Easter

Well I think the kids enjoyed Easter. Patrick was so excited that the Easter Bunny left a trail of Easter eggs in his room, and when he saw his basket, he was thrilled...for a moment. Then he realized that the damn bunny got it wrong. He asked for 2 good guys and 3 bad guys (action figures)...what he got was 3 good guys and 2 bad guys. You'd think the Easter Bunny left him an apple and called it a day. But since he got money in his Easter cards, we told him he could buy it for himself. So we had to take him to the store last night to get his 3rd bad guy.
Allyson got everything she had asked for...and then some. So at least she was pleased.
After a jellybean and Hershey Kiss breakfast, we went to Grandma Joan and Popeye's for lunch. Patrick did a great job on the Easter Egg hunt with Kathy's kids. Although all of the chocolate was melted since it was so hot out.
We were home early enough to relax, which is nice.

Ally and I are ready for our Revlon Walk for Women's Cancer in NY on Saturday. It's looking like the weather will be perfect. (hoping that doesn't change)

Then it's back into the city with Patrick on Sunday to see Max and Ruby Live.

And then it's time to gear up for the busiest month of the year for us: MAY! Ugh....it's exhausting to even think about.

Easter Bunny

Patrick finally got to meet the Easter Bunny on Sunday at the mall. He's been waiting to tell him everything he wants for Easter (since clearly he thinks the Easter Bunny is like Santa). While every kid in front of us was scared and/or crying, Patrick ran right up to him...threw his arms around him...and hopped up on his lap. He smiled so nicely for the picture and then proceeded to give him his list of demands. And just for the record, Allyson was there and wanted no part of the Easter Bunny's lap. Ahhh....gotta love 13 year old girls.
We seem to have convinced Patrick that the Easter Bunny does not bring as much as Santa, and he should only expect a couple of things in his basket. We'll see how that plays out Easter morning.

Parade Day!!

Yesterday was the Belmar St. Patrick's Parade. And since I am a sucker for tradition, (well that, and b/c St. Patrick's Day is my favorite holiday) we went.

We knew there was a 80-90% chance of rain, so we packed up the ponchos, tarp, and umbrellas and hit the road. It was pouring on the way there, but the rain stopped just in time. Granted, it was windy and cold, but we're troopers. Towards the end, Patrick had enough and sat in the truck with Ron so he could watch a movie while Ally and I stuck it out. (She was really ready to pack it up, too, but she humored her mother) Then the rain came. And since it was pouring, we hit the road.
But we got most of the parade in, and that's what counts.

Slainte!

Revlon Run Walk

This year my family and I are participating in the Revlon Walk for Women's Cancer in NY. This is the first year we are walking as a team. The Brave "Harts"!
This is such a wonderful event that is so close to all of us. Sadly, we all have someone in our lives who has been or is currently affected by cancer. The more money we can raise, the closer we are to a cure.

If you are interested in making a donation to our team, please visit:
http://do.eifoundation.org/site/TR?team_id=1884&pg=team&fr_id=1040&et=QRmf4GMN8osUGuL_-cghaw..&s_tafId=1040

Thank you so much for your support!

Walking...Food...more walking...way more food...

So Ron and I spent the weekend in Philadelphia. My sister, Kathy, had volunteered to watch Ally and Patrick so we couldn't pass that up. Although it felt like 3 days were over in 5 minutes, it was nice to get a break from parenting, work, dog, etc...
We saw a really funny musical called Parenting 101, ate dinner at some great restaurants, and walked all over the city. We learned that the Philly Chinatown is nowhere near as nice as NY, but Little Italy has some great places.
Ron was in heaven at the Brazilian BBQ restaurant, Fogo de Chao. I quite enjoyed it, as well. We tried to get a little history in, but quite frankly, it's not my cup of tea. But we did see the Liberty Bell through the window. (The line to get in 10 miles long)
Thankfully Patrick was very well behaved. He loved having Jack to play and bunk with all weekend. He was so beat, he passed out at 8:30 last night. I don't think he's gone to sleep that early since he was in infant. And of course Ally had a good time with Emily.
Can't wait for the next weekend away....(wonder if Kathy knows that. hahah)

We miss you...

Happy Birthday.

We are getting tired of snow days, but the kids aren't...