In the early years of Tsar Nicholai's rule things went pretty normally for Nicholas and Alexandra besides the fact that Alexandra did not get along with her mother-in-law to well and Nicholas never wanted to be Tsar in the first place.

I am not prepared to be Tsar. I never wanted to be one. I have no idea of even how to talk to ministers."

Nicholas

In 1903 in the Winter Palace (one of the many homes of the Romaovs.) was held a grand ball which is said to be the last great ball given by the Romanov family. Each guest was expected to be dressed in authentic 17th-century fashion. Nicholas dressed as his favorite Tsar which he would soon name his only son after, Tsar Alexei. Alexandra dressed as the wife of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, Tsarina Marfa Iiyinichna.

The next year Tsarevich Alexei was born and the country celabrated. But this would not last long for the family when it was soon discovered that the Tsarevich had a blood disorder that would change Alexandra's and the rest of the family's life forever.

"The Tsarina's state of health accounts for the fact that the education of her daughters was to some extent neglected. The illness of Aleksey Nicolaievich had gradually worn down her powers of resistance. At times of crisis she spared herself nothing and displayed remarkable energy and courage. But, once the danger had passed, Nature resumed her rights, and for weeks she would lie on a sofa quite exhausted by the strain." Gillard

But besides Alexei's illnes the family was very happy, loving, and close and got along together well. Olga, Tatiana, Maria, and Anastasia even went as far as combinding there names together to created one name for all four, OTMA.

"The Grand-Duchesses were charming - the picture of freshness and health. It would have been difficult to find four sisters with characters more dissimilar and yet so perfectly blended in an affection which did not exclude personal independence, and, in spite of contrasting temperaments, kept them a most united family. With the initials of their Christian names they had formed a composite Christian name, Otma, and under this common signature they frequently gave their presents or sent letters written by one of them on behalf of all." Gillard

Below are bits and pieces from each of the children's diaries and letters to give you an idea what life was like for them...

Olga

August 16, 1904

"Marie went to sleep in the afternoon, and Anastasia crept under the matress and slept there with Marie on top of her. When she got up we all laughed, and so did she."

June 19, 1917

"Marie and I are studying English together. She reads out loud to me, and if it's not too hot, will do a dictation. Twice a week she and I do Russian history. At the moment we are studying the heroes of folklore. Twice a week Anastasia and I study medieval history. It is much more difficult, as I have a terrible memory for all those events, though she isn't any better. I have myself assigned my free time to reading (boring things) history of art, French history, general history, and Russian literature."

October 10, 1917

"My brother and sisters have started lessons. I am writing to you in the big hall, where the four of us have tea together. Our brother is playing with his soldiers at a seperate table. M and A are reading at the window, Mama and Tatiana are playing at something, Papa is reading nearby. They all send their greetings, as do I. All my best wishes.

Tatiana

Nov. 24 1912

"I spent some time with Aleksey and then went to have tea with Mother. Then I took Alexey in his wheel-chair for a drive about the halls and then he and I spent some time with Nickolai Pavlovich in the duty room"

March 7, 1915

"Thanks a lot for your permission to bathe in your (Nicholas') bathroom. It was awfully nice and funny. I swam a lot and enjoyed myself."

Apr. 15, 1915

"I am writing to you (Nicholas) again and am smoking the cigarette which you gave to me at the time of Lent and I did not have time to smoke it. I am enjoying it now."

Marie

May 17, 1910

"I wanted to tell you (Alexandra) that Olga would very much like to have her own room in Peterhof, because she and Tatiana have too many things and too little room. Mama at what age did you have your own room? Please tell me if it’s possible to arrange. Mama at what age did you start wearing long dresses? Don’t you think Olga would like to let her dresses."

Sept. 19, 1915

"We always have dinner upstairs now in the playroom. It's very cosy, I think. After dinner Mother, Aleksey, me and Vladimir Nickolayevich (Derevenko, a doctor) or Mr. Gilliard usually play the game which we call "The slower you go the sooner your reach your destination".

Nov. 3, 1916

"You can't imagine how pleasant it was to hear Aleksey's voice over the telephone."

Anastasia

September 23, 1914

"My brilliant Papa! I am writing again, while Shura brushes my hair for the night. Olga is having a meeting, Tatiana is also there. Anna had dinner with us, now she is on the couch, Marie is writing to you, and Mama went to see Alexei. Today we studied, then all four of us went to the store, we worked a lot plus it was rather jolly. I don't want to go to bed, bah! I want to be there with you, wherever you are, as I don't know where it is. Alexei is better, he's in bed and in very good spirits. Pyotr Vasilievich and M. Gilliard read to him and play various games. I'm so sorry I'm writing so badly, but my hand won't write. I have to go to sleep. I kiss you 1 000 000 times, your hands and feet. I salute you."

May 7, 1915

My darling Mama dear; I hope you are not too tired, we will try not to quarrel, argue or fight, so sleep well. May God keep you. Your loving daughter

April 24, 1918

"Forgive me for writing so crookedly, I'm just being stupid. Alexei is so sweet when he tries to do his best and eat (remember when you were there on the bench). We take turns to have breakfast with him and making him eat, although there are days when he does so without prompting"

Alexei

Nov. 13, 1915

"Anastasia is sitting beside me and reading something. I haven't seen Nickolai Dmitrievich for 2 weeks already. It's rather dull. It's become much cosier in the sisters' room with a couch in it"

November 3, 1916

" I was very happy to talk to you and my sisters on the telephone. It was difficult to hear because the line was steel and not copper! It is real winter here. At 7:00 in the morning, it's was -6 degrees. There's lots of snow. How's Olga's cat!?! It's time to send my salary. Please!!!!!! I saw Zhenia's elder brother at the cinema. He's a lieutenant in the Nejinsky hussar regiment. He's very nice and looks like Zhenia. May the Lord protect you, your loving and beloved corporal. "

January 10, 1918

"The whole day was just like yesterday. In the afternoon Kolia and I ran and jumped in the snow. We watered the mountain, fought and wrestled."

January 12, 1918

"The whole day was just like yesterday."

January 29, 1918

"Played with Kolia in the afternoon and slid down the hill. Hit the onkle on my right leg. Limped all evening. Put a compress at night."

January 30, 1918

"Slept very badly at night. My leg hurt. Had breakfast with mama. Stayed in bed all day."

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