Today, Heathen #1 turns 12. Ugh. The first thing he asked me this morning was if I thought he was any taller than he was yesterday. And I, of course, said yes!
The boy stands at about 5'1" and weighs just shy of 100 lbs. And I remember when he was little enough to pick up and sway back and forth with - and wanted me too! If I tried to pick him up now, I'd probably end up in the emergency room.
Yes, time flies. Yes, it is hard to believe that he is that old. No, it doesn't make me feel old!
He's turning into a son that Dan and I are proud of. I wouldn't trade him for the world. However, I might rent him out once in a while...
His birthday party was yesterday. What a group! 15 boys (ages 10 - 14) met at the gym we rented for a Nerf battle. We used tables to set up bunkers and sniper's nests and places to hide, etc. And if I can get my camera to cooperate, I'll share the photos. For two hours, there were Nerf darts flying everywhere, and they all had a fantastic time. It was a little daunting when they started to arrive with DUFFLE BAGS of Nerf guns and ammo. It was like the SWAT team was landing and preparing for a hostage situation!
This evening, we took the three Heathens to Fuji Steakhouse for dinner. The Heathens had never been there before and were amazed by the flames and the onion volcano. Heathen #2 was the only one to catch the broccoli in his mouth despite the other two's valiant attempts.
I wonder what the next year will hold...
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Baggies and Birthdays
Last week, on Sunday, March 21st, the Asst. Zookeeper accomplished something that many of us who know him NEVER thought he would manage - he survived long enough to reach the age of 30....
Yes, despite some of his better efforts over the years, he made it to this landmark birthday. I thought long and hard about what I was going to give him this year. The Heathens didn't provide any good ideas for the first time ever. I was really beginning to panic that I wouldn't think of anything with which to mark this auspicious occasion. And then it hit me...
It was the perfect idea! He would never forget it. He's been saying for years that it would be the very last thing he would need on Earth. It didn't require any special shopping, it was already purchased and in the house! The perfect gift for the Asst. Zookeeper was...
... a Ziploc baggie.
To anyone who's known him, it makes sense! He's said that was all that would be needed to pick up the pieces that were left of him when he finally croaked. He always said a coffin would be too big! So I gave the man a sandwich baggie for his 30th birthday. :)
Yes, despite some of his better efforts over the years, he made it to this landmark birthday. I thought long and hard about what I was going to give him this year. The Heathens didn't provide any good ideas for the first time ever. I was really beginning to panic that I wouldn't think of anything with which to mark this auspicious occasion. And then it hit me...
It was the perfect idea! He would never forget it. He's been saying for years that it would be the very last thing he would need on Earth. It didn't require any special shopping, it was already purchased and in the house! The perfect gift for the Asst. Zookeeper was...
... a Ziploc baggie.
To anyone who's known him, it makes sense! He's said that was all that would be needed to pick up the pieces that were left of him when he finally croaked. He always said a coffin would be too big! So I gave the man a sandwich baggie for his 30th birthday. :)
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
No shoes, No shirt, No service.
This evening, I went running at the YMCA after dinner. This is a regular Tuesday evening event. The Asst. Zookeeper goes to his guitar lesson. Heathen #1 goes with him and attends his drum lesson. Heathens #2 and #3 hang out in the play room at the YMCA while I run. This is the normal schedule. Today was normal... or as close as it every gets at this Zoo.
Before dinner, Heathen #3 arrived in the kitchen wearing nothing but his guchies. He announced that his shirt and his pants were wet. Anyone raising small boys will understand that this is not an uncommon occurrence with young boys. They have very short attention spans and their aim goes wherever their eyes go. My response to his announcement was "Okay, no problem."
Since I'm not taking any prizes for Mother of the Year, I allowed Heathen #3 to eat his dinner in just his guchies. After eating, I told him that he had to go put on clothes so that we could go to the YMCA. I then proceeded to go change for running.
I put the younger two Heathens in the car and off we went to the YMCA. Once inside, I signed the two Heathens into the playroom and gave them the "You'll Behave Or Else" speech that is required of all parents. Most of us realize that this speech is done as much for the person watching the children as for the children themselves. It means that we really ARE attempting to train the children (or in my case, Heathens).
Heathen #3 suddenly turned around and looked at me with panic on his face. "I don't have a shirt on!"
Let me repeat that for anyone who's automatic thought was "Huh?"
"I don't have a shirt on!"
In his rush to go outside and play for 90 seconds before leaving the Zoo, Heathen #3 put on pants, socks, snow boot, and a winter jacket (which he had zipped up to his chin without any assistance). He NEVER put a shirt on!
After staring at him as though he were a two-headed monster for a few seconds, I offered him the solution of wearing my sweatshirt that I had over my running clothes. This option he flatly refused.
Heathen #2 came to my rescue!!!! He happened to be wearing a t-shirt and a sweatshirt over top. He offered his sweatshirt to Heathen #3, who gladly accepted.
On the way home after running, Heathen #3 and I discussed what "go get dressed to leave the zoo" entails. And the conversation went downhill quickly. We ended up talking about places where you didn't have to wear a shirt and circumstances where you don't have to wear a shirt. Heathen #2 happily contributed to the conversation corrosion. I'm so doomed...
Before dinner, Heathen #3 arrived in the kitchen wearing nothing but his guchies. He announced that his shirt and his pants were wet. Anyone raising small boys will understand that this is not an uncommon occurrence with young boys. They have very short attention spans and their aim goes wherever their eyes go. My response to his announcement was "Okay, no problem."
Since I'm not taking any prizes for Mother of the Year, I allowed Heathen #3 to eat his dinner in just his guchies. After eating, I told him that he had to go put on clothes so that we could go to the YMCA. I then proceeded to go change for running.
I put the younger two Heathens in the car and off we went to the YMCA. Once inside, I signed the two Heathens into the playroom and gave them the "You'll Behave Or Else" speech that is required of all parents. Most of us realize that this speech is done as much for the person watching the children as for the children themselves. It means that we really ARE attempting to train the children (or in my case, Heathens).
Heathen #3 suddenly turned around and looked at me with panic on his face. "I don't have a shirt on!"
Let me repeat that for anyone who's automatic thought was "Huh?"
"I don't have a shirt on!"
In his rush to go outside and play for 90 seconds before leaving the Zoo, Heathen #3 put on pants, socks, snow boot, and a winter jacket (which he had zipped up to his chin without any assistance). He NEVER put a shirt on!
After staring at him as though he were a two-headed monster for a few seconds, I offered him the solution of wearing my sweatshirt that I had over my running clothes. This option he flatly refused.
Heathen #2 came to my rescue!!!! He happened to be wearing a t-shirt and a sweatshirt over top. He offered his sweatshirt to Heathen #3, who gladly accepted.
On the way home after running, Heathen #3 and I discussed what "go get dressed to leave the zoo" entails. And the conversation went downhill quickly. We ended up talking about places where you didn't have to wear a shirt and circumstances where you don't have to wear a shirt. Heathen #2 happily contributed to the conversation corrosion. I'm so doomed...
One of these items is NOT like the others!
Every parent has found bizarre items upon opening the refrigerator door. To date, my finds have been limited to partially eaten food - sometimes put back in the fridge to save it, other times because they took a bite and didn't like it. 
You'll notice in this photograph that there is an item that does not belong...
The Asst. Zookeeper opened the refrigerator door a few days ago, and was MOONED by the stuffed dino. This particular critter belongs to Heathen #3 and goes by the name of Diamond.
When we called Heathen #3 into the kitchen and showed it to him, his response was "There she is!"
And then he walked away... leaving the critter in the fridge...
You'll notice in this photograph that there is an item that does not belong...
The Asst. Zookeeper opened the refrigerator door a few days ago, and was MOONED by the stuffed dino. This particular critter belongs to Heathen #3 and goes by the name of Diamond.
When we called Heathen #3 into the kitchen and showed it to him, his response was "There she is!"
And then he walked away... leaving the critter in the fridge...
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Kudos to Heathen #1
Usually, when the phone rings and I don't recognize the number, it's a telemarketer or a wrong number. This afternoon, it was neither.
A mother called to tell me thank you. Heathen #1 helped her son last night at the ski slopes. He was badly hurt skiing and Heathen #1 was the first one there. He held C-spine and sent two other boys for the ski patrol. Apparently, he calmed the boy down and talked to him until patrol got to him.
Her son was transported by ambulance. Turns out he has quite a concussion on top of his other injuries. She just wanted to say thank you.
It is so rare that someone goes out of their way to tell you something good about your kids. Especially at the age Heathen #1 is now. When I told him about the phone call, he just smiled - and then asked if he could go out and play in the snow.
A mother called to tell me thank you. Heathen #1 helped her son last night at the ski slopes. He was badly hurt skiing and Heathen #1 was the first one there. He held C-spine and sent two other boys for the ski patrol. Apparently, he calmed the boy down and talked to him until patrol got to him.
Her son was transported by ambulance. Turns out he has quite a concussion on top of his other injuries. She just wanted to say thank you.
It is so rare that someone goes out of their way to tell you something good about your kids. Especially at the age Heathen #1 is now. When I told him about the phone call, he just smiled - and then asked if he could go out and play in the snow.
Morning Prayer
Heathen #2 performed in his first talent show last week. He played "Morning Prayer" on the piano. Here's his performance:Saturday, February 13, 2010
BatFest 2010!
Several weeks ago, I picked up a brochure for Lincoln Caverns. Listed inside was an event called BatFest. And, of course, I decided that I wanted to go! Isn't that the logical response to seeing a brochure?
But, I couldn't go by myself with the Heathens. That wouldn't be nearly enough fun. So, I invited two additional families. The first family to agree to join us was the Thornton clan. They and their Knuckleheads accompanied us on our adventure to New York City in November. We were also joined by the Williamson clan. Their clan consists of a boy, age 8, and twin girls, age 6. Mama Williamson joined us, while Daddy Williamson is deployed with the military.
BatFest was limited to 50 people - and I provided 13! Those poor unsuspecting people at the cavern...
The event was 5 hours. It included crafts, games, information sessions with wildlife experts, and tours of two separate caves.
But, I couldn't go by myself with the Heathens. That wouldn't be nearly enough fun. So, I invited two additional families. The first family to agree to join us was the Thornton clan. They and their Knuckleheads accompanied us on our adventure to New York City in November. We were also joined by the Williamson clan. Their clan consists of a boy, age 8, and twin girls, age 6. Mama Williamson joined us, while Daddy Williamson is deployed with the military.
BatFest was limited to 50 people - and I provided 13! Those poor unsuspecting people at the cavern...
The event was 5 hours. It included crafts, games, information sessions with wildlife experts, and tours of two separate caves.
Finding the bats inside the cave was not a easy as you would think! The crazy things are really small, the same color as the rocks, and they like to hide around corners. Here were two that we managed to see that were in good photo spots.
This little guy is a "small brown bat" that is covered in water droplets. The coating of water droplets lets you know that he has been hibernating for a while.
This little guy is called a "tri-color bat" and is noticably different because of the visible pink arms. Both of these bats are less than 3 inches long.
We had a fantastic day!
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