I turned 37 in January. I've gotten better with embracing my age but judging from the last "big" birthday, when I turned 30 (or, rather, how I did NOT turn 30 for several extra years), I decided I wanted to make the next few years fun as I anticipate the next big birthday (I swear this isn't so I talk about my birthday all the time, but it might happen). So I made a list.

A list of 40 things I want to accomplish before I turn the big 4-0. 

Some of these things are about conquering fears, some are focused on having experiences I've put off for various reasons. Some are about pushing myself past limitations I've placed on myself. Some are just about enjoying life. And a lot of them scare me--in a very exciting way.

In my original list I had some fun travel goals. And then I realized that I was talking about three years--not 20. I know that I will make a travel list and I will conquer it. It may take me my whole life, but I want to drive on the Pacific Coast highway and go wine tasting in northern California. I'll get to NYC over the holidays and feel the magic of Christmas in the city. Renting a convertible in Miami and driving to the Florida Keys will definitely happen. I'll visit Washington DC during cherry blossom season and tour the White House. I'll go Europe. And England. I'll get to Wisconsin Dells with the kids...

Maybe I can squeeze that one onto the list. 

My plan is to write about my experiences after I complete each item. I'm excited about this little journey but the best part of this list is knowing that I'll be doing a lot of these things with the people I love: my family and friends. Many of these things are about experiences to be shared with others. And I can't wait.

This is going to be the best 3 years.

1. See a favorite band live. American Bootleg doesn't count. I don't know if anything can top Paul McCartney from last summer, but the goal is really about seeing more live music. Big concerts or little shows at the corner bar--there's a lot of musicto be found in this city.
2. Only say 'yes' to my kids for an entire day. No "no." Within reason, I do have a budget.
3. Go at least 48 hours without phone/social media/being online. (aka: UNPLUG).
4. Bake bread from scratch.
5. Cook a 5-course meal for a group of friends.
6. Write letters to 5 people who haveimpacted my life. Mail those letters.
7. Write a letter to both my kids before they start Kindergarten.
8. Take a road trip with just Marc to someplace we've never been. Explore!
9. Take a road trip with the family to someplace we've never been. Explore!
10. Go on a weekend getaway with girlfriends.
11. Skydive/hot air balloon/bungee jump/zip line--something I never thought I'd do, something that involves high levels of adrenaline. 
12. Run a half marathon. Even if I have to walk a lot of it. Because I'll probably have to walk a lot of it.
13. Participate in an indoor triathlon. Like a mini one. There are no 'Iron Mans' in my future.
14. And then get amassage immediately following both numbers 12 and 13. Almost being 40 is all about challenging myself--but then spoiling myself after. 
15. Buy a ridiculously expensive bottle of wine and see if I can tell a difference. I hope this doesn't backfire so that I'll never be able to go back to cheap wine (not that there's really a choice in that: cheap wine or no wine, I think you know what wins).
16. Experience Travail's tasting menu. It's a 14-20 course undertaking. It's expensive. But I feel like it's something I should do at least once.Foodie friends...you in?
17. Get caught up on my Vanity Fair subscription. The struggle is real. I'm 2? 3? years behind (darn kids! darndvr! darn social media!)...but I love the magazine so much I just can't stop the subscription.
18. Sign up for a personal stylist session.
19. Volunteer in both my kids' classrooms.
20. Write a children's book with my kids. We tell stories all the time--especially E--and I want us to create a story and they canprovide the illustrations. Then we will make millions of dollars, obviously.
21. Give up coffee for a week. To show that I can do it. This will probably not happen.
22. Go to Afternoon Tea at the St. Paul Hotel.
23. Sing Karaoke. Thiswill be done as a group song. Even that will take a lot...the thought of this terrifies me. Friends that love karaoke, I'll need you on this one...and no, my husband is not allowedto be there for this.
24. Volunteer with kids--not a "one time thing," make it a tradition. Park clean-up, soup kitchen, packing meals...tons of options for adults as well as children.
25. See an Opera.
26. Read every book by a favorite author. (Still debating who I want to do this for--I'll update once I decide. I love too many authors!)
27. Start a book club. Not a typical one. An "Any Book" Book Club.
28. Take the kids camping.
29. Take the kids to a drive-in movie.
30. Do a mid-winter getaway to Wisconsin Dells with the kids and grandparents. Might as well get there in the summer, too, as that was how I first experienced the Dells as a kid. It was like a midwest Disneyland. I was young, ok? (I told you I'd get this exotic locale on the list.)
31. Get back to writing fiction (short stories mainly). I used to do this all the time. I miss it.
32. Learn how to use our grill. I wantto be the neighborhoodbarbeque babe! Or just someone who knows how to grill.
33. Learn how to play chess. I love strategy games and I've always wanted to learn but have never devoted the time and energy into learning it.Anyone want to teach me?
34. Fly a kite. 
35. Eat a strictly vegetarian diet for a week. I will definitely need suggestions for meals from my veggie friends.
36. Go kayaking. (Down the St. Croix is onelocation I know of, but open to suggestions.)
37. Take the kids on a real picnic. We pretend so much, it might be fun to do a real one.
38. Learn how to use Photoshop. And not just the Photoshop app that simply involves filters. Like really learn how to use Photoshop.
39. Create a treasure hunt for the kids.
40. Last, but certainly not least, potty train my son. I can't make a list of things I want to accomplish over the next few years and not include this. It has to happen before I'm 40, right? RIGHT?!

What do you think? Can I do it? What's one thing you would add to this list if it was yours?

For easy reference, I've set up a Page on my site devoted to this list. That is where I'll update once I complete items on the list. You can find that here. 

xo Sara

{P.S. My last challenge was to read a book a week for an entire year. You can read all about that here.}