Play it Again, Mama: Amazing Race: Marriage Edition

About six weeks ago, I came across this Amazing Race post at My Insanity. Now if you haven't checked out My Insanity before, you'll have to look around her site. She has so many incredible ideas.

But before you do that, let me share with you how myself and two other wives put our own spin on this idea and sent our husband out for their personalized edition of the Amazing Race.

For those of you who don't know, The Amazing Race is a reality show on CBS. The show follows several teams of two as they travel the world, competing in challenges that test their endurance, minds and bodies. My husband and I haven't missed an episode since it began years ago. We love it. So when I came across this post, I thought, "What a great idea." I instantly knew my husband would love it. I emailed the details to a friend and we started planning.

I was in charge of T-shirts and oh, they gave me a challenge. But for someone who knows nothing about graphics, I'm pretty excited with how they turned out. The boys got theirs at the start of the race, but they didn't know we had shirts until they met us at the end. I actually really like mine and wouldn't mind wearing it once in awhile just to remind my husband I love him.

One of the other girls was in charge of clues and did a great job. We met our husbands at the church and gave them the set up:
Welcome to the Amazing Race. You were each brought here by your lovely, adoring, beautiful, smart, sexy, and talented wives.

I must now take any money and wallets that you have on you. (We left them with their ID's for driving)
Here are your uniforms that you must wear for the entire race. (They were given their t-shirts to wear)

Here are your funds for this leg of the race use them wisely. Using them you must acquire flowers for your wife before completing the race (they were each given $1 plus some change).

Here is your video camera. You must video every task, including reading the clue and completing the challenge. Tape may be turned off in the car, but must be on for all challenges.

Good luck Boys, here’s your first clue.

Clue #1 --complete with scrapbook supplies
Where you're at is your very first stop
We gave you the supplies you'll need
Go on inside and make your wives cards
Then you'll be done with this deed.

When you're done show them to Ali (barista)
And if she thinks they'll do
She get you all on video
Then give you your next clue.

Ali had to approve their work to also make sure they cleaned up their mess. This task was completed in the coffee shop next door to the church. We thought this task would go quick, but they actually spent a lot of time on it.

Clue #2--accompanied by a map
The next place you're going is a bit of a drive
Just let the map be your guide

Once on Deschutes, look for a covered arena
Take a right there, then stay left at the split
Once in the driveway, get your phone
Dial ------ for your next bone

One of the girls' mom had a horse and send the boys on a ride. Nothing too fancy as two of them had only been riding once. But they had to do a pattern (on their own) around the arena.

Clue #3
Jack and Jill, Humpty Dumpty too
This place is full of baby clothes, mostly "not new"
Baby furniture and toys, located on Hilltop
They even have clothes for your wife when she's ready to pop.

Boys had to figure out this was the used baby store on Hilltop. Once there, they were instructed to change into maternity clothes for their next clue.

Clue #4--given at store
Your next task here is to race one another
To be the first to get their baby in a cloth diaper
Don't forget to video tape the event
Or you'll have to do it all over again!

Once you're done, you can continue on
Get your next clue from the owner and be gone

The owner loved this idea. In fact, she wanted us to plan more for them to do here. She was really hoping the store would be busy during this time. Great business promotion idea if you're trying to get the owner on board.

Clue #5--given form the store owner
Your next stop is in the north part of town
At a home off ----- Drive
Two of you attended Discipleship Group there before
Watch out for the bird--it might dive

Sent them to a friends house

Clue #6--given at the house
Now we're headed back outside
Your next task is in the street
It's a game of leapfrog with each other
Now come on, isn't that sweet?

How many jumps do you have to do?
We'll you're about to find out
Use this little formula
To determine your leapfrog route

Total the number of months together
That you all have been married
Then divide that number by 6
And get started-- don't tarry!

My original idea had been to tell them to divide the number by those involved (which could be 3/guys or 6/all of us), but the other girls thought that would be too many. Still with being married 8.5 years, just the math was no small task.

Clue #8--given after leapfrog
Hooray, how was leapfrog.. are you sore?
Hopefully not too much because there's more!
Don't worry, you're almost done
Just one more stop and then it's home

We've given you $20 in this clue
To go to the store and buy some booze
We already have wine at the end
So get your favorite, whatever you choose!

And then you're done, hip hip hooray!
Make sure you've got your drinks and bouquets
Then it's time to head home to continue the part-ay!

So have you go your bouquet, your card and your drinks yet?
If not, do it now, or you'll be quite upset
When you reach the finish line and have to turn around.
The race isn't finished till these things have been found.

The finish line, and your fabulous prize
Are waiting at a place familiar to your eyes.
Make your way through the traffic, obey all the signs
And step into the home on ---- Drive.

Our original intent had been for the boys to pick up flowers at the Dollar Tree, but one of the boys snuck extra money out of his wallet before we took it. So they bought a dozen roses at Safeway while they picked up beer. By the way, you can't videotape in Safeway. Weird, huh? Anyways... they said they felt funny. Here they had beer and were waiting in line at the Safeway wrapping counter where they had the guy split their dozen roses three ways. They said they felt cheap with their case of beer their and splitting roses. Comical picture though.

While the boys were off on their adventure, us girls were at home settling things with babysitters and dinner. We laid out lots of candles and set up a lovely green table. I wasn't sure about the green, but it turned out gorgeous. We used a green table cloth with lace over the top to play down the Christmas color. Then added a friends green dishes. On a separate bar table we had appetizers of bread and artichoke dip from Pioneer Woman. Delicious! We had originally planned fondue as well, but ended up with a ton of food.

We stole My Insanity's candy bouquet idea as well. Each girl picked up their guys favorite candy and made a bouquet with tissue paper and ribbon. We figured they'd appreciate candy over anything else and speaking of my husband, boy were we right.

These were our bouquets, cards, and a gorgeous candle piece that a friend brought along. Very romantic!

When the boys arrived, we had dinner. We split the menu between us and somehow ended up with a pretty nice Olive Garden style meal. Complete with both Pasta E Fagioli (my specialty), Zuppa Toscana, and Manicotti. Desert was Lava Cakes and Berry Cheesecake. I swear I ate till I could eat no more. Everything was fantastic and complimented each other so well. The boys were starving and loved it all.

This is my honey and I, grateful to have a babysitter for the evening.

We topped off the evening by watching clips from the video and playing a game called Match Mate. Super fun, but we soon discovered that being married longer didn't help us at all. We kept coming in last place. :-) Who turns to their mate and asks, "What was your favorite cartoon character as a child?"

All in all, we had a great time. And I'd love to do it again. The only thing I didn't like about it was trying to keep it a secret from my husband. I was so excited about it; it was hard to keep a secret during the planning.

Hopefully this will give you some ideas for planning something fun for your mate. get together with a few friends, brainstorm the connections you have, and put some thought into a fun idea for your husband. Who knows what you'll come up with.

Oh, and if you do use this event, let me know. I'd love to see your fun ideas.