Welcome to the Zoo, Uncle Paul!

This weekend, I married off the last of my or the Asst. Zookeeper's siblings.  My "baby" sister, Ali was married on Saturday evening in New Jersey.  She's married a great man, Paul, that I think will survive periodic visits from the Heathens.  Here is the event in photo:

Ozark, at the rehearsal dinner.  He couldn't WAIT to eat
and decided to eat the paper wrapper to the chopsticks.  Here
he is, mid-chew.

Heathen #2 with his dinner.  He'd never had corn on the cob
on a stick!  Quite the novelty!

Heathen #3 and Ozark.  The poor child spent a good bit
of the weekend with bunny ears, courtesy of the Heathens.

My Heathens had a GREAT time with Ozark.  If only Texas
was a bit closer.  Thank goodness Christmas is soon!

Grammy B teaches Ozark how to rub Uncle Paul's head.
Ozark learned quickly and loved it!

My father and his wedding present from
my sister and her soon-to-be husband.

The three Heathens dressed for the
wedding.  The Asst. Zookeeper took this
just before the ceremony, before there
was any dirt or food on them. 
Thank you!

Ozark is on the edge of the dance floor,
waiting for the ceremony to begin.

Heathen #3 and Ozark.  One of the few photos of Ozark and
his cousins that does NOT involve bunny ears for Ozark.

Dressed for the ceremony.  I had to crop
the photo to hid all the wrinkles at the
bottom of my dress from dressing small
children.  Thanks to the Asst. Zookeeper
for the photo!

Rhys, Michelle, and Ozark.  Love you three!

Heathen #3 is headed down the aisle
with one of the flower girls.  He did
a FABULOUS job and carried the
real rings in his plate!

Ali & my father, just before they
started down the aisle.  Her gown was
gorgeous!

Ozark, during the ceremony!  I promise to provide a
copy of this photo to his parents for blackmail
purposes as he gets older!

My father and Paul's father performed the ceremony.  It was
very sincere to hear the two of them provide advice for the
young couple.  Between my parents and Paul's, they had
more than 70 years of marriage experience to offer.

During the vows.

You may kiss the bride!

Ceremony is over!  Back into the
warm building!

For a good performance, Heathen #3
receives his payment!  (Those
are Skittles that he is eating.)

Heathen #3 and me in our
wedding finery.

And us again!  He did such a great job
smiling for photos that he deserved
a silly one.

Aunt Dani stole the Ozark during the reception.

We've been spotted by Grammy B!  She's coming for Ozark!

During the Father-Daughter dance.

Paul & Ali cutting the cake.

Congratulations to the newly-weds!

Pretty in Pink

Today at the elementary school is "Wear Pink for Cancer Awareness Day."  Today is Wednesday.  We found this out on Monday.  And, of course, my Heathens do not own anything pink (unimaginable as that is).

They arrived home from school on Monday in a whirlwind of anxiety.  They ALWAYS participate in the "wear this whatever" days that the school concocts to torment mothers.  My personal favorite so far was when we were given two days notice last year that the children should dress up as their favorite storybook character for Dr. Seuss's birthday.  Yeah, two days notice.  It wasn't pretty, but I managed it.

After the Heathens declared that none of my pick shirts were acceptable, I had to PROMISE that I would buy them a shirt to wear.  And pants.  And socks.  And pink shoes if I could find them.  Have I ever mentioned that the Heathens don't believe in doing anything half-way?

Tuesday morning I was in the local WalMart in a section foreign to me: the girls' section.  Go figure, I had no idea how it was laid out.  I've never even walked through it before!  I located pink t-shirts and pink sweatpants.  No pink socks.  Really?  But I located them in the women's section.  I had to purchase TWO packages of women's socks to get two pink pairs.  There were no pink shoes to be found - yes, I actually looked.

Heathens #2 and #3 were very excited for school this morning!

The pink outfits!

Don't forget the socks, Momma!
(PS - my child is not holding his crotch,
he is pulling up his pant legs so that his
socks are visible!)

These are the girls at our bus stop.  We have a great crew of
kids in our neighborhood.  There are also two boys.  Both boys
refused to wear pink today despite their mothers offering.

Senility

Senility has arrived at the Zoo.  Several months ago, we "adopted" a stray cat that we found in the neighborhood.  What we thought was a stray turned out to be the neighbor's 15-year-old pet that they turned outside.  LOVELY PEOPLE - you should definitely meet them.

We named the critter Wanda and she's been with us for about six months now.  At the grand age of 15, Wanda doesn't put up with ANYTHING from ANYONE.  If one of the dogs gets too close, she hisses and swipes with her claws.  If someone attempts to pet her, she glares at them and then walks away.

She's definitely losing her mind.  These are her favorite places to sleep:

 It doesn't matter what windowsill she chooses.  She MUST sleep with her head against the side.  This picture isn't so bad.  Sometimes she sleeps so tight against the side of the window that is looks painful.  If you attempt to move her, she glares at you and then returns herself to the same uncomfortable looking position.

This box of garbage bags was open in the laundry room.  It opened on top like a box of tissues.  She stuffs herself down into the box as much as possible.  Crazy cat!

We recently purchased a self-cleaning litter box (much to Heathen #1's delight!)  Wanda has a love-hat relationship with the new litter box.  She will sit and stare at it for hours.  If it moves, she attacks.

She will happily use the new litter box.  However, she has a ritual before she will use it.  And yes, I have stopped and watched the ritual many times (who's crazy now?).  Prior to getting into the litter box, she must sit and watch it for several minutes.  Then she hisses and swats it a few times to see if it is going to move.  Once she is convinced that it won't move, she will jump in and use it.  Then she gets out and watches it again.  When it starts to move, she attacks it until it quits moving.  Once she is convinced that she has "killed" it (a.k.a. it stops moving) then she will walk away.

Only to repeat the exact same ritual again later....

Welcome to the Gang!

The youngest Heathen was FINALLY old enough to be a Tiger Cub this year.  He's been waiting his "ENTIRE LIFE" to be a Cub Scout, according to him.

And he's actually right.  I was pregnant with him the year that Heathen #1 was a Tiger, and we've been dragging him along to EVERY scout function since the day he was born.

This Monday was his first "official" parade as a scout. He's walked with the scouts other years, but he was just tagging along. He couldn't have been more proud!

Left to Right: Heathen #1, Heathen #3, Noah Logan (their cousin),
and Heathen #2.  One guess who didn't want to be in the picture!

Heathen #2 has graduated to holding the banner at the front of the
group.  Next year, he'll be old enough to carry one of the flags!

Heathen #3 is GLOWING with pride as he marches
with his den's Tiger flag held high!

The Asst. Zookeeper's Scout Troop
shows EXCELLENT flag skills!

The Asst. Zookeeper and his father are in the center.  Look
at them in their uniforms!  The guys all looked AWESOME!

Parrots, Pierogis, and a Bus Breakdown

As part of Cub Scout Pack 217, the Zoo boarded a  charter bus for Pittsburgh's PNC Park a few weeks ago. Not only did the families experience PERFECT weather, they saw a great Pirates game as well! The Pirates edged out the Reds 4-3.

Heathens #2 and #3 are in the blue shirts.
The other boys are Scouts from our Pack.

The Heathens had never attended a professional baseball game before.  They loved the first 10 minutes.  They ATE their way through the first 6 innings (cotton candy, hot dogs, wings, hot pretzels, Skittles, soda, etc.)  I had even fed them before we left home, but it didn't matter.  Everything they saw someone else eating, they wanted.  I was really glad the Asst. Zookeeper and I had planned ahead and taken enough cash with us!

In addition to a great game, the Heathens were able to watch the Parrot at batting practice and the pierogi races!

 

Although the seats were WAY at the top of section 327, we had a gorgeous view of the river and the Pittsburgh skyline. The Heathens decided they should ride "that boat that keeps going past" next summer.

The view from our seats.

The Scouts also had the opportunity to watch another Cub Scout Pack serve as flag patrol for the National Anthem (which was sung by Steve Miller of the Steve Miller Band!)

Our Pack was also recognized as an attending group. Some of the Scouts and parents may have noticed when our Pack name was "Up In Lights" but my Heathens were busy eating instead.  I thought it was very cool!

After the game, the Scouts and their families headed back to the bus for the ride home. About a mile outside of Blairsville, the bus made a HORRIBLE BANG. The driver, Mr. Joe (who was a great guy) announced that we would have to pull over as the bus was beginning to overheat.

He pulled over at a closed restaurant (The Blue Ridge Restaurant on Route 22) and called McIlwain's for a "rescue bus" as ours wasn't going to make it back to Johnstown.

In true Cub Scout fashion, the boys quickly piled out of the bus and into the parking lot to entertain themselves during the hour or so we had to wait. With a Subway plastic bag and a few cans they found in the parking lot, the Scouts were completely content until the rescue bus arrived.

Special Kudos go out to the Ryan Kovach family for adhering to the "Be Prepared" slogan of scouting. The bus had to be turned off to prevent further damage to the motor - which meant no lights in the bathroom. Ryan and his family quickly produced a flashlight!

Once the rescue bus arrived, the Scouts and their families quickly made their way back to the WHES parking lot, arriving MUCH later than planned. However, the Scouts had a fabulous time and that is all that matters in the end!

Coffee for the Shower

My mornings begin the same way that mornings begin for other mothers.  I have to drag myself out of bed so that I can BOMB my Heathens out of bed on time.

Heathen #1 is not friendly in the morning.  At the Zoo, waking him up is referred to as "poking the bear."

Waking up Heathen #3 is taking your
own life in your hands.

Heathen #2 pops out of bed like fresh daisy in the morning.  Many times, he wakes me up.  "Momma, it's 6:30 and you aren't out of bed yet.  We are gonna be LATE."

Heathen #2 wakes up on his own and is
disgustingly cheerful.

Heathen #3 is somewhere in the middle.  He wakes up pleasant, but he wakes up very slowly and needs to be constantly prodded to get out of bed and dressed.

Heathen #3 has to be dragged out of bed,
but is not physically dangerous like Heathen #1.

After the morning battle has been waged (and WON!), and the Heathens have all boarded their buses and been whisked away to be someone else's trouble for a few hours, I trudge into the kitchen.

I may have already downed about 4 cups of coffee during the morning battle, but I will start a new pot.  And a cup of coffee goes to take a shower with me.  It is delightful to enjoy my coffee in w hot shower, and listen to the silence that has taken over the Zoo...

Recently, I forgot my empty coffee cup on the shelf in the shower.  Heathen #2 went to shower in the evening and brought me the cup.  He wanted to know why I was drinking coffee in the shower.

My response...  because I can.

Duct Tape INVASION

A few months ago, Heathen #2 developed a love of Duct Tape.  I don't have a clue as to where he first saw it.  One day, there was only the Asst. Zookeeper's duct tape in the house.  The next, Heathen #2 was watching youTube videos on how to make things.  It quickly turned into an addiction and became ALL he wanted to talk about.

Wallets, flowers, bows were all constructed of duct tape.  He quickly exhausted the Zoo's supply and was begging me to buy more.  So when I ran into the Dollar Tree for thank you notes, I saw a bin and grabbed him several roles.  Quite proud of myself for remembering, I presented Heathen #2 with my purchase.

Ten minutes later, Heathen #2 brought me back the tape.  I then received a lesson in why the brand of tape I had purchased was of poor quality (See Mom?  It doesn't tear easily.  It is too thin and it leaves all of these strings.  Duck Brand duct tape doesn't do THAT.)  He used the same voice for me that you use with small children while explaining why they shouldn't eat crayons.  I think of it as the "HOW could you be so stupid" voice. 

He then gave me back the generic tape and told me he would wait until we went to the store again.  So much for scoring "Momma points."

Yesterday after school, he spent the entire evening working on his Halloween costume.  His choice of costume has changed frequently over the past few months.  But it has always included "made of Duct Tape" or a "Duct Tape..." as part of it.  For example: a Duct Tape vampire, an army man made of Duct Tape.

Looks like it will be a Duct tape Halloween.