The {Name} Game

We have struggled so much to pick just the right name for this little girl...and just haven't been able to agree on one we both like.

I was hoping it would fit all my little quirky wants...but in the end, I just wanted us to both agree and be happy.

I think...well...I know...we finally have something to call the little mover and shaker that keeps me up at night already!

And...in the end...it actually does fit all my quirky little wants!

I wanted her name to begin with a vowel just like Alex and Emily...

...and I wanted the first and middle name to have 5 syllables just like Alexander Scott and Emily Noelle...

...and Elizabeth Ann fits just perfectly!

It even added a few other quirky little things...

Alex was hoping we could complete the beginnning of the alphabet with all of our names...

Alex, B.., Carrie, Dan, Emily... and I think if we called her Beth that would work perfectly for him!

...and they also complete the end of the alphabet because each of them now have an X, Y, or Z in their names!

I know...it's all quirky and only I would pay attention to those silly details...but we are so excited and anxious to meet baby Elizabeth soon!

{I found the fun wallpaper print letters from The Land of Nod!  Emily is asking for some for her room now...the sibling competition already starts...ha!}

An Apple a Day...

... may keep me away! 
Just kidding...a little!   Today I accompanied my favorite little man on a field trip to the apple orchard.  The weather was a little cool...but perfect for fall...and nothing says fall like a trip to the orchard!

I think the only other way to have made it an even more perfect trip would be minus the bus ride with loud, excited 2nd graders...and a very bumpy wagon ride out to the orchard...at least when you're 34 weeks pregnant...my bladder is very sensitive right now!  Yikes!  {And...how many kids can you squeeze onto one bus anyway?!  Ha!}

The kids weren't able to actually pick an apple from the trees because of the weather we've had...I guess they weren't quite ready yet...but they could choose one from the basket that had already been picked. 

{this looks like a good one...}

We've been on a trip with our MOPS group here before...and it's still always interesting to learn a few little tidbits about the apple trees... like why they put clothes pins on the branches of newly planted trees {so the branches will grow straight out and not up, making it easier for apple picking}...and why they hang soap in the mature trees {to keep the deer away}...and that there is a certain way to pick an apple off the tree {to twist it off, not pull...so that a new apple can grow in it's place next year}.  Don't I sound like an expert...ha!

{that's a big turkey!}

{we had a delicious applesauce bar and apple cider after touring the store, big refrigerator and where they make their yummy pies and desserts and cider...it smelled wonderful in there!}

I really did have a good time...I'm so lucky and thankful that I'm able to spend this precious time with Alex and Emily and experience their field trips with them and watch them with their friends and teachers...but honestly...I seriously could do without the bus ride!   {whew...time for a nap!}

{Alex is in there...all the way in the back left...in the shadows!  And so funny that a couple of them are too busy eating their apples to stop and smile!  Ha!}

Wordless Wednesday {Just Because...}

{...I love this little face...}

{...and the crazy patterns she wears to school most days...}

{...I always ask to take her picture...}

{...and try practicing capturing fun shots with sun flare, backlight ...or is it called sun haze in this case... on a beautiful evening...}

{...just because...}

{...I love her little face...and my Wednesdays are never Wordless!}

Humpty Dumpty and Hedge Apples

Today was another gorgeous day...so I took the kids to a nearby park to run and play...and force them to let me snap a few photos too, of course!
Okay...so I'll just get this one out of the way first...

...remind you of a favorite nursery rhyme?  Ha!  

I just had to laugh when I saw the angle from this shot...all I kept thinking was Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall!  I set the camera on a bench and really had no idea what the outcome would look like...but at least we're all in the picture...definitely I'm all there!  I guess I will count this as my 33-week update, ha!  So there you go...you're welcome!

It really is a pretty park...it's just a shame we've had zero rain and everything is so dried out and crispy.  The leaves don't have alot of color. 

{I have to give Alex credit...he grumbled every time I said Oh, let me take a picture! but he put on a smile and cooperated...thanks buddy!}

We climbed the stairs of a lookout tower {I really tried to take the elevator,but it never came down...it actually turned out better that way...it looked a little risky...and definitely graffiti-ed!} but once we got to the top...the wasps were pretty much in charge and we didn't want to upset them!  On the way back down, a man asked if we wanted our picture taken...so I said okay...I wonder if anyone will ever try to steal my camera because I'm pretty nice to hand it over most times!  I hope no one takes advantage of that...

{the word on the pole next to Emily says Smile! ha!}

Then Alex and Emily played on the playground...

{I just know that one of these days Emily is going to end up in the emergency room from falling off the monkey bars...sigh...}

...and then we walked back around the park through the bridge...

And...it's true when they say You learn something new every day...

Does anyone know what this is?

You probably already guessed a hedge apple since it's in the title!  I have never ever seen one of these or even heard of it...but Alex knew just what it was!  He said, "That's a hedge apple, and they keep insects away."  Hmmm.  So I Googled it when we got home...and sure enough...he was right...I was impressed!  Apparently someone brought one to school one day.  So...I learned something new today!  Interesting!

We had a great Fall Break with perfect weather...now back to school and getting those book reports and homework packets finished that they got last week...blah!

Whirlwind Week Month

Is it really mid-October already?  With the hot temperatures we've had...it feels like summer really just ended...and here it is the middle of October...with the holidays lurking right around the corner...and even more exciting...a new little Martin!  Yikes!

I had so many plans to finish painting and organizing {and maybe still do} before November 30th...but I've been hopping with field trips, family outings and really trying to be lazy while I still can! 

Tuesday I spent the most exhausting day of my life with Emily...and a hundred other first-graders in the middle of the forest!

{this picture cracks me up...this was the group I was in charge of for the day.  They look sweet...but man oh man did those boys have their listening ears turned off!  I truly appreciate teachers...I just couldn't do it every day!}

We hiked a mile on this trail...and after the bumpy bus ride to the park...and the steep steps and treacherous tree roots we traversed...I thought maybe the baby was going to come that day!

{the boys...once again not heeding my warnings to slow down and wait up...were out of sight when I stopped for a quick scenic pic...hoping they were not in the lake or off the trail!  Am I scaring you as a trusted parent chaperone?  Ha!  Don't worry...there were other parents and teachers up ahead too!  I just could not keep up with them!}

Thursday was the start of our Fall Break and we had beautiful weather...where I spent most of it in my warm cozy bed!  We had plans to be outside...but I took advantage of Dan being home and the chance to sleep in...so I did...until about 12:30pm...had some lunch...watched tv...and finally got ready for the day around 2:00...it was great...really just what I needed...the baby is making me really tired lately.  I think she is growing bigger every night...and making me sluggish every morning!  But I did take the kids bowling...and once we figured out you can put the bumpers up yourself {thanks to the sweet kids next to us}...they really started having a ball! 

They each scored a strike...Emily got two!

I had lots of fun watching them...I was just a cheerleader this time!

Friday...after recovering from our long weekend and Emily's field trip...we didn't let that stop us from heading back to the park and our favorite little town for some more fun!

First, we always stop for caramel corn and slushies...yum!

...a little bit of shopping...

...Emily always gets an animal she can stuff, fluff and pick out an outfit for...and we picked one out for the baby so Alex and Emily could each put a wish inside...

...watching the slightly haunted puppet show...

...they each picked out their own little puppet to take home...

We hiked 1.2 miles around the lake...

{after throwing a few rocks and sticks in first!}

...at least we were able to stop and take a few breaks along the way...

...playing on the playground...

...and climbing the lookout tower before calling it a day...

The weather was finally a perfect Fall-like 65 degrees and we enjoyed being outside every single minute!

I hope we have a nice, relaxing weekend and enjoy more great weather!  I still need to get to work on Alex's Halloween costume and try to turn him into a candy bar...and they both have book reports due in a couple weeks and need to dress in character!  I have plenty to keep me busy!  Hope you all have a great weekend!