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National Tooth Fairy Day

Dental hygiene is an important component of a healthy lifestyle, but it’s an element youngsters rarely embrace with open arms. Parents know that getting kids, especially young children, to brush their teeth is not always so easy. In recognition of that, the American Dental Association suggests the following strategies to make brushing teeth something kids will look forward to.

· Make it fun. Brushing teeth may not be considered a fun activity, but who’s to say it can’t benefit from a little levity? The ADA recommends turning tooth brushing sessions into dance parties and/or sing-alongs. Youngsters might be so busy cutting a rug or listening to mom and dad belt out a few hits that they don’t even realize they’re cleaning their teeth at the same time. If singing and dancing aren’t cutting it, then incorporate another fun activity, like reading a child his or her favorite story, into daily brushing sessions. The ADA advises adults and children to brush their teeth for two minutes twice a day, so activities need not be too advanced. But a fun activity that allows kids to do something other than brush their teeth can be a great way to help them meet the “two minutes, two times” guideline.

· Reward good behavior. Parents can reward youngsters who brush their teeth without incident by offering praise or allowing them to pick a bedtime book when brushing at night.

· Put kids’ favorite characters to work. The ADA notes that many popular children’s television shows and books have stories about brushing teeth. Watch these stories with your children, then reference the stories and characters if kids are reluctant to brush their teeth. Parents also can find toothbrushes and/or toothpaste that feature kids’ favorite characters to get youngsters more excited to brush.

· Become a storyteller. Parents also can make up their own stories, explaining to kids how they can be superheroes who brush away the bad guys that cause cavities.

· Brush alongside your children. Kids love to mimic their parents, so moms and dads can brush alongside their youngsters in the hopes they’ll follow suit.

Many children may never jump at the chance to brush their teeth. But parents can employ a few savvy strategies to make daily brushing sessions more fun for youngsters.

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In 2013  Pope Benedict XVI formally retires from the papacy – the first pope to do so in nearly 600 years

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Floral Design Day

Flowers have long been used to convey certain feelings in many cultures. Folklore, poetry and mythologies have played a role in defining the various meanings associated with certain blooms.

· Amaryllis: This flower symbolizes splendid beauty and can be given to indicate worth beyond beauty.

· Aster: The popular aster symbolizes wisdom and devotion.

· Bird of Paradise: The interesting shape and rarity of these blooms symbolizes joyfulness and magnificence. It can be an exciting flower, and one that evokes feelings of anticipation.

· Black-eyed Susan: These vibrant blooms represent justice and can be ideal for the person who works in the legal profession.

· Carnation: A less expensive alternative to roses, carnations represent pride and beauty. Furthermore, the colors of carnations represent different meanings. Red symbolizes love, while pink is for a mother’s love and white represents innocence and pure love.

· Daisy: Innocence and purity are the meanings behind the yellow and white daisy. This can be the perfect pick for new, young love.

· Freesia: Those wanting to evoke passionate feelings can choose freesia, which is also said to mean “joy.”

· Hydrangea: Hydrangeas symbolize heartfelt emotions and can be used to express gratitude for being understood. This may be the perfect “making amends” flower.

· Lilac: Couples seeking tranquility and passion can turn to lilacs. The calming lavender hues also can be a welcome change in floral arrangements.

·  Roses represent love and passion, and, like carnations, their colors symbolize different things. Red roses represent desire, pink roses suggest happiness and white roses symbolize worthiness. Avoid yellow roses, which suggest fading love.

· Zinnia: Zinnias symbolize thoughts of distant friends and can make a thoughtful friendship arrangement to send to a faraway comrade.

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Chocolate Souffle Day