Another Milestone Reached

This year marked another milestone in my "Momma-Life."  The youngest Heathen was finally old enough to join Cub Scouts.  Now all three are fully involved and in uniform.  After spending his entire life (literally) being taken to scout meetings and events, Heathen #3 was impatient for this day to arrive.

And like the crazy-picture lady I am, I had to get the photos to go with it.  I've been waiting several YEARS to have these photos taken.

The 3 Heathens and the Asst. Zookeeper.
These gentlemen are my life.

Heathen #1 is currently a Star Scout
in BS Troop 217.

Heathen #2 is a Webelos I Scout
in CS Pack 217.

Heathen #3 is a Tiger Cub
in CS Pack 217.

Yes, Scouting takes up TONS of time for our Zoo.  Yes, it takes up TONS of my time, even though I'm just one of the mothers.  Yes, it involves evenings, weekends, and summers.

Yes, it has been a true asset to our Zoo.  Yes, it has made our Zoo stronger.  Yes, the Heathens all love it and so does the Asst. Zookeeper.  Yes, Scouting is where I met my best friend.

And, yes, given the choice, I would still sign up the Heathens again.

Mother of the Year Nominaton

I am so proud of myself.  And it is COMPLETELY justified. 

Friday was a busy evening at the Zoo.  The younger two Heathens had gymnastics in Richland.  The largest Heathen had swimming practice in Ebensburg.  Both events required Heathens to be there at 5:00 and they are about 20 minutes apart.  And the Asst. Zookeeper was at work.

No worries!  To the rescue, here comes:

I had it ALL figured out!  I'd drop the largest Heathen off for swimming a little bit early.  I told him to pack a book.  Then I could drive back into Johntown to make it to gymnastics on time with the other two.  The Asst. Zookeeper would pick up the oldest on his way home from work - it was perfect.

But it didn't go as planned.  I ended up having to stop for gas on my way home from work in Ebensburg on my way to pick up the Heathens.  This had us running later than I had planned.  We raced to Ebensburg and I only slowed the car enough for Heathen #1 to hop out - reminding him that the Asst. Zookeeper was coming to pick him up.

Then I headed for Johnstown with the other two Heathens in the back seat.

Approximately 10 minutes later, my cell phone rang - it was Heathen #1.  "Um, Mom?  We don't have swim practice here tonight.  Some other team is in the pool."

After quickly calling the swim coach, it was confirmed.  Swim practice had been there on THURSDAY night.  And I had just stranded my oldest in Ebensburg for an hour and a half!

I quickly called the Asst. Zookeeper at work.  He was just getting out of the shower and headed over on the rescue mission.

Meanwhile, the younger two Heathens and I were 15 minutes late for gymnastics due to hitting traffic.

It was so well planned out in my head.  When I win "Mother of the Year" (because I know this event will DEFINITELY put me over the top!) I will invite all of my friends with children!

Now, if you will excuse me, I have an acceptance speech to write...

Properly Named Aristocracy

The Zoo adopted Duchess about four years ago.  We found a great Dog for our Zoo that day at the SPCA.

The Asst. Zookeeper had commented for years that one day he wanted to own a mutt, that had one blue eye and one brown eye, and he wanted to name this dog Duke.

I found that Dog at the SPCA one afternoon.  But there was one glitch - she had to be a Duchess and not a Duke.  But otherwise, she fit the Asst. Zookeeper's qualifications perfectly.

The day we named her, we didn't know how perfectly her name would fit.  This Dog is a human stuck in a dog's body.  She thinks she is a person.  Her feelings get hurt when she doesn't get to participate in things we do.  On the rare occasion that she doesn't behave, she mopes around for hours with a pathetic look on her face.  She always has a very regal attitude - as though she simply tolerates the rest of us.

Last night, I was changing the curtains in the living room.  We bought the new Zoo from an 80+ woman (who is actually MY grandmother's childhood friend!).  Needless to say, the Zoo is currently decked out in ruffled curtains - and that SO does NOT work for me.

I took the curtains down and dropped them on the floor while putting up MY curtains.  Turning around, this is what I found:

When I asked her to move so that I could get rid of the curtains, she just looked at me and didn't move.  This is where she slept last night.

While she was lounging in her curtains this morning, Bantley was sliding across the floor on his pile.  He'd get a running start on the far side of the room and jump on them so that he slid across the floor.  Then he would stick his nose in them and toss them in the air. 

Duchess just lounged and watched him.  He's SUCH a commoner.  Sniff!

Morning Coffee View

I had the perfect view while drinking my coffee this morning.  Here's what I watched from my dining room:

Met the Neighbors

For those who are uninformed about the Zoo population, it does not stop at just Heathens.  It also currently includes four Cats and two Dogs.

These are the Dogs:

The Asst. Zookeeper is always swarmed when he arrives
home from work.  Belly rub time!

Duchess (left) is a shepherd-husky mix.
Bantley (right) is a British lab.
Both are from the SPCA - and are GREAT dogs.

Although I don't know about their lives prior to us adopting them, the Dogs have been "city" Dogs, or "suburb" Dogs since they've lived with us.  Small yard, and plenty of cars.  The occasional rabbit to chase if they were lucky.

Meet our Neighbors:

We "have" Oreo cows...

and we "have" black cows!

In the week that we've inhabited the new Zoo, the cows have been standing still at the fence and simply watching the Dogs.  Occasionally they would moo, but no movement.  The Dogs would stare at them (biggest "rabbit" they had ever seen!).

Today, while we were out chasing sticks to burn energy, the Neighbors did something new - one of the cows MOVED.  Only moved about two feet - but it MOVED.

Bantley was over in the cow field and through the electric fence before I had time to turn around.  Duchess, ever the one in charge, took off after him. (She usually makes him behave, and I could tell from the bark that she was NOT happy that he wasn't listening!)

Bantley chased a black cow up over the hill in the cow field and disappeared over the other side, with Duchess about five seconds behind him.

Now, don't get me wrong, I love my dogs.  But I am NOT climbing through an electric cattle fence to chase them.

I stood at the fence for about ten seconds called for the Dogs.  But I didn't have to worry.  The cows chased my Dogs back over the hill and straight to the edge of the fence.  Both Dogs had their tails tucked between their legs and headed straight for the back porch.

When I opened the back door, both Dogs headed straight for their crates in the basement.  Between knowing they hadn't listened and the scare the cows gave them, the Dogs are still in their crates and it's been an hour.  The crate doors are even open, but they know they are in trouble.

Maybe the Dogs will leave the Neighbors alone....  The Asst. Zookeeper and I knew they would meet, I just thought it would happen sooner.  If the silly Neighbors would just stand still, the Dogs would continue to stare!

Project Zoo Relocation: Complete!

Project Zoo Relocation began several months ago.  The Asst. Zookeeper and I were sitting on our patio and complaining about having to paint the house.  Not because we minded the work, but because there just was never any time to do it - especially with the weather not cooperating.

We ended up discussing purchasing a new home - because it is always better to talk than to actually paint the house!  And I think we had talked past dusk again anyway.

We started looking for a larger home about four years ago.  It had been a very slow process.  We didn't want to leave the school district, wanted another bathroom and another bedroom, and we didn't want to be sandwiched in a tight neighborhood.  Definitely cuts down on the available options!

Despite watching the market for four years, we hadn't found anything remotely close to what we wanted.  We decided to simply stay where we were until the Heathens had graduated.  But then we had to paint the house...

Later that night, the Asst. Zookeeper found this house newly on the market:

3021 Menoher Blvd.

 And suddenly, we were moving again!  Although it looks small from the front, it was PERFECT for a new Zoo!  All Heathens would have their own room, a 2nd bathroom, and 1.5 acres for exercising the animals!

After weeks of the stressful mortgage process, we finally had the word:

I think I caught Heathen #1 mid-chew
or mid-word.  Not really sure!

We closed the day before Thanksgiving and moved in on Black Friday.  Thanks to the help of both Brother-in-Laws and the Asst. Zookeeper's friend Hutsky (whom the Heathens worship due to the size of his truck), we were moved in a day! 

Now, if only someone would magically unpack the boxes for me while I'm gone, that would be awesome!  Any takers?

Howdy Partners!

I love my Heathens school!  School can be monotonous - and I am allowed to say that as both a student and a teacher.  My Heathens' school does enough "fun" things that they look forward to attending on most days.  Today is the perfect example.

Today is Western Day at WHES.  Why?  I have NO idea - but the Heathens were all over it!

Last night, the younger two Heathens and I spent approximately 2 hours putting together their outfits.  This required a trip to Everyday's a Party, Wal-Mart, and 3 shoe stores.  But we were successful! 

Although it seems silly to have spent the time and money for this one day, it was definitely worth it. 
The Heathens were out of bed on their own by 6:30 and dressed by 6:35.  This is a task that usually takes me over an hour and is only completed with death threats if they miss the bus.

Here are the results!

The Heathens - and they spent the morning attempting
to speak with western accents!

Heathen #3 is doing his "western dancing"
pose where you hold your belt buckle.
Only he isn't wearing a belt.

Heathen #2 shows off his sheriff's star
and his bolo tie.  Can you believe we
found those?

Showing off the boots!  We went with
"working" cowboy boots instead of the
"fancy" ones.  I convinced them is
was more authentic!

And apparently cowboys all have mustaches!

Kind of creepy looking, isn't it?