Stephanie Angelini

working with young people keeps me young. Here are the things that work for me to keep me young …even in my advanced years.Try them! Tie your shoes! Let’s go!NUMBER ONE: Notice Nature! NO, the heck with stopping and smelling the roses… I mean watch a hawk Or a tree just budding Or the way the light hits a hillside. Pay Attention, darn it! SUNSETS DON’T WAITNUMBER TWO: Talk to yourself! And Answer Back!!! That’s the funnest part. Don’t you hate it when you ask someone a question and they don’t answer? Answer yourself! Then laugh! It’s hilarious.NUMBER THREE: Sing in the Shower And, please, for goodness sake sing silly songs like Old Man River or anything by Barry Manilow. Sing loudly. Oh, and always keep toys in the shower or bathtub to play with. I have a little plastic boat!NUMBER FOUR: Use Nicknames. People like it. It makes them feel special. I swear, Skitch.NUMBER FIVE: Make Faces. These come in handy when you smell or taste something bad, or just want to be dramatic. Grinning Broadly Counts!THINGS YOU MUST DO ONCE A MONTH Take your children to 31 Flavors for dinner and let them order anything. Loudly remind them: no salad until you finish your sundae! And speaking of that: watch a little kid eat an ice cream cone. It’s a rare and magical thing… And speaking of magic – BELIEVE IN IT! Allow yourself a moment to really be sure that magic exists. And faeries, of course, which really do exist, so shut up.Make a Wish when you drive through all tunnels. Never tell.Eat Crackers in Bed. Crumbs are fun And they make moms really mad, Which is also fun!Wear socks of two different colors. Tell no one.Write your name in your underwear. When you put it on you’ll feel like you’re at camp.THINGS YOU MUST ALWAYS REMEMBER: Remember how to spit off a bridge (or a boat)and watch it go all the way down… (don’t spit in the wind, though.)Remember how to roll down a grassy hill.Remember how to color Easter eggs without getting bored …or thinking about egg salad.Remember how to REALLY play dress up.Remember how to travel alone.Remember how to be stillRemember how to cry when you read your favorite story aloud. And at marching bands!EXTRA CREDIT • Eat a potato chip, and while chewing it, wash your face. It feels like summer when you were little, grabbed a chip and then jumped into the pool. Try this at home!• Take a hot glass out of the dishwasher, fill it with cold water and drink it quick! Freaky, huh?• Pretend you’re a spy while shopping for bathing suits. It’s fun and keeps your mind off the image in the mirror.