I will turn 30 years old this summer. It’s a weird idea because if 30 is a stage of life I feel like I’ve been there forever – having three kids, a dog, two cars and a home of our own makes me feel decidedly 30ish. But if 30 is a feeling of being mature and accomplished I think I am still firmly rooted in my 20s (or teens). I still feel like a kid playing “grown up” most days. I saw the 30 by 30 idea on a few of my favorite blogs and have been meaning to post my list for ages but keep forgetting. Today I finally decided it was time to start. If I can’t get to all of these by my birthday I won’t beat myself up about it… but I’d like to at least try. They aren’t my grand life ambitions but more things I always want to do but don’t make time for. I’d like to get to as many of these as possible in the next 5 months or so. So without further ado, my 30 by 30 list. A lot of these are actually things that I have done at one time or another but haven’t done lately.

1 try surfing – I’m going to need to enlist the help of one of my surfing friends for this one
2 learn a song on my guitar – I actually used to know a couple but haven’t played since highschool. My guitar will certainly need a good dusting and tuning as well
3 plant an avocado tree – now that we have a yard I want to take advantage of it. I would love to grow tasty food at home. Done!
4 run on the beach – I used to do this often but haven’t in over a year and I miss it
5 do yoga outdoors – I practice yoga 4 times a week but always in dimly lit sweaty rooms. I’d like to try it al fresco
6 host an outdoor dinner party – so many ideas for this one… lots of twinkle lights will be involved
7 wear an out of the ordinary nail polish color – just because Done!
8 take a swimming lesson – I can swim but poorly. I’d like to be faster so that I might someday be able to race in a triathlon
9 go for a hike on the trails near the house – there are lots of great hiking spots 5 minutes from our house and we’ve never tried them. Done!
10 go for a bike ride – another thing I used to do often but haven’t lately.
11 find and drink a picon bierre – my favorite drink when we lived in Paris. I’ve never found them in the US
12 go see live music being played – we haven’t been to a concert in probably close to 5 years. I’d like to see one Done!
13 shop at our local farmers market – another right near our house but we never make it there list item
14 see a movie – I can’t even remember the last one we saw. Done!
15 join a book club – adult conversation and an excuse to sit down and read a book every once in a while? Yes please!
16 have a girls night out – maybe some wine and a dinner where I don’t have to refill anyone’s milk glass. Sounds lovely
17 go visit San Francisco – it’s been way too long and I’m so excited to see Chris and Tara’s new apartment
18 send someone an unexpected gift – just because
19 finish and donate a blanket to project Linus – Paul and Amelia got blankets from them in the NICU. I have been working on a blanket for 2 years now. Done!
20 sew myself an item of clothing – I haven’t made myself anything in over a year
21 run in a race – hopefully a 5k. Done!
22 reupholster a chair – we currently have two chairs that we’ve been meaning to reupholster. I even have the fabric but just haven’t done it
23 write a short story – I’ve been meaning to write more but haven’t (other than blogging) in ages. I’d like to start
24 be photographed with my sister – we don’t have any photos together since Allison’s wedding.
25 sew matching outfits for the kids – maybe for Easter? I’m dreaming of sun dresses Done!
26 volunteer somewhere – I would love to take the kids to volunteer with me but they’re probably a bit too young. I really want to find a regular volunteer activity to make part of my weekly routine
27 do couch to 5k – since I’m so out of practice I’ll probably need to do this to work up to numbers 4 and 21
28 take the kids to fly kites in the park – they LOVE watching kites but we’ve never tried it ourselves. Done!
29 take the kids on a train ride – since trains are one of Paul’s favorite things we really should take one sometime soon
30 build a deck outside our house – our backyard needs a lot of work. Ben and I have been talking about doing this ourselves and I’m excited to try it

To finish all of these by my birthday I’ll need to do 6 every month. Wish me luck.