Bring It ON!

This is the Zoo's January 2012 calendar.  It does NOT include my teaching schedule for this semester ( 9 hours of teaching and a GRAND 13 hours of driving), nor does it include the Sunday afternoon soccer schedule for Heathen #3 as we haven't received it yet.  Sunday's also don't have Sunday School, Confirmation, or Service written in either.

The three Heathens are in the background.  I have the crown and scepter!

So far, this month is par for the course.  Let the Wild Rumpus...  I mean the New Year BEGIN!



A Man's Man

The Asst. Zookeeper and I often discuss other people - not in a mean, gossipy sort of way, more in a "what makes people tick" kind of way.  We enjoy the differences between people and how it affects their interactions.

He and I established YEARS ago that he (the Asst. Zookeeper) is a "guy."  He calls himself a "Man's Man."  He can fix jut about anything and he works with his hands.  There is very little softness about him - unless you bring children into the room.

This is one of my favorite photos of him as it shows his personality (and size!):

At almost 6'4", 220lbs, the Asst. Zookeeper is not a small man.  And he definitely does NOT have a small personality.  He's one of those guys that can fill a room by himself without making any effort.

All of this is build-up to the next two photos.  Last evening, I walked into the living room to discover this:

Before the Asst. Zookeeper
realized I was taking his photo.

The photo is not of the beer in his hand or the hat on his head.  It isn't even the contradiction of the clothing he's wearing and the chair he is sitting in.  Look at what crawled into his lap and made herself at home!

The 2-pound kitten, Sorcia, decided that he looked like a good lap to sit in.  She apparently crawled into his lap and then wiggled herself into his vest for her own cozy little spot.  It's hard to tell from the photo, but I'm pretty sure he was sitting there rubbing her paws.  He swears that "kitty paws" (as HE calls them) are the softest things ever.

The smirk on his face shows that
I was caught taking this photo!

I think I'll keep the Asst. Zookeeper.  Rough and tough, but still soft enough.  Love ya, Babe!

Christmas Tally COMPLETE

Another Christmas season is completed - and I "believe" I may have retained my sanity.  Maybe.  Still not sure.
It was definitely a busy season, and the Zoo wouldn't have it any other way.  Here are the totals:

Visitors to the Zoo:  42
Heathen visits outside of the Zoo:  3 houses for an additional 9 friends & family
Sleepovers: 2 (Heathen #1's friends were all out of town this year!)
Shared meals with family & friends (at the Zoo or elsewhere): 53

Here are some of the photos I snapped of the season:

Heathens 1, 3, and 2 (left to right)
taken BEFORE the presents were opened
all thinking: HURRY UP MOM!

Heathen #2 scored on the amount
of Duct Tape (both from Santa
and relatives).  Most of the 27 rolls
are already used up!

Heathen #3 unwraps a huge cardboard
house that is colorable.  Santa
forgot to check and see if it came
with markers!  Oops!

Heathen #1 was already plotting
to fly his plane an chucklin
about dive-bombing cows.
The Zookeeper promptly gave him
a dirty look.  :)

The Asst. Zookeeper is wearing his required
Santa hat as he watches the chaos and flying wrapping
paper in the room before him.  I think he might have
been sleeping with his eyes open - but he responded
appropriately when someone spoke to him!

No Christmas is complete without watching the children's Christmas pageant at church.  The oldest Heathen has moved from Sunday School to Confirmation and is no longer a part of it (much to my dismay). The younger two Heathens still participate.  It's one of my FAVORITE Sundays all year!

The younger Heathens ready for the
Christmas pageant to start!

During the March of the Christmas Children as the Heathens
and the rest of the children were moving through the Sanctuary.

Every year, the Sunday School children include the March of the Christmas Children at the end of their pageant.  They always move through the Sanctuary so that everyone can see their costumes and hear them sing.  If you have not heard this song, it is worth a few minutes to click on the link I've provided.  I watch the "Church Ladies" (as dubbed by the Heathens) cry and wipe their eyes as they have huge smiles on their faces every year.