Shirley Jones probably wins the award for “Best Birthday Plans” this year. The beloved Oklahoma! star turns 80 this year, and she’s literally jumping into her 81st year. Jones has arranged her first skydive for tomorrow – Monday, April 1st. There is always the chance that it turns out to be an April Fools prank, of course.

Shirley Jones
The 80-year-old actress won't let anything get in her way.

Since training for solo jumps takes a few months, the actress/singer will be diving with an instructor. She is making the leap (pun intended) at Perris, a popular SoCal skydiving school, her husband, comedian Marty Ingels has said. Ingels was reportedly stunned by his wife’s adrenaline-filled birthday plans at first, but has since come around to the idea. Her children, on the other hand, have not been as accepting. She quoted her oldest son, Shaun Cassidy, as saying, "Mom, what's the matter with you? Why would you want to do this at your age?"

Jones, who has arthritis, says she understands the risks, associated with her age and her condition. Still, skydiving is on her bucket list – it was either this or an African safari.

Shirley Jones
Newly octogenerain, Jones is as determined as ever.

"That's something I wanted to do all my life," Jones said Friday, according to Newsday. The inspiration to try comes from former President George H.W. Bush's jumps on several birthdays, including when he turned 85 in 2009.

"When I saw him do it I thought, 'Wow, if he can do this, I can,'" Jones said. There was never any doubt, Ms. Jones.

Family members, including 12 grandchildren, are planning a big party Sunday, Jones said. She's also welcoming a friend she's known since they were in third grade back in a small town in Pennsylvania