Kim and I have been watching the inaugural episodes of the new Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien. I think he's doing a great job, and have been enjoying the shows. I've always connected with Conan's goofy brand of humor. (I did this painting of him when I was in college.) One of my favorite jokes from last night came during the "In The Year 2000" segment Conan and sidekick Andy Richter resurrected from their old Late Night days. (The skit has been updated with fancy new costumes and the title, "In The Year 3000.")... In the year 3000, Jesus returns to Earth, but due to the bad economy, is …
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Unlimited Fun for a Quarter
So an employer decides that his team needs a little cheering up. It's Christmastime, nearing the end of what has been a tumultuous year. He remembers his daughter's recent birthday, and a simple party favor he purchased that was a huge hit with the kids. It was also a huge hit at his own birthday party, some twenty-five years earlier. A simple red clown nose. He bought enough for every one of his employees -- he had to visit three different stores to collect enough for everyone. Because of the holiday, the clown noses became "Rudolph Noses" and everyone was encouraged to wear one. …
Peep Jousting
One of the best parts about my job speaking to different groups around the country are the stories people share after the program. Our audiences are a treasure trove of great ideas for escaping adulthood! While in Tampa, Florida, one woman came up to me and shared a game her brother-in-law (Lowell Allen) plays with his family. I'd heard of it before, but didn't really know what it was. It's called Peep Jousting. If its new to you. here's the skinny, according to Urban Dictionary: A game involving the classic Easter candy, Marshmallow Peeps. Each Peep has a toothpick sticking out of the …
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, …
Shall We Dance?
We read recently that around two months of age a baby starts to recognize repeated events. It's funny how we have naturally implemented goofy games and such into different parts of Lucy's day (like Jason's attack of the zurbert monster on her ultra-soft belly, each time he changes her dipe). Well, a new routine we've started is something I want to invite you to try, whether you have kids or not. After dinner, before bed, each person in the household gets to pick a song... and you all get to dance. Depending on your mood, you could rock out and release some energy (a great stress reliever), you …
Celebrating Laughter
Lucy hasn't officially laughed yet, but she sure is doing a lot of smiling. One of our midwives told us that in her experience working with the Navajo people, there is a custom in which the first person to make a newborn laugh is obligated to throw the family a huge party to celebrate the occasion. According to their tradition, it's considered the moment in which the baby is fully present and "in the world." I think that's pretty cool. …
9 Fun Super Bowl Celebrations
As we move into February, which tends to be a hard month for people living in the colder regions of the country, it's time to get serious about not taking yourself too seriously... seriously! Adultitis is rampant this time of year! An easy way to fight this deadly disease is to celebrate the Super Bowl. It's just five days away, leaving you plenty of time to come up with a fun strategy to have some super fun this weekend. There are countless ways to celebrate the Super Bowl and enjoy the game (or in my case, the commercials). Here are some ideas to get you started... 1. Host an appetizer …
Keeping it Light
In less than a month, on Valentine's Day, Jason and I will celebrate fourteen years of being a couple. Yep, we had our first date on February 14, 1995, eating dinner at Monical's Pizza in Princeton, Illinois. How far we've come. I've learned a lot from him over the years and now that we've become parents I find myself learning tons more about him and from him each day. It's pretty cool. One thing I've noticed is that Jason, being the creative type, has invented all sorts of little games and routines with Lucy. He has a variety of things he does with her at the changing table (like "eating …
The World’s Tallest Snowman (I Mean Snowwoman)
Is it possible for a whole town to be Adultitis-free? I don't know about that, but Bethel, Maine sure comes close. In 1999, the ski town of about 2,400 residents set the record for world's tallest snowman. In 2008, the record was finally broken. By them. This time, they built a "snowwoman" and she was no dainty lass. …
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Escape in ’09
Three years ago Jason and I embarked on The Escape Plan, a 40 day challenge to annihilate the Adultitis in your life. On the first Wednesday of the year the challenge was "Instaparty: Find a reason to celebrate and do something to celebrate it." I had a blast celebrating the first hump day, making camel pancakes, wearing a goofy homemade hat donning camel clipart, and even visiting our local camels at the Madison zoo. It was all very childlike and reminded me of my days teaching kindergarten, when celebrations were plentiful. As you start 2009, I challenge you to incorporate childlike …