I thought I was safe. The big day had come and gone without too much excitement. The Heathens were upset because I didn't want to go to Chuck E. Cheese for my birthday, but they had calmed down. That was Tuesday.
Fast forward through the rest of a hectic week with the Heathens and the Asst. Zookeeper. It's now Saturday morning. The Asst. Zookeeper left for work around 5 am. The Heathens and I were scheduled to go snow tubing at Seven Springs at 12:30 with a local youth group. The Asst. Zookeeper was going to meet us there.
When he joined us, he handed me my mitten that I had dropped on the ground at the Zoo as the Heathens were getting into the van. He said he had to drive a guy home from the mine because he was having car trouble, so the Asst. Zookeeper stopped at the house to let Duchess outside before joining us.
After snow tubing, we needed to head home quickly and get ready to go to the spaghetti dinner at our church. I had bought tickets more than a week before from one of our youth group members. We rushed home. As we were pulling in, I noticed that there were a lot of cars. I assumed that the little girl next door was having a birthday party.
We gathered everything out of the van (hats, mittens, snow pants, etc.) and the Asst. Zookeeper mentioned that his two brothers were in the shop using some of his tools. Whatever. Common occurrence.
And then I walked into a house full of people - and a surprise birthday party. I should mention at this point that I was wearing no make-up, had been snow tubing for several hours, and was dressed in a sweatshirt and snow pants. :) Obviously, the Asst. Zookeeper keeps a secret well!
He had gone to work that morning. But he was home and parked down the street while he watched me put the kids into the van and head for snow tubing. He headed back for the house to set up and that is when he found my mitten. And then he found my cell phone on the table that I had forgotten. It put some extra stress on him thinking that I might notice and head home for them.
After he had the house set up, he headed for snow tubing. His mom and a few friends took over and set up the food and drinks while we were gone. It was quite a set up!
Once we were there, I got lots of hugs from family & friends. And HUGE hugs from the nieces and the nephew (I love seeing them!) I got to see my mom & dad, my Gram, my inlaw's, both brother-in-law's and their families, the Asst. Zookeeper's grandparents, and friends. For my small house, it was a big party. If I can count, it was about 22 or 23.
There were lots of cards. My niece, Rorrie, had made me a bracelet out of beads that said "Aunt dani" on it. She made sure to tell me she did it by herself, except for tying it together. Her dad helped her with that. Her little sister, Gerty, wouldn't let me wear it. She kept insisting that it was Rorrie's and taking it off my wrist.
The Asst. Zookeeper handed me an item that was wrapped up in lime green party napkins. No tape. Just folded up. He had bought me a book. It was better than jewelry! He had actually gone and found a book by a new author that I've never read. And he made sure that it was one in a series, because he knows those are my favorite (I hate it when stories end!). He had even made sure he bought the first one in the series.
It's been a few days since the party - and I've now read the first 3 books in the series. It's great! He picked a perfect book for me!
As the days pass, I keep finding out the effort he put into rounding up everyone and keeping it secret. It's one of the sweetest things he's ever done. Wrapped in napkins and all.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Thursday, February 19, 2009
BIG DAY Memories
I had a great birthday! I did what I've seen others do, but have never done myself. I took the day off from work and spent the day doing nothing important.
I woke up to find flowers on the dining room table. Nothing yucky like roses - they were beautiful wildflowers. Definitely nicer!
The Asst. Zookeeper didn't have to go to the mine until later in the afternoon, so we decided it would be a good day to go see a house out in Davidsville that we've been eyeing up for the past month. It's a great house - from the outside.
It is a 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath, 2 garage home on 2 acres in Davidsville. It also has a detached, 3 car garage on the side of the property that has a second story to it that the Asst. Zookeeper could have used as a wood shop. The house was well maintained from the road. What a disappointment when we went inside.
It was like walking into a Fun House! It had a horrible layout. The bathroom was tiny. There was no dining room. One of the bedrooms was the size of a closet. A second bedroom was in the attic and I could hardly stand up straight. It was awful! Needless to say, we are going to keep looking!
After the house visit, the Asst. Zookeeper headed into the mine, and I went to get my nails done and get a pedicure. It was lovely! The shop was empty and it was quiet. Vegetating was wonderful - there was no rush to leave and run anywhere. After that, I spent the rest of the afternoon with a book. I curled up with the dog and the cats at home, and we read through the rest of the afternoon.
Then the Heathens started to arrive home: Heathen #1 called my cell phone and sang me Happy Birthday. Then Heathen #2 came home and started singing to me. And then I picked Heathen #3 up at daycare and he wanted to take me to Chuck E. Cheese's for dinner!
I spent the evening at swimming lessons with Heathens #2 and #3, while the Asst. Zookeeper took Heathen #1 to cub scouts. Afterward, we had pizza and ice cream for dinner! Actually, the Heathens had pizza and ice cream. I just had ice cream!
I woke up to find flowers on the dining room table. Nothing yucky like roses - they were beautiful wildflowers. Definitely nicer!
The Asst. Zookeeper didn't have to go to the mine until later in the afternoon, so we decided it would be a good day to go see a house out in Davidsville that we've been eyeing up for the past month. It's a great house - from the outside.
It is a 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath, 2 garage home on 2 acres in Davidsville. It also has a detached, 3 car garage on the side of the property that has a second story to it that the Asst. Zookeeper could have used as a wood shop. The house was well maintained from the road. What a disappointment when we went inside.
It was like walking into a Fun House! It had a horrible layout. The bathroom was tiny. There was no dining room. One of the bedrooms was the size of a closet. A second bedroom was in the attic and I could hardly stand up straight. It was awful! Needless to say, we are going to keep looking!
After the house visit, the Asst. Zookeeper headed into the mine, and I went to get my nails done and get a pedicure. It was lovely! The shop was empty and it was quiet. Vegetating was wonderful - there was no rush to leave and run anywhere. After that, I spent the rest of the afternoon with a book. I curled up with the dog and the cats at home, and we read through the rest of the afternoon.
Then the Heathens started to arrive home: Heathen #1 called my cell phone and sang me Happy Birthday. Then Heathen #2 came home and started singing to me. And then I picked Heathen #3 up at daycare and he wanted to take me to Chuck E. Cheese's for dinner!
I spent the evening at swimming lessons with Heathens #2 and #3, while the Asst. Zookeeper took Heathen #1 to cub scouts. Afterward, we had pizza and ice cream for dinner! Actually, the Heathens had pizza and ice cream. I just had ice cream!
Monday, February 16, 2009
My last day of 29
I can't believe it is February - ALREADY!!!! I swear, I just wrote the post in September and then all I've done since then is blink!
Needless to say, I have no idea where the time has flown. And my house is no cleaner. And the laundry is still never caught up. And I still go to bed with a "to do" list left to do.
So. Tomorrow is the BIG DAY. The one that my mother has been talking about for the past year and a half with an evil smirk on her face. I guess it's supposed to bother me that I'm turning 30 tomorrow. The Heathens have been commenting on it, my family has, my friends have. Even the local TV station was counting down to it, until the digital change-over date was altered anyway!
It really is just another birthday. I don't feel old. I don't think 30 IS that old anymore. 15 years ago, 30 was old. Today, 30 is normal. Amazing how perspectives change. I'm sure that at some point, I'll think being 60 is normal.
If the next 30 years are as good overall as the first 30 have been, I'll consider myself lucky. They haven't been an easy 30 years - heaven knows there have been some horrible, crappy days in there. But in the end, I can smile and say that I've survived and I have a good life.
I have a lot to be thankful for in these first 30 years. I have a wonderful family. Not only the one I was born into, but the one I married into as well. Yes, they drive me crazy. Yes, they make me want to scream on occasion. No, I couldn't live as happily without them.
The Asst. Zookeeper has made a world of difference in my life. It'll be 13 years in May since he stepped into the center ring. Almost half of my life. We love to joke about who we would get matched up with if we ever registered at a site like eHarmony. We know it wouldn't be to each other. But however, why ever, whatever - we work. Well.
The Heathens - I can imagine my life without them. How boring that would be. Imagine getting up in the morning and having no one complain first thing. Or drag their feet and making me late leaving the house. Imagine having no one to yell at after bedtime to "BE QUIET!!!!" and go to sleep. Imagine no shoes to trip over. No socks to find randomly around the house. No lollipop sticks abandoned beside the garbage can instead of inside of it. Definitely, not a life for me.
I'm so in love with my life. Bring on the birthday - I'm ready.
Needless to say, I have no idea where the time has flown. And my house is no cleaner. And the laundry is still never caught up. And I still go to bed with a "to do" list left to do.
So. Tomorrow is the BIG DAY. The one that my mother has been talking about for the past year and a half with an evil smirk on her face. I guess it's supposed to bother me that I'm turning 30 tomorrow. The Heathens have been commenting on it, my family has, my friends have. Even the local TV station was counting down to it, until the digital change-over date was altered anyway!
It really is just another birthday. I don't feel old. I don't think 30 IS that old anymore. 15 years ago, 30 was old. Today, 30 is normal. Amazing how perspectives change. I'm sure that at some point, I'll think being 60 is normal.
If the next 30 years are as good overall as the first 30 have been, I'll consider myself lucky. They haven't been an easy 30 years - heaven knows there have been some horrible, crappy days in there. But in the end, I can smile and say that I've survived and I have a good life.
I have a lot to be thankful for in these first 30 years. I have a wonderful family. Not only the one I was born into, but the one I married into as well. Yes, they drive me crazy. Yes, they make me want to scream on occasion. No, I couldn't live as happily without them.
The Asst. Zookeeper has made a world of difference in my life. It'll be 13 years in May since he stepped into the center ring. Almost half of my life. We love to joke about who we would get matched up with if we ever registered at a site like eHarmony. We know it wouldn't be to each other. But however, why ever, whatever - we work. Well.
The Heathens - I can imagine my life without them. How boring that would be. Imagine getting up in the morning and having no one complain first thing. Or drag their feet and making me late leaving the house. Imagine having no one to yell at after bedtime to "BE QUIET!!!!" and go to sleep. Imagine no shoes to trip over. No socks to find randomly around the house. No lollipop sticks abandoned beside the garbage can instead of inside of it. Definitely, not a life for me.
I'm so in love with my life. Bring on the birthday - I'm ready.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Met the New Principal
So I met the new elementary school principal yesterday. And it wasn't in the way I wanted to meet him either.
I received a phone call around 2:30 in the afternoon explaining that Heathen #2 was sitting in his office and had been sent there for yelling at the teacher when he became frustrated with something in the classroom.
All I could think of was my father sitting and laughing hysterically and telling me that deserved it. I did the same thing when I was in school, only I was in fifth grade when it happened, not first.
So I drove over to the school and found Heathen #2 sitting in the principal's office looking very small and very scared. And when I walked in with the "you are SO in trouble" look on my face, his little eyes got very round and teary.
We had a nice little chat with the principal, and then with the classroom teacher also. And they came to the conclusion at the end of the discussion that I matched exactly what I had told them when I walked in. Heathen #2 is a control freak and wants to be in charge all the time. He also has quite a temper that he has to learn to control. Then they both agreed that I really did know my child. Gee, you'd think I actually have lived with the child for the past 6 years, 5 months, and 27 days...
I received a phone call around 2:30 in the afternoon explaining that Heathen #2 was sitting in his office and had been sent there for yelling at the teacher when he became frustrated with something in the classroom.
All I could think of was my father sitting and laughing hysterically and telling me that deserved it. I did the same thing when I was in school, only I was in fifth grade when it happened, not first.
So I drove over to the school and found Heathen #2 sitting in the principal's office looking very small and very scared. And when I walked in with the "you are SO in trouble" look on my face, his little eyes got very round and teary.
We had a nice little chat with the principal, and then with the classroom teacher also. And they came to the conclusion at the end of the discussion that I matched exactly what I had told them when I walked in. Heathen #2 is a control freak and wants to be in charge all the time. He also has quite a temper that he has to learn to control. Then they both agreed that I really did know my child. Gee, you'd think I actually have lived with the child for the past 6 years, 5 months, and 27 days...
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Summer photos
I just wanted to post some of the photos of the Heathens from the summer!
One afternoon, the Heathens and I drove to Living Treasures Animal Park. It's about an hour's drive from the Zoo. The boys had a great time!
Both of the older two Heathens attended Cub Scout Day Camp at New Germany Grove for three days in July. The Asst. Zookeeper walked with Heathen #1's group, and I walked with Heathen #2's group. I was part of a campfire skit in this photo - which is why I have a banana on my head! :) Heathen #3 spent those three days in the "Tot Lot" playing with other younger brothers and sisters.
One afternoon, the Heathens and I drove to Living Treasures Animal Park. It's about an hour's drive from the Zoo. The boys had a great time!
We did alot of other things this summer, but the pictures are still on my camera. Once I have those downloaded, I'll post them as well!
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
I've been TOO BUSY!
It's been three months (and a few days) since my last visit to this site. It's been three months of keeping up with the Heathens over their summer vacation from school. It's been three months of constant motion and movement - and I've LOVED every minute of it!
The Heathens and I did a lot of fun things this summer. We went Living Treasures Animal Park and were chased by crazed geese (with threatening attitudes). We went to Old Bedford Village - which turned out to be a bit of a disappointment for Heathen #1. We went to the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium and saw the two baby elephants. With the Asst. Zookeeper, we went on a 20 mile canoe trip at Kinzua Reservoir and camped at Hooks Brook. We also spent hours playing in the pool at my IN LAWS.
At the beginning of the summer, immediately after loosing my job, I was terrified of spending the entire summer with my children. Don't get me wrong - I love my children. I wouldn't trade them for anything in the world (most days). But I wasn't raised with the concept of BEING a "stay at home mom" - I was raised that I could do or be anything I wanted to do. I was never taught to cook. The only cleaning I really did growing up was the few things on my chore list. I wasn't raised with those thoughts in my head. So to me, the thought of not having adult conversation all day long, every day, was horrifying to me!
But I've survived! And I will readily admit that I was sad to see the Heathens head off to another school year. This was the best summer to have stayed home with them. Heathen #1 is only 10 and just this year headed off to the middle school. Although he isn't a little boys any more, he isn't a teenager yet. He's starting to get THOSE looks on his face when I'm talking to him. But for the most part, he's still mine. He still wants a hug. He still wants a good night kiss. He still tells me he loves me. And I know that probably won't last much longer.
Heathen #2 is only 6. And while he drives me nuts most days because we are too much alike, he still can be incredibly sweet. He still beams with joy when you compliment him for something. And Heathen #3 is only 3 and we just mastered potty training this summer. He's still a little boy who wants to be held and cuddled.
I couldn't have asked for a better summer with my Heathens.
The Heathens and I did a lot of fun things this summer. We went Living Treasures Animal Park and were chased by crazed geese (with threatening attitudes). We went to Old Bedford Village - which turned out to be a bit of a disappointment for Heathen #1. We went to the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium and saw the two baby elephants. With the Asst. Zookeeper, we went on a 20 mile canoe trip at Kinzua Reservoir and camped at Hooks Brook. We also spent hours playing in the pool at my IN LAWS.
At the beginning of the summer, immediately after loosing my job, I was terrified of spending the entire summer with my children. Don't get me wrong - I love my children. I wouldn't trade them for anything in the world (most days). But I wasn't raised with the concept of BEING a "stay at home mom" - I was raised that I could do or be anything I wanted to do. I was never taught to cook. The only cleaning I really did growing up was the few things on my chore list. I wasn't raised with those thoughts in my head. So to me, the thought of not having adult conversation all day long, every day, was horrifying to me!
But I've survived! And I will readily admit that I was sad to see the Heathens head off to another school year. This was the best summer to have stayed home with them. Heathen #1 is only 10 and just this year headed off to the middle school. Although he isn't a little boys any more, he isn't a teenager yet. He's starting to get THOSE looks on his face when I'm talking to him. But for the most part, he's still mine. He still wants a hug. He still wants a good night kiss. He still tells me he loves me. And I know that probably won't last much longer.
Heathen #2 is only 6. And while he drives me nuts most days because we are too much alike, he still can be incredibly sweet. He still beams with joy when you compliment him for something. And Heathen #3 is only 3 and we just mastered potty training this summer. He's still a little boy who wants to be held and cuddled.
I couldn't have asked for a better summer with my Heathens.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Rediscovering the Heathens
It will be two weeks tomorrow that my world was completely altered. On one hand, losing my job is nothing horrible. It happens to people everyday, everywhere. But on the other hand, that job was a big part of how I defined myself.
In the two weeks that I've been home with the Heathens full time, I have:
reseeded the yard
watered the grass seed a zillion times
made two WalMart trips
made one Giant Eagle trip
several bank runs
one trip for ice cream
planted two flower beds
made stepping stones
picked up the living room a zillion times
gone to the laundromat
purchased a dryer
AND...
I've actually woken up in the mornings and felt like I truly slept. No waking up and feeling like I've been up all night. No lying in bed and running through "to do" list for tomorrow. Just blissful sleep.
Needless to say, I've spent A LOT of time with my Heathens. The last two weeks is the most solid time that I've spent with them in the past four years when I left teaching and started at JAHA.
On one hand, it's been agonizing. The fighting. The bickering. The whining. The complaining. I'm constantly refereeing arguments and stopping one of them from doing something they KNOW they are not to do. By the time the Asst. Zookeeper leaves for work at 9pm, I'm just as tired as I was after working a full day at the office.
But, I've also just gotten to watch the kids play and interact with each other. I've gotten a million kisses and hugs that I would have otherwise missed. I've gotten to watch them enjoy making the stepping stones for the yard today. I've watched them be regular, old "boys" and dig in the dirt and slop in the mud and laugh while they were doing it.
I was really worried when I let the Asst. Zookeeper talk me into staying home with the Heathens this summer. I wasn't sure if I would maintain my sanity. And I don't know that I necessarily will. But I do know that this will always be a summer that I will remember. It's the last summer before Heathen #1 goes to the middle school. It's the last summer before Heathen #2 goes to school all day long. And it's the last summer of Heathen #3 being a "little" kid. They are all on the verge of making big steps in their lives - and I get to take the time to watch and enjoy.
Thanks to the Asst. Zookeeper.
In the two weeks that I've been home with the Heathens full time, I have:
reseeded the yard
watered the grass seed a zillion times
made two WalMart trips
made one Giant Eagle trip
several bank runs
one trip for ice cream
planted two flower beds
made stepping stones
picked up the living room a zillion times
gone to the laundromat
purchased a dryer
AND...
I've actually woken up in the mornings and felt like I truly slept. No waking up and feeling like I've been up all night. No lying in bed and running through "to do" list for tomorrow. Just blissful sleep.
Needless to say, I've spent A LOT of time with my Heathens. The last two weeks is the most solid time that I've spent with them in the past four years when I left teaching and started at JAHA.
On one hand, it's been agonizing. The fighting. The bickering. The whining. The complaining. I'm constantly refereeing arguments and stopping one of them from doing something they KNOW they are not to do. By the time the Asst. Zookeeper leaves for work at 9pm, I'm just as tired as I was after working a full day at the office.
But, I've also just gotten to watch the kids play and interact with each other. I've gotten a million kisses and hugs that I would have otherwise missed. I've gotten to watch them enjoy making the stepping stones for the yard today. I've watched them be regular, old "boys" and dig in the dirt and slop in the mud and laugh while they were doing it.
I was really worried when I let the Asst. Zookeeper talk me into staying home with the Heathens this summer. I wasn't sure if I would maintain my sanity. And I don't know that I necessarily will. But I do know that this will always be a summer that I will remember. It's the last summer before Heathen #1 goes to the middle school. It's the last summer before Heathen #2 goes to school all day long. And it's the last summer of Heathen #3 being a "little" kid. They are all on the verge of making big steps in their lives - and I get to take the time to watch and enjoy.
Thanks to the Asst. Zookeeper.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)