A wedding is supposed to be one of the happiest days of your life. But it can also be a breeding ground for Adultitis. This sinister foe downright salivates at events involving formal wear, the merging of families, and an expectation that everything is supposed to go perfectly.

Is it possible to Adultitis-proof your wedding?

Yes.

But it requires a mindset that decides you’re going to have fun no matter what the caterer messes up or your mother-in-law does.

It also helps to incorporate some ideas that send the message to you and your guests that Adultitis is not invited. I’ve been collecting some of my favorite best Adultitis-free invites, favors, photo-ops and more on a Pinterest board.

What are YOUR favorite ideas for Adultitis-proofing a wedding?

“There’s nothing about a washing machine which says it has to stand in an unpleasant space.” — Ruud Belmans, Creative Director of Pinkeye

He’s right, you know. Washing machines may come with bulky instruction manuals written in seven different languages, but there has never been one printed with a rule stating that it should stand in an unpleasant space. Rules that don’t exist are EVERYWHERE, but they are so ingrained in us that we don’t even consider the benefits of breaking them.

The Belgians who dreamed up Wasbar did when they set out to design a new kind of laundromat.

I don’t know about you, but when I think of laundromats, words like fun, hip, and “place I’d like to hang out” don’t usually come to mind. Actually, make that never.

But Wasbar is not your average laundromat. Designed by Pinkeye and housed in a former bookstore, Wabar is a combination laundromat, cafe and hairdressing salon, wrapped up in a fun, colorful, vintage package of awesomeness. Washing machines line the edge of the room, each one bearing the name of a grandma, crowdsourced via Facebook. The dryers take the names of grandpas.

A collage of retro wooden drawers are attached to the walls, creatively used as planters and signs for washing prices, haircut options, and food menus. A neat tile-covered bar and pastel-colored cafe furniture also add to the unique vibe of the space. Wasbar is the first of what is sure to be a chain of stores in Belgium. Hopefully it will catch on in the States, too.

It kind of makes me want to renovate our laundry room and turn it into a lounge. Or at least name our washer and dryer. Flo and Stan, perhaps.

May this serve as inspiration for us all. Not because we’ve all secretly wanted to revamp the laundromat industry, but because we all have ordinary, Adultitis-encrusted areas of our lives (a room in your house, your backyard, your wardrobe, your routine, your love life, etc.) that could benefit from a bit more fun.

And a little less ordinary.

Cooties is pretty devastating.

But Adultitis is probably more so, because at least you can grow out of Cooties.

Awareness is the first step. Better get yourself tested.

Some years this greatness is easier to achieve than others. Last year was a breeze. We played hooky as a family, savoring the early spring weather at the zoo. It was a VERY awesome day!

But this year (my 35th) was shaping up to be a real challenge. Jason was in the middle of a VERY busy run: six gigs in four different states in ten days. On my birthday, he was in San Antonio — bummer! I was also at the end of a cold that had been lingering for ten days, Ben’s teething was leaving me exhausted with a consistent run of middle of the night wake-ups, and I was on day five of an outbreak of some mysterious and annoyingly itchy hives.

Adultitis is right in the thick of this daily junk! It’s the troublesome new sound in the car, the annoying arrival of moles in your front yard, and the utility room light switch that suddenly stops working, leaving you to do the laundry in the dark. This is the “stuff” of Adultitis and most days, for most people, it wins.

To be honest, it looked as though Adultitis was going to win my birthday this year, and I was getting increasingly ticked off thinking about it.

So ticked, in fact, that I found myself wide awake at 4 a.m. I began checking email on my phone to pass the time (bad habit, I know). I was touched to find Jason’s VERY thoughtful and fun email that went out challenging everyone to do something fun to help me celebrate my birthday. Hmmm. What was I going to do to celebrate? My brainstorming ranged from lame to lamer to outright unrealistic…but I was trying, amidst the frustrating self-pressure.

As the day progressed, the comments and emails started pouring in, including a note from my parents telling me that they had ice cream for breakfast! It was AWESOME and overwhelming to read what everyone was doing. One woman even laid in a parking lot and rolled around, just to be silly. Another person wore mis-matched shoes. I was touched, and yet, I was feeling even more frustrated that my own birthday was turning out to be so boring. My obstacles were bumming me out BIG TIME: no husband, no car, cold weather. Adultitis was winning and I knew it. UGH!

Then, a combination of things came together. A perfect storm of epic happiness shook me out of the trenches.

Jenna came in with the most unbelievably yummy brownies. Our neighbors and dear friends came by with flowers and a card that said, “Do something today that makes people take out their camera phones.” Hmmm…a hint. Then (to my compete delight) Jason Face-timed me from the River Walk with the unbelievable surprise of being serenaded by a mariachi band singing Happy Birthday. Instant tears!! Then the doorbell rang and there were more flowers (this time from Jason). It was a bouquet of daisies and roses, my favorite combination! This day was starting to really turn around.

And it was just beginning!

I got a text that changed the course of events pretty quickly. My sister-in-law and partner-in-crime/BFF, Connie, got wind of the fact that Jason was in Texas and texted to ask what my dinner plans were. When I replied back “leftovers,” she insisted that she and my niece Kerrigan would be driving up (90 minutes each way on a school night!) to take me and the kiddos out.

I was giddy and speechless and in tears. Her thoughtfulness was overwhelming. I was ready for some memory-making fun!

Then I had a crazy “What if…”

[Backstory: A few weeks ago I had a funny image pop in my head that I couldn’t shake. Wouldn’t it be funny if a grown-up got pictures taken for their birthday (like little kids often do) with the big numbers of their birthday year? It would be reminiscent of the senior pictures where the subject is leaning up against the giant numbers representing the year of graduation. The idea of this made me laugh out loud and was something I thought would be totally silly and Adultitis-free!]

The following “what if” popped into my head: “What if we all went to get my pictures taken tonight?!” (Mind you, it was like 3PM at that moment.) Would any studio have an opening? Would the portrait people even DO that? Would I really have the guts to go through with this crazy idea?

Side note: You know something is a good idea when you are instantly filled with questions doubting it. (It’s a sign that Adultitis is hard at work.)

A handful of calls later, I was able to get the LAST slot of the day at JCPenny Portrait Studio. Brandon, the photographer, sounded curious and up for the playful challenge of my request. I was a bit disappointed when he told me that they didn’t have the BIG numbers (WHAT?! That was the WHOLE point!), but he reassured me that he had some other ideas that would be JUST as fun. I was convinced.

Four hours later, we were eating pretzels at the mall giggling like school girls recalling all of the fun that had just happened. Brandon was amazing! His playful spirit was another unexpected birthday gift that was icing on the cake. And what a fun experience to share with Connie and the kids.

So, a long set-up, I know. Thanks for patiently reading.

I present to you, my 35-year-old pictures.

Silly, fun and filled with memories of my BIG birthday comeback story.

Nice try, Adultitis! Better luck next year.

He has designed a series of plates that invite you turn your meal into an action scene.

Now you tell me: what are the odds that Adultitis makes an appearance at a dinner party featuring plates of this nature?

Sarah lives in Minnesota. She wrote this poem last year for an 8th grade school project after I spoke at her church. Apparently the talk was a hit, coincided with an assignment to compile a book of poems, and served as inspiration for this cool bit of prose. Enjoy!

Adultitis by Sarah Weber

A child’s imagination
Blooms in their rooms
Castles and
Dragons and
Even more. They
Figure out what to do.
Give them blocks
Hurry back
In minutes there’ll be
Junctions and bridges.
Kids can make anything
Lots of fun
Many adults
Not knowingly look past
Obvious creative
Past times
Quickly a child would
Run to the
Situation.
The reason is simple, adults are
Unwilling to find the
Very creativity that
Would save them from Adultitis
X-rays can’t cure
Your mind. You decide if you become a
Zombie! Be more childish!!! Save yourself from this epidemic! Call the toll free 1-800 number on the bottom of your screen. No, I’m just kidding don’t call that number. Have a great day.

1-800-249-5555 =)

My son Benjamin is only 15 months old, and he is a natural born flirt.

On a recent family vacation to Santa Barbara, Ben made friends with approximately 7,235 people. He doesn’t say much, but then again, he doesn’t need to. His bright eyes and broad smile do all the work for him. Whether it’s sitting on airplanes, waiting in lines, or dining at a restaurant, Ben is constantly scanning for someone to smile at. And if you catch his gaze, watch out. Women are stopped dead in their tracks, and grown men are immediately drawn into silly games of peekaboo. When Ben smiles at you, no matter what kind of mood you’re in, you can’t help but smile back.

He’s viral.

According to Wikipedia, something is viral if it is able to induce some agents to replicate it, resulting in many copies being produced and spread around.

I can guarantee this: there were more smiles in Santa Barbara last week then there would have been if Ben had stayed home.

But here’s the thing: you’re like Ben. You’re viral, too.

Your attitude is contagious. It spreads to people around you. If you want, you can spread smiles, enthusiasm, and optimism wherever you go. Of course, you can also be a harbinger of Adultitis. None of us live in a bubble, we are each impacted by the people around us.

It’s often said that we should be the change we wish to see in the world. Sometimes a big change can begin with a simple smile.

Like it or not, you are viral.

What are you spreading?

That is, until I came across a cereal that was born in 1988 called Cröonchy Stars. Although 80s were my halcyon years of cereal eating, I’d never heard of them until my friend Lisa brought them to my attention a few weeks ago. The brainchild of Jim Henson and featuring his Muppet character The Swedish Chef, Cröonchy Stars was a cinnamon toast flavored cereal packaged in a box peppered with ridiculous, and sometimes unsolvable, games and puzzles. One time it included a contest to see how many times you could find the word “rutabaga” hidden on the box and how many times it was spelled correctly.

One of my favorite pastimes while eating cereal is reading the boxes. It’s fun. Not fun enough for Jim Henson, apparently. Of the belief that cereal boxes were too boring, Henson set out to add two scoops of vitamin-fortified fun. According to Wired:

Cröonchy Stars was described as “a cinnamonnamony new cereal with 10 essential vitamins and minerals, no artificial coloring, and no doorknobs.” Also mentioned on the box was the statement, “This product does not contain: (among other things) Venetian Blinds and Pachyderms.”

It’s hard to find any traces of Adultitis in a cereal that uses the front of its box to proudly exclaim, “No batteries necessary!” Plus, how many cereals do you know that feature a gratuitous umlaut?

Here is a TV commercial (Oh how wonderful thou art, YouTube!):

Sadly, Cröonchy Stars only lasted about a year. Pushed out by the Adultitis-ridden forces in control of the cereal aisle, no doubt.

Now, even though animals are, by default, Adultitis-free, dogs appear to be the most obviously so. There are actually many things we humans can learn from our canine companions when it comes to fighting Adultitis. After her dog Lucy passed away last year, Liz Danzico wrote a pretty neat list of things she learned from her furry friend. Good tips for life, good tips for Adultitis-fighting, indeed:

1. Learn at least one impressive trick.
2. Shake when wet.
3. Wag.
4. When off the leash, it is best to run to a loved one.
5. Accept treats from strangers energetically yet cautiously.
6. Roll in grass whenever possible.
7. Wonderful things can sometimes be found in the trash.
8. Barking is a last resort.
9. Know when the right time is to let go of what you love.
10. True life partners do exist.

What’s an Adultitis-fighting tip you’ve learned from YOUR pet?

[Update]: Here are a few more tips from dogs, compliments of an email forward someone sent me:

• When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
• Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
• Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy.
• Take naps.
• Stretch before rising.
• Run, romp, and play daily.
• Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
• Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
• On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
• On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
• When you’re happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
• Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
• Be loyal.
• Never pretend to be something you’re not.
• If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
• When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.

Judging by the pictures she sent, it seems like it went over pretty well. (Bonus points for the twisty straw!)

Sometimes the biggest hurdle to initiating a Small Rebellion is our own fear. That feeling of dread or uncertainty is Adultitis’ last stand against against you. 90% of the time, our attempts at a Small Rebellion will be well received and much appreciated. So maybe it falls flat the other 10% of the time.

The cool thing? In either scenario, Adultitis loses.

Dear friend,

Do you ever suffer from that dreaded emotion of feeling alive? Are you always complaining about that spring in your step, the annoying perception of joy in your heart, or the gnawing sense that you’ve found your purpose in life?

If you ask me, no one should have to live that way, and it’s my mission in life to prevent these sorts of unfortunate conditions. Naturally, there are a host of things that will try and trip you up. Without even realizing it, you can find yourself feeling alive at no fault of your own. Here is a list — by no means is it exhaustive — of certain things you’ll want to steer clear of: smiling babies, as well as all puppies, bunnies and kittens, circuses, water parks, dolphin shows and magic shows, oversized stuffed animals, silly string, bean bag chairs, helium-filled balloons, and of course, Pop Rocks.

Besides all that, here some very effective techniques for turning your situation around:

1) Spend as much time as possible looking at screens. Smartphone screens, computer screens, television screens. The higher number of screen time you can manage is in direct proportion to your lack of aliveness, so as usual, more is better. Also, try replacing face-to-face relationships and interactions with those that exist solely online as much as possible. Remember, leave the real living to the people participating on reality TV shows.

2) On the other hand, when it comes to nature, less is definitely more. Do not frequent parks, mountains, beaches, or wooded areas of any kind. Hiking, biking, climbing, fishing, skiing, swimming…these activities are strictly off-limits. Instead, spend time at more fruitful locales, such as the mall, airport security lines, or the DMV.

3) You should make it a priority to have a job that sucks the living soul right out of you. Specifically, the kind you dread going to and has you longing for the weekend as soon as you arrive. If you already have one, by all means, keep it, especially if it pays the bills. If it pays VERY well, you already find yourself in an ideal position. Refrain from the foolishness of following your “passion.” You’ve got plenty of time for things like that so don’t waste too much time thinking about it now.

4) Commit to as many things as you can, and for your kids as well. A good rule of thumb is to pick activities that you’d only do out of guilt, obligation, or as some misguided attempt to make your kids more appealing to institutes of higher learning. If you have blank spots on your calendar, you’re doing it wrong.

5) Laughter is, of course, a killer. Addictive and insidious, it’s a common culprit for creating feelings of “aliveness.” Believe me, I have spared no effort in trying to wipe out this abominable nuisance. In fact, I’ve made great strides in all levels of government, and many professions as well. (Most of which I’m sure you’d be able to name.) And yet it persists. Resist its spell.

6) Anytime you slip into the habit of wondering if there’s something more out there for you — and don’t worry, it happens to the best of us — calmly remind yourself that this is as good as it gets. Trust me, it is.

7) My final tip is so good, it should be on a bumper sticker: dream small. Although I don’t condemn dreaming, if you must, please, keep it “realistic.”

Feeling less alive is not easy, but millions of people are accomplishing it every day. Follow my words of wisdom, friend, and so can you.

Sincerely,

Adultitis

Las Vegas is stunning in its grandiosity, clever in its marketing, and is awash in über talented people and beautiful design.

Las Vegas is also a loud, bold, and damning example of how far we’ve come from the childlike hallmark of delighting in the little things.

It does not take much to impress a child. They get giddy over little things. But as we get older and Adultitis settles in, it takes more and more to impress us.

And so we end up creating a noisy, showy, over-the-top place like Las Vegas.

Frankly, its over-indulgence and pretension is downright ridiculous. It’s a relentless, never-ending pissing contest of one-upmanship, for the Las Vegas of today will most certainly be downright pedestrian a decade from now. Indeed, the Las Vegas of yesteryear is cute and sleepy by today’s standards.

The modern-day version is impressive in its opulence, but its artificialness strikes me as shallow. World-class magicians astound people with illusions, but that’s not the only thing in Las Vegas that’s fake. Only in Vegas can you enjoy the view from a fake Eiffel Tower, float down fake rivers in fake Venetian gondolas, take pictures of fake antiquities from the ancient world, eat dinner under a fake star-studded sky, and watch a show starring fake women. (Also known as drag queens.) Even the hospitality can come off as disingenuous, merely a ploy to get you to part with more of your money.

Please bear in mind that I am not speaking at all of the people who live there, but rather of the postcard-friendly apects of the city that draw the tourists. I am picking on Vegas only because I was recently there for a speaking engagement. In fact, the examples of our race for bigger and better are actually widespread. Take Manhattan and Beverly Hills, to name a few. And at one time, The Small World ride at Disney World was an engaging, modern attraction. Today it is at best a nostalgic trip down memory lane, and at worst, a lame and boring fossil of a ride.

Where does it end?

It won’t.

Chasing the new, the fresh, the better-than-ever, is a quest that never ends. Like a sugar rush, it temporarily satisfies, but it doesn’t take long before the desire for more rages back stronger than ever.

In America, our houses are bigger, our cars are more luxurious, and our technology is more capable than ever before. And yet we are the most self-medicated and drug-addicted nation that has ever lived.

The night before my speaking gig, as I brushed my teeth and closed the curtains to block out the neon glow of the city below, an interesting thought passed through my mind: It may be the entertainment capital of the world, but my daughter could have her fill of fun just by jumping on the bed in the hotel room. A hotel room that Vegas would prefer you spend as little time in as possible.

Sigh…A Fat Elvis-sized reminder that kids have things figured out better than we ever will.

But not all is lost. There is still magic in small things. The truth is, the world’s greatest wonders are all around you, right now, wherever you are. You merely need childlike eyes to see them.

No ticket to Vegas required.

Yeah, because children’s chalk drawings wreak all kinds of havoc on my peaceful enjoyment of pretty much anything.

Interestingly, a little research on the neighborhood, called Innovations and Courtyard Traditions at Stapleton, shows that it was specifically designed to “promote a wonderful, old-fashioned sense of community as families play and mingle.”

Um, fail.

This, my friends, is another sad case of adults trying to ruin everything.

The group’s attorney — yes, I said attorney — has made assurances that “the association is going down a path of ‘do no harm’ and is temporarily banning the chalk art until it is discussed in depth at a later meeting. It will then be up to the residents to decide if the art will be permanently banned.”

Happily, in the mean time, Emerson’s mom is allowing her to continue her chalk drawing habit as sort of a mini-protest. (Who knew that chalk drawings in a residential neighborhood would become a small rebellion?)

To me, it seems pretty obvious that the only distracting and offensive blight on this community are the Adultitis-ridden dopes who complained. Perhaps it is they who should be banned.

It recently occurred to me that God probably feels the same way about his children.

When we laugh, we are happy and free. During that moment of laughter, we are not worried, anxious, or stressed. And so it must give God great joy to see his children buckled over in laughter, just as it does me with my kids.

What’s weird is that laughter is a universally loved activity, and yet, adulthood often finds us treating it as a non-renewable resource, something to be reserved for when after our work is done. We leave it out of serious and challenging situations, and grow suspicious of people who do too much of it.

I’ve always believed in the power of laughter, but this little insight — that God loves to hear us laugh as much I love hearing my kids laugh — well, it just takes the importance of laugher to a whole new level.

And reminds me just how much Adultitis must hate it.

I shouldn’t, and I like to think I don’t, but I do. Not always, but more often than I should.

The irony is that the worst-case scenario is always the most terrifying when it stays in our head. If we were to actually speak our fears out loud — to shine light upon them — we would realize how ridiculous it is that we allow them to enslave us.

When Kim and I wrote The Escape Plan, we identified this unfortunate but all-too-common trait that keeps us tied down and hastens the spread of Adultitis. And so we wanted to include a challenge to address it. We called it, “G’Day Mate,” and it was simple: Talk in a phony voice or accent to a complete stranger.

Simple, but not easy.

This is a challenge sure to measure exactly how much you care about what other people think. For some of us, the idea alone scares the snot out of us. (It did for me.) And yet it is a perfect example of how the fear in our heads is more terrifying than the reality. Because what are we afraid of? That the person might think we’re weird? Recognize our accent as a fake? Laugh at us? At the risk of stating the obvious: WHO CARES?! It’s a stranger! One we’ll likely never see again.

I’ll admit, when I did this the first time, I tried taking the easy way out. I went through the drive-thru at McDonald’s and ordered a few cheeseburgers in my best English accent, which was still very, very bad. I thought I’d avoid a face-to-face interaction, completely forgetting that the ordering part of the process leads to the order receiving part of the process, which of course, is done face-to-face.

“Do you want any ketchup or extra napkins, sir?”

I stumbled through the rest of our interchange while wondering if the McDonald’s employee called me sir because she assumed I was a knight. Meanwhile, Kim tried desperately to muffle her boisterous laughter.

Afterwards, Kim and I both erupted like school girls. An enormous weight was lifted off my shoulders. I had done something I was afraid to do and came out unscathed!

Which is, of course, usually what happens when we do something we are afraid of. When we allow ourselves to be vulnerable. When we are able to let go of worrying about what others think of us. Not only do we come out unscathed, but we come out stronger. Braver. Freer.

One such action does not always cure us forever. But consistent practice can grow our comfort zones larger and larger, until we come to a place in which we give no thought to attempting something that would have paralyzed us with fear just a year or two earlier. Children could care less what other people think of them — have you seen the way they dance or dress themselves? — but we adults need to practice in order to return to those carefree days, before Adultitis took over.

I can speak from experience; “G’Day Mate” is a great place to start. I’d love to hear how it goes for you.

We may no longer be in high school any more, but Mom’s warning still holds water.

If you want to avoid Adultitis, you need to stay away from the wrong crowd at all costs.

You may have trouble recognizing the wrong crowd these days, because they are not easily recognized by their missing homework, black death metal t-shirts, and ever-present fog of cigarette smoke. In your life, the wrong crowd is likely made up of those people who are always complaining about everything from the weather to the economy, or the ones who watch hours and hours of television, or the ones who are always embroiled in some sort of negative drama, or quite simply, the ones who have settled in life.

I was recently asked how to make sure you’re not settling for a life of complacency.

My answer was simple: take inventory of who you’re spending time with.

Kim and I try and spend as much time around people who are going places. People with big dreams and positive attitudes. Glass-half-full kind of people. Silly, fun, adventure-seeking people. When you’re around people like this, that energy rubs off. You can’t help but look at your own life and be inspired to think, play, and live bigger.

On the flip side, if you spend too much time in the presence of the wrong crowd, your health plummets, your happiness fades, and your future dims. Adultitis slowly strangles you, choking off the life you were made for.

The wrong crowd doesn’t usually loiter on street corners under broken streetlights. They’re dispersed in and amongst your workplace, your neighborhood, and maybe even some of your closest relationships.

It might be time to start running with a new crowd.

Figure out ways to spend less time with the wrong crowd. Be honest with yourself about who those people might be in your life, and be as gracious with them as possible as you move on, but be determined to avoid them at all costs. They can’t always be avoided entirely, which is why you have to make a point to offset the negativity by spending more time around people that challenge, inspire, and support you.

You (and your story) deserve it.

“I’ve attached a photo of my Dad, one of the biggest avengers against adulthood. He loves that insurance commercial with the pig and the pinwheels and recently had us push him in his wheelchair through the dining area at the facility that he’s temporarily at to recover from some health issues. The whole time we pushed him around he was yelling “wee, wee, wee” and making the pinwheels spin. Unfortunately the older ladies in the dining room didn’t even crack a smile so Dad decided to quit wasting his time around them and head to the nurses area instead. He said he would try it again in the dining room and hallways in a couple of days.”

Jill’s dad is a superhero. His playful efforts to bring smiles and laughter to his Adultitis-ridden “neighbors” is quite commendable. Adultitis is contagious! Being the light in the darkness can be hard, but the good news is that Adultitis-free living is quite contagious too. Keep shining your light. Most people are relieved when someone dares to brings some levity and lightheartedness to a hard situation.

Thanks for your example, little piggy!

You might think that decorating Easter eggs is by default an Adultitis-free activity.

Not necessarily.

If the decorating of eggs is something that’s become more of a chore, or if you’re doing it a certain way because you’ve always done it that way…well, that makes Adultitis happier than a hippie in a hemp store.

Perhaps this is the year to mix things up. Here are some fun ideas…

Thumbprint Eggs
This remind me of the awesome art of Ed Emberly! Pour some acrylic paint on a plate, dip your thumb in the paint, dab off any excess, and press it against the egg. Once the paint dries, add some extra flourishes with a sharpie marker.
Source: Family Fun

Candy Coated Eggs
A little frosting or corn syrup serves as glue to adhere sprinkles and other sugar-laden decorations.
Source: Parents.com

Melted Crayon Eggs
When the hard-boiled eggs are still hot, color them with crayon tips or grate a crayon and sprinkle bits over the egg. The crayon will melt and mix together with other colors!
Source: Family Fun

Chalkboard Eggs
Cover your eggs with chalkboard paint. Decorate with chalk. Instant awesome.
Source: Styleathome.com

Tye-Dye Eggs
With a colander, a little vinegar, and some food coloring, you can easily make some sweet designs that may give you flashbacks from the 60s.
Source: Family Fun

Kool-Aid Eggs
Dip your eggs in a container that contains just 2/3 cup of water and one packet of Kool-Aid for some fruity-smelling technicolor-tinged results.
Source: Hey Jen Renee

Sticker Eggs
It doesn’t get any easier than this, folks. Color the eggs and then just add stickers, which you can buy at just about any card shop or craft store. This just reminds me of how much I miss my old sticker book from the 80s, especially the scratch-n-sniff, puffy, and goggly-eyed varieties.
Source: Reader’s Digest

Speckled Eggs
Let out your inner Jackson Pollock! Pour some acrylic paint on a sheet wax paper, dip Dad’s an old toothbrush into the paint, and flick your Adultitis away. You can dye your eggs first or leave them white and splatter on multiple colors.
Source: Southern Living

Have a Nice Day Eggs
Dye your eggs yellow and use a sharpie marker to add some personality. Of course, you can give your eggs a wide range of emotions, from “Yay! It’s Easter!” to “Holy crap! Somebody’s going to eat me?”
Source: Reader’s Digest

Bubble Wrap Eggs
Who doesn’t love popping the bubbles on bubble wrap? Who knew it could also make a great egg decorating tool? All you have to do is coat a piece of bubble wrap with acrylic paint, then roll your egg over the paint.
Source: Family Fun

Aluminum Foil Eggs
Similar concept as above, except with aluminum foil. Crumple and uncrumple a section of foil. Then coat the foil with paint, and gently wrap the egg in it.
Source: Family Fun

Angry Bird Eggs
If you’re all caught up in the Angry Birds phenomenon, perhaps it’s time to make some Angry Eggs.
Source: Amanda Younger

Sparkle Dot Eggs
Mix some clear adhesive dots with some super-fine glitter and what do you get? Sparkly polka dot nirvana, that’s what.
Source: Domestifluff

Mosaic Eggs
Dye a bunch of eggs. Sacrifice a few of them to the Easter Egg gods by cracking up their shells and then glue the broken bits to the remaining intact eggs.
Source: Gingerbread Snowflakes

People have been warning us: “Now you’ll be playing one-on-one defense. It’s a whole new game.” (Thanks, Adultitis-ridden ones!)

With optimism, faith and lots of Adultitis-fighting tools in our belt, we’re ready to become a family of four. With more balls to juggle comes an even greater commitment to the lessons we hold dear. Communication and organization are two huge secret weapons to any major life transition. My sister-in-law (a super fun mom of three school-age kiddos) recently shared with me a really cool idea to help with all of the paperwork associated with school and extra-curriculars. It’s definitely a keeper. (It may even involve a Trapper Keeper — remember those? My sister had one with a horse on it — ha!).

She shared…

“I came up with a cool idea that I wanted to share with you. It’s called “The Mom Binder.” I feel bombarded every day with papers from all 3 of the kids! It doesn’t take long for it to pile up and things get disorganized and lost. Plus our fridge looks like a hot mess. I have implemented The Mom Binder to solve this problem. I bought a hot pink binder and I organized all of my important papers in there. Each child has their own folder and I have a few others categorized to our needs. The binder also has a file fold and some pockets to store stuff. This has become my “go to” and keeps things organized.”

I love how she is able to keep ahead of the chaos of paperwork and schedules with this simple and super effective tool.

What “can’t live without” tools do you have in YOUR Adultitis-fighting tool belt?

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