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- - - | written by Kim on 6/16/2008 | - - -

Tip of the Week: You’re Not The Boss of Me

This week’s Escape Plan challenge (aka our Tip of the Week) is: #11: You're Not The Boss of Me: Do something your parents would never let you do as a child. I was convinced my mom and dad were the strictest parental units on the block. They never let me do anything... or so I thought. Looking back I realize just how distorted my perspective was. Attempting to keep me alive in and one piece into adulthood, their rules were mainly about safety and respect. (Thanks Mom and Dad!) So, this challenge continues to stump me from time to time. A few weeks ago a woman named Cheri left a comment on …

- - - | written by Kim on 6/13/2008 | - - -

The Monet Vacation

It's that time of year... summer vacation. "FINALLY!", the Wisconsin kids are exclaiming, after having to make up a few snow days here in June. Never fun! Rumors abound that vacations will be down this year due to the gas prices. (Debbie Downer Alert!) P.T. Barnum (yes the guy from that little thing known as the greatest show on earth) proved in his day was that even in a period as tough as the Great Depression, people will spend their last nickel on FUN. Everyone needs a break... an escape... a vacation of sorts. That doesn't mean you have to fly down to Disney or go surfing in Hawaii. It …

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- - - | written by Kim on 6/2/2008 | - - -

Tip of the Week: Backyard Adventurer

This week’s Escape Plan challenge (aka our Tip of the Week) is: #13: Backyard Adventurer: Spend ten minutes doing something outside that you have never done before. As a kid I spent most of my summer vacation outside. All it took was a simple prop and I would be inspired for hours and hours, engaged in imaginative fun. For instance, one time my sister and I found two potato sacks in our garage... two hours later our front yard was adorned with an elaborate obstacle course. Of course, one of the many elements happened to be a potato sack race. I'll never forget the scratchiness of the bag …

- - - | written by Kim on 5/16/2008 | - - -

Potato Mashers and Masks

Jason and I spent the week in Northern VA, putting on a number of speaking programs. Two nights were at the same venue. We love doing two-night programs! The second night is always filled with surprises. Last night was no exception. When the crowd started filing in, we were met by these two Adultitis-free spirits. Yes, they wore their disguises for most of the evening. The reminded me that we are definitely in the permission business! After the program "Groucho Marx" came to our table and shared something that him and his wife would do with their kids, to liven up the family dinner …

- - - | written by Kim on 5/6/2008 | - - -

Big Top Living Room

I love spring in Madison. The bright green grass, the confident and colorful tulips, and the light green buds on all of the trees. It takes a number of rainy days to get this glorious combination, though. Here's a rainy day idea that will be sure to lift your spirits... and bring back from treasured memories. Build a tent made of couch cushions and blankets. Remember when you did this as a kid? Just think about how much cooler you could make it, now that you have a little life experience on your side. Brainstorm the layout and materials. Try to identify unconventional items that may work …

- - - | written by Kim on 4/8/2008 | - - -

JELL-O for Breakfast

Jason is drinking JELL-O through a straw. Why? Why not?! Last month I wrote about the crazy childlike selections at IHOP, in celebration of the Seuss movie, "Horton Hears a Who!" Well, there's only 12 days left (until April 20th) to order one of these colorful dishes. Jason and I ended up at an IHOP in Waterloo, IA last week, after a speaking program. Jason decided to order the "Beezlenut Splash." IHOP's description of this silly drink is as follows: Springing up from the jungle of Nool. Lemon-lime soda- refreshing and cool. With Cherry and Berry Blue Jello-O - what fun! Slurping up …

- - - | written by Kim on 4/1/2008 | - - -

Permission Granted

There are few days where you are encouraged to have fun and fight your Adultitis, and April 1st is one of them. Everyone knows someone who LOVES April Fool's Day. That person in my life has been my dad. The "worst" one was when we were in grade school. He told us when we woke up that school was closed because it had snowed all night long. It was a snow day! Woo Hoo! Of course, we'd forgotten that it was April 1st, and we ran excitedly to the window to see all of the glorious snow that we'd be playing in all day... to find nothing but grass. April Fools!! My oldest sister caught the bug …

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- - - | written by Jason on 3/31/2008 | - - -

Visiting The National Museum of Play

Last week, Kim wrote about a recent trip to upstate New York. We were there for a speaking engagement and flew into Rochester, which is the home of the Strong National Museum of Play. This museum is a veritable Adultitis Hospital, and features many exciting exhibits, including the National Toy Hall of Fame. I have mentioned the Toy Hall of Fame on this blog no less that three times (here, here, and here), so it was a real treat to finally make a visit. I had a chance to compile some highlights in video form. Feel free to take a virtual tour of the museum. How many of the toys featured in …

- - - | written by Kim on 3/24/2008 | - - -

Tip of the Week: Photo Safari

This week’s Escape Plan challenge (aka our Tip of the Week) is #23: Photo Safari. Take a picture of the most childlike spot in town. Sometimes you need a change of scenery. Sometimes you need to self-diagnose the ol' Adultitis (or take the official intake here) and admit yourself into an Adultitis Hospital (aka a "childlike spot in town"). A few weeks ago Jason and I were in Rochester, NY for some speaking gigs. We had heard that Rochester is home of the Strong National Museum of Play, which also houses the National Toy Hall of Fame. This definitely qualified for the "most childlike spot …

- - - | written by Kim on 3/17/2008 | - - -

Tip of the Week: Outside the Lines

This week’s Escape Plan challenge (aka our Tip of the Week) is #24: Outside the Lines. Figure out a way to add some color to your day in a new, unusual, or wacky way. Color just makes things more fun. Whether it's a colorful necktie, hat, fun socks or shoe laces, it proves to be an easy way to add some fun to your day. I know Dr. Seuss would back me up on this one. If you never did, you should. These things are fun, and fun is good. -Dr. Seuss Speaking of Seuss, when Jason originally did this challenge for the Escape Plan, he took a page out of Seuss' book (Not literally- that would be …

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