Birthday Shoes

All my Heathens are of the male persuasion, which is perfectly fine with me.  I'm a momma that was meant to raise boys.  I love being outside and getting dirty.  Small boys are right up my alley.

Occasionally, I feel the need to spend time doing "girly" things.  And thank HEAVENS I have been blessed with three nieces!  They are always willing to come play with me when I need girl time and they all belong to women who are willing to share with me.

I've always teased the girls about their shoes because shoes are something that I LOVE.  So, since the girls were all big enough to not really want a toy for their birthdays, we go shoe shopping together instead!

Two of the three girls have birthdays that are only 9 days apart - which means that this shoe shopping trip is a group event every year.  It always involves food to start, then shopping, and then we usually head for ice cream as well.

Ili Grace and Gertrude are quite a pair.  Not only are they cousins, but they love to spend time together as well.  And they are a hoot to watch together.

Usually the girls have an idea of what type of shoe they are looking for.  Last year, Ili Grace wanted slippers and Gertrude wanted dress shoes with heels.  This year, the girls had no clue heading into the store.  However, it didn't take them long to make their selections:

My Ili Grace and  my Gertrude!

 And, we ALWAYS wear our new shoes home.  Thank goodness their mothers are willing to share these two with me.  We always have a blast together!  Happy Birthday to Ili Grace and Gertrude - six years old!

Don't worry Skinny Minnie - your birthday is right around the corner.

TIMBER!

One of my memories as a child is going to cut our own Christmas tree.  I remember it being COLD, and I remember big hills of pine trees, and then I remember the car breaking down and eating french fries at a bar.  I don't actually remember cutting down a tree, but I always remember that I had a great time.

For several years, the Asst. Zookeeper and I have discussed cutting our own tree.  The trouble has always been that we didn't know where to find one on the day I decided we were getting a tree.  And I'm not the most patient of people - there is no, "We'll find a place and get the tree tomorrow."

This year, I planned ahead!!  After a Google search, I found a tree farm!  We loaded the Heathens into the truck, grabbed the bow saw and headed for the farm.

The Heathens had a great time.  Heathen #2 was fascinated by how many Christmas trees were growing and Heathen #3 kept commenting on how tall the trees were.  Heathen #1 just wanted to cut one down.

After poking around the field for a bit, and circling the trees looking for bare spots, we made our choice.

The lucky tree was chosen!

 The farm has men who work in the field and will cut the tree down for you.  They were quite entertained by Heathen #1.  One of them asked him if he wanted a job!

Heathen #1 went to work.

The Heathens and their tree!

 While the tree was being run through the bailing machine, the Heathens and the Asst. Zookeeper entertained themselves like only small heathens can do.

 

 

 

 

 We hauled the tree home to decorate.  It is a great Christmas tree and I know we will go to the tree farm again.  We had a great afternoon!  Merry Christmas!

Color Me Rad - AUSTIN!

I originally saw this 5K online several months ago and thought it would be such a great time!  The trouble was that this particular race never comes to the Zoo's hometown.  I decided to look over the list of cities and see how close it came - it was definitely something I wanted to do.

I actually squealed when I saw Austin, TX listed with an upcoming date!  Not only could I do this particular 5K, but I could also get my brother to do it as well, AND I could see my Ozark!

Rhys agreed to the race without any delay - and I bought my airplane tickets as soon as I could.  We had the BEST TIME!

Me and my Ozark!

Any race that hands out tattoos is a GOOD race!



Almost to the finish line!

He was just behind me on the way to the
finish line!

Five color stations and a finish line later,
here we are!

I can't wait to do this 5K with my Heathens!  They will have the best time.  They were so jealous once they saw the pictures.  Looks like I have to find a new race day and location closer to the Zoo!

Living Room Graffiti

Before the paint cans were opened.

The Asst. Zookeeper have finally HAD IT with all the white walls at the Zoo's new location!  We can't take it anymore - so we headed to the store for paint and supplies.

It had been awhile since we had painted - the Heathens were all too young to really help the last time.  This time, we had MORE than enough help!

Who doesn't want "MAN CAVE" on their
living room wall?

The Heathens ran out of space on the wall
where Heathen #3 could reach on his own.

 The Heathens "helped" for much longer than I thought they would!  The walls have all been repainted at this point.  However, if you know where to look and you look carefully, the graffiti is still readable!

BYOP Party!

After several years of talking about holding a Halloween party, the Asst. Zookeeper and I came up with a great idea!  All families with small children carve pumpkins at some point during the month of October.  Why not gather all the families with small children in the same place and carve the pumpkins together?

And so, WE DID!  The Asst. Zookeeper and I invited everyone we could think of with small children and we provided food.  Everyone else brought a dish to share and their pumpkins!  We had a GREAT evening!

We had a FANTASTIC night and we can't wait to do it again next year!

Stay Puffed!

I love Halloween.  Not "like" it.  LOVE it.

This year, Heathen #1 was a member of the high school marching band - which meant he got to march in the annual Halloween Parade in town!!!  The band decided they wanted a Ghostbusters theme.  The students were told they needed to wear a costume, preferably that fit the theme, but they had to be able to march over a mile with their instrument in whatever costume they chose.

And I said, "CHALLENGE ACCEPTED!"  I created a Stay-Puffed Marshmallow Man that could be worn over Heathen #1's drum harness.  I had so much fun making it and he was actually excited to show up for the parade wearing it.  He looked awesome!

Outside the school before the parade.

Heathen #1 was very tolerant of my
picture taking!

The Asst. Zookeeper and I snagged Heathens #2 and #3 and headed downtown.  Then it was a matter of keeping those Heathens in one place until the parade started.  We had a great evening!

Waiting impatiently for the parade to begin!

Heathen #1 marching past with
our high school's band!