well-planned—and are delighted to promote a month of kindness!
It is in that spirit that we curated this month’s selection of books. All six of our selections promote kindness—and related qualities like thoughtfulness, generosity, and empathy but do so in a way that is subtle, not dogmatic. The character education lessons are wrapped in memorable stories about interesting characters, unusual partnerships (a snail and a whale!), and challenging situations—often overcome with help from friends and their acts of kindness. The heroes of our February stories—a Syrian ambulance driver, a track coach, an oak tree—are ordinary in most ways except in their capacity to promote kindness.
Our recommended stories also highlight the fact that qualities like empathy, courage, and self-knowledge are not fixed or finite in any of us—but rather learned (and renewable) resources. In life, as in these stories, even good people, challenged by circumstance or past action, are sometimes unkind and cowardly, are sometimes bystanders when they could have been upstanders. But with self-knowledge that comes from experience—and some productive struggle—we all have a nearly infinite capacity to build our empathy muscle and renew our reservoirs of courage.
The richly crafted stories we are recommending will provide your children with hours of reading enjoyment and positive role models. Among the many books that celebrate kindness, here are our favorites:
Grades Kindergarten to Second
Love, Z written & illustrated by Jessie Sima
While out looking for adventure, a young robot named Z finds a message in a bottle signed “Love, Beatrice”. What is love? And who is Beatrice? Those two words are enough to pique Z’s curiosity. Unable to get an answer from the other robots, Z leaves to embark on an adventure to find Beatrice and learn about love. It is on this journey that he learns the powerful meaning of those four simple letters and discovers that what he has been seeking was closer than he realized.
The Snail and the Whale written by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler
This is the tale of a tiny snail who dreams to see the world, so she hitches a ride on a humpback whale. Children will love the vibrant art of their journey together past icebergs, jungles, and caves. The story provides the suggestion that brilliant friendships do not necessarily have to be between two similar individuals. The two characters are brought together, and help each other with their differences, not similarities.
Grades 3-4
The Cat Man of Aleppo written by Irene Latham & Karim Shamsi-Basha, illustrated by Yuko Shimizu
This is the story about a kindhearted ambulance driver from Syria named Alaa. Alaa lives in the city of Aleppo and he loves everything about his city from the vibrant bazaars to the kind, gentle people. One day, a terrible thing happened and many people had to flee Aleppo. Alaa decided to stay and look after the injured people, abandoned cats, and other animals. His love and kindness soon spread and today he is known worldwide as the Cat Man of Aleppo.
Smile written & illustrated by Raina Telgemeier
The first in a series of insightful graphic novels about the trials and tribulations of childhood relationships. When Raina trips and smashes her two front teeth, she embarks on a long, embarrassing journey of dental treatments. Fitting in at school is hard enough, but this sweet, funny book will encourage kids to believe they can get through troubled times with the help of their true friends and a little bit of kindness.
Grades 5-8
Wishtree written by Katherine Applegate
This is a beautiful and touching story about nature and friendship. Red, an old oak tree, watches over the neighborhood and the many animals that live in its branches. For decades, the tree has been known as the “wish tree,” where each year people tie their wishes written on strips of cloth, giving Red a special place in the community. One day a new family moves in and they aren’t exactly welcomed with open arms. Red does what any wise, kind old tree would do, and decides to intervene.
Ghostwritten by Jason Reynolds
Castle “Ghost” Crenshaw is on his way to becoming a track star, but can he run fast enough to put his past behind? This book is full of complicated characters, difficult decisions, and opportunities to ask, “What is the right thing to do when you’re being bullied?” Ghost perfectly depicts the challenges kids face on and off the field. Ghost shows them how to face those challenges in an approachable way, and features diverse characters with whom kids can directly relate
Keira Pride is the Head Librarian at Stratford School, the leading independent private school founded with a vision of creating a unique, multi-dimensional, educational foundation for children. As Stratford's Head Librarian, she manages the library services department across campuses throughout Northern and Southern California.
How does your family celebrate a lost tooth? Placing your little one’s tooth under their pillow to wait for a visit from the Tooth Fairy cam help promote good oral hygiene. This National Tooth Fairy Day, Delta Dental reminds families of the role the Tooth Fairy can play in teaching children about oral health.
A new survey from Delta Dental reveals that 80% of households with children receive visits from the Tooth Fairy, and these visits are motivated by a desire to give children something to be excited about, according to more than half of caregivers polled. In addition, 45% of caregivers report that having the Tooth Fairy visit gives them a reason to celebrate and 42% said it makes their child feel special.
Beyond celebrating a lost tooth, a visit from the Tooth Fairy instills good oral health habits in a positive way according to one third of respondents. Delta Dental has created a trove of oral health education materials centered on the Tooth Fairy. We encourage families to enjoy the resources, activities, and games together to learn more about oral health.
According to the Original Tooth Fairy Poll, the Tooth Fairy’s average cash gift increased 30 cents for a lost tooth, for a total of $4.03 per tooth.
Delta Dental has been analyzing the Tooth Fairy’s U.S. annual giving trends since 1998. The newly disclosed value of a lost tooth has more than tripled since its inception when the value of a lost tooth was $1.30, and now reaches its fourth highest payout in the history of the survey.
The Original Tooth Fairy Poll has typically mirrored the economy’s overall direction, tracking with the trends of Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (S&P 500) for 15 of the past 18 years. Last year, a single lost tooth was valued at $3.70 and this year’s survey shows upward growth to $4.03, an increase of nearly 9%. Over the same time period, the S&P 500 also experienced growth, with a 22% increase, reaching its highest average since the inception of the Original Tooth Fairy survey.
“The Tooth Fairy is one of health care’s most powerful tools for teaching children about their oral health,” said Jennifer Elliott, Chief Marketing Officer, Delta Dental Plans Association. “By celebrating a lost tooth, children begin to learn the importance of their oral health in an engaging and fun way. At Delta Dental, we continue to provide tools for parents, families and communities to educate young Americans about the importance of their oral health and our 22nd year of this survey shows our dedication to keeping the Tooth Fairy an active part of oral health education.”
The Original Tooth Fairy Poll was conducted between December 30, 2019, and January 11, 2020, among a nationally representative sample of 1,000 parents of children ages 6-12.
For more information about the Delta Dental-sponsored survey and oral health tips for infants to pre-teen, visit Original Tooth Fairy Poll.
Think it’s too early to brush baby’s teeth? Think again. Even before the first tooth breaks through, it’s a good idea to establish oral hygiene habits. If your little one is used to teeth-brushing as a part of the daily routine, you may have fewer battles later on. If you’re not sure when or how to get started, here are helpful tips on brushing your baby’s adorable little pearly whites.
1. Start before baby’s teeth come in.
Keeping your baby’s mouth clean even before the first little tooth pops through is an important beginning step. Wiping gums after feedings will help to remove surface bacteria. To do this, wrap a clean, wet washcloth or a piece of clean gauze around your finger and wipe those toothless gums.
2. Choose the right toothbrush.
Once babies have teeth, it’s time to introduce a toothbrush. You’ll want to look for one with soft bristles, a small head and a large handle that little hands can hold—and you’ll want to replace it every three months or so.
The Double Sided Toothbrush from grabease (pictured at top; for kids 6+ months) has a tapered brush head, a wide handle for little hands to grip, and bristles on two sides to make it easier and faster to get those teeth brushed. The handle sports a choke protection barrier for safety, so your little one can safely practice brushing.
The Pure Brush from RADIUS (pictured above; for kids 6-18 months) has a small, cornerless oval brush head that’s designed for babies’ mouths, with soft bristles. The handle is tapered to fit in baby’s hand, and the entire brush is free of BPAs, synthetic dyes and harmful chemicals.
3. Help them out.
Since baby’s fine motor skills aren’t fully developed yet, it’s best if you brush the teeth. Since that doesn’t always go as smoothly as we’d like, take a “Mommy’s (or Daddy’s) turn, and then your turn” approach. Continue to supervise the process until your child can rinse and spit without help.
4. Talk to your dentist about toothpaste.
It’s a question many parents wonder about: Should I use a flouride or flouride-free toothpaste? The answer depends on many factors, including whether your water is flouridated, so your best bet is to ask your pediatric dentist. Whichever you choose, experts recommend brushing with toothpaste the size of a grain of rice.
5. Take your baby to the dentist.
The American Dental Association recommends that you take your baby to the dentist for their initial visit no later than their first birthday. However, you may want to ask your pediatrician’s opinion.
You can choose a pediatric dentist or kid-friendly family dentist to make the experience more comfortable for your little one. Some are equipped with TVs or colorful art and give kids treats. Since baby teeth are important because they hold the spot for permanent teeth, be sure to take care of them by scheduling regular visits.
Editor’s note: We’re making every effort to provide you with the most up-to-date information. However, there may be last minute closures due to Covid-19. We highly recommend that you call ahead or check a park’s website before you pack your kids (and all those snacks, and diapers…) and haul them across town. Stay safe!
Looking for a day trip that combines fun, nature, and a whole lot of learning? Then point your compass south to Westmoreland State Park in Colonial Beach, Va. Just a 2-hour drive from DC, this gorgeous park features 1200 acres on the Potomac River’s Northern Neck. It’s a beautiful spot to take the kids for a day (or weekend) of hiking, camping, fishing, boating, swimming and–the best part–hunting for ancient shark teeth.
So. Many. Teeth. Millions of years ago, Westmoreland County, VA was under water and a breeding ground for sharks, including the Megalodon, which is said to be the ancestor of today’s Great White shark. If you scoop up some sand at the water’s edge and sift through the pebbles, beach glass and mollusk shells, you’ll soon catch a glimpse of a pointy triangular-shaped shark tooth that is most likely millions of years old. You’ll find teeth from sharks such as mako, cow, sand and tiger, and if you’re lucky you might even find the tooth of a Megalodon (some are the size of a human hand!). But the coolness doesn’t stop there; you’ll also come across other artifacts, such as whale vertebra, stingray dental plates and crocodile teeth.
Know Before You Go But why so many shark teeth? If your shark-loving lad asks you this question, you can remind him that sharks have an unlimited supply of teeth, which are not firmly set in their jaws but in their gums, where they appear in layered rows. If a tooth falls out, another one simply moves forward to take its place. That means lots of fun fossil finds for the rest of us!
Mark Your Calendar Combine your trip with the free public event Music on the Cliffs which takes place on July 18 and Sept. 19. Grab a lawn chair and enjoy the sounds of summer while taking in a spectacular view of the Potomac River. Pets are welcome at these events!
145 Cliff Rd.
Colonial Beach, VA
800-933-7275
Online: dcr.virginia.gov
“I lost another tooth!” That’s how six-year-old James greeted me. I love that quality that young children have of seeing you and then speaking as if in mid-conversation. It was the perfect greeting for me after just reading the Vox article “The Tooth Fairy Economy Explained” by Lindsay King-Miller.
According to King-Miller’s research, the monetary value of baby teeth has risen over the past decade, only to see a slight fall for the last two years. She really dives in here to look at the origins of the tooth fairy myth and how modern families have adopted the tradition. While largely an American ritual, other cultures mark the loss of baby teeth with their own rites. For example, my grandson Matteo, who lives in Italy, was visited by the “Tooth Mouse” when he was younger.
Since children between the ages of 6 and 10 will lose all twenty of their baby teeth, parents are signing up for a big commitment with that first Tooth Fairy response. Not surprisingly, there are lots of opportunities for error. Vacations, no coins or currency, and just plain forgetting to “sneak in” to exchange the tooth with something of value, once the child is asleep, contribute to the stress of keeping the magic going. One way to give yourself some wiggle room is to say that the fairy may come either tonight or tomorrow night.
As for the “Italian Tooth Mouse,” when my son-in-law forgot to do the swap, he explained to Matteo that their dog Lenny had scared the mouse away. While that was some quick thinking on his part, he had created a scenario where his son then became terrified that their dog was going to eat the mouse. They then worked together to design a no dog zone to keep the mouse safe. Problem solved.
Lindsay King-Miller describes the heightened stakes as parents posing as the tooth fairy leave notes, special coins, and an average of $3.70 under the pillow. She includes some amusing anecdotes about dollar bill origami animals and other attempts to create magical memories.
When my own children were young, I had the idea that leaving a toothbrush along with some “change” would be a nice surprise while at the same time implying that good dental hygiene earned some points with the fairy. And to complicate matters further, I put a two dollar bill there as well. What was I thinking?
After James’ announcement, I asked him if he had put his lost tooth under his pillow and if he had, what he found there the next day. Yes, he had, and he enthusiastically reported that he found three dollars under his pillow (very close to the average amount according to the Global Kelton poll of 1,058 American parents done on behalf of Delta Dental, cited in the Vox article). When I asked if James always got $3, he said, “No, I only got $1 before”. When asked why he thought he got more this time, he only shrugged, smiled and said he didn’t know. Then he skipped away, another one of those delightful things I love about young children…the skipping!
Since James’ father, James Gilroy, the Director of the Little Folks School, where I used to work, was nearby, I was happy to get his version of the recent visit by the tooth fairy.
James, the father, described how he and his wife had begun a tradition of leaving a Sacagawea gold coin when their older daughter Evie, lost her first tooth. It felt magical, and they were good about keeping the gold coins in stock for those special moments. When their son James lost his first tooth, they kept up the gold coin tradition, that is, until the previous night.
Long after their son had gone to sleep, they remembered the tooth waiting for them under the pillow and scrambled around looking for a gold coin to exchange with it. When none turned up, they decided after much debate to go the currency route. Three one dollar bills – the only cash they had on hand – would have to do. And by all accounts, especially his son’s excitement, it did.
As parents, we face a myriad of decisions, all day every day. The choices that we make concerning fanciful characters like Santa, the Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy can bring their own complications to the mix. As I explained in my blog, Is It Okay To Teach Your Child To Believe In Santa? there are many wonderful reasons to make believers out of your kids. Young children already reside in an imaginary, magical world and introducing generous, and loving characters serves to enhance that. Clearly, many parents enjoy marking the momentous occasion, or they wouldn’t go to such lengths to keep the myth alive. Not to mention that when the first tooth is lost, the hope of a morning surprise may help to temper what might be a scary event for the child.
Having learned the hard way myself, I advise parents that when it comes to remuneration in exchange for a lost tooth, keep the story and the prize simple!
I am a parent and grandparent with over four decades of experience in early childhood education. I share my passion, wisdom and experience, with parents and the people who care for and about children at Little Folks Big Questions, where we're out to answer the questions parents face in today's world.
Do you feel like your home has just been hit with a tsunami of candy? And it’s not even the 31st?! These days trick-or-treating starts early! From mall-o-weens to community trunk-or-treats, at every turn there is an opportunity to grab the sweet stuff before it’s even Halloween. But while your kids count their loot, you’re counting future cavities. Does anyone really need this much sugar? Share the love–and the sugar high–by donating some of that treasure trove of chocolate and sweet goodness. Send a care package to troops overseas, give to ill children who weren’t able to knock on doors in search of candy or celebrate Dental Hygiene Month (October) at a dental office’s Halloween candy buyback program. Kick off the 2019 holiday season with a spirit of giving at these places in and around the DMV.
Operation Gratitude This organization hand-delivers donated candy to First Responder departments in 20 cities. They also package and mail candy to troops. Find a drop-off location near you at this website or organize a candy collection drive of your own. Note: Include handwritten notes and drawings to really sweeten the package.
Soldiers’ Angels Treats for Troops Consider organizing collections at your place of work or drop off your excess candy at a nearby business. To get a sense of what you’d be part of, consider that Soldiers’ Angels has sent nearly 880,000 packages to service members, veterans, wounded heroes and military families over the past 16 years.
Operation Stars and Stripes’ Operation Trick-or-Treating for the Troops You know it and I know it: You’ll be drowning in candy. Your friends and neighbors probably will be too. So plan ahead and sponsor a drive to collect extra candy to send to the troops. Here are some other items topping troops’ wish list that you can stick in the package: postage stamps, Ziploc bags (gallon and quart size), new DVDs, new CDs, unscented wet wipes, pistachios and beef jerky.
Operation Shoebox Founded in 2003 by a mom of five children and two sons-in-law who served in the military, this organization sends 800 to 1,000 care packages per week. Add some of your Halloween candy to them. FYI:Operation Shoebox collects candy year-round, so you don’t have to wait for Oct. 31.
Germantown Dental Service
A number of local orthodontist, dentists and other local businesses offer creative exchanges (think stickers, toothbrushes and glow sticks) for all things sugar. Your candy is shipped off to the troops, while your kiddo is gifted a non-cavity forming treat. Germantown Dental Services has been a proud supporter of the Buy Back program.
Halloween Candy Buy Back To find a lengthy list of more locations paying kids off for their Halloween candy, check out this website: halloweencandybuyback.com. Be sure to contact the location you plan to visit because each office has its own deadlines and drop-off times.
