Friday Five

1. It's Party Time

This has been the season of parties!  We have been keeping ourselves quite busy with attending 4 birthday/Halloween parties, all in just one week!  From a Mickey Mouse 2nd birthday party, a Sophia the First 5th birthday party, a Halloween costume party, and a Gender Reveal, we are pretty pooped!  
And Andrew's new favorite word is officially "pawty!"  It's been a lot of fun and has definitely kept me distracted during these last days of pregnancy!  

2. Fall Baking 

Our neighbors recently spent the day picking apples at our local orchard and were so generous to bring us over a bag full of them!  We have been enjoying them as snacks almost every day, but I also wanted to do a little baking with them.  John found this Apple Crisp recipe, and we gave it a shot!  It was amazing!  Definitely try it out if you grab some apples this fall - you won't be disappointed.  The crumb topping is just "wow."  And don't forget your vanilla ice cream - a mandatory accompaniment. 

3. Baby Prep

Our bags are packed and we're ready to go!  (I'll be posting my hospital bag essentials in the next couple of days!)  First of all...my 39 week appointment was this week and everything look great!  Progressing a little, but not much.   I think she'll stay put at least for another week.  
Would you just look at what this wild man is up to during our selfie? ;)  Trouble, I tell ya.

I knew I wanted to do special "sibling" bags for Andrew and Ellie at the hospital, so I put together those this week.  They will "give" them to each other upon meeting, and I think it's a great way to start off on a positive, sharing, and thoughtful note, especially for Andrew. 

(Andrew is getting a coloring book, crayons, a favorite snack, and this music book.  Ellie is getting a lovey blanket, a WubbaNub, and a cute princess book.)  

 

I also wanted to do something for my labor and delivery nurses.  With Andrew, I absolutely LOVED my nurses and was so thankful for all they did for our family.  I wanted to thank them in a tangible and fun way, so I put together 6 little bags of goodies to bring this time around. 

Contents include:  

Three mini candy bars, hand sanitizer, tissues, Tic Tacs, and a little note from Ellie :)

4. Showered with Love

This past weekend, my mom's group threw me the most wonderful baby shower/dinner!  These girls have completely amazed me with their love, support, and encouragement over the past 1 1/2 years here in Princeton.  I am so lucky to have found them!  The dinner was delicious, the decor was perfect, and the goodies were so sweet!  Thank you girls! 

(this seersucker bathing suit from Jessica was just too swoon-worthy not to post!)

5. Trader Joe's Treats

I made a quick run up to TJ's this week and picked up a few pumpkin-y treats that I just had to share with y'all!  They are definitely stocked when it comes to fall flavors and I need to make another trip to try out some more things!  
(Any recommendations for seasonal goodies?)

This pumpkin bread was amazing and so easy - I added chocolate chips, because, well....do I have to have an excuse?  Everything's better with chocolate. 

Here Andrew is enjoying the Gluten Free Pumpkin Pancakes.  We are not a "gluten-free" house, but I tried these last year, and they are soooooo delicious!  I buy four boxes at a time.  And they are great to make a batch of and freeze for easy toddler breakfasts :)  

That's my 5! 

Happy Friday, loves! 

(linking up with April!)