Kids beginning to grind you down?
This time of year, talk to any parent, no matter the age of their children (a college student home for winter break can be even more frustrating than a toddler), and you’ll see a desperation in their expression when you ask how their weekend was. These are dark days for parents, and survival is the most any of us can hope for.
Which is why an event like George Washington’s Birthday Party at Washington Crossing Historic Park on February 16, 12 PM to 4 PM, can seem almost too good to be true.
You mean my kids are going to be occupied for four straight hours on a Sunday afternoon? Yup.
And they may even learn something along the way? Yup.
And it’s free?! Yup.
Each year, Washington’s birthday party seems to become even more popular—which could have something (everything) to do with the fact that events like this are few and far between. This year, in honor of the general’s 288th birthday, all kinds of kids’ activities will be staged in the historic buildings throughout the park and the visitor center, complete with period-appropriate reenactors.
One of them, you can start on your own right now. For the first time, the park’s holding a “Let’s Draw George!” drawing contest. So, hook your kids up with some Crayons, markers, and/or paint brushes, and let them have at it.
They can draw Washington at any age, in any historical situation. Creativity is encouraged. In other words, if your little one wants to make him the fourth member of the PJ Masks, all the better.
At George Washington’s Birthday Party, Washington and park staff will judge the creations, and prizes will be awarded to their favorites in two categories, ages seven and younger and ages eight to 12. (Entries are welcome from artists of all ages, but only kids 12 and younger are eligible for prizes.)
To get them in the mood, you could impress them with your vast knowledge of George Washington, or these two potent, little-known facts:
Washington was actually born on February 11, 1731, not Feb. 22, 1732. When the colonies switched to the Georgian calendar from the Julian calendar, his birthday was moved 11 days. And because it fell before the old date for New Year’s Day, but after the new one, the year changed, too.
Also: He never chopped down that cherry tree. The story originated in a biography that was written about Washington shortly after he died. But much of it’s since been discounted as fake news, including the cherry-tree story.
Little minds blown. Your sanity preserved. For the time being, at least.
