Hathaway's Birthday, April 16

 Hathaway, unlike her sister, loves big groups of friends and princesses. She wanted a Cinderella birthday party and Cinderella cake.

 She invited over a bunch of friends and we played games that helped them act out the Cinderella story. Hathaway is dressed a "bridal" Cinderella (in case you were wondering).

 All of the girls got dressed up (with make-up too) and played freeze dance for the ball.

 Here are our "helpers": 2 mice, the Fairy Godmother, Prince Charming, and the announcer and picture taker.

 Opening presents with friends.

 The whole group! What fun!

One more present to open when dad got home.

Tessa's Birthday, April 10

 Tessa's birthday was much anticipated. She wanted to open her presents from mom and dad on her birthday, but it was a busy day. So, she woke up early to open the present before dad left for work. A new bike! She was excited and is riding like a wiz now.

 Tessa just wanted to do something with her friend Nina for her birthday (she doesnt like big groups). We invited Nina and Bridget (her sister and Hathaway's friend) to a play place and then back to our house for pizza.

 And, she didn't want cake. She chose chocolate caramel tart instead (and who can blame her?).

The two birthday girls. They love having basically 2 weeks celebrating their birthdays.

Conference

 Here we are watching conference. The kids played bingo with cheerios and chocolate chips (as well as eating them). Hathaway was a bridal princess dancing in the background. Mom tried to listen to talks.

Anatomy of a Spring Break

Day 1: Hike in the Sourlands with dad

Day 2: (after Easter weekend) Spring cleaning. The kids cleaned out 4 garbage bags from the basement for donation or garbage and deep cleaned their rooms.

Day 3: Play with cousins while mom works.

Day 4: Drive to Ocean City, MD. See cool hotel with atrium full to rides, games and a swimming pool. Play on the beach. Swim in pool.

Day 5: Drive to Assateague Visitors Center. Drive around Assateague Island: see wild horses, go on nature walks, have a car picnic lunch. Visit large candy store.

Day 6: Drive home. Clean out the car. Play boxcar children while mom cleans out the car. Watch Matilda for movie night.

Day 7: First soccer game and conference.



 This is one of the rides in the atrium at our hotel.

 The visitor's center at Assateague.

 On the island--this is part of an old highway that was destroyed in a storm.

 One of the famous wild horses (we saw 16 total).

This is at the candy store. Oakley picked it up and said...."how many licks to get to the center of a tootsie pop". For some reason Bryce thought about that commercial a month or so ago and we showed it to the kids on youtube. They thought it was hilarious.

March 2013

 In March Oakley earned his Weblos in Scouts. He worked hard all year, especially during the summer.

 Bryce had a happy birthday. He took Oakley and Tessa  to the natural history museum in NY as his gift to himself. I don't know who liked it more--him or the kids (probably him). They said they had to force him past some of the bird exhibits so they could keep moving.

 We had a cold March--even a snow storm. Hathaway took advantage to play in the snow.

 Just a few weeks later we were out looking for Easter eggs.

 Bryce hid them all over the yard with nothing in them and they were just as happy to look for them as when they are filled with candy (they did get some candy in their baskets, in case you were worried about them).

 Easter clothes are hard because Tessa does not like dresses or wearing anything too girly (ie pink). Hathaway loves fancy dresses. So, we came up with these skirts as a compromise--the Easter bunny is pretty smart.

Bandages and Balls

This week, Hathaway had her first KT procedure--laser surgety. She was very brave and did a great job and the procedure was successful. We will be back again in a few months and then evaluate after that. We are thankful for a great children's hospital and doctors close by.

Oakley finished his basketball season as runners-up in the B flight tournament. Here he is with his friend from school who was on his team. Last week they won 31-13 to make it to the B final. Yesterday they lost their game 5-2 (yes that is the correct score--it was a defensive battle). He has had fun and learned a lot and that is what it is all about.

A Busy January

 I think that we had the busiest January ever. It started with just a bit of snow, just enough to get in a early morning sledding outting. Tessa got a sled for Christmas and was dying to use it. We had lots of fun.

 Oakley started his Science Fair project--the physical properties of rocks in NJ.  Who says science isnt fun? Plus we brought in a professional for the acid portion.

 Then came our long awaited trip to Disney World with cousins. All the kids got the stomach flu a few days before we left. Everyone was better by the time we left except Hathaway who threw up all over me and herself as we landed in Orlando. But we still had a fun time. The first day was Animal Kingdom. All the kids went on the Himilayan roller coaster, even though it was scary (Mike and I went too since we are the only adults who dont get motion sick).

 The second day we went to the Magic Kingdom, here we are waiting to see Micky's Philharmagic.

 Taking a rest--it really is exhausting.

 We stayed late for the light parade and fire works.

 Tessa taking a test drive after the test track ride. She made a goal that she would go on every ride that any boy went on even if she was scared, and she did--she went on more rides than anyone. If a boy opted out, he usually felt bad afterward because Tessa went.

 At Epcot

 We stayed at the tree houses as Saratoga Springs--a great location.

 Our last day we went to Hollywood Studios--lots of fun. We had a great time with family.

The day we got back the girls wanted to be chefs, so we made these hats and baked something.