30 Before Thirty

I'm sure most people have heard of the concept of a "bucket list".  Well, here is another popular thing to do and it's to make a list of 30 things that you'd like to accomplish/do before you turn thirty.  Since I'm a little late in the game on this one and have less than one year to finish my list I've tried to be realistic.  Keep in mind that I have a limited budget with which to work with, limited time, and three little ones that need my constant care.  That said, I'm pretty sure I can get these things done, in fact, I can already cross off one thing!  To be fair, I did start making this list before I did # 3, so that counts in my book.  

30 Before 30

1. Purchase a beginner piano book and learn a simple song
2. Take a train ride (on a non-kiddy train)
3. Walk through a corn maze
4. Write 5 handwritten letters to friends
5. Fly a kite with my boys
6. Plant daffodil bulbs in front yard
7. Take a meal to a new mom
8. Pay it forward
9. Visit Connor
10. Try out a new recipe
11. Go Christmas Caroling
12. Post my 500^th blog post
13. Donate to a charity
14. Have a party (not for my children)
15. Take a good friend to lunch
16. Do something nice for a neighbor
17. See a movie at the theater with Derek
18. Decide where Chandler will go to Kindergarten
19. Visit a new city
20. Read one book for fun
21. Update our mailbox
22. Figure out how to upload videos to the blog
23. Have a progressive dinner party
24. Bring a meal to somebody who is sick/has sick kids
25. Try a “fancy” cupcake
26. Volunteer at the preschool
27. Bake & Decorate cookies with my 3 messy boys
28. Have a live Christmas tree for the first time in 10+ years
29. Visit the Biltmore House, or at least plan the trip*
30. Take a Hot Air Balloon Ride, or plan it!*

*Disclaimer.....I put that I'd like to plan # 29 & 30 since it's doubtful that I'll do these before I turn 30.  Since I'll still be nursing Maverick at that point, I won't be leaving him for a weekend away anytime soon.  Maybe these can occur in the Fall of 2012, at least the year that I turn 30.  Also, I'd like to mention that I had to do some sweet talking to convince my sweetie to do # 30 with me since he has declared boldly on more than one occasion that he will not ride in a hot air balloon.  I think it's a control issue for him since he likes to be in control and not just headed wherever the wind takes him.  This can be seen as a metaphor for his life too (I think).  

Wish me luck!  Occasionally I'll repost this list with updates on what I do.  To get me started, I'd like to "Pay it Forward" to the first three people to comment on this post.  Sorry, this is for non-related people only.  I was inspired by Four Bright Eyes with her post about paying it forward.  She sent me a handmade tea towel that was so nice.  I will make a handmade gift that will be delivered or mailed before I turn 30 to the lucky recipients.  Hopefully they will be inspired to "Pay it Forward" as well.