Sunday, June 26, 2011

29. Attend 5 live shows : Mystere

I've realized I very rarely see anything live - I resort to DVD 99% of the time. So I thought it would be fun to attempt 5 live shows (of any medium) over the course of this list!

Show #1 was Mystere! (Cirque Du Soliel's show at Treasure Island in Las Vegas!)

This show was a huge hit for my whole family! There was enough comedy to keep us all laughing, enough "wow" factor for my husband, and the dancing was just magnificent.

Skyler LOVED the "Baby" (And it had Ryan and I rolling with laughter!) And the audience participation was just hilarious. The dancing and acrobatics were also fabulous. I think my absolute favorite though? The two "Strong Men" (for lack of a better term) who were balancing each other. It was just amazing to watch.



62. Go on a Family Vacation

Number 62 wasn't planned, I figured a family vacation was a few years down the road when I first made this list... But with much thanks to my in-laws, we were able to take a family vacation to Las Vegas from June 19-24, 2011!!

We stayed at the Orleans, and had a wonderful WONDERFUL time!  (A full trip report can be found on my "Sunny Days with Skyler" blog -- under the Vegas tag! HERE is the link...) I was able to cross several items off of my list, and make a progress on a few others!

We had such an awesome family vacation and none of us can pick what our favorite thing was!!

But ranking among the top? Mystere (which will be a later entry!) The Dolphin's at the Mirage, The Bellagio Fountains!



Saturday, June 25, 2011

23. Go Bowling

I'm not sure what triggered me to think about Bowling for this list, I used to love to go back in high school! (Although I was never very good...)

Our hotel in Vegas had 70 bowling lanes, and we decided one afternoon to take advantage! Skyler had never been bowling, and Ryan and I hadn't been in YEARS... So it was an experience for all of us!

Skyler was awesome though. She threw the ball, then did a little celebration dance after every turn!!

None of our scores were very good - as we only got two games, so we let Skyler throw every second ball for us! None the less, we had a lot of fun! (And now I really want to go again!!)



Friday, June 24, 2011

36. Take Photos in a Photo Booth

Number 36, Take Photos in a Photo Booth happened almost by accident! We were passing by one in Vegas, and Ryan suggested we stop!

I'm so glad we did, because they are the only photos of our whole family from our trip to Vegas!! (That's a whole different ordeal, really. )

But we did a few of the traditional "poses" from the Photo Booth...  I give this goal "Two thumbs up!"




Thursday, June 16, 2011

100. Fill in an Address Book

I know that so many people chose to keep their address books digitally anymore; but I have a problem with that. I keep losing them. (Seriously! I don't know how, but I keep losing them!!) I have one friend, I think I've asked her for her address no less than a dozen times.

So I decided I'd try the paper version, maybe I'll have better luck with that if I can just keep it in my kitchen and always go right to it. So I hunted Amazon and found one I liked, ordered it and then let it sit for a few weeks untouched.

Well, tonight I finally filled it out! (But I could use a few more addresses! If I haven't asked you for yours, and you want a Christmas card, please let me know!! )



56. Toss out all underthings and replace them

#56 is something that I think people should do more often. I know I was guilty of waiting too long! But a change in your underthings can make you feel so much better about yourself!

(And a proper fitting bra makes a WORLD of difference!!)

Saturday, June 11, 2011

9. Bake Skyler an awesome Birthday Cake

My friend Meg makes the coolest birthday cakes for her kids, and she was my inspiration in every way for this goal. (Before her, I never had any interest in creating a fun cake. But her kids' cakes are always so fabulous, that I really wanted to give it a shot. )

My initial idea was a crayola box, but after several hours of working with the buttercream and decorating the cake, I opted for an easier design. (I have to give Meg credit here again.) I made a Play Doh cake! (Which also happens to be Skyler's favorite creative toy of the moment.

The cake as a delicious recipe (posted below) as was the butter cream frosting. After some coloring issues, my sister stepped in to help me make some fondant (Marshmallow) which was actually fairly yummy and looked FABULOUS!

My only negative comment about the cake was that the piping letters weren't very neat. But, we were running late, the icing was stiff and I was nervous. (And? My handwriting just isn't that neat anyway. *lol* )





Recipes:
Cake
Ingredients
  • 1 Duncan Hines Yellow (or White) cake mix
    4 egg whites
    1/2 cup water
    1/3 cup vegetable oil
    1 small pkg of instant vanilla pudding mix (I use white chocolate flavour instead)
    1 cup sour cream
Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 F, Incorporate all ingredients together one by one on low speed. Make sure to mix thoroughly between each ingredient. Once all ingredients are mixed turn mixer to medium and mix for approximately 2 minutes. Bake at 350 for 30 – 35 minutes


Butter Cream

* 2 cups butter
* 8 cups confectioners’ sugar
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 6 fluid ounces International Delight French Vanilla Coffee Creamer
Instructions

  1. 1. Cream butter until fluffy. Add confectioner’s sugar and continue creaming until well blended.
    2. Add salt and creamer, blend on low speed until moistened. Add additional creamer if necessary (up to 2 ounces). Beat at high speed until frosting is fluffy.

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

51. Write a letter to myself within the first 30 days to open at the end of the project

I remember a letter that I'd written to myself in Junior High Sunday School – set to open the day of my high school Graduation. I'd hung that letter on my wall in my bedroom and anticipation grew as my Graduation day came up. I was so excited to open that letter, having forgotten what was in it. I could just imagine, I had written my hopes and my dreams. I had told myself where I wanted to go to college and what I wanted to major in. Where I wanted to move and what big dreams I had. I was ready to see what a younger me had found so important.

When I opened the letter; I was deeply disappointed. Embarrassed beyond all belief, I couldn't share the letter with anyone. I had told myself how in love I was with my 7th Grade boyfriend. I blathered on, for 3 pages, about how wonderful he was. Thirteen year old me had been such an idiot. (He was a loser to the Nth Degree!!)

I desperately hope this letter is not that way.


I wasn't sure what to write; so it is a hodgepodge of items. My hopes for this list. My hopes for where I'll be in 3 years time. A few thoughts about where my life is right now, and a few of my current favorite things. 

Honestly, writing a letter to your future self is something I recommend to you. It's something I hope to have Skyler do throughout her life. It's something I hope I treasure! (As opposed to my last one which I threw away immediately with a bright red face!!)
 


**I copied it to a private entry -- HERE -- in the event that something happens to the hard copy. **