Missing In Action - A Year Gone By

Amazingly, I've not written or posted in an ENTIRE YEAR!  Not that events have ceased at the Zoo - quite the contrary.  If anything, events have increased in occurrence and intensity for the past year.

I'm hoping to spend the next few weeks getting caught up on the last year of life.  Not sure how I'll get the posts into the current order, but I'll see what happens.  The joy of taking as many digital pictures as I do is that I have photographic reminders of the past year - complete with dates of occurrence!

Several things occurred this year that took my attention away from here.  First, Heathen #1 started high school.  Second, Heathen #2 started middle school.  Third, I increased the number of hours I worked outside of the home as well as started running on an almost daily basis.  Between the Heathens' schedules and mine, I was falling into bed exhausted at the end of the day.  Getting out of bed early became a pipedream completely.

This past year felt to be out of control at many times - with each of the Heathens individually, with the Zoo as a whole, with just myself as my brain whirled with lists of things that needed to be accomplished by a certain date.  There were sleepless nights and stress-filled days. 

And yet, through it all, the Zoo remained intact.  The Heathens grew both physically and as the men they are destined to be one day.  The Asst. Zookeeper and I continued to function happily together and still think (mutually) that we have an amazingly strong marriage.

What a year it has been.

Color Me Rad - PITTSBURGH!

Found the race closer to home!  The Zoo used it as the event to welcome in the Summer of 2013.  The Heathens and I spent several hours at the local stores putting together outfits for the race and finding white shirts that would fit everyone!

We hit major traffic before we even reached the exit for the race.  The younger two Heathens entertained themselves by waving to passing cares and motioning for tractor trailers to honk their horns. 

Once we arrived on site, we collected our items and headed for the start line!

None of us stayed clean for long!

 

Heathen #1

Usually the one with the camera,
they got a photo of ME!

Heathen #1

Heathen #2 ran the race in a HUGE
Superman cape.  He had a blast!

Another rare photo - the Asst.
Zookeeper and I together!

Heathen #1



After the race, the Heathens were all starving (not surprising!) - so we stopped at a McDonald's on the way home.  Did I mention we didn't clean up, we didn't change clothes, and the Asst. Zookeeper and I were still wearing the headbands?  We were quite popular at the restaurant!

The entire Zoo!

My favorite three Heathens!

The Zoo has already registered to run another Color Me Rad in Morgantown, WV in September.  We weren't even home from this one when they were begging to do it again.  Such a SHAME our Zoo never has any fun together!

Geraniums (NOT!) & A Post Office

This past weekend, the Asst. Zookeeper and I put Heathen #3 in the car and headed out to see what we could find.  Our first stop was at the annual Geranium Festival in Connellsville, PA.  Heathen #3 and I had big plans.  We were going to buy lots of geraniums and make a garden for Grandma at the Zoo - because she hates geraniums.  We practiced our evil chuckles on our hour drive to the festival and talked about all the geraniums we were going to see.

We arrived in Connellsville to find out that the Geranium Festival DID NOT HAVE ANY GERANIUMS.  It consisted of two blocks worth of craft and food booths.  But no geraniums.  When we asked about the flowers, we were told they were all sold as soon as the festival opened that morning.  We immediately made plans to arrive at the festival earlier next year and talked about making sure we arrived at their fall Mum Festival early as well!

We decided to take the long way home.  On our way, we passed a post office that REQUIRED we stop and go back for a photo!

The Asst. Zookeeper and Heathen #3

If the Zoo ever decides to relocate, we just may have to relocate to Normalville, PA - just for the address!

A Moment of Pride and Maturity

Heathen #1 is in the orange boat in the
foreground.

Stoneycreek Rendevous arrived on the Zoo's schedule again - much to Heathen #1's delight and impatience!  Since this particular Heathen turned 12 and was placed in a whitewater kayak, he has been an addict.

In the past three years, he has managed to outgrow two boats - one for each season he has paddled.  As we were loading gear to head for the river this weekend, the Asst. Zookeeper mentioned that Heathen #1 had outgrown his current boat.  I groaned - all I could see were dollar signs.  A new boat usually requires a new skirt to fit the cockpit.  Ugh.

When we arrived at the river, Heathen #1 immediately headed for the boat vendors to inspect what was around.  After about 45 minutes, he came back asking if he could have $25 to demo a boat for the weekend.  He had found a brand new Fluid Dope that would allow him another six inches of growth.  The Asst. Zookeeper went and inspected the boat to make sure it fit our Heathen correctly and allowed him to exit his boat safely.

For the past two seasons, Heathen #1 has spent in the wave at Greenhouse park and at roll clinics.  We were not letting him go down the river until we were comfortable sending him.  He finally reached that point - and we told him he could sign up for the beginners trip.  We were gifted with a bigger smile than on a Christmas morning and I got a hug so big I'm pretty sure he cracked my ribs.

He made the trip downriver without any trouble.  We even managed to find him a group to run the river again on the second day.  Heathen #1 had a wonderful weekend - he was exhaused when he finally got home, but he was already asking when he could run the river again. 

Just finished his first run down the river.

Heathen #1 handling the new boat in the wave.

 After finishing his first run downriver, the Asst. Zookeeper and I were prepared for the question, "Can I have that boat?"  We had already come to the conclusion that his old boat was no longer safe for him to paddle.  Heathen #1 had grown so much since last season that he could no longer safely exit his boat - he kept getting stuck.  NOT ACCEPTABLE to either the Asst. Zookeeper or to me.  As the Momma that tends to be nervous about this sport anyway, I wasn't comfortable with him taking that boat anywhere that we couldn't see him.

However, Heathen #1 startled us in a wonderful way.  When he approached us about purchasing the boat, he already had gotten a price.  His proposal: would the Asst. Zookeeper and I be willing to loan him the money.  He would make enough at his summer job at scout camp to cover the cost of the boat.  But he wouldn't be able to get as good of a price later in the season when he would have the cash in hand.

The Asst. Zookeeper and I just looked at each other - but we didn't have to talk about it.  His request was very reasonable.  He already had the job secured for the summer.  And he wasn't asking us to buy him a new boat like most kids would do.  I was so proud of my fifteen-year-old!  It was such a mature request.

Maybe the Asst. Zookeeper and I aren't doing such a terrible job of civilizing the Heathens as we occasionally think.  Well done, Heathen #1.  Enjoy the boat, baby, and paddle safely.  You have so much to look forward to and I can't wait to see where the river of your life will take you.

A happy Heathen #1!

 

Wolf Cub to Bear Cub!

It was a big afternoon for Heathen #3!  Today was the bridging ceremony for the Pack.  Heathen #3 removed his yellow Wolf neckerchief  and donned the blue neckerchief of a Bear Cub!

The Asst. Zookeeper removed his neckerchief
and they left it on the far side of the bridge.

 

Preparing for the bridge crossing!

 

Den leader Glenn Stutzman met the Asst. Zookeeper and
Heathen #3 on the end of the bridge.

 

Picking up the blue Bear neckerchief!

 

Heathen #3 and the Asst. Zookeeper are just to the left of
Noah Logan and BIL #2.

 

Congratulations to the newest Bear Cubs!

Well done, Heathen! 

Joining the Lord's Table

Notice the bunny ears on Heathen #2 and
the serious look on Pastor's face.

Mother's Day this year saw the Zoo celebrating Heathen #2's First Communion!  I thought it was the perfect Mother's Day present!

After sitting through several classes and meetings with Pastor, we had to attend one last meeting with both the Asst. Zookeeper and I as well.  I was thrilled with how well Heathen #2 participated in the class.  He listened carefully and knew the answers to the questions.  The best part was the look of horror on Heathen #2's face when one of the little boys started hanging and swinging from the communion rail in front of the church.  I think holding the Heathens' first communions until they are a bit older has helped them to understand the importance of what they are partaking in.

Pastor Bob is a favorite with my Heathens.  While he takes his calling very seriously, he also loves to play with the kids.  He tells jokes, scares them by jumping around corners at them, and he loves to laugh with them.

Pastor Bob Wagner and Heathen #2

Grandma made a beautiful cake,

 Congratulations, Heathen #2 on reaching another milestone.

Perfect Gift from Texas

As my brother and his family live in Texas, I travel there once or twice a year.  Sometimes for an event, sometimes for no reason other than to visit.  I usually travel alone to Texas for several reasons.  First, the cost of flying five people to Texas for a weekend is simply ridiculous.  Second, I avoid pulling the Heathens out of school as much as possible.  And, third, sometimes I just need some time to not be "Momma" for a day or so to be able to recharge.

My Heathens all own multiple Texas t-shirts.  So, I was looking at a dilemma when I headed for the airport this time around.  The younger two Heathens, in particular, were rather upset that I was leaving for the weekend.  They asked me to bring them something.

I scoured all the airport shops looking for something that stated it was from Texas that the Heathens would really like.  After several hours or t-shirts, key chains, cowboy hats, and plastic boots, I hit the jackpot and spotted these at a register:

To make them even MORE perfect, they were available in the three colors I've used for my Heathens since they were born (blue for Heathen #1, green for Heathen #2, and yellow for Heathen #3)!

The Heathens were happily grossed out by them.  Heathen #3 even waited to be able to take his to school and show his teacher.  Now, how to top scorpion lollipops on the NEXT trip to Texas....