The fourth of July is days away and our freedom is definitely a reason to celebrate! Independence Day presents a great opportunity to have some extra fun. With summer underway, it's often one of those holidays that sneaks up fast and is gone before it arrives. Don't miss out this year. Here are a few ideas to get you started... 1. Sparkler Signatures Sign the sky with your name using sparklers. The smell alone will instantly bring you back to childhood. It's physically impossible to hold a sparkler with a straight face. In fact, you might want to pick up an extra box or two for future days …
10 Campfire Games You Have to Play
It's officially summer. (cue kids cheering) Life slows down a bit in the summer, at least it should, leaving you with more time to spit watermelon seeds, dip your toes in a swimming pool, and savor the sweet refreshing taste of freshly squeezed lemonade. Mmm! If I had to pick out a centerpiece of summer, though, it would have to be the campfire. They have a magical way of bringing people together, inviting them to laugh, sing, and tell secrets. The sparkling golden hues of the fire, the crackles of the wood popping, the bright constellations above, and the warmth of people gathered around a …
17 Simple & Free Ways to Have Fun Today
Lucy teaches me every single day that the simplest things can be fun, things that don't cost any money at all. For example, good times were had recently on our deck by simply filling a bowl with water and splashing around in it. Like I said... simple things. Enjoying oneself doesn't always have to be this big ordeal. Why not incorporate simple acts of fun into your day-to-day? Here are 17 simple and free ideas to get you started. Pick one today. 1. Crank up your favorite tunes. 2. Eat lunch outside. 3. Leave a note for someone. 4. Drink from a straw and blow bubbles. 5. Pose for a goofy …
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The Thing You Have To Stop & 5 Ways To Do It
With Adultitis running rampant, it's not a surprise that one of the major symptoms has become the new normal for many people. What am I speaking of? Being rushed. Do you ever feel rushed? Why? What makes you move so quickly? Whether you want to admit it or not, being rushed is one of the most unappealing traits that you can adopt. You're letting your outside circumstances rule your reality. You are being reactive, instead of proactive. You say "yes" far too often. It's time to stop. In the last six months, in my efforts to adjust to being a mommy, I have had many a temptation to rush. Hurry …
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Kite Wars
One of my all time favorite childhood activities would have to be flying a kite. We lived near a bunch of trees growing up so my dad would make an extra effort to drive me to a nearby open field so that I could fly my Alf kite. A few years ago for an Escape Plan challenge Jason and I relived the thrill on the white sands of Clearwater Beach in Florida. It was awesome! I was instantly transformed into my eight-year-old self again. It's amazing what a $1.99 kite can do for your spirit. Now as an adult, I would have to say that one of my favorite things in the world is to hear about other …
Miles of Smiles
In February we started traveling with Lucy. Jason and I have "busy seasons" in our travels for our speaking gigs so rather than being apart for six weeks we decided to make it work as a family. In Lucy's short four months of life she has now been on 20 flights, visiting 12 different states. Comparing our travels BL (before Lucy) and now, we have determined one thing: Life is so much more fun with a baby! The biggest thing we noticed is that people are so much more friendlier now. The roughest, toughest looking hardened adults are instantly transformed into the biggest softies when they see …
5 Lessons on Escaping Adulthood From Cosmo Kramer
The lovable neighbor of Jerry Seinfeld has a lot to teach us about living life with less stress and more fun. Loved for his childlike perspective on life, Kramer stole the show week after week for the show's nine-year run. Although quirky and borderline childish at times, Kramer's life was filled with a childlike enthusiasm that kept the audience wanting more. Here are the simple lessons we can learn from the life of Kramer... 1. Express yourself. Kids have no problems doing this -- just look at the wardrobe of a child who was given permission to pick out his own outfit for the day. If you …
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Don’t Worry, Be Happy
I have heard other parents say about parenthood that if their child lives to see adulthood it'll be a miracle. Forget about raising "good kids" just try to keep them alive! I've been very aware of this recently. There are times in the middle of the night when I'm so out of it that I think it's a miracle that I don't accidentally bump Lucy's head on the doorway as I walk her to the living room for her feeding. With having an infant in the winter (in Wisconsin), there have been so many occasions when Jason or myself are carrying her in her car seat and have had to balance ourselves over ice …
Tips from Texas
They say everything is bigger in Texas. We found this to be true in regards to childlike enthusiasm. Jason finished up three programs in the lone star state this past week and we had the good fortune of meeting a young woman named Carrie. The first night she showed up donning two different colored Chuck Taylor's. You know how I love Chucks! She explained that her best friend who is away at college has the same set. They bought them together, wrote poetry on them and swapped colors so that they each have one of each color. How cool is it that they both wear the same size?! What's even cooler is …
Just For Fun
Every once in a while I run across something in adulthood that I would've died for as a kid. Superfan Steven Sauke shared with us one of these things. FAO Schwartz has an online section of their store where you can actually build your own Muppet. Yep, you get to choose the color of the body, the type of eyes, nose and hair, as well as the outfit. Way cool! What a way to whisk you back to childhood. I certainly would've saved up my allowance for a chance to design and own my very own Muppet. Now does anyone really need a custom designed, $90, Muppet? No, especially not in this economy, …