Fall Break- Gatlinburg 2018 - Part 1

We just returned home from a great trip to Gatlinburg, Tn. We had not been there in four years before Paige was even thought of and Ella was just starting kindergarten. It's crazy how life has changed since then. 

This trip was a welcome break. This past quarter of school has been busy and stressful for both Ella and me. I feel like all we do is homework or study so it was nice to have a week of fun with nothing school related to think about. 

We left on Sunday and got there around 2:00. I was worried about the drive, because Paige is in underwear now. That's a long day of travel so I wasn't sure how she would do. She stayed dry the entire trip and only had one accident while we were there. Once we got there we checked out our cabin and ordered pizza. 

We have stayed at a cabin in Gatlinburg Falls Resort the past two times we have been to Gatlinburg and loved it both times. It's nice, in a great location, but yet far enough away from the craziness of downtown Gatlinburg. You can't beat the views either!

There was quite a bit of bickering and crying when we got there over these games. All Ella wanted to do was play, but Paige wanted to do anything Ella was doing. This got better as the week went on thankfully. Siblings!! 

Our cabin was called "Enchanted View". The view from our deck was SO pretty. 

After dinner, we met up with my family downtown. Our trips overlapped only for a day so we were able to meet up for some ice cream, shopping, and walking downtown. Besides some humidity, it was a great night! 

Hooray for fall break!

Paige was so surprised to see her BFF's in Gatlinburg. She had no idea!

 Paige is always my bed buddy on trips. She sleeps like a champ no matter where we go as long as she is with me. Luckily at home, she is more than happy to sleep in her bed, but on trips, she enjoys sleeping with me. I'm ok with that since I get to sleep good too. :) 

We were up bright and early the next day with plans to go to the Titanic Museum and Goats on a Roof. 

I miss this view!

First up, on our list of things to do (Ella's pick) was the Titanic Museum. Although it was interesting it was not for three-year-olds. It's basically a self-guided tour, but it's definitely geared toward older children and adults. I would like to go back when I can actually listen and learn about the Titanic. 

Ella thought it was really neat and enjoyed it. 

After lunch at "The Local Goat" in Pigeon Forge we went to "Goats on a Roof." I had been wanting to go there since our last trip. They seriously have grass on the roof and goats. There is also a gift shop and mountain coaster. It's old, quirky, and just as good as I thought it would be. 

Ella and I had fun feeding the goats. Paige wanted nothing to do with them. 

Ella pedaled the bicycle and pushed a can of food up to the goats. 

Adam and Ella rode the mountain coaster twice. Paige wanted to go but chickened out which was probably for the best. 

Ella's hair was flying! They were going so fast.

Ella's purchase from the gift shop. 

After a little rest at our cabin, we headed out again to downtown. Ella wanted to go to Ripleys Believe it or Not Museum so they did that, and Paige and I rode the chairlift. I feel like the chairlift is a must do in Gatlinburg. I remember doing this as a young child with my parents so we had to keep the tradition alive. 

Paige was a little unsure, but I kept her distracted. After it was over she said it was fun but wouldn't go again the following day. 

The views from the top are so pretty.

Afterward, Paige requested ice cream so we sat outside with our ice cream and waited on Adam and Ella so we could go eat dinner. 

Paige is seriously always this happy. Adam always says "live like Paigey." We should all take notes from her. She loves life!

That wraps the first couple days of our trip. Stay tuned for days 3 and 4! 

Pumpkin Patch- Lark Ranch- 2018

We visited Lark Rach a couple of weeks ago for our annual pumpkin patch trip. Ella wanted to go somewhere new this year, and I had heard good things about Lark Ranch. 

It's a little over an hour from where we live but well worth the drive. They had anything and everything you could ever want from a pumpkin patch and more. 

This was the first day it actually felt like fall outside. It was a great day to be out enjoying the weather all day long. The first thing we did was the jumping pillow. Both girls loved doing this as well as Adam. 

Paige had to be right in the middle of the action. She is usually pretty cautious but the bigger kids didn't seem to bother her. 

We hit up the animal area next. I had seen on facebook that they had baby pigs. They were SO cute but sleeping while we were there. I would have loved to have gotten my hands on one. 

This girl is getting way too big. It won't be long before she thinks she is too big to even go to a pumpkin patch. 

Lark Ranch has a mile long little train ride that Paige loved. 

They had great picture spots set up. 

They also had these giant rocking chairs that were great for pictures as well. 

By the time we were finished with everything, we were too tired to do that wagon ride back to the actual pumpkin patch so we just picked out a few upfront. 

It was a great day visiting Lark Ranch! We will definitely be back next year. 

Life lately- August/September edition

Time is flying by and that means I am so behind on posting. I did so well for so long keeping up with this blog, and I have been majorly slacking lately. Maybe someday I'll have more time to keep up!

So what have we been up to? 

My days are filled with lots of time with this girl. She NEVER stops talking or moving and wears me (and everyone else) out, but I wouldn't have it any other way. She was supposed to start preschool this fall, but we decided to wait another year. I failed to potty train her this summer after some major power struggles the first go round. She decided she was ready the week before preschool would have started, but I had already given up her spot. Some days I regret not sending her, but I know this is our last year together. Once she starts preschool it will never be the same so until then I will soak up my time with her. 

I have also started working on her separation anxiety. This was a CONSTANT worry for me. I couldn't leave her anywhere without her crying and coming back to get her. I decided to join a gym in July and hope for the best. To my surprise, Paige has done really well! It is so nice to be able to drop her off and know that she is ok. It has been great for her and for me. 

She loves interacting with other kids. It's been fun to see her play and talk to other kids. I'm pretty sure Paige won't have any trouble making friends in school. 

Paige also started 3-year-old Kindermusik. I drop her off and then join in for the last ten minutes. She has done surprisingly well. I worried about this all summer. Even though she cries at drop off she is always happy when I pick her up. 

Fourth grade is in full swing, and it's been a tough school year so far. Socially, Ella is doing great. She has made some new friends and is really happy. Academically, it's been tough. She has homework every night that can take us an hour or more. She also has to prepare for tests so add in studying, and it takes us awhile. She definitely can't just slide by like she used to. This school year has been a rude awakening but overall it's been good so far. 

Donald Trump came to town a few weeks ago, and I took Ella and Paige to see his plane come in. Ella thought it was really neat, and Paige was just ready to go home. It's not every day you get to see Airforce One though. 

On Labor Day weekend we took a little trip to Nashville and stayed at the Gaylord for a couple of days. We surprised Ella and picked her up from school early on that Friday. She had no idea what was going on, but she was happy about it. We shopped, played, and ordered room service. It was a good weekend!

We ate lunch at Rainforest Cafe and Paige was TERRIFIED. It crossed my mind that she might be scared, but I hate no idea she would be that terrified. She sat on my lap the entire meal with her hands covering her eyes. Once our food arrived she would open her mouth (with her eyes closed) and take a bite. Once we left she started talking completely normal and said: "that was really scary!" It was the most peaceful meal we have had with her I think. :) 

Ella is an old pro at Rainforest Cafe. 

Our trips are usually exhausting and crazy, but I love traveling and seeing Ella and Paige experience new things. I have a LONG list of places for us to go in the coming years, and I hope we get to experience them all. 

Grandparents Day was this past week at Ella's school. Ella was up and raring to go that morning. It's her favorite day of the whole school year. If only she had that kind of enthusiasm every day! Ella had two sets of grandparents come this year. Instead of a program and a party the school just had an open house with snacks, and it was so nice. They also had the book fair going on, and Ella was excited to shop at that. 

Ella's friend, Mia, joined us since her grandpa was sick that day. 

Life has been busy since school started with no sign of it slowing down. I can't get over how fast time goes these days. I feel like Ella just started school, and it's almost fall freak. Even though our life can be crazy, busy, loud, and stressful at times I still appreciate where I'm at in life. I know I will never get this time back so I try to enjoy it as much as I can. 

Hopefully I can get back to my regular posting soon!!