Happy 8th Birthday, Olivia!

Look who turned 8!  Olivia celebrated her 8th birthday on Sunday, Sept. 18th.  Of course, we had to celebrate all weekend:-)  Friday, after school, Zach and I took Olivia for a riding lesson in Franklin Lakes.  Now Zach has decided he wants to take lessons, so it will be a sport they can do together, well, at least  back to back.  They even have an indoor arena for inclement weather.  We all know we'll be using that arena come snow season.

Olivia wanted inline skates for her birthday.  Thanks Sparkles (in Smyrna) for 'sparking' Olivia's interest in skating!  While there are not any roller skating rinks nearby (there are tons of ice skating/hockey rinks), the kids can still use their skates in our driveway and around our neighborhood.  Zach used 'his money' to buy skates to ride with Olivia.  What a good brother! 

A new Bell helmet for safety. 

Making Olivia's birthday cake.  It's so much more fun than ordering one (and peanut-free safer)! 

While my cake decorating skills need some work, everyone (besides GF mommy) loved it. 

Olivia still has on her skating gloves.  Protect those hands! 

Kobe outside training on his new Invisible Fence.  We love it so far.  It's funny, everyone tends to play in the front yard and not the back yard so much.  We have a nice backyard, it's just that the front has the cool driveway to play!

Sunday, opening presents!  It was tempting all week as the gifts came in the mail, but we waited until Sunday to open presents.  Olivia got beautiful new earrings from Aunt Karen, Uncle Mike and Gavin, a Claire's gift certificate to buy new earring from Carla, Barry and the gang, Breyer horses from Nonnie and Aunt Kim, a stable from Mimi and Papa (plus college savings money - a plus!), an American Girl gift certificate from Skylar and really cool cards from the girls, and neat Melissa and Doug toys from the Goss' (pictured below). 

Eating cake with her new friend and neighbor, Ezra, Tom Goss, our new 'adopted brother'....he fits right in (ha).  Zach is enjoying his piece of cake...ya think?! 

The Goss' were good sports and attended the Zerbini Circus with us for Olivia's birthday.   

The Pryor clan...with our new 8 year old.

Thanks to Andy for the light sabers and light up wand.  If he bought the whistles that were $5, but marked down to $1 (horrible marketing ploy), we would have made all the kids ride with him!  Oh, all of those whistles under the circus tents were loud!  Our ears are still ringing!

Our babies at the circus.

The camels did not want to participate, but the alligator and python did....

Mount Fuji for a hibachi birthday dinner.  Olivia pictured with Rachel (the other Olivia sat with the boys)

The dragon serenaded Olivia for her birthday.

Zach, Tom and Olivia with their fruit drink umbrellas.  

What a magical birthday for our sweet 8 year old, Olivia.

Since we have been in New Jersey, Olivia has officially started riding her bike daily, swinging (I wasn't aware that she didn't swing before!), but she's proud of herself and she's roller blading.  People were right, New Jersey is a great place for kids.  She is blooming before our eyes and we are so proud of her.  Happy Birthday, Olivia.