#97: See a Movie at a Drive-in

As a wife and mom, I kept my family in mind as I was making my 101 Things list. Sure, they are all things *I* want to do or activities I'd like to try, but it's always more fun to go on adventures or experience new things with the people I love.

One thing I'd never done before is see a movie at a drive-in. Fortunately for me, the oldest operating drive-in theatre in Oklahoma (The Beacon in Guthrie) is a short drive from our home. We checked out the listings for upcoming movies and decided we'd make it a family affair, invite some friends, and go see the Angry Birds movie.

While we waited for the sun to set, we killed time by taking selfies and blowing the kids' college fund at the concession stand (WHY is a tiny package of Sour Patch Kids $6?!)

We loved looking around and seeing all the other families hanging out at the Beacon. Most sat on truck tailgates or lawn chairs. Some threw frisbees or footballs to pass the time until it was dark enough for the film to start.

We laughed throughout the movie and snuggled together (all the easier to share popcorn, my dear) and, as with any good time, the kids fell asleep on the way home.

If you live in Oklahoma and have never been to a drive-in, I recommend making a trip to the Beacon. Even though I generally default to Netflix and jammies, it was a really fun experience.

Go HERE to follow along with my 101 Things progress. Detailed accounts of completed Things will be posted as time allows. For those items that need little-to-no explanation, a completion date and any applicable footnotes will be noted on the 101 Things page.

#55: Make Soft Pretzels

You know that feeling you get when you're walking through the mall and BAM! you're hit in the face with the delicious aroma of butter-dipped CARBS?! Why not recreate that feeling at home once in a while?

Soft pretzels rank among my favorite snacks. With their buttery, crispy exterior enveloping a fluffy, tender center and the perfectly coarse rock salt to balance out all that creamy butter. Whew.

So, naturally, when it came time to generate ideas for my 101 Things list, "make soft pretzels" had to be on there. They're not exactly a quick snack to whip up, so I don't make them very often. ((luckily, for my hips' sake)). But this list is supposed to be comprised of things one loves doing but doesn't always make time to do, so making pretzels fit the bill perfectly.

Also, I think it's important that my kiddos learn that a lot of the foods we buy from stores or restaurants can be made from scratch, too.

I searched the web for the 'best' recipe, and ended up taking the most commonly-recurring tips and tricks to make my own batch (rolling pencil-thin, baking soda bath, etc.).

I was pleased with the results, and so were my kids. Nom nom nom!

Your to-do list never tasted so good.

Go HERE to follow along with my 101 Things progress. Detailed accounts of completed Things will be posted as time allows. For those items that need little-to-no explanation, a completion date and any applicable footnotes will be noted on the 101 Things page.

#85-Buy A Kallax Shelf from IKEA

I'm on an adventure to intentionally add more fun to my life. Follow my progress here, or make a 101 Things list of your own! For several years, I have wanted a Kallax shelf from IKEA. So long, in fact, it used to be known by a different name and has since been redesigned. Now that we are nearing completion on our house, it was time to make a trip! Our nearest IKEA is 3.5 hours away in Dallas, so I invited my sister Sonny along for the adventure. Beau-boy stayed behind at a friend's house so we could fold down the third row in our van, and the girls came with Sonny and me. Could NOT have done it without my sister's help!

We arrived at lunchtime so, naturally, our IKEA experience began in the Café!

Finley was juuuuust tall enough to get to go in the children's play area...but they only keep kids for an hour. So, she played while we browsed, and then we picked her up before heading to the warehouse to load up our items.

I wanted the 5x5 Kallax, which comes in four different (heavy) boxes. I also had enough cash in my "Ikea Trip" envelope to get two 4x2 Kallax units for the kids' rooms! Needless to say, we filled a dolly in mere moments.

Very excited to *finally* have my shelf! It's currently in our new garage, awaiting assembly. The concrete floor crew comes Monday, so I'll be able to assemble it anytime after that. YAY!!

Go HERE to follow along with my 101 Things progress. Detailed accounts of completed Things will be posted as time allows. For those items that need little-to-no explanation, a completion date and any applicable footnotes will be noted on the 101 Things page.

12 of 35: Beach Vacation

We did it! We took a family vacation to the beach! Trying to describe the beauty that is Destin, Florida is nearly impossible. So I'll just let our pictures do the talking.