Useless Poll Information

No telling why people wanted to know this, but in London they did a poll yesterday. In said poll it was found that "People called James or Elizabeth are perceived as likely to be the most successful, while Ryan and Sophie are seen as the most attractive." Don't know why, but it makes me smile. For complete article, here you go.

But when you read the rest of the list, it says Caroline is 2nd for success and first for least attractive. What does it mean? I am sitting at the airport and entertaining myself with useless information (Eric called to tip me off to said poll).

In case anyone was wondering I did indeed read both New Moon and Eclipse on Friday of last week. Great books - go and read them right now. The fourth and final is not coming out until August, so now I need to wait and see what happens to Edward and Isabella (neither name made the London study in case you were wondering).

I am off to the frozen tundra of the north - Minneapolis - to stand in a booth, smile and make nice with a tons of librarians. Jealous???

I Am Obsessed

I do this every so often. Get obsessed with a book, or a series, and let everything around me fall down while I pretend I am not the mother of five children with responsibilities like job, home and hearth. This is my new obsession. The Twilight Series.

I read Twilight right before we moved. I was on a trip, came back, and had to finish the book. I liked it, and would have read book two but it was in storage. Well then we moved, unpacked and I read Nineteen Minutes for book club next month (loved that as well). Before I jumped into our next book, Pillars of the Earth, I thought I would read New Moon, book number two.

I started yesterday. I got back from my run this am and read straight from 7:30 am to 1:30 pm. I am done. (it is Good Friday which is a holiday at work so I am not really playing hooky). To continue my obsession I am about to start Eclipse, the last book written in the series.

I found New Moon better than Twilight, so I hope Eclipse is even that much better. I have not been this obsessed since Harry Potter - I know why the series has been compared to Harry. All I know is it is good. What does is say the YA Fiction keeps my interest like this? I will save the analysis for another day - now I am off to read and ignore my responsibilities some more!

Flying High

Another day of spring break down. Eric had made arrangements with one of his work folks who owns a helicopter to take the scouts up for a ride. They were able to go up two by two and see the area from above. They all thought it was great fun.

The girls and I stopped by toward the end to see the helicopter take off and land - oh did I say it was taking off and landing in the church parking lot? It was really cool. Of course Sophie and Kelsey wanted a turn, so the nice pilot went up one more time with the two girls and me. I felt a little sick taking off, but it was neat to see things from up there. Here is Kelsey in action.

If you look closely you can see Ryan in the passenger seat.

The twins were PISSED that they did not get a chance. That was two days in a row - no Big and Rich for them and no helicopter. We pacified them with Wendy's for lunch. This was a picture Eric took of them basking in the wind from the helicopter - it was funny.

So, for a boring spring break where we were not doing anything, it has turned out no so bad for the kids. Today will be the boring day - but Ryan is leaving for a two day backpacking trip with the scouts so it will just be Eric and the girls till Saturday.

We Were Having Ourselves A Big and Rich Time

The concert rocked!! It was so fun. I think I embarrassed the kids because I was not acting very matronly - but hey it was a concert.

Ryan announced that he had never been to the rodeo - I am not sure how that happened even the babies have been to a concert at the rodeo. So, he wanted to see all the pre-concert rodeo events. Last night that was only bull riding - it was extreme bull riding. Not sure what makes it extreme, since it alwasy looks pretty extreme to me, but I am no cowboy.

They played all the good ones we wanted to hear, and it was just fun!!! I want to load them all on my ipod and listen all day. So, go and have yourself a Big and Rich Time!

Working From Home Is Great Except

for the summer and spring break. We are in the midst of spring break right now and the kids are making me a little nuts. Trying to work, and meet the the plethora of needs thrust upon me is more than I can take! We have had the two of the Jones girls here since Sunday night, which actually helps to keep Kelsey and Sophie entertained. They are hostages in our house - we don't want them to go, but alas they will be allowed to go back to Jonesville today.

The best news - a neighbor knew I wanted Big and Rich tickets for the rodeo, and had some extra in his office, and gave them to us. So Ryan, Kelsey Sophie and I are headed out for a Big and Rich time tonight at the rodeo. It is supposed to be raining which will make it interesting, but we are looking forward to fun.

Now off to prepare for a webinar...

First Time In Pool

Yes, that is right. For all those of you who have deserted Texas for colder climes, here you go.

Allie and Caroline swam today for the first time (not counting Kelsey and Sophie's unauthorized and punishable jump in). It was either 66 or 68 - you tell me if you can read the thermometer. They were cold, but they loved it.

Just thought I would share!

I Could NOT Help Myself

I was reading Sarah's blog and she had a readability test - something that would test what level of education is needed to understand your blog. She tested hers and it was elementary school. Now, for anyone who does not know Sarah she is getting her Ph.D in English, and is a fabulous and very entertaining writer. I want to be her when I grow up. I just had to google how you display Ph.D correctly. Enough said.

I tested this load of crap and my readability was Junior High School. While I try and avoid all things Junior High School, this was too good and I could not pass it up. Try it for yourself on your blog - it is worth a chuckle.

So does this make me smarter than Sarah? You be the judge.

Allie and Caroline Turn Seven

I can't believe my babies are seven! Time sure flies.

This year we had two cakes for their birthday - I would love to say we had them because I was making sure each of them had their own individual cake to booster their self esteem. It is really because I wanted chocolate and they wanted white. So, one of each.

I let Kelsey and Sophie frost them, and Allie and Caroline wanted to do sprinkles. Since it was their birthday, I told Kelsey to let them do the sprinkles. This is what we got.







A little cake to go with your sprinkles?

Eric was sure they would be disappointed with their presents - I think everyone should be impressed I had any since we were in the midst of moving and getting the old house on the market. Luckily, they are seven and when they ask for more I say no and that is that.

As I think about how much they add to our family, I realize we would not be complete without them.


Allie, the oldest of the two, is our little crazy girl. She is more dramatic than Kelsey, and crazy all the time. She is always running around, and wants to play soccer and basketball. She is always up for going outside to play with the older kids - and very aware when someone is getting something she is not. Sometimes I worry she is a little ADHD since she cannot sit at the table and get her homework done! But, then I remember Ryan being JUST LIKE THIS. So, we don't worry, just keep directing her back to the table. She is a snuggler, and she still loves her daddy best (meaning she can still get him to do anything she wants).



Caroline is the baby of the family, and boy can she work that. She is not quite as hyper as Allie - calmer in a way. She can buckle down and get things done, but still loves to be loud and run around. She has a little diva in her (not sure where that came from) and it comes out often. She wants to be a cheerleader, still, and I might have to give in and get her to tumbling. She loves to design clothes - and she is quick to give her opinions on other designs. She is always putting great outfits together (great to her that is).


They have both grown up so much this year. They are working on reading - still at the early stages, but making progress. They both love to write and color, and they LOVE it when Kelsey and Sophie play school with them. They make me laugh, you never know what will come out of their mouths.


So, Happy Birthday Babies!!!

These Are A Few of My Favorite Things

In the new house.

This is the bathtub in my room. I love to bathe. The best part (besides the fact it is really big)

This is what you see while soaking in the tub. And this TV has dish network baby!!

I love the new entryway. The circular stairwell and the juliet balcony (I read the description in the MLS). I love the feel of it.

My new office. It has a door. No one is allowed in here - although my stapler has already disappeared.

I love my new closet. It is obscene. Ryan's room in the old house was smaller than this closet. I love that everything has a place. The only down side is still sharing with Eric, but I will get over it. This picture is only a part of the closet.

Then there is the outside. It has a great pool - not that we have had the chance to get in yet, but the folks there before left the tramp. The kids have used that for sure (even though I still have this strange phobia of them)

This is half the kitchen. I went back to get a picture of the other half, don't know why I did not take them at the same time, but it was dirty and I did not want to show everyone what slobs we are!

We still have not hung pictures, so more pictures of the house to come when we get it all done!

Has Hell Frozen Over?

I voted for Hillary today. I never thought I would utter those words. I am a little sick about it. But, it was a lesser of evils kind of thing. If I was not so dang busy with two houses, five kids, job, kids activities, etc. I would attend the caucus tonight because it would be interesting. You never know, but I don't think I will make it.

I have so much to get caught up on blog wise, and no time now. Just wanted to share the news. If the world does not seem to be spinning right, now you know why.

More Later.