Twin Update

Just went to the Dr. today for the twins 2 yr check up.

Beck's stats:
30lbs 3 ozs (75%)
35 3/4 inches (75%)
future adult height 6'

Ella's stats:
24lbs 15ozs (25%)
31 3/4 inches(5-10%)
future adult height 5'2"

They are both right on track. Stringing 2 and 3 word sentences together. Stacking blocks. Doing puzzles. Jumping.

Ella is finally getting some teeth in on the bottom. Her mouth is so red and swollen right now. And she is so unhappy! But I think they are about to pop through.

Beck has his 2 year molars coming through and is grumpy off and on.

We have been so lucky with these two. They sleep so well now and overall and just good healthy kids.

Books

Okay a quick book review on what I got at the library the last time. ("*" is my rating system. 1-5, 5 being best)

"Night and Day" by Robert Parker-**- It was ok. This is part of the Jesse Stone series. Not real deep. Fast easy read. It kept me interested enough to read the entire book, but not a lot substance. Won't read the Stone series again.

"Now & Then" by Robert Parker-***- I liked this series better. It was part of the Spencer series. The characters all slightly overlapped with the other book, which is something I always enjoy. Characters were a little deeper and the suspense was a little better. if I found another of this series at the library I may pick it up but I wouldn't buy it.

The person who recommended this author said I should try the Sunny Randall novels. So I am going to give those a go the next time I'm out. :)

"The Apprentice" by Tess Gerritsen- ****- Much better on the character building. Reads just like a Criminal Minds episode. Which can be a bit creepy when you are at home by yourself at night time. :) I liked her writing style. It draws you in and keeps you hooked. I definitely need to make sure I read these books earlier in the day and then have something to distract myself with thats lighthearted after I finish. My imagination can be overactive and these books will give me nightmares if I'm not careful.

I still have "the Surgeon" by Tess Gerritsen left to read but I may save that for a later date. I can only handle so many super intense books at once.

99 things I ought to have done

Thanks to my friends Minivanmom, Charitymom, and Weintribe that did this on their blog.
Instructions:
Copy the list, bold the ones you've done (with explanations if needed), share with friends.
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii (maybe someday...I really want to go)
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyworld
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo (everyday at work!!)
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a thunder and lightning storm
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning (not so much fun!)
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke (and I seriously rock at it!! NOT!)
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted (yep, my mom had one done of each kid in our fam)
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain (my favorite kiss of my life)
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma (I have tried, repeatedly, and always get denied).
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone (do toes and fingers count)
78. Been a passenger on a motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper (engagement picture)
85. Kissed a stranger at midnight on New Year’s Eve
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous (met the dixie chicks)
92. Joined a book club
93. Got a tattoo (times 2)
94. Had a baby (times 4)
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

50 done, 49 more to go. :)

Paper

I seriously love paper. I love holding books and feeling the paper under my fingers. I love writing on paper instead of typing. I would still rather get a calendar and write everything down instead of putting it all on the computer.

But tonight I realized I've been waiting to long and getting too far behind. I keep saying I need to go out and buy a new calendar book for this year but it still hasn't happened. I have nearly missed several important appointments due to my lack of writing it all down.

So google calendar won tonight. Now I just need to remember that I have updated it and keep on it! I did set it up to email me reminders as well. I have to get back on track here!!! ;)

Went to the library!

And picked up a few books from the authors you guys suggested. It was a fast trip with screamy twins so hopefully I picked out some good ones. I'll let you all know what I think.

I got a couple from Tess Gerrtisen (The Surgeon and The Apprentice) and a couple from Robert Parker (Night and Day- a Jesse Stone novel and Now & Then- a Spenser novel).

I had planned on doing a bit of searching but when you have toddlers that won't use inside voices you don't end up with much time. :)

The twins are now in bed and I am ready to hit the couch and get some reading in.

Happy Birthday to my babies!!!

This is just a quick post from a tired mommy. The twins turned 2 yesterday!! We just can't believe it. Here are some shots of the cake eating. They loved it!

My book list

Okay- Wanted to post all the author recs so I had them all in one place. Please feel free to add any more suggestions you may have in the comment section. I can't wait to get started!!

(I am adding the new authors on as I get the rec's. Thanks again!)

Donna Andrew- Langslow Series

Gil Adamson- Outlander

Isabel Allende- Zoro / The House of Spirits

David Baldacci

Lee Child

Harlen Coben

Michael Connelly

Nelson Demille

Elizabeth George

Tess Gerritsen

Barbara Kingslover

Dean Koontz- Odd Series

Anne Lamott

Henning Mankell

Louise Penny

Alice Sebold- Lovely Bones

Here are some I've already read and enjoyed

(not all murder mystery but most of it is sometimes with a little supernatural thrown in):

Allison Brennan

Dan Brown

Catherine Coulter

Jude Deveraux

Christina Dodd

Janet Evanovich (Plum Series)

Julie Garwood( I've read ALL of her books)

Sue Grafton (Alphabet Series)

Charlaine Harris (True Blood and Grave series)

J.A. Jance

Iris Johansen

Carla Neggers

James Patterson (Alex Cross)

JD Robb (In Death Series-have read the entire series)

SNOW!

We got snow in Texas again. We actually have already gotten 7" today alone. As you all know it doesn't snow in Texas, like almost never! So we were super excited to see these big fat fluffy snow flakes falling all day long.

But some of us were not so happy to be out in the snow when he realized how cold it was.

The big kids got busy assembling a real life sized snow man. And Ella tried to give them a hand.

They got some really big snow balls going.

And Ella decided she had enough and was going to play in the sand box.

Our very own "Frosty" with oranges for eyes and a carrot nose.

Very fun day!

Books

Yes I know I am way behind in posting. My laptop had to be resuscitated by the wonderful mr. charitymom. So I am slowly getting back in line. But I've had this darn cold/allergy/cough/whateverelsewantstoattackme. I am so over being sick.

So I am looking for some new authors to read. I get stuck on one author and read everything they write and have the hardest time finding the next one to move on to. So who do you like to read?

I love a variety of books. Right now, my favorite are FBI thrillers. I also just read the Sookie Stackhouse series and loved that. I don't want anything super depressing. More into murder mystery suspense right now with a little vampire thrown in on the side.

I've resorted to hitting Hannah's book stash and getting caught back up on the classics. But I'm ready for big girl books again.

Suggestions?

Laundry!

Have I ever mentioned how much I don't like doing the laundry? Luckily the hubby will normally get it all washed and dried and a lot of the time he actually folds it and puts it away. I know, I have it MADE! But just looking at this pile next to me has me wanting to take a nice long nap. The babies are down and I could help fold laundry after they get up right? I love it when you agree with me! off to try and nap. ;)