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. 

Back to school-third grade

I can't believe my big girl is a third grader this year. Ella transitioned to the main campus this school year, and it's been quite a change from what we were used to. She went from having 13 kids in her class to 23 kids. She only has one fried (Jossalyn) in her class from North campus. It's been a big jump from second grade, but hopefully we will get accustomed to all the changes soon. I was not prepared for all the homework she would be bringing home. I was also not prepared for all the cursive writing she would be doing. Lord help us all! 

I hope it's a great year for her. I wish I could hold her hand and guide her through this transition, but I know I have to let her go. Why is that so hard for us mothers? I pray that she makes new friends and adjusts well to this new school. 

Summer Happenings

So here we are deep into summer, and it's only two weeks until school starts. I definitely have mixed feelings about this school year. One part of me can not wait to get back into a routine but another part of me dreads the school schedule, homework, making lunches,  pick ups, and drop offs. I can't even think about it. 

This summer has not been what I pictured.  This season of life is HARD. I knew having two kids six years apart would be hard, but I never imagined it to be like this. We came to a point in our lives (before Paige) where we got a taste of what it was like to be able to just pick up and go. We pretty much did anything we wanted.  It has not been easy starting over. I can't just pick up and go as easily as I used to. I can barely take them anywhere by myself, because I can't give my full attention to both of them. Paige is running in one direction, and Ella is wanting to go another.  Ella and Paige are in two totally different places in life. There are many days I go to bed feeling guilty, stressed, and defeated. I know this time will pass, but right now it's just not easy. With all that being said, I hope I can look back on this time of life and realize that I made it! It's true what they say about the days being long but the years being short. I remember Ella being two and feeling this way so I know things will get "easier." Until then send coffee, wine, and multiple babysitters. ;) 

Even though it has been hard we have had a lot of good times too. Through all the chaos and craziness we have managed to have some fun.

Paige has discovered a love of the playground this summer or "p-ga" as she calls it. She was scared at first to go down the slides but can now go down all the big slides. No matter if it's 100 degrees outside we have to make a daily appearance at the p-ga.

Ella has loved spending time with her friend, Jossalyn, this summer. Jossalyn lives super close so it's easy to get them together. We also went to a playground to meet up with quite a few of Ella's classmates. 

We finally bit the bullet and got ourselves a golf cart. Adam and Ella went and picked it out so I had no clue what they would come home with, but Adam picked out exactly what I would have picked. We love driving it around the neighborhood, golf course, and even over to the playground. 

It's also fun to take the golf cart out for pictures at sunset. Too bad it's still 100 degrees outside right now!

We have also spent a ton of time in our pool this summer. I will be glad when Paige actually likes it, but Ella and I swim during nap time usually. We also love to get in at night to swim. 

We went to see the sunflower fields at Bluegrass. 

Lastly, we finally rode the carousel at the zoo....five times. 

I am so sad to see summer break coming to a close. Every year I think it might get easier sending Ella back to school, but it never does. Summer 2017 has been difficult but also the break we needed to regroup before another school year.