Playworks sells toys that invite play and enhance development in children from birth through age five

February offers us a bouquet of celebrations. We can watch for a shadow as a groundhog in Punxsutawny, Pennsylvania, emerges from his den on 2 February. Folklore claims that a groundhog emerging from his den without seeing his shadow will leave his burrow in anticipation of spring arriving early. On the other hand, if he sees his shadow and retreats to the warmth of his den, we know winter will last another six weeks. Actually, either way spring arrives six weeks later on 20 March, with the vernal equinox. The temperatures outside may still be "frightful," but we can celebrate the increasing sunlight and the approach of warmth. Who can resist the fun of this uniquely North American "holiday"? And who in the grips of "old man winter" doesn’t dream of an early spring?

President's Day gives us an opportunity to learn about all the presidents of the United States, but most especially the "father of our country," George Washington, and "the great emancipator," Abraham Lincoln. Their birthdays used to be separate holidays with Washington's on 22 February and Lincoln’s on 12 February, and many locales still observe their official birthdays.

What better time to search out little known facts about these two men and share them around the dinner table? For starters, Washington liked ice cream so much that he had an ice cream cooler installed in his house. Wikipedia claims his was the first house to boast such a convenience. Wonder what it looked like and how it worked. [Incidentally, did you know that the first ice cream parlor in America opened in New York City in 1776.]

Lincoln was the first major leader to support extending the right to vote to women. As an Illinois state legislator, Lincoln released a statement to a newspaper endorsing "female suffrage." The year was 1836, a full 12 years before the first women's rights convention. Imagine that.

Of course, Valentine's Day likely causes the most excitement. Who can resist an opportunity to express love? That said, we all remember that "moral dilemma" of our childhood: must we send a Valentine to those we don’t like and, therefore, definitely do not want to be our Valentine? And what should we do if someone we don't like wants us to be his/her Valentine? Seems often the teacher or our parents solved that one for us with an all or none solution that befits the spirit of the day.

I'm in favor of celebrating Valentine's Day by spending time together. What more meaningful way to say, "I love you" than to set aside time to be together and share an enjoyable experience? Simple and inexpensive pleasures are pluses in our lives and prove the adage "it's the thought that counts." Here's my idea: gather the children, put out supplies, and make each other a Valentine. The process counts as all important quality time; the products are unique treasures to cherish and serve as reminders of special bonds and special times.

Let us know how you and your family made the best of this bouquet of celebrations. Send pictures of your family at play and their one-of-a-kind Valentine's. E-mail a little known fact about a president. We’ll be sure to share.

Here’s to a fabulous February.
Stay warm and watch for spring as the days grow longer.

Christina Wallerstein
and Heidi Floren