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!

Chalkboard Chaos

One of my greatest joys in life is my job - something most people are not able to say honestly.  However, I truly love what I do - which is teach at the local community college.  Each semester I get to meet a new array of people.  And some of them are true characters.

This semester, I travel between two campuses.  My first two classes are at one campus.  I then have just enough time to travel to the second campus for my third class.  Because I am usually running in the classroom door just in time to begin teaching, my students are always there before me.  One of them entertains himself be doodling on the chalkboard until I arrive.  Three days a week, I find an entire chalkboard of different doodles.

Today was the second test of the semester.  My doodling student chalkboard art:



When I asked why the people at the bottom were on fire, my student kindly explained.  The people were not on fire.  Their brains were on fire after attempting to study for the test.  He said he felt as though his brain had melted and would run out of his ear if he tipped his head to the side.

My response?

"Excellent!  You studied!  Did you bring a pencil?  Here's your test.  Please don't let your brain drip on the test before you hand it in - it would be gross to have to grade that.  Good luck!"

I left the doodle on the board during the class.  After I graded the doodling student's test, I was quite happy to see a respectable score.  His brain didn't drip out of his ear and the studying paid off!