Thanks to Dan Pink, for sharing on his Daniel H. Pink blog, the latest FUN way for people to engage with a subway station.

Last year Volkswagen and Fun Theory created an entertaining, musical way for people to exit a subway station.

Now they’re at it again. I love the way people do a double take when they first see this fire-engine-red slide. Thought it would be fun for you to share these videos  with the kids in your life. They’re a hoot, and I love the idea that creativity can be applied in the seemingly mundane areas of our lives.

Slide on!

Thanks to dad Rich Marini over at mysanantonio.com‘s Favorite Office Time Wasters for sharing this with us. Pump up the volume and fire up the mini van!

I got my iPhone yesterday, and I’m like a kid at Christmas. Almost jumped up and down (OK, maybe I actually did a little) when the FedEx guy showed up.

One of my favorite apps, already, is ColorSplash. It allows you to turn a color photo into black-and-white and then add back just a touch of color to any part of the photo you choose.

Speaking of a kid at Christmas, here’s one of my favorite photos of my niece, after I had some fun with it with ColorSplash.

If you’re a busy parent with an iPhone, I’d love to know what apps you use to save time, stay organized and have fun! Please share your recommendations in comments.

My buddy Jen Singer over at MommaSaid.net is offering, in this great video, what might be the best gift we moms can receive on Mother’s Day: A reminder to Trust Your Gut. (Another great gift? Jen’s books. I love her Stop Second-Guessing Yourself series.)

Thanks, Jen! Happy Mother’s Day, and thanks for helping us have a laugh.

Can’t get enough of The Office? Check out this fun Halpert Baby Blog (good idea, NBC), as Jim and Pam navigate the waters of early parenthood. Cecelia Marie Halpert is adorable, and the hospital pics ring true.

(OK, some of the blog comments make me wonder if everyone there realizes this is a TV SHOW… But more power to NBC for making this a fun addition for fans of the show.)

Just don’t let Dwight hold the baby. OK, guys?

We try to teach our kids to make good choices (even when we’re not around). We teach them the “family rules” — whatever those may be for our particular family.

Are we getting through? Some days, we wonder. And we know that our kids know that they won’t always be found out if they don’t follow the rules. (Got any doubts on that one? Remember when YOU were a teenager?)

That’s what makes this story even more heartwarming. Joy Bat’s daughter is now grown, but this Lake Forest, California mom still beamed when she shared this with me:

“Shawny was not yet 13 when the movie ‘Titanic’ came out,” says Bat. “Her dad and I had asked that she not see the movie, since it was full of sexual content and was rated PG-13.” There was a girl’s sleepover with her church youth group, and Bat was assured there would be no PG-13 movies shown.

“But Shawny called me from the home of the sleepover and said they were about to watch ‘Titanic,’ and she wanted me to talk to the mom,” says Bat. “Shawny had spoken up and requested that she be allowed to do another activity in a separate room while the movie played! She really wanted to see the movie, but she had taken the high road and been assertive. The girls ended up choosing another movie, and I was so proud of my daughter.”

I love food. I love wine. I’m nuts about all things Disney-related. So, really, honey, it’s a no-brainer: Take me to Disney’s California Food & Wine Festival for Mother’s Day, OK?

Although if you’d like to go sooner, I’m good with that, too… The Festival runs from April 16 through May 31, with lots of cool events. Tickets for the Signature events are on sale here.

If you’re really into cooking, check out the Napa Rose Cooking School with Chef Andrew Sutton. And there’s much more:

Daily Events

• Complimentary demonstrations featuring culinary experts and celebrity chefs, including Guy Fieri (love him! I’m a big “Triple-D” fan), Cat Cora and Robert Irvine
• Seminars that feature wine, beer and spirits

Signature Events (additional fee required)

Taste Food-Wine-Life May 29, 7:00–10:00 p.m.

Presented in “grand-tasting” style, this event offers delectable creations from Disney chefs, outstanding wines and live entertainment. Theme park admission not required.

Festival Wine Walks and Beer Walks Daily

Enjoy tastings of your favorites, and discover the flavor of new wines and beers as you stroll through Stage 12, at the Festival Showplace.

Winemaker Dinners

Fridays: April 23, 30, May 14 and 21
6:30 – 9:00 p.m.
Award-winning wines paired with delectable culinary creations at Steakhouse 55, with Chef Jason Martin

Brewmaster Dinner

Friday May 7
6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Join experts from Karl Strauss Brewing Company for delicious food paired with beers, at Steakhouse 55

Riedel Glass Tasting

Saturdays, April 24, May 28
6:45 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
In this fascinating class led by an expert from Riedel, learn why the glass matters when it comes to wine tasting. Guests at this event will go home with a tasting set of four Riedel Vinum series lead crystal wine glasses.

Sweet Sundays

April 18, May 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30

10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Enjoy Sunday morning buffets featuring elegant dessert items from acclaimed pastry chefs, at the Festival Showplace inside Disney’s California Adventure.

Taste Wine Like an Expert

Saturdays: May 1, 8, 15 and 22
2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Entertaining education with Sommelier Joy Cushing of Napa Rose restaurant

Napa Rose Cooking School

Saturdays: April 17, May 1, 8, 15, and 22
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Executive Chef Andrew Sutton of Napa Rose leads guests in preparing a four-course gourmet meal. Guests receive a commemorative chef’s coat, embroidered with the Festival logo.

Whether you love to cook, want to learn more about wine — or just love to eat(!), there’s something here for you. Happy (early) Mother’s Day!

Do your kids have a PlayStation or an Xbox 360? Are you wondering if there’s any redeeming value in the hours that they spend transfixed by video games?

According to a new study published in the medical journal Current Directions in Psychological Science, regular gamers are fast and accurate information processors, not only during game play, but in real-life situations as well.

Researchers from the University of Rochester in Rochester, New York looked at all of the existing literature on video gaming and found some surprising insights in the data.

They found that avid players got faster not only on their game of choice, but on a variety of unrelated laboratory tests of reaction time. Playing video games enhances performance on visual and spatial memory and on tasks requiring divided attention, they found.

Does that mean video games should crowd out homework, fresh air and exercise? Of course not. But it appears that a half hour of video-game fun now and then might just have a few added benefits.

I love this idea… Disney is inspiring families to volunteer in their communities during 2010. And they came up with a great way to do it. One million people who perform volunteer service for a participating organization will receive a free one-day admission ticket to a Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort theme park.

To learn all about the “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day” program, including how to get your free one-day admission pass, visit www.DisneyParks.com (U.S. and Puerto Rico) or www.DisneyParks.ca (Canada).

To enable people to sign up for an eligible volunteer project, Disney is working with HandsOn Network, the nation’s largest volunteer network. Part of the Points of Light Institute, HandsOn Network has 250 volunteer action centers across the country. They connect volunteers with more than 70,000 nonprofit agencies that need their help. Many of the opportunities are for projects that entire families can participate in together. (Kids must be at least age 6 to participate.)

And while you’re at your favorite Disney resort, be sure to pick up one of these cool new black-satin princess hats. I love the rhinestones on the front (especially the Mickey-shaped one at the very top of the crown). What better way to channel your inner Disney princess? (And you know she’s in there!)