It has been EIGHT YEARS of chronicling the antics of my Heathens and the Asst. Zookeeper. Life here at the Zoo has done anything by slow down. If anything, it is moving at "full-steam ahead" and showing signs for speeding up!
For those that haven't followed for the entire 8 years, I thought I would reintroduce my Cast of Characters. The faces of small Heathens have aged, rounded cheeks giving way to cheekbones and chins. They've grown in height to the point that I've begun to feel like a midget in my own home.
So, the UPDATED Cast of Characters:
There are three heathens currently residing in the zoo that we call a home. Although, only until September.
Heathen #1: Tristan (age 9)
This is this year's school picture - he'd probably be mortified to know I was using it. While it is an excellent photo of him, this is not a "true" picture of who my oldest son is.
The morning of school pictures, he came down the steps in a ratty, stained t-shirt and his hair looked like he combed it with an egg-beater. I chose the shirt and I combed the hair - adding a threat about NOT using the comb that the photographers provide. Heathen #1 is currently 9 years old, but will be turning 10 in less than two months. His favorite response when I ask him to do something is, "Aw, Mom!"
Heathen #1: Tristan (age 18)
His senior picture - and our first high school graduate of the Zoo. This Heathen secured himself a job for the past FOUR summers and I'm beginning to think he may turn out to be a decent citizen of the community. This Eagle Scout has chosen to join the Navy (special warfare contract) and is leaving the Zoo in September. The Asst. Zookeeper and I completely support his choice and are proud of the young man he is becoming. What a difference 8 years makes!
Heathen #2: Gavin (age 5)Again, a current school picture - his first ever! Heathen #2 is VERY different from Heathen #1. When the boys got out of bed the morning of school pictures, Gavin put this outfit together by himself! He knew exactly what he wanted to wear and asked me specifically where his white shirt was because he needed it to go under this sweater vest. Needless to say, this heathen is much more fashion conscious than the previous one. Heathen #2 is currently 5 years old, but will be turning 6 in just two months. His favorite response to anything I say is "But, Mom!" This angelic looking child also has a stubborn streak that would give anyone pause - he gets it from his father, but we'll get to him in a minute.
Heathen #2: Gavin (age 14)
Kindergarten to completed 8th grade - what a jump! This Heathen is taking on high school next year. I don't know that the high school is ready, but at least they will only have one Heathen at a time except for one year. This Heathen is learning to find himself in the lovely years of being a teen. And he is learning that being HIM is just fine. For a younger teen, while there is a lot of eye rolling, there is very little muttering. Although, if he feels he has a valid point, he will argue it to death (usually his mental death or mine). This one is still work on attaining Eagle Scout, but I fully expect him to earn it. While he still has the stubborn streak that he has demonstrated since birth, he has learned to channel it in useful ways. What a difference 8 years can make!
Heathen #3: Landon (age 2.5 years)
This heathen is the youngest of the crew - God help him! At 2 and a half, he can hold his own with the older boys. Although still little, he does an amazing job of keeping up with Heathens #1 and #2. Needless to say, he is incredibly verbal for his age. This one's claim to fame is his appetite. At two and a half, he's only about 28 lbs. And he's only 2ft. 9in. tall - a midget compared to my older two. But he eats more than both of them put together! As his father so eloquently put it, "His verbal skills are deteriorating. All he says anymore is, 'Mama, I hungry.'"
The bright blond hair has given way to a darker blond and the adorable toddler has grown into a witty almost-teen. Now entrenched in middle school, this Heathen is making his presence known. He's started the trials of middle school and trying to make sense of why some people are no longer friends and how friendships change as your age. But he is surviving and flourishing. He has begun the trek to Eagle Scout, following in some rather large footprints left by not only his brothers, but his uncles as well. I can't wait to see where this one goes in life. What a difference 8 years can make!
We've almost finished the cast of characters for the home zoo. There is still one main character to go, plus a few minor characters.
This last main character is probably the biggest Heathen in my zoo. And most of the time, he's the ringleader. I've mentioned him a few times already, but he definitely deserves his own introduction.
Daniel - the head heathen & Assistant Zookeeper
We started dating when we were in high school - and twenty plus years later, we still haven't killed each other. Considering how obnoxious I can be at times, how irritating he can be at times, and considering the strong personalities involved on both sides, this is truly amazing! The motorcycle pictured has been gone for several years, followed by an array of other toys. There is always adventure to be had at our Zoo.
That's the end of the main characters. As for the minor characters, there are a quite a few. WE currently have three dogs: Duchess, Bantley, and Zeus. We have three cats: Nina, Tucker, and Sorcia. We also claim approximately a dozen chickens (6 friendlies, 6 not friendlies) and three goats: Anastasia, Sable, and Abeena.
Well, that's the cast of characters at our zoo. Our zoo is always open, and there is no entrance charge except a sense of humor and a willingness to roll with the punches.
Oh! And I forgot, there's me - I'm head zookeeper.
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