Why Goal 98?

#98: Make a list of 25 fun things to do with Jason and complete list by end of project.

I'm going to do tackle two birds with one stone. I'm going to tell you the why, and then I'm going to make the list. Seriously productive!

Why: Because life is crazy and like many parents, I don't feel like I spend enough quality time with Jason. That's really about it. I'm so much on the page of making memories that we can share later in life, as opposed to buying him the latest cool toy or game. Those things are tangible, but not indestructible. Memories (until you get Alzheimer's are indestructible...although, I know, after working with many Alzheimer's patients, that early memories are actually preserved and are favorite things to talk about. Just don't ask them what they did yesterday or had for breakfast this morning. I've actually enjoyed many conversations with people that have Alzheimers. I love seeing their face light up as they talk about days gone by, and I get to hear cool stories too about times that I will likely never know personally. But alas, I digress) So, yeah...making memories. 25 fun things to do. This is actually going to be a fairly easy list to create...I think:

1. Go ice skating
2. Go roller skating
3. Go to the movies
4. Go to six flags
5. Play SPIT
6. Have a water balloon or squirt gun fight
7. Go to a broadway show
8. Take a road trip to VT to see my family
9. Go to Quincy Market
10. Make homemade choc chip cookies
11. Go to a baseball game
12. Go bike riding
13. Go see an air show
14. Go to a professional kite flyers exhibition
15. Go to the beach
16. Go camping/hiking
17. Make crystals from coal: (Yes, I had to look this one up. I'm running out of ideas.
Your child is familiar with coal: it's those chalky black briquettes that cook up burgers and hot dogs on the open grill. But does your child know that with a lot of pressure - and even more time - coal can be transformed into glittering diamonds?

You don't have to wait millions of years to turn coal into a beautiful gem. With this activity, watch coal turn into crystals right before your eyes! While you're at it, take time to explain how diamonds are formed: your child will be surprised to learn that natural material, like peat, is compressed over years and years into carbon-rich coal, and then into crystals!

What You'll Need:
an adult helper
measuring spoon
liquid blue laundry detergent
iodized salt (table salt)
small bottle of ammonia
small jar
plastic picnic spoon or old table spoon
8 to 10 charcoal briquettes
disposable pie tin
food coloring – any colors

What You Do:
Measure 2 tablespoons each of liquid blueing, laundry detergent, salt, and ammonia into a small jar. Have an adult helper supervise this mixing. Avoid breathing the ammonia fumes as much as possible. Stir with an old tablespoon or plastic picnic spoon.

Place 3 or 4 charcoal briquettes on a disposable pie tin. Add a few drops of food coloring on each briquette.

Pour some of the detergent, salt, and ammonia solution over the top of the charcoal pieces. While the crystals are forming, replenish your supply of solution.

As you enjoy the beautiful colors and shapes that emerge, repeat the process with 3 or 4 more briquettes.

18. Go fishing.
19. Go on a walk and take pictures together. Me with my camera and Jason with my backup camera. Compare results later. Find favorite pictures and frame together.
20. Get a video camera and make a video for far away family members
21. Go on a picnic
22. Set up a scavenger hunt. I'll be the taxi and he has to tell me where to go for his next clue
23. Go bowling
24. Go to the batting cages/bumper boats/car racing place
25. Go out for ice cream.

Ta-da! I made this list. Now I just have to do it. Just do it!

Does this count? #19

Ok... this might be a stretch. Goal #19 is to have someone buy a picture that I shot for fun. One of my favorite wedding shots is this one. Now, for fun, I turned it black and white and added these words to it: Do not walk behind me, I may not lead, Do not walk in front of me, I may not follow, Just walk beside me, And be my friend. I had it printed on canvas by Canvas On Demand, (whom I LOVE!) in a 16x20 size. I'm donating it for a silent auction that is going to benefit Kampala Children's Center in Kampala, Uganda, Africa. My church is sending a missions team for the third summer in a row this year, and this silent auction is a fundraiser for the team and for the center.

Now, yes, the picture was part of a contracted job, but what I've done with it was not contracted at all. What do you think?


On another note, one of the pictures that I did take just for fun has been requested by a friend of mine in TX to be printed and framed. I know that counts. That picture is from my "Signs" series...well, it's not a full series yet, I just started it, but it's in the making.