Facts about Quarters

Last week, we spent time reflecting on the things in our lives we are grateful for, especially those that start with the letter P. Today, we warmly invite you to join us again in this uplifting practice. Think of something that begins with the letter Q that brings you joy or comfort. Sharing our gratitude can create a lovely sense of community and support, and your contributions can truly inspire others. Thank you for being part of this journey of appreciation and reflection.

I feel a deep sense of gratitude for Quarters. In this spirit, I invite you to share something you’re grateful for that starts with the letter Q. What brings you joy or comfort?

🪙 A Quarter to Discover: 8+ Fun Facts About the Mighty 25-Cent Coin

They jingle in your pocket, roll under the couch, and star in vending machine drama. But quarters aren’t just coin-shaped conveniences; they’re miniature history lessons, artwork displays, and math puzzles all in one!

Let’s zoom in on the 25-cent star of U.S. currency!

🏛️ 1. Quarters Were First Minted in 1796

The U.S. Mint began making quarters over 200 years ago, and the earliest versions featured Lady Liberty, no presidents in sight! Today, most quarters showcase George Washington, the first U.S. president.

🔄 2. Quarters Used to Be Made of Silver

Before 1965, quarters were 90% silver. However, silver became too expensive, so the Mint switched to a mixture of copper and nickel. If you find an old silver one—cha-ching-it might be worth more than 25 cents!

Facts about Holly

 Holly Facts

Did you know that decorating with holly during winter goes back to the Druids and Ancient Romans? Yes, that is correct. Have you heard the song Deck the Halls? Well, holly has always been associated with bringing good luck! The Druids believed that if they cut boughs of holly and hung them in their houses during the winter, it would bring them good luck. The Ancient Romans decorated their homes with holly wreaths during the celebration of the Saturnalia festivals. Holly also symbolizes the crown of thorns placed on Jesus’s head. 

Do you use holly to decorate your home during Christmas/winter?

 

Facts about Holly:

1. There are just over 475 evergreen varieties of holly, which include plants, trees, and shrubs. They do not shed their leaves. They do, however, shed old, damaged leaves throughout the year. Holly grows in many places throughout the world.

Facts about Legos

Lego Facts

Do you know what today is? Yes, it is trivia Tuesday!! Are you ready to learn about something exciting?

Who loves building and making cool things with LEGOS? Do you like LEGOS? Let's learn about LEGOS!! Did you know LEGOS was first sold in 1949? A man by the name of Ole Kirk Christiansen began making and selling LEGO bricks in 1949. The LEGOS were first called Automatic Binding Bricks. LEGOS was first introduced to the United States in 1962! LEGOS have come a long way since they were made many years ago.

 

What country is LEGO’s corporate office in? A.) Canada B.) Sweden C.) Denmark D.) Germany

 

Facts about LEGOS:

1. The LEGO company/group was founded on August 10, 1932. They did not start working on making LEGO Bricks/Blocks until around 1947. In 1932, they made and sold wooden toys and other stuff.

2. The first workshop was located in Billund, Denmark. The workshop started as a very small carpenter’s workshop, and now LEGO is one of the world’s largest toy makers!!

3. The style of LEGO bricks that we know and love today was made in 1958.

4. In 2000, the LEGO brick was named the Toy of the Century! LEGO is one of the world’s top toy companies!

5. On average, about 7 LEGO sets are sold every second by retailers worldwide. Around 20 billion LEGO pieces are produced every year, making LEGO one of the biggest toy manufacturers in the world.

6. The largest tower ever built out of LEGOS stands 114 feet 11 inches tall. A Star Wars X-wing starfighter model was also constructed out of LEGOS. It is 42 feet long and has a wing span of 44 feet wide. It took over 30 builders and over 17,000 hours to assemble it.

7. There are 10 LEGOLAND theme parks worldwide. The locations are in alphabetical order: Billund, California, Dubai, Florida, Germany, Japan, Korea, New York, Malaysia, and Windsor.

8. And this made me cry with happy tears…. LEGO went and outdid themselves again in a very heartfelt, beautiful way!! They designed LEGO bricks that are in Braille, and they are designed to help teach children who are blind or visually impaired the alphabet! The children will even be able to put the letters together to form words and sentences! LEGO is awesome!!

 

Share a picture with us of something you have made using LEGOS?

 

Books about LEGOS:

1. From an Idea to Lego: by Lowey Sichol

2. The Inventors of LEGO® Toys by Erin Hagar

3. Lego Manufacturers: The Kristiansen Family by Lee Slater

4. Everything Is Awesome: A Search-and-Find (LEGO) by Random House

Parents, please be sure books are child-friendly before reading them to your child/children.

 

Facts about Frosty the Snowman

Frosty the Snowman Facts 

Let me tell you about Frosty the Snowman! Frosty had a magical hat that brought him to life one day. Did you know that Frosty the Snowman has been around since 1950? Yes, Frosty the Snowman was originally a song. It was written by Walter Rollins and Steve Nelson and first performed by Gene Autry and the Cass County Boys. Then, on Sunday, December 7, 1969, the Frosty the Snowman we know and love came to life in an animated TV special. Since its first release in 1969, Frosty the Snowman has been a part of television programming every year during the holiday/Christmas season.

 

What is your favorite Holiday/Christmas movie?

 

Facts about Frosty the Snowman:

1. Frosty the Snowman was made by the same animation company that made Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Arthur Rankin Jr and Jules Bass are the creators of Frosty the Snowman movie.

Facts about pencils

Last week, we had a wonderful time expressing gratitude for items and experiences that begin with the letter O. Today, we’d love for you to join in by sharing something you are thankful for that starts with the letter P. Your contributions would really help create a warm spirit of appreciation and reflection. Thank you!

I appreciate Pencils and all they bring to my creativity. What about you? Is there something you’re grateful for that starts with the letter P?

✏️ Sharp Minds & Scribbly Magic: Fun Facts About Pencils

Whether you’re sketching rocket ships, solving math puzzles, or doodling your dream pet unicorn, pencils are your pocket-sized creative sidekicks. But did you know these everyday wonders have a rich history and some quirky secrets?

Let’s sharpen our knowledge with some pencil-perfect facts!

Japan Holiday Traditions

Christmas in Japan 

Who loves to learn about other countries' Christmas and holiday traditions? It is good to know how others celebrate the holiday season, too! Today, I will tell you about Japan's holiday season.

Have you ever heard that in Japan, people eat Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) instead of turkey for Christmas dinner? Yep, that is correct. They go to KFC and have a big chicken dinner and other side dishes. Christmas is not a national holiday in Japan. However, some people in Japan still celebrate on December 24^th and 25^th. KFC’s busiest day of the year in Japan is December 24^th. KFC gets so busy in Japan around the holiday season that people sometimes preorder their holiday meals so they do not have to wait in a long line.

 

What does your holiday meal consist of?

 

Facts about the holiday season in Japan:

1. The KFC chicken dinner tradition started in 1974 in Japan. The first Kentucky Fried Chicken appeared in Japan in 1970. It took four years for the tradition to start. Their slogan was Kentucky for Christmas!

Merry Christmas in different languages

Merry Christmas

Do you want to learn how to say Merry Christmas in other languages? Here in America, we say Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays, but there are many different ways of saying it in many different languages worldwide.

 

Ways to say Merry Christmas in a different language:

1. Feliz Navidad is Spanish for Merry Christmas. Navidad is celebrated in Spain between December 4^th and January 6^th every year.