Fall break

Ella had a week long fall break again this year. I have a love hate relationship with a week off. I think it's great that she has the break, but it's just long enough to get out of routine. We took a small trip with just Ella which she was so excited about. She doesn't get a ton of one on one time with us so we always take advantage of our time when we do get it. 

Adam and I took Ella to Nashville for some shopping during the day, and we stayed at the Gaylord Opryland that night. 

To say Ella had fun is an understatement. We shopped, had lunch at Rainforest Cafe, hung out in the hotel room (what she loves to do), and ordered room service. Ella takes full advantage of staying in a hotel. 

On Wednesday of fall break we went to the pumpkin patch. I had been waiting for the perfect day to go. It was pushing 90 days before, but we had the perfect chilly day to go on fall break. 

Ella is an old pro at the pumpkin patch. This was the first year Paige was all in and wanted to try everything. They both had a really good time!

I think their favorite thing was the big jumping pillow.

 Paige was not fond of the hay ride or the pumpkins. She was only concerned about jumping. 

Adam and Ella picked out a pumpkin for us while Paige and I hung out in the wagon. 

We finished out our visit with some cornhole and one last jump on the big pillow. 

I can't even get over how mature Ella is looking these days. She is growing up way too fast for my liking. 

Day Out With Thomas

We went to Day Out With Thomas not to long ago. We did this years ago with Ella and decided to do it again with Paige. Paige doesn't have the same Thomas obsession that her sister had, but she does like choo choo trains. 

Paige is getting to the age where it's actually fun to take her somewhere instead of tons of work. Well, don't get me wrong, it's still exhausting, but it is so fun to see her experience new things. There is just something about seeing this stuff through a child's eyes that makes the exhaustion worthwhile. 

I was worried Ella would think this event was too babyish, but she was a trooper. She ended up really enjoying herself. 

It was only about a 20 minute train ride which was the perfect length for Paige. 

Enjoying the lovely French Lick scenery

After lunch and a walk around the hotel we headed home. There was lots of reminiscing about our Polar Express train rides from the past. French Lick will always hold a special place in our hearts because of Polar Express and all the fun we had together. 

Holiday World 2017

We headed to Holiday World a few weekends ago with my family for a day of fun. I wasn't even planning on taking Paige, but decided to go on a whim. I am so glad we did, because it ended up being the best day. Paige was not a Holiday World fan at the beginning of the summer, but she quickly figured out just how fun Holiday World can be. 

Paige and I arrived a couple hours earlier than everyone else so that gave her plenty of time to ride the fishy ride over and over and over. It's her favorite, and she still talks about it to this day. 

Once everyone else arrived we ate lunch and hit up some of the bigger rides. Ella and Autumn love the spinning rides. Autumn is a dare devil and loves the roller coasters. Ella isn't as big of fan, but she rode the Raven twice on the way out. It's hard to believe these two are big enough to sit together on the roller coasters now. 

It was the last weekend the water park was open, and the water felt so good. We mostly stayed in the wave pool area which worked out well. My dad watched Paige while Ella and I played in the waves. 

Paige was not a fan of our pool this summer, but she loved the shallow part of the wave pool. She even made her way out to where the water was to her waist. 

We went over and introduced Paige to the little slides. I was afraid Ella would think they were too babyish, but she was a good sport about it. 

I have no idea when she became big enough to do these on her own. She went down MANY times and threw a fit when it was time to go. 

Paige and I headed out earlier than everyone else since she had about reached her limit for the day. We couldn't leave without another five rides on the fish. It ended up being a fun (exhausting) day with great memories made!

Indianapolis zoo

We had a long spell of fall like weather a couple of weeks ago so it was a great opportunity to go to the Indy zoo.  Ella is always up for an adventure, and Paige is at an age where everything is new and fun. 

Paige hit the ground running as soon as we arrived. Paige doesn't do strollers although she isn't old enough to walk everywhere, but she sure thinks she is. She walked that entire zoo. It wears me out trying to keep up with her and watch her. 

My photogenic Ella has reached the age where she despises pictures. I should have known the day was coming. Not only does she despise pictures, she also does not want them on Facebook. If you have ever wondered why you rarely see Ella on social media anymore that is why. 

I do get her to agree to a picture every once in awhile though. The look on her face says it all. :) 

After eating a quick lunch we fed the budgie birds. Ella has fond memories of doing this at the Florida zoo and was excited to do it again. 

Not sure why we brought that stroller? Paige sees Ella walk everywhere we go, and sometimes I think she thinks she is as old as Ella is. 

Paige rode on the carousel and the little choo choo. Ella didn't want to do either. I think Ella might think since her two year old sister is doing them it will make her look like a baby if she does them. Adam and Ella did their own thing for a little bit while we did this. Paige loved it and had to ride the carousel a few times. She is starting to see how fun life can be. 

We had tickets for the afternoon dolphin show, but Paige could not sit still. By the time it started she was over it. Adam and Ella enjoyed it while I watched Paige run around. This kid is so wild but such a joy at the same time. 

Checking out the animals...

Paige enjoyed the misting machine and ran through it multiple times. I think she could have done that all afternoon if we let her. 

Once Ella started to complain about her legs hurting we knew it was time to head out of there. We almost ran out of gas on the way home, but we made it. Just another day in the life of the Bertrams. :) 

Holiday World and the zoo

It's time for me to wipe the dust off of this little blog of mine and get caught up. Life is passing by quickly, and I have failed to share any details of what we have been up to. 
So here we go...

On the first day of school I decided to take Paige to Holiday World. We had taken Ella and Paige the weekend before school started, and it seriously POURED rain. Paige didn't seem to mind (as you see below), but we were literally dripping wet when we got to the car. 

Once Ella was safely off to school Paige and I took off for Holiday World (shh..don't tell Ella). Paige was a little uneasy on the rides the weekend before, but she quickly figured out how fun it actually is. We had a great day and made it back just in time for a nap. 

Next up...the zoo. 

Paige LOVES going to the zoo and seeing the animals. It's one of her favorite things to do. 

We met with my parents there which was just the icing on the cake for her.