Let it Snow!

Photo from MS Image Gallery

     Yesterday, Missouri received a substantial quantity of snow and ice. While the southern half received rain and ice, the northern half received from 8 to 20 inches of snow. Many snowbound schools and businesses are still closed today. 

     So, what does a person do on these snow days? 

     Many people will go snowboarding or skiing (yes, Missouri really does have a few places to ski). 

     Usually they will stay at home or close to their neighborhood on these days. A favorite thing for some children to do is to make a snowman, like the one pictured below.

Snowman. Photo from MS image gallery

   Kids and adults often like to have snowball fights. The battle consists of rolling snow into balls and throwing them at the other side. Often snow-forts are built as part of the game.

Snow-fort. Photo from Google Images

     Sledding is also popular on snow days. If you live in an area with hills, then you might have done this as a child or with your children. There are many different kinds of sleds made from wood, plastic or metal. My favorite was a round metal sled my father bought when I was very young. 

Sledding. Photo from Google Images

      Some people like to make snow sculptures, like the dragon you see below. Very creative and detailed sculpture can often be found in yards or parks after a good snow.

Snow Sculpture. Image from Google Images

     How did you and your children spend your snow days?  Let me know with a quick comment below.

President's Day

Mount Rushmore

     Monday, February 18th, is Presidents' Day. This day is a federal bank holiday that honors America's presidents, past and present. Banks and government offices will be closed on Presidents' Day, as will libraries and most schools. Some places will celebrate with parades, and many of the stores will have Presidents' Day sales. Otherwise there is not much fanfare on this day.

     Presidents' day began as a celebration of George Washington's birthday (February 22). It had been unofficially observed since 1800, and was signed into law in 1879 by President Rutherford B. Hayes. 

    In 1971 President Richard Nixon signed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act into law. This was an effort to move several holidays to Monday, giving America's workers more three-day weekends. 

     This new law changed Washington's birthday to Presidents' day, and moved the holiday to the third Monday of February. 

How will you spend Presidents' day this year?

Mardi Gras

Photo courtesy of MS clip art gallery

February is the month for Mardi Gras (or Carnival). This year Mardi Gras falls on Tuesday, February 12. Also called Fat Tuesday, this day is always the day before Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent (a Roman Catholic observance). In New Orleans, celebrations have been held every day since January 19. The festivities include amazing parade floats, elaborate costumes, lots of beads, music, and food, food, food!

Photo courtesy of  Kate Elkins and NewOrleansOnline.com

 In the United States, Mardi Gras was first celebrated by French settlers in the Louisiana Territory of the United States in the 1700’s. They held street celebrations and masked balls in honor of the day. Under Spanish rule the celebrations were stopped, but resumed when Louisiana became part of the United States. The first official Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans was held in 1827. The tradition has lasted to this day.

Photo Courtesy of  Blaine Kern's Mardi Gras World and NewOrleansOnline.com

Several areas in the United States host Carnival, but the most famous is held in New Orleans. Around the world, the most famous celebrations are in Venice, Italy and in Brazil. 

You can experience the festivities and music of Mardi Gras here and here.

Sources:

http://www.mardigrasneworleans.com/history.html

http://www.history.com/topics/mardi-gras