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 …
Summer
Bored is Good
I remember certain summer days during my childhood in which my brothers and I, all out of ideas of what to do next, would complain to my mother that we were officially bored. I don't remember getting much sympathy. It's been a long time since I was really bored. I love what I do, and there's always an impossibly long list of things that need to be done. And, frankly, it's kind of hard to be bored in our "always on" society awash in laptops and smart phones and iPods. Well, sometimes I’m bored when I'm with Lucy. …
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 …
EA #32: 5 Totally Fun (and Cheap) Summer Things To Do
In this episode, brought to you from studio 315 in Madison, Wisconsin, we talk about new changes to the show, the pros and cons of "staycations," and share 5 totally fun (and extremely cheap) things to do with the rest of your summer. Just click "Play" to listen to the show... …
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Summer Staples
I'm sure I'm not alone when I say that my childhood summers were "the good 'ol days." Truly the lazy days of life. Why not recapture some of those moments as grown-ups? It's a surefire way to annihilate any Adultitis in your life. If you haven't done one of these five things this summer, you need to get out your calendar and schedule one in... NOW. 1. Catch a lightening bug and put it in a jar in your bedroom. 2. Grill out and have a picnic. Don't forget the sweet corn and cherry pie. 3. Go to an ice cream stand and get a treat, the more scoops the better. 4. Lay under the stars …
Summer For Some Kids
What happened to the lazy days of a child's summer vacation? When we first moved to Madison eight years ago I spent the summer working for a summer daycare/day camp. We had third through fifth graders. The daycare hours were 7AM- 6PM. This was the first time my eyes were opened to the reality of what summer vacation is like for many modern kids. As one of the many "teachers" we tried to give the kids unstructured time, in order to let them feel like they could enjoy the lazy days of summer. Honestly, though, there is only so much you can do. Maintaining sanity and safely in a program with …
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 …
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 …
11 Things Kids Must Do During Summer
Summer is coming to a close, so you need to make the most of these last few weeks. When school starts the harsh reality for most kids is that their small amount of free time will soon be filled with homework, soccer, music lessons, church classes and sleeping. To read more about how overscheduled kids are destined to become perfectionist adults (riddled with Adultitis), check out this article. It's time to cross-reference your recent summertime activities with my list of 11 Things Kids Must Do During Summer. If you would like more ideas, I highly recommend the awesome book, "101 Things …
The Ice Cream Man
Top 5 reasons why being an "Ice Cream Man" would be the BEST job in the world. 1. Free ice cream treats aplenty. (Tip: Get your free ice cream here, without having to make it your career.) 2. The jolly tunes. 3. Making kids smile all day long. 4. The freedom to drive around, wherever you want, enjoying the fresh air and sunshine. 5. Living the "American Dream," and embracing the entreprenial mindset. Top 5 reasons why being an "Ice Cream Man" would be the absolute WORST job in the world. …