3.5 Hours - That is all the longer it took for Heathen #2 to snap off the bracket of his braces.
At 3:30, we walked out of the dentist's office. Heathen #2 was the proud new owner of two brackets on his two front teeth. He even got to pick the color of the bands on them - he chose blue.
At 7, he came around the corner of my bedroom with one of the brackets and the wire that was between them in the palm of his hand. When questioned, he stated he was "chewing." Upon further interrogation, it turns out that he was using his front teeth to attempt in breaking apart LifeSavers.
I already made the call to the dentist. I'm actually glad they were already closed and I could just leave a message. I should get a prize for this one. :)
Monday, December 28, 2009
Monday, November 30, 2009
Powder Keg Breached
After almost 14 years, I thought I had seen the Asst. Zookeeper in every mood, in every situation. Today, I was proven wrong.
At our zoo, I'm the one with the short fuse. I'm the one that will fly off the handle or get bent out of shape over small things. The Asst. Zookeeper is always unflappable. Unflappable to the point that it drives me crazy. There have been countless times that I WANTED him to get upset and yell because it would justify me being angry. It has never happened. . . until today.
Sometime this morning after 1:30 am, someone very stupid stole Dan's truck. It was parked behind the house and the keys were hanging just inside the back door (where all the keys hang). He got up early to take Heathen #1 hunting for opening day, and went out to find that his truck was gone.
He checked around the neighborhood to make sure that someone hadn't simply moved it as a joke, but it didn't turn up. After calling the police and starting the report with them, he took the van and drove through the less savory sections of town hoping to spot it. No luck. He called all his friends and asked them to keep their eyes open for his truck, then crawled back into bed.
At 10:30 am, his cell phone rang. His younger brother had seen the truck drive past his house and was calling to see if it was Dan's. Dan described the telltale dents (one of which I put there!) - and it was Dan's truck! There were two guys driving it.
Dan exploded. I have never heard him like that. He went tearing out of the house, asking for directions from his brother as he went. The back door slammed and I heard the motor on the van gun as Dan pulled out.
The chase went on for more than two hours. Both his brothers and his mother, as well as family friends, were helping tale the truck as the thieves raced all over three counties in an effort to get away. The local police were contacted and several groups of cops joined the chase as well.
During the entire event, my sister-in-law was listening to the police scanner and calling me with updates as to where everyone was. People called in from cell phones and we relayed messages back and forth between drivers to position cars to follow. My father-in-law, who was in Saskatchewan for work, helped in relaying phone calls.
The state police joined the chase when it hit Haws' Pike. As they were setting up in Seward to attempt to block the guy in and get him stopped, the thief decided to cut across a field - and hit a tree head-on at about 70 MPH. The truck is totaled, and the guys in the truck were arrested.
Thankfully, the police had the guys before my husband got to them. When Dan arrived on the scene, the guys were already in police cars and his older brother was able to corner Dan and get him calmed down. My mother-in-law stood and stared at the one kid through the police car window until he broke into tears. Turns out, one was 17 and emancipated. The other kid is only 15 or 16.
Dan spent the rest of the day keyed up. I've never seen him like he was today. He's always been a gentle person. I've seen him help strangers and calm down children. I've seen him spend time with elderly people and make people laugh. I've always jokingly said that I've never truly seen him angry. I've only seen him irritated. Well, I saw him angry today - and God help the boys who stole and destroyed his truck. They better hope they go to jail long enough for Dan to calm down.
At our zoo, I'm the one with the short fuse. I'm the one that will fly off the handle or get bent out of shape over small things. The Asst. Zookeeper is always unflappable. Unflappable to the point that it drives me crazy. There have been countless times that I WANTED him to get upset and yell because it would justify me being angry. It has never happened. . . until today.
Sometime this morning after 1:30 am, someone very stupid stole Dan's truck. It was parked behind the house and the keys were hanging just inside the back door (where all the keys hang). He got up early to take Heathen #1 hunting for opening day, and went out to find that his truck was gone.
He checked around the neighborhood to make sure that someone hadn't simply moved it as a joke, but it didn't turn up. After calling the police and starting the report with them, he took the van and drove through the less savory sections of town hoping to spot it. No luck. He called all his friends and asked them to keep their eyes open for his truck, then crawled back into bed.
At 10:30 am, his cell phone rang. His younger brother had seen the truck drive past his house and was calling to see if it was Dan's. Dan described the telltale dents (one of which I put there!) - and it was Dan's truck! There were two guys driving it.
Dan exploded. I have never heard him like that. He went tearing out of the house, asking for directions from his brother as he went. The back door slammed and I heard the motor on the van gun as Dan pulled out.
The chase went on for more than two hours. Both his brothers and his mother, as well as family friends, were helping tale the truck as the thieves raced all over three counties in an effort to get away. The local police were contacted and several groups of cops joined the chase as well.
During the entire event, my sister-in-law was listening to the police scanner and calling me with updates as to where everyone was. People called in from cell phones and we relayed messages back and forth between drivers to position cars to follow. My father-in-law, who was in Saskatchewan for work, helped in relaying phone calls.
The state police joined the chase when it hit Haws' Pike. As they were setting up in Seward to attempt to block the guy in and get him stopped, the thief decided to cut across a field - and hit a tree head-on at about 70 MPH. The truck is totaled, and the guys in the truck were arrested.
Thankfully, the police had the guys before my husband got to them. When Dan arrived on the scene, the guys were already in police cars and his older brother was able to corner Dan and get him calmed down. My mother-in-law stood and stared at the one kid through the police car window until he broke into tears. Turns out, one was 17 and emancipated. The other kid is only 15 or 16.
Dan spent the rest of the day keyed up. I've never seen him like he was today. He's always been a gentle person. I've seen him help strangers and calm down children. I've seen him spend time with elderly people and make people laugh. I've always jokingly said that I've never truly seen him angry. I've only seen him irritated. Well, I saw him angry today - and God help the boys who stole and destroyed his truck. They better hope they go to jail long enough for Dan to calm down.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Fluffing the Tree
One job I never would have listed as a "Christmas job" is fluffing the tree. It is an essential task in any home that has an artificial tree. The year that Heathen #3 was born, the Asst. Zookeeper and I caved and bought one. Every year when I drag it out of the attic, I still feel guilty that it's a fake. But I don't miss the pine needles everywhere.
I spent more than an hour "fluffing" the tree. It looked a bit better after I was done, but it still looked fake.
Usually, the Asst. Zookeeper is the official "tree fluffer" in our zoo. This year he was outside fighting the cold and wind to hang the lights on the roof line. Which left me with the tree.
I couldn't have done TOO badly fluffing the tree. Within an hour, Nina (our newest cat) was up in it. She's adopted it as her new home. Thank heavens she's still little and just over a pound. I don't know that the tree could handle a much bigger cat!
Saturday, I hauled the tree down from the attic. I wrestled it out of the bag and managed to put it together in mostly the correct order. Stepping back to look at it, I was once again struck by how much I really don't like artificial trees. Still, I reminded myself about the lack of pine needles everywhere.
I spent more than an hour "fluffing" the tree. It looked a bit better after I was done, but it still looked fake.
Usually, the Asst. Zookeeper is the official "tree fluffer" in our zoo. This year he was outside fighting the cold and wind to hang the lights on the roof line. Which left me with the tree.
I couldn't have done TOO badly fluffing the tree. Within an hour, Nina (our newest cat) was up in it. She's adopted it as her new home. Thank heavens she's still little and just over a pound. I don't know that the tree could handle a much bigger cat!
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
We made it! I've been wanting to go now for several years and this year we went! I booked a hotel that was only two blocks from the parade route. We drove to Philadelphia and took the bus from there to New York City. The Thornton Family joined us for our adventure and the boys all really had a great time together!
As always with our zoo, it was NOT a boring trip! We drove to Philadelphia on Wednesday morning. A friend of ours had suggested cheap parking near the bus station. Upon arrival, we unloaded the van and headed over the four blocks to the bus.
When we arrived at New Century Travel, we were in for a small surprise. It was located in Chinatown and run by people who barely spoke English. Not a big deal! It was just a little strange to be the only white people on the bus who were white. The boys were all good on the two hour bus trip to the Big Apple.
When we arrived in NYC, we didn't unload the bus fast enough for the bus driver. He yelled at us to "Get off bus now!" while we were trying to round up five small boys and luggage. Needless to say, we managed to leave Heathen #3's backpack on the bus. The only casualty of this loss was the stuffed snack inside. Fuzzbutt will be missed (and only replaced if Heathen #3 remembers...)
In the Big Apple, we all slung on our backpacks and hiked the few blocks to the subway. The Asst. Zookeeper managed to really irritate the locals as he was buying five tickets at the automated machine - swiping the card and entering the pin number for FIVE separate transactions.
We took the subway to our hotel and spent about 45 minutes in down time. Then we met up with the Thorntons in the hotel lobby and headed back to the Subway! We were going to see the balloons being inflated for the parade.
The map we had for the subway was really little. And none of us had been to NYC before. It took us three trains to get to the right location. The boys all thought it was a great ride!
Upon arrival at the balloons, we joined the huge crowd that was viewing the balloons. There were nets over the balloons to hold them down. It was amazing how huge the balloons were!
While planning our trip, we joked of having Thanksgiving dinner from a street vendor. We did have hot dogs while viewing the balloons. They were ridiculously expensive. We decided that the vendor was just pulling numbers out of the air.
The next morning, Bethany and I headed out at 6:30 to secure places for us to watch the parade. It wasn't nearly as busy early as we thought it would be. We found a place to stand beside the Carnegie Deli. The Asst. Zookeeper and Ron took care of bringing the boys down about an hour before the parade.
The parade was just amazing. There is no point in watching it on television - it is not close to the true experience. The costumes were phenomenal and the balloons were breathtaking.
The boys all had a wonderful time. I can't wait to go again!
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Up, Up, and Away!
Thursday of this week, my family gathered to hold a memorial service for my Great-Aunt Nancy. After the service, we gathered at my grandmother's church for a lunch since we had family in from several states.
After lunch, the Heathens started to get a little antsy so I decided to leave instead of staying to visit longer. My Uncle Russ walked us out to the van since he wanted to take a picture of the Heathens.
You'd think that no one has ever seen my Heathens all in white shirts and wearing ties before! :)
After lunch, the Heathens started to get a little antsy so I decided to leave instead of staying to visit longer. My Uncle Russ walked us out to the van since he wanted to take a picture of the Heathens.
You'd think that no one has ever seen my Heathens all in white shirts and wearing ties before! :)
He let them pose themselves for the photograph and here's what he got:
Only my Heathens. :) Love them!
"Spit" Takes
On Veterans' Day, the Heathens wanted to go to the Dollar Tree near the zoo. They LOVE this store. They always manage to find some sort of junk that they are unable to live without. The true treat for them is being told they may pick one item. They will look for more than an hour to make their selections.
Heathen #1 chose some sort of plastic goo that you put on a straw and blow bubbles with. Heathen #2 chose a magic trick kit. And Heathen #3 chose a toy camera that squirts water.
As we were walking back to the car with their new-found treasures, Heathen #3 kept dragging further and further behind as we were crossing the parking lot. I kept slowing down and calling for him to hurry up. I knew he was taking the camera out of the package. But I didn't discover what he was attempting to do until he caught up to us.
Due to the lack of running water available in the parking lot at the shopping center, he was attempting to fill the camera with SPIT so that he could squirt people with his camera. SPIT.
Torn between stopping him and letting him go, I opted to let him to continue to spit into the little camera. He continued to spit into the thing the entire way home from the store, but he was quiet and content and didn't fight with either of his two brothers.
Upon returning home, he burst into tears because he hadn't been able to get enough spit into the camera to make it squirt when you took a picture. I took it from him, rinsed it with hot water, filled it up and the kitchen sink, and sent him off to play!
Heathen #1 chose some sort of plastic goo that you put on a straw and blow bubbles with. Heathen #2 chose a magic trick kit. And Heathen #3 chose a toy camera that squirts water.
As we were walking back to the car with their new-found treasures, Heathen #3 kept dragging further and further behind as we were crossing the parking lot. I kept slowing down and calling for him to hurry up. I knew he was taking the camera out of the package. But I didn't discover what he was attempting to do until he caught up to us.
Due to the lack of running water available in the parking lot at the shopping center, he was attempting to fill the camera with SPIT so that he could squirt people with his camera. SPIT.
Torn between stopping him and letting him go, I opted to let him to continue to spit into the little camera. He continued to spit into the thing the entire way home from the store, but he was quiet and content and didn't fight with either of his two brothers.
Upon returning home, he burst into tears because he hadn't been able to get enough spit into the camera to make it squirt when you took a picture. I took it from him, rinsed it with hot water, filled it up and the kitchen sink, and sent him off to play!
Saturday, October 31, 2009
The Ringmaster
Every year, Heathen #3's preschool makes costumes for the children. And the children get to help with the whole process. The first year, his group was all pumpkins and the were really cute. Last year, his group was all ladybugs and they were adorable. But this year, they really out did themselves - they were an entire circus!!!
With nothing much more than paint, paper bags, and newspapers, the children (with the teachers' help) made themselves into a circus. Heathen #3 got to be the ringmaster and announce them. "Ladies and gentlemen! The parade is about to start!" He did a great job! They also had tight rope walkers, lion tamer, lions, clowns, and band members. They were fantastic!
With nothing much more than paint, paper bags, and newspapers, the children (with the teachers' help) made themselves into a circus. Heathen #3 got to be the ringmaster and announce them. "Ladies and gentlemen! The parade is about to start!" He did a great job! They also had tight rope walkers, lion tamer, lions, clowns, and band members. They were fantastic!
In addition to this parade, I was able to watch 3 other parades and attend Heathen #2's school party. This is one of my favorite days of the school year. Heathen #1 even wore his costume to school. I love it!
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Halloween Parade 2009
The Asst. Zookeeper and I took the Heathens to the annual Halloween Parade this evening. I don't remember how many years this has been happening - I think the radio said 42 or 62. We've made it every year since Heathen #1 was big enough to put in the stroller!!! We go regardless of the weather and we always have a good time. This year, the Heathens came home with quite a load of candy!
Definitely Heathens!
I have always LOVED face paint. I remember getting my face painted in high school when out with friends, or at Busch Gardens when we didn't have any of the Heathens with us. I don't know why I love it so much, but I do.
This also means that when I see the table with the little pots of paint sitting on it, that I will ALWAYS take the Heathens over. And they have learned to love it as much as I do.
In September, the elementary school had a fitness fair on a Saturday. The Heathens and I went while the Asst. Zookeeper was at work. They had a face painting table, staffed by professionals. It was $5 per Heathen since it was a fundraiser, but it was SO worth it!!! If I'd had another $5, I would have gotten my face painted too!
This also means that when I see the table with the little pots of paint sitting on it, that I will ALWAYS take the Heathens over. And they have learned to love it as much as I do.
In September, the elementary school had a fitness fair on a Saturday. The Heathens and I went while the Asst. Zookeeper was at work. They had a face painting table, staffed by professionals. It was $5 per Heathen since it was a fundraiser, but it was SO worth it!!! If I'd had another $5, I would have gotten my face painted too!
Friday, October 23, 2009
Recent Zoo Happenings
We've had a bunch of small events happening here at the zoo recently. Unfortunately, one of those events was me getting sick. So I'm a little behind on my entries and picture postings. This should get me caught up!
About 10 days ago, I put Heathen #3 in the shower. My job is to regulate the water temperature and then pull up the button that makes the shower start. My mission accomplished, I left him to his "washing" and headed downstairs to fold a load of laundry. About two minutes into the folding, I discovered a nude, soaking wet Heathen standing in the living room. A spider had joined him for his shower and he didn't want it there. Figuring that it was a small spider, I offered to squish it for him (I love being the hero!). When we got back up to the bathroom, it wasn't a little spider!
About the same time as the "Spider Scare," I finally broke down and went to the Humane Society. We had lost Fuzznutz a few weeks ago, and it looks like one of our other cats, Rosie, wasn't coming home. She knew even as a little kitten that she was not meant to be an indoor cat and would spend hours attempting to escape the house every day. Usually she comes back in for the winter, but this year, we haven't seen her.
I'd done so well avoiding the Humane Society because I knew I would come home with another critter. And I did. Nina joined our family about a week ago and has been a great addition! She is so little - only about 10 ounces - that she makes Tiger and Anya look like cows!
In the grandest traditions of our zoo, my relatively cheap critter has already cost us over $100 because she came home with an upper respiratory infection that has required major antibiotics and two overnight stays at the vet. But she's REALLY sweet!
This past weekend, we took the Heathens to Chuck E. Cheese's as a treat. While the boys had a good time, the Asst. Zookeeper spent the first twenty minutes waiting for a specific ride to open up. And as soon as it did, he grabbed his little cup of tokens and ran to it!
On Sunday, we took the Heathens to pick pumpkins. As always, we got them at the pumpkin patch run by the Westmont Presbyterian Church. This is where our Heathens attend Youth Club after school on Wednesdays. The church does it as a fundraiser for their youth. And the Heathens picked the largest pumpkins they could!
About an hour after I took these pumpkin photos, Heathen #1 came down with swine flu. He went from the pumpkin patch to his bed. He pretty much slept through the first part of the week. Yesterday evening was the first time since Sunday that he wasn't running a fever.
I thought we had done pretty well in keeping the other Heathens away from him (we had confined Heathen #1 to his bedroom). But yesterday afternoon, Heathen #3 spiked a fever and turned his own flu test positive as well. Poor Heathen was so tired, he didn't even make it to the doctor's office awake. Bet you can't tell what season it is from the photo. :)
And last night was the October pack meeting for cub scouts. I went as Smurfette and my friend Bethany came as a dutch maid. We have a great time together! I'm NOT looking forward to when she and her husband move out of the area in another year. Love ya Bethany!
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Don't Hate The Teacher
Had a late night phone call with one of the Heathen's teachers. Apparently, he wrote, "I hate Ms. (blank) on his test today because he was mad at her. I understand not being happy when you discovered it while grading the test.
I even understand calling us at home at 9:00 at night to tell us of the event.
What I don't understand is feeling the need to take the "issue" (as it was referred to) to the principal in the morning. Are you kidding me?
No, I do NOT approve of what my child wrote. No, I do NOT approve of how disrespectful it was. No, I will NOT be letting it go unpunished here at home. And no, it will NOT be happening again, trust me.
But is it seriously an issue to take to the principal? Maybe I handled too much stuff in my own classroom. I would have DIED before taking that to my principal. Don't all children hate their teachers at one point or another? I know I did. I even remember scrawling it across my notes in high school.
Can't wait for the phone to ring tomorrow! Woo hoo!
I even understand calling us at home at 9:00 at night to tell us of the event.
What I don't understand is feeling the need to take the "issue" (as it was referred to) to the principal in the morning. Are you kidding me?
No, I do NOT approve of what my child wrote. No, I do NOT approve of how disrespectful it was. No, I will NOT be letting it go unpunished here at home. And no, it will NOT be happening again, trust me.
But is it seriously an issue to take to the principal? Maybe I handled too much stuff in my own classroom. I would have DIED before taking that to my principal. Don't all children hate their teachers at one point or another? I know I did. I even remember scrawling it across my notes in high school.
Can't wait for the phone to ring tomorrow! Woo hoo!
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Web Album Updated!
I just finished updating the photos on the album here on my blog. Check it out and see what the Zoo has been up to in the past few months!
Faranda Farm Fun
Every year, our church holds a hayride. Sometimes we have it at a member's fam. Other years, like this year, we go to Faranda Farm in Hollsopple. It's always a great afternoon of fun. The kids always get a chance to run and play together while the adults get a chance to stand and just chat.
This year, almost the entire Miller Clan was able to attend. We were only missing one of the grandchildren and three of the adults. Not too shabby! Below are some of the photos I snapped during the day. I'm lucky that my Heathens and the nieces and nephews are accustomed to me and my photography habits!
Thursday, October 1, 2009
R.I.P. Fuzznutz
He was scrawny and covered in fleas. His ribs and his backbone were visible every time he breathed. The Asst. Zookeeper's only comment was to say, "I guess the little fuzz nut is staying, isn't he."
And the name stuck and we gained Fuzznutz. I let the ladies at the vet decide how to spell his name.
He definitely wasn't a cat that I would have chosen. He was much too "catish." He didn't like attention, wanted to be left alone. But he was still part of the household.
This evening, I went down to the laundry room and I found him dead in the litter box. He's had multiple trips to the vet and rounds of antibiotics, but he was never healthy. He never really grew much bigger than he was when we found him. But I expected him to last longer than a year.
I'm not sure what to tell the Heathens in the morning. While he wasn't their favorite pet, he was still part of the Zoo. I'll wait and talk to them after they get home from school tomorrow. Not a conversation I'm looking forward to having with them.
R.I.P. Fuzznutz. You'll be missed.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
123 Imagine!
Today, Heathen #3 and I went to see 123 Imagine! We had a great time. We also bought overpriced cotton candy, an over priced yucky snow cone because it came in a Sesame Street plastic cup, and a REALLY overpriced spinner toy. And it was worth it!
The show's theme was that you could imagine your self to be any place you wanted to go even if you couldn't really go there yourself. In our imaginations, we visited Mexico for a birthday party with Rosita, sailed on the S.S. Rubber Duckie with Ernie, went to the bottom of the ocean with Bert, went to Africa with Elmo, Hawaii with Samantha and Big Bird, and some other places as well.
The costumes were perfect and the dancing was amazing, considering they were in costume.
It was so much fun to watch Heathen #3's face and listen to him answering the questions along with the rest of the children. He was riveted to his seat the entire time. It was a 10:30 am show, so it was all little kids with parents or grandparents. I am so glad we went!
Friday, September 25, 2009
Calapiders like mashed topadoes!
Ten minutes ago, the back door slammed and I heard a Heathen open the refrigerator door. I called out to see which Heathen it was and #3 answered.
"Momma, where's the mashed topatoes?"
(Translation: mashed potatoes)
Assuming he was hungry, I told him to get an apple for a snack.
He responded, "Calapiders don't eat apples. They like mashed topatoes."
(Translation: Caterpillars like mashed potatoes)
He proceeded to come out of the kitchen holding a plastic sandwich bag. I was presented with a caterpillar in a baggie. And he was convinced that it needed mashed potatoes.
Maybe a sand bucket.... It could sit on the front porch next to the sand bucket full of dirt and worms.... I may need a bigger front porch.
"Momma, where's the mashed topatoes?"
(Translation: mashed potatoes)
Assuming he was hungry, I told him to get an apple for a snack.
He responded, "Calapiders don't eat apples. They like mashed topatoes."
(Translation: Caterpillars like mashed potatoes)
He proceeded to come out of the kitchen holding a plastic sandwich bag. I was presented with a caterpillar in a baggie. And he was convinced that it needed mashed potatoes.
Maybe a sand bucket.... It could sit on the front porch next to the sand bucket full of dirt and worms.... I may need a bigger front porch.
Better Than Flowers
This morning was the usual hectic morning at our zoo. With the Asst. Zookeeper working nights, the morning routine is my job. Wouldn't be so bad except that two of the three Heathens are NOT happy-morning people.
Heathen #3 decided this morning that he was not going to preschool. Starting at 8:40, he sobbed and sobbed and sobbed. He wanted me to call and cancel him going. He wanted to stay home with Daddy. He wanted me to drop him off at Grandma's. Anything but school.
Once we arrived at school, he basically glued himself to my leg and became hysterical. This is not my normal Heathen! Usually, he waves goodbye as he heads for his friends and I have to beg for a kiss.
After promising to pick him up early, I pried his little paws off my leg and darted for the door. I've no clue why he was acting like that, but when I called to check on him 20 minutes later, he was fine!
Needless to say, I arrived at work both frazzled and feeling like a "crummy mummy." Not the way to start off your morning! Ten minutes later, my cell phone rang - it was the Asst. Zookeeper to let me know he was on his way home from work. When he asked about my morning, I groaned and shared the events of the day so far. He chuckled and said he was SO glad he didn't have morning duty with the Heathens. We hung up and I started into my work day.
About half an hour later, my cell phone rang again. The Asst. Zookeeper was on the other end, and simply instructed me to go to the front door at work. (We keep the doors locked.) When I opened the door, I was greeted by a smiling Asst. Zookeeper holding a cup of my favorite Starbucks coffee.
God, love him. He was exhausted from working all night (9:30 pm - 10 am) and he stopped on his way home to get me coffee and bring it to me at work. I'm so glad he's the assistant zookeeper here. I definitely made the right choice.
Heathen #3 decided this morning that he was not going to preschool. Starting at 8:40, he sobbed and sobbed and sobbed. He wanted me to call and cancel him going. He wanted to stay home with Daddy. He wanted me to drop him off at Grandma's. Anything but school.
Once we arrived at school, he basically glued himself to my leg and became hysterical. This is not my normal Heathen! Usually, he waves goodbye as he heads for his friends and I have to beg for a kiss.
After promising to pick him up early, I pried his little paws off my leg and darted for the door. I've no clue why he was acting like that, but when I called to check on him 20 minutes later, he was fine!
Needless to say, I arrived at work both frazzled and feeling like a "crummy mummy." Not the way to start off your morning! Ten minutes later, my cell phone rang - it was the Asst. Zookeeper to let me know he was on his way home from work. When he asked about my morning, I groaned and shared the events of the day so far. He chuckled and said he was SO glad he didn't have morning duty with the Heathens. We hung up and I started into my work day.
About half an hour later, my cell phone rang again. The Asst. Zookeeper was on the other end, and simply instructed me to go to the front door at work. (We keep the doors locked.) When I opened the door, I was greeted by a smiling Asst. Zookeeper holding a cup of my favorite Starbucks coffee.
God, love him. He was exhausted from working all night (9:30 pm - 10 am) and he stopped on his way home to get me coffee and bring it to me at work. I'm so glad he's the assistant zookeeper here. I definitely made the right choice.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Lost a Heathen - Sorta
Yesterday, I "lost" my oldest Heathen for about an hour. And it was all my own fault!
About two weeks ago, the Asst. Zookeeper and I decided that Heathen #1 was old enough to ride the transit bus from the middle school down to the YMCA for swim team practice. We found the schedule and the route and the time schedule and we got him a youth pass.
Heathen #1 was very excited about this. I was not. Although I knew he was capable of doing this, as the Momma I could just imagine all sorts of things going wrong.
I spent yesterday morning quizzing him on exactly what he was supposed to do after school let out. I quizzed him constantly. To the point that he was really getting annoyed with me.
He gets out of school around 3:10. At 3:15, I pulled into the little corner store next to the bus stop and hid in my van with Heathen #3 (who thought this was a HUGE game of spying on his older brother). The bus was supposed to come at 3:40. I watched the buses pull away from the school. No Heathen. I watched kids walk back and forth across the street for snacks. No Heathen.
I watched the bus arrive and depart at 3:40. No Heathen.
Figuring that he got side tracked in the school, I drove over looking for him. No Heathen. Stopped in the school office and checked with the secretary (assuming that he would need to get to a phone to call me and let me know that he missed the bus). No Heathen. I called home. No Heathen. The secretary called the bus company, who then radioed the bus driver. No Heathen.
I started to drive through the various streets between our zoo and the middle school thinking that maybe he started walking home. No Heathen. My cell phone rings and it is the asst. superintendent (the secretary called him). He had various personal checking the halls in the middle school.
He asked me if I had called the Heathen's cell phone to see where he was. At which point, I had to tell him that I wouldn't let my child have a cell phone because I thought he was too young. Talk about feeling stupid.
I finally decided to call the YMCA and see if he was there. I thought he might have caught a ride down with one of the other team members parents. Turns out, he had arrived at the YMCA about the time that I pulled into the corner store to hide!
When I picked him up after practice, I asked how he had gotten to the YMCA. He gave me the confused puppy look (where they wrinkle their brow and tilt their head to one side) and said, "On the bus."
He had gotten out of the middle school so fast (in fear of missing his bus) that he had caught the bus on the loop BEFORE I pulled in. I had to just have missed him.
If I had trusted him to do as I had told him and believed that he was capable of it, I would have avoided the entire situation. I haven't told him that I was hiding and watching for him to get on the bus.
About two weeks ago, the Asst. Zookeeper and I decided that Heathen #1 was old enough to ride the transit bus from the middle school down to the YMCA for swim team practice. We found the schedule and the route and the time schedule and we got him a youth pass.
Heathen #1 was very excited about this. I was not. Although I knew he was capable of doing this, as the Momma I could just imagine all sorts of things going wrong.
I spent yesterday morning quizzing him on exactly what he was supposed to do after school let out. I quizzed him constantly. To the point that he was really getting annoyed with me.
He gets out of school around 3:10. At 3:15, I pulled into the little corner store next to the bus stop and hid in my van with Heathen #3 (who thought this was a HUGE game of spying on his older brother). The bus was supposed to come at 3:40. I watched the buses pull away from the school. No Heathen. I watched kids walk back and forth across the street for snacks. No Heathen.
I watched the bus arrive and depart at 3:40. No Heathen.
Figuring that he got side tracked in the school, I drove over looking for him. No Heathen. Stopped in the school office and checked with the secretary (assuming that he would need to get to a phone to call me and let me know that he missed the bus). No Heathen. I called home. No Heathen. The secretary called the bus company, who then radioed the bus driver. No Heathen.
I started to drive through the various streets between our zoo and the middle school thinking that maybe he started walking home. No Heathen. My cell phone rings and it is the asst. superintendent (the secretary called him). He had various personal checking the halls in the middle school.
He asked me if I had called the Heathen's cell phone to see where he was. At which point, I had to tell him that I wouldn't let my child have a cell phone because I thought he was too young. Talk about feeling stupid.
I finally decided to call the YMCA and see if he was there. I thought he might have caught a ride down with one of the other team members parents. Turns out, he had arrived at the YMCA about the time that I pulled into the corner store to hide!
When I picked him up after practice, I asked how he had gotten to the YMCA. He gave me the confused puppy look (where they wrinkle their brow and tilt their head to one side) and said, "On the bus."
He had gotten out of the middle school so fast (in fear of missing his bus) that he had caught the bus on the loop BEFORE I pulled in. I had to just have missed him.
If I had trusted him to do as I had told him and believed that he was capable of it, I would have avoided the entire situation. I haven't told him that I was hiding and watching for him to get on the bus.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Coffee With An Old Friend
Friday morning of last week, I saw an old friend for the first time in more than 8 years. It's hard to imagine that I use to see her every day and it has been that long since we spent time together.
Kristin was in town from Colorado for a few days. I haven't seen her since she stood with me at my wedding. Not long afterward, she moved to Denver. We've been in touch a few times over the years, maybe one or twice. The Asst. Zookeeper spoke to her father the other day and heard she was coming into town.
God bless Facebook! I messaged her and we found time for coffee together. Our cup of coffee lasted for two hours or more and could have lasted longer. It's strange. I was worried before I met up with her that our conversation would be stilted and difficult because of the years apart. It couldn't have been more opposite. As we talked, I could imagine us sitting in lunch at the high school having the same conversation. She's still Kristin. She's older and more grown up, but she's still the same person at heart.
It was the best two hours I've had in a while. I hadn't realized I missed her and our conversations that much until after I was leaving the coffee shop. She invited the Heathens and I to Colorado next summer. I'll get us there somehow. I can't wait to see her again.
Kristin was in town from Colorado for a few days. I haven't seen her since she stood with me at my wedding. Not long afterward, she moved to Denver. We've been in touch a few times over the years, maybe one or twice. The Asst. Zookeeper spoke to her father the other day and heard she was coming into town.
God bless Facebook! I messaged her and we found time for coffee together. Our cup of coffee lasted for two hours or more and could have lasted longer. It's strange. I was worried before I met up with her that our conversation would be stilted and difficult because of the years apart. It couldn't have been more opposite. As we talked, I could imagine us sitting in lunch at the high school having the same conversation. She's still Kristin. She's older and more grown up, but she's still the same person at heart.
It was the best two hours I've had in a while. I hadn't realized I missed her and our conversations that much until after I was leaving the coffee shop. She invited the Heathens and I to Colorado next summer. I'll get us there somehow. I can't wait to see her again.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Momma's Taxi Service
Something dawned on me this evening on the way home to the zoo. I've become one of those mothers that spends her evenings and weekends shuttling her Heathens around to multiple activities. How did I reach this point? How did I allow this to happen after I swore when they were little that I wasn't going to do this?
Let's take a look through the schedule for Monday thru Friday. All these events are taking place after school. And between the end of school and going to bed, I require three additional things from my Heathens. 1. They WILL sit at the dinner table with the rest of the family for the evening meal. 2. They WILL take a bath. 3. They WILL do their homework. Keep in mind that bedtime is 8 pm for everyone.
Mondays
4-6 Tristan has swim team or
5:30-7:30 Tristan has football
4:30-6 Gavin has ballet
6:30-8 Tristan has scouts
6:30-7:15 Landon has swimming
7:15-8 Gavin has swimming
Tuesdays
4-6 Tristan has swim team
6:30-7 Tristan has drum lessons
Wednesdays
4-6 Tristan has swim team or
5:30-7:30 Tristan has football
3:30-5:30 Gavin has youth club
4-5 the Asst. Zookeeper and I have dance lessons
Thursdays
4-6 Tristan has swim team
7-8 Gavin has cub scouts
Fridays
4-6 Tristan has swim team or
5:30-7:30 Tristan has football
Now, the weekends...
Saturdays
2-3:30 Gavin has ballet
Tristan has swim meets these days
Sundays
Sunday School & church for all 3 Heathens
Lunch with the Asst. Zookeeper's family
Tristan has football games
I don't think that I've over scheduled the Heathens, despite what it looks like on paper. It is a lot of running here and there, no question about it. But the Heathens have all asked to participate in these things specifically. They only thing we required them to do is take swimming lessons until they are competent swimmers. Heathen #1 chose to add swim team after he finished with lessons.
Maybe I am crazy. But I keep looking at my neighbor's kids who just graduated the last two years. Her children do nothing but play video games and talk on the phone. They were involved with nothing. Their house is/was much calmer than my zoo - I never saw them dash out the door on the way to something. But, in six years of living next to them, I don't ever recall them being excited to do something when you talked to them. They were just "blah."
Oh, well. So I'm crazy for having the Heathens involved in things. I was at their age and so was the Asst. Zookeeper. And we both loved it. The Heathens are happy - in the end, that is all that matters.
Let's take a look through the schedule for Monday thru Friday. All these events are taking place after school. And between the end of school and going to bed, I require three additional things from my Heathens. 1. They WILL sit at the dinner table with the rest of the family for the evening meal. 2. They WILL take a bath. 3. They WILL do their homework. Keep in mind that bedtime is 8 pm for everyone.
Mondays
4-6 Tristan has swim team or
5:30-7:30 Tristan has football
4:30-6 Gavin has ballet
6:30-8 Tristan has scouts
6:30-7:15 Landon has swimming
7:15-8 Gavin has swimming
Tuesdays
4-6 Tristan has swim team
6:30-7 Tristan has drum lessons
Wednesdays
4-6 Tristan has swim team or
5:30-7:30 Tristan has football
3:30-5:30 Gavin has youth club
4-5 the Asst. Zookeeper and I have dance lessons
Thursdays
4-6 Tristan has swim team
7-8 Gavin has cub scouts
Fridays
4-6 Tristan has swim team or
5:30-7:30 Tristan has football
Now, the weekends...
Saturdays
2-3:30 Gavin has ballet
Tristan has swim meets these days
Sundays
Sunday School & church for all 3 Heathens
Lunch with the Asst. Zookeeper's family
Tristan has football games
I don't think that I've over scheduled the Heathens, despite what it looks like on paper. It is a lot of running here and there, no question about it. But the Heathens have all asked to participate in these things specifically. They only thing we required them to do is take swimming lessons until they are competent swimmers. Heathen #1 chose to add swim team after he finished with lessons.
Maybe I am crazy. But I keep looking at my neighbor's kids who just graduated the last two years. Her children do nothing but play video games and talk on the phone. They were involved with nothing. Their house is/was much calmer than my zoo - I never saw them dash out the door on the way to something. But, in six years of living next to them, I don't ever recall them being excited to do something when you talked to them. They were just "blah."
Oh, well. So I'm crazy for having the Heathens involved in things. I was at their age and so was the Asst. Zookeeper. And we both loved it. The Heathens are happy - in the end, that is all that matters.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Another First Day
This morning was Heathen #3's first day of 4-Year-Old Preschool. He started asking last night at 8:30 if it was time for him to get dressed yet. And he continued asking every half hour until he fell asleep around 11:30.
He was very excited this morning and was certain to make sure we had his nap mat and his bag of extra clothes ("Just in case I puke everywhere.")
He also made sure I got out the camera and took several pictures of him with his stuff. It was sort of sad. Today was the first day of his last year of being little. Next year, I throw him to the wolves at the elementary school!
He was very excited this morning and was certain to make sure we had his nap mat and his bag of extra clothes ("Just in case I puke everywhere.")
He also made sure I got out the camera and took several pictures of him with his stuff. It was sort of sad. Today was the first day of his last year of being little. Next year, I throw him to the wolves at the elementary school!
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Labor Day Weekend - Monday
And Monday morning, we were up, bathed, and in the car on the way to Grove City at 8:30 am! Woo hoo!
After dropping the Asst. Zookeeper at ground school, the Heathens and I headed out for our own adventures. The previous weekend, we had seen a forge that offered tours but we had run out of time before it closed for the day. That was our first stop!
Wendell August Forge was amazing! Although it was a holiday and the craftsmen were not working, we were still able to get a tour. The Heathens were able to walk through the work benches and touch the tools. It was awesome. Everything they make is completely made by hand. The boys were able to make their own hammering art project, similar to the way the craftsmen do. Heathen #1 made a fox, Heathen #2 made a dog, and Heathen #3 made an airplane since the Asst. Zookeeper was at jump school. The Heathens have all asked if we can go back next time we're in Grove City!
After we left Wendell August Forge, we headed for Eat-N-Park for lunch. And after that, it was off to Living Treasures Animal Park in Moraine. We had visited the one in Donegal last summer and the Heathens loved feeding all the animals.
Moraine's park isn't nearly as big as the one in Donegal, but I thought it was much nicer. We spent a good two hours feeding every animal imaginable. And, of course, I had to make the boys stop at the picture spots. At least Heathen #1 still plays along!
Of all the animals we saw, this guy below had to be my favorite. He was just watching people walk past and watching all the children in the area. Seems like a no-nonsense kind of guy!
Labor Day Weekend - Sunday
Sunday morning, I had a date that requires some explanation.
Saturday morning, my phone rang. It was Skinny Minnie wanting to know if I needed a date for the craft festival this weekend. I had borrowed her to go last year since I don't have any little girls of my own. She wanted to know if I would borrow her again. How do you say no to that?
I picked her up on Sunday morning around 11 am. We trooped over to the festival and spent three hours happily poking through the craft booths. She bought two purses, a ring, and a pin for her teacher for Christmas. She's a serious shopper - those purchases were made with a good bit of thought!
After a slice of pizza and some orange soda, I took her back home. I had a really good time with her. She's fun to spend time with and we always enjoy it.
At home, it was time to round up the Heathens to head for the family holiday picnic. My oldest brother-in-law borrowed a soft serve ice cream machine from a company for the weekend. My Heathens ate themselves sick on ice cream all evening. But who could blame them!
Saturday morning, my phone rang. It was Skinny Minnie wanting to know if I needed a date for the craft festival this weekend. I had borrowed her to go last year since I don't have any little girls of my own. She wanted to know if I would borrow her again. How do you say no to that?
I picked her up on Sunday morning around 11 am. We trooped over to the festival and spent three hours happily poking through the craft booths. She bought two purses, a ring, and a pin for her teacher for Christmas. She's a serious shopper - those purchases were made with a good bit of thought!
After a slice of pizza and some orange soda, I took her back home. I had a really good time with her. She's fun to spend time with and we always enjoy it.
At home, it was time to round up the Heathens to head for the family holiday picnic. My oldest brother-in-law borrowed a soft serve ice cream machine from a company for the weekend. My Heathens ate themselves sick on ice cream all evening. But who could blame them!
Labor Day Weekend - Saturday
We had such a busy weekend (as always), that I'm going to make this entry as individual days!
Saturday, we rolled out of bed at the crack of 10:30 am. :) It was a holiday after all! But then we remembered that we were following the Asst. Zookeeper's father to Chambersburg for a family wedding. Which meant bathing and dressing the five of us and being at the meeting place at noon. Lovely!
Believe it or not - we pulled out of the Zoo at 11:40 am. We are never early for anything. Ever. Just doesn't happen. We're never horribly late - but usually a minute or two behind schedule. We pulled into Nana's driveway (the meeting place) at 11:50! We were very excited to make it somewhere early. And then I realized we had left the card at home. The Asst. Zookeeper offered to run us home to get it - which would make us late getting back. We decided to mail the card and stick with being early!
Now, traveling with the Asst. Zookeeper's father is always a treat. The man travels for a living, frequently driving to New Mexico or Canada and back every week. He's a horrible driver and is the world's worst tailgater. Between Johnstown and Windber, we counted 5 partial lane changes where he started to change lanes and then changed his mind. He also had is turn signal blinking on one side and then would turn the other. It amazes me that no one has killed him in a fit of road rage yet!
The wedding was actually a renewal of wedding vows for a cousin and her husband. They were married in March, but it was a civil service. This time, they wanted to have a religious ceremony. It was very simply and nice. The dresses were beautiful and of course, the bride was breathtaking. The church was beautiful as well!
The rest of our day is in my previous entry.
Saturday, we rolled out of bed at the crack of 10:30 am. :) It was a holiday after all! But then we remembered that we were following the Asst. Zookeeper's father to Chambersburg for a family wedding. Which meant bathing and dressing the five of us and being at the meeting place at noon. Lovely!
Believe it or not - we pulled out of the Zoo at 11:40 am. We are never early for anything. Ever. Just doesn't happen. We're never horribly late - but usually a minute or two behind schedule. We pulled into Nana's driveway (the meeting place) at 11:50! We were very excited to make it somewhere early. And then I realized we had left the card at home. The Asst. Zookeeper offered to run us home to get it - which would make us late getting back. We decided to mail the card and stick with being early!
Now, traveling with the Asst. Zookeeper's father is always a treat. The man travels for a living, frequently driving to New Mexico or Canada and back every week. He's a horrible driver and is the world's worst tailgater. Between Johnstown and Windber, we counted 5 partial lane changes where he started to change lanes and then changed his mind. He also had is turn signal blinking on one side and then would turn the other. It amazes me that no one has killed him in a fit of road rage yet!
The wedding was actually a renewal of wedding vows for a cousin and her husband. They were married in March, but it was a civil service. This time, they wanted to have a religious ceremony. It was very simply and nice. The dresses were beautiful and of course, the bride was breathtaking. The church was beautiful as well!
The rest of our day is in my previous entry.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Falling Spring Road
I finally got to do something with my Heathens today that the Asst. Zookeeper has always been able to do and I never have.
It's a normal part of conversations at our zoo for the Asst. Zookeeper to share with the Heathens something that he did as a small heathen and then drive us to that location for the boys to see. He went to the same elementary school my Heathens attend. Played on the same playgrounds. He's always been able to share part of his childhood with them simply because this is where he grew up. I've never been able to do that before today, and I've always been a little jealous.
Today, I had my chance.
The Asst. Zookeeper's cousin got married today in Chambersburg, PA - a place I lived for four years while in elementary school. It's a great town and I've always remembered it happily. After the wedding, I was able to get us from the church over to my old elementary school. We stopped for about an hour for the Heathens to play on my old playground. It was really cool to see my Heathens on the same swings that I played on and on the same sliding board.
We drove past my old house - which is now yellow instead of the pale green that my father painted it. And the two big maple trees are gone from the front yard. The cow pasture behind it is gone as well, replaced with a strip mall. But it was still my house. I could still walk through it in my head and recall where all of the furniture sat inside when I lived there. I could even tell you the color of the carpet on the floors and the designs on the comforters on the beds from 20 years ago.
It was a really great walk down memory lane today. And for the first time, I got to share that with my Heathens.
It's a normal part of conversations at our zoo for the Asst. Zookeeper to share with the Heathens something that he did as a small heathen and then drive us to that location for the boys to see. He went to the same elementary school my Heathens attend. Played on the same playgrounds. He's always been able to share part of his childhood with them simply because this is where he grew up. I've never been able to do that before today, and I've always been a little jealous.
Today, I had my chance.
The Asst. Zookeeper's cousin got married today in Chambersburg, PA - a place I lived for four years while in elementary school. It's a great town and I've always remembered it happily. After the wedding, I was able to get us from the church over to my old elementary school. We stopped for about an hour for the Heathens to play on my old playground. It was really cool to see my Heathens on the same swings that I played on and on the same sliding board.
We drove past my old house - which is now yellow instead of the pale green that my father painted it. And the two big maple trees are gone from the front yard. The cow pasture behind it is gone as well, replaced with a strip mall. But it was still my house. I could still walk through it in my head and recall where all of the furniture sat inside when I lived there. I could even tell you the color of the carpet on the floors and the designs on the comforters on the beds from 20 years ago.
It was a really great walk down memory lane today. And for the first time, I got to share that with my Heathens.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Bus Stop Styles
The morning bus stop is the bain of my existence. Heathen #1 is old enough to put himself on the bus - bless him. In fact, he likes the fact that I hide in the house and no one sees me. You have to love 6th graders.
Unfortunately, Heathen #2 still needs an adult at the bus stop. Which means I have to be out on the road with him at 8:05. Ugh. It wasn't a problem when I worked. We'd be out there on time. I'd be showered, and dressed for work, complete with makeup. And I would be chipper.
Yeah. Not so much anymore. Heading into my second year of staying home with the Heathens, I've started setting an alarm in the kitchen to remind us to head out for the bus. We missed the bus several times last year and I don't want to do that this year.
I don't mind having to drive the Heathen to school. I just don't want anyone to see me in my bus stop fashions.
Gone are the days of being dressed for business with hair and makeup in place. Usually, I'm throwing a jacket over my sweatshirt and heading out the door in my glasses and my pajama pants. On chilly days, like today, I had on socks with my flip flops. Coffee cup in hand as I shuffle down the front steps.
Two years ago, it was my neighbor lady that was dressed like she just rolled out of bed. Standing there in my business attire, I was always jealous. Now the tides have turned and she's heading off to work as soon as the bus pulls out. And now she's jealous of me in my socks and flip flops. That's a fashion statement that I never thought anyone would envy!
Unfortunately, Heathen #2 still needs an adult at the bus stop. Which means I have to be out on the road with him at 8:05. Ugh. It wasn't a problem when I worked. We'd be out there on time. I'd be showered, and dressed for work, complete with makeup. And I would be chipper.
Yeah. Not so much anymore. Heading into my second year of staying home with the Heathens, I've started setting an alarm in the kitchen to remind us to head out for the bus. We missed the bus several times last year and I don't want to do that this year.
I don't mind having to drive the Heathen to school. I just don't want anyone to see me in my bus stop fashions.
Gone are the days of being dressed for business with hair and makeup in place. Usually, I'm throwing a jacket over my sweatshirt and heading out the door in my glasses and my pajama pants. On chilly days, like today, I had on socks with my flip flops. Coffee cup in hand as I shuffle down the front steps.
Two years ago, it was my neighbor lady that was dressed like she just rolled out of bed. Standing there in my business attire, I was always jealous. Now the tides have turned and she's heading off to work as soon as the bus pulls out. And now she's jealous of me in my socks and flip flops. That's a fashion statement that I never thought anyone would envy!
The Duchess of Shady
Meet the Duchess of Shady Lane.
The Asst. Zookeeper has said for years that he wanted a dog that was a mutt, with one blue eye and one brown eye and he wanted to name him Duke. Duke would be the best dog in the world according to him. It was always like listening to a little kid tell you about the dog he wanted for Christmas.Last September, on my way home from a meeting in Bedford, I stopped at the SPCA. I found a mutt, with one blue eye and one brown eye. But she was a girl. I went home to the zoo to pick up the Asst. Zookeeper and the Heathens to go meet her. I was hoping her personality would override the fact that she was female.
Obviously we brought her home. "Duchess" was as close as we could get to "Duke." And if I could clone this dog I would. She's housebroken. Well-mannered. Listens. Is FABULOUS with children.
She's usually very dignified. Unless, of course, you look like someone who could rub her belly. Start to pet the Duchess, and she oozes to the floor and rolls over. And she will lay there as long as you will rub. And of course, the foot has to move!
The Duchess joined the Zoo a year ago, and she's been a great addition!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Geronimo!
This past March, the Heathens and I purchased a gift certificate for the Asst. Zookeeper to go skydiving. Then, at Father's Day, we purchased another certificate that would send a video-guy to jump with him and record it. The Asst. Zookeeper has been impatiently waiting for the day to arrive.
And it finally did just this past Saturday. He had to be at the jump site at 3 pm. We drove the two-and-a-half hours to Grove City and arrived to find a small hanger that was packed with people!
The Heathens and I left him there for his prep work and headed to the closest McDonald's. Not feeding the Heathens is NEVER an option. While we were eating, the Asst. Zookeeper called me. Wires had gotten crossed at the jump site. The only way he could jump on Saturday was to jump tandem. He had wanted to do an instructor-assisted jump and that was what I had purchased. However, when they scheduled him, they scheduled him for a tandem. He had two choices. 1. Wait, and jump another day and do the instructor-assisted jump. Or, 2. Jump tandem today.
Like he was going home without leaping from an airplane!
So they suited him up and got him ready to jump! They matched him up with an instructor named Don and put him in a group with two other tandem sets. And sent them out to load onto the plane.
I don't know what I expected the plane to be. I knew it wouldn't be very big. However, I wasn't expecting it to be covered in polka dots and smiley faces either! The six people jumping could barely all fit inside!
It took 10 or 15 minutes for the plane to gain enough altitude for them to jump. And then they were out of the plane and it became very obvious which parachute was the Asst. Zookeeper. Two of the parachutes were just gently floating down and moving slowly from side to side across the sky. The third chute was spinning in really tight circles, first in one direction and then in another. Hmmmm...... Which one was the Asst. Zookeeper?
When he landed, he had the biggest smile on his face and it was like listening to a little kid on Christmas morning trying to tell you about everything they got. Such a shame he didn't like it and isn't already scheduled to go again on Labor Day weekend!
Thursday, August 27, 2009
He's an Empty!
While out and about on our errands for the day, Heathen #3 and I stopped at Sears to pick up contact lenses for the Asst. Zookeeper. On the way into the store, we passed their Portrait Studio. As we were nearing it on the way out, Heathen #3 asked me when he was going to get his pictures taken for his 4th birthday. I asked if he wanted to stop right then.
He glanced down at his clothes, and said, "Yes, my shirt is clean." And into the Studio we went to see if they had time for a walk-in. They did!
Our photographer was very nice and Heathen #3 really took to her quickly. He was a gem! Did everything she asked and he couldn't seem to smile enough.
At one point, she had him laying on his stomach on the floor and she made the comment that he looked like a superhero. She asked him who was his favorite superhero.
Without pausing to think, he answered said, "My Daddy."
She paused and looked at him (I was behind them both). She asked him why he had answered his daddy. And he answered because his daddy rescues people. She turned and looked at me, and I just smiled because I knew exactly what he was saying. I asked Heathen #3 to tell her how daddy rescues people.
He grinned and said, "He's an Empty!" (Which translates to "EMT" for those that do not speak fluent Heathen.)
He glanced down at his clothes, and said, "Yes, my shirt is clean." And into the Studio we went to see if they had time for a walk-in. They did!
Our photographer was very nice and Heathen #3 really took to her quickly. He was a gem! Did everything she asked and he couldn't seem to smile enough.
At one point, she had him laying on his stomach on the floor and she made the comment that he looked like a superhero. She asked him who was his favorite superhero.
Without pausing to think, he answered said, "My Daddy."
She paused and looked at him (I was behind them both). She asked him why he had answered his daddy. And he answered because his daddy rescues people. She turned and looked at me, and I just smiled because I knew exactly what he was saying. I asked Heathen #3 to tell her how daddy rescues people.
He grinned and said, "He's an Empty!" (Which translates to "EMT" for those that do not speak fluent Heathen.)
Heathen #3's Super Hero!
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
"Strange" Shoelaces
Dirty, Broken, Untied, Knotted, Long, Short, Colorful
I have heard all of these words used to describe shoelaces. But NOT "strange."
And this is how Heathen #2 described his shoelaces as he was tying them this morning. He actually got dressed without issue - no fits. He put on socks - no fits. He put on the sneakers - no fits. And then he tied them - and proceeded to have a fit because they were "strange."
Apparently, he just needed to have a fit while getting ready for school. He seems to have worked it out of his system and is happily watching TV until it is time to leave for the bus.
"Strange" shoelaces - good luck, Miss Freidhoff! He's all yours!
I have heard all of these words used to describe shoelaces. But NOT "strange."
And this is how Heathen #2 described his shoelaces as he was tying them this morning. He actually got dressed without issue - no fits. He put on socks - no fits. He put on the sneakers - no fits. And then he tied them - and proceeded to have a fit because they were "strange."
Apparently, he just needed to have a fit while getting ready for school. He seems to have worked it out of his system and is happily watching TV until it is time to leave for the bus.
"Strange" shoelaces - good luck, Miss Freidhoff! He's all yours!
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Frozen Margaritas and Stitches
Some things can only happen at my zoo and to me. It must be a space-time continuum kind of thing. And once again, space and time lined up perfectly at my zoo this evening.
I spent all day getting the house ready to have a party this evening. Mowed the yard, cleaned, etc. Everything ready. I even made the food last night so that I didn't have to worry about it for today. Heathen #3 helped with the food prep.
Ten minutes into my party starting, Heathen #2 starts screaming in the yard and I could hear him heading for the front door. With him, he could be missing a limb or the wind could simply be blowing the wrong way. Definitely my drama queen. I didn't get very excited since I could hear him getting closer. Movement means it isn't a broken leg.
When he greeted me at the front door, it was with blood running down his leg and PUDDLING on my porch floor. He had fallen off the swing set and onto his bicycle. Puncture wound.
I wrapped him up in a tea towel and sat him on the swing. Upon inspection, it needed to be stitched. Not a problem, except for that I'm hosting a party and my house is full of people!
My mother-in-law agrees to stay at the house and play hostess for me while I take him down to get stitches. As I'm gathering up shoes to head for the ER, it dawns on me that I've had a few drinks out of my frozen margarita. Hurray! I get to take my child to the ER for stitches while I have alcohol on my breath! Could this get any better?
I informed Heathen #3 that he would be staying at the house and I asked him if he could be in charge of the party for me. He had been wanting to feed everyone strawberry shortcake all day since he had helped me get it ready. He was all over that!
I got Heathen #2 stitched and out of the ER without any comments on my alcohol breath and we headed for home. Heathen #3 was passed out on the couch and everyone had already left (of course!).
My mother-in-law and I were chatting before she left for home and she commented about she had never had strawberry shortcake with beer bread before. Heathen #3 had insisted that they were to put the strawberries on the beer bread - he never showed them the pound cake in the fridge!!!! And he told them he wasn't allowed to have any of it because it had beer in it.
I'm not sure if the best part or the worst part is that all the women ate strawberries and whip cream on beer bread at the direction of a 4-year-old.
Seriously. Only at my zoo!
I spent all day getting the house ready to have a party this evening. Mowed the yard, cleaned, etc. Everything ready. I even made the food last night so that I didn't have to worry about it for today. Heathen #3 helped with the food prep.
Ten minutes into my party starting, Heathen #2 starts screaming in the yard and I could hear him heading for the front door. With him, he could be missing a limb or the wind could simply be blowing the wrong way. Definitely my drama queen. I didn't get very excited since I could hear him getting closer. Movement means it isn't a broken leg.
When he greeted me at the front door, it was with blood running down his leg and PUDDLING on my porch floor. He had fallen off the swing set and onto his bicycle. Puncture wound.
I wrapped him up in a tea towel and sat him on the swing. Upon inspection, it needed to be stitched. Not a problem, except for that I'm hosting a party and my house is full of people!
My mother-in-law agrees to stay at the house and play hostess for me while I take him down to get stitches. As I'm gathering up shoes to head for the ER, it dawns on me that I've had a few drinks out of my frozen margarita. Hurray! I get to take my child to the ER for stitches while I have alcohol on my breath! Could this get any better?
I informed Heathen #3 that he would be staying at the house and I asked him if he could be in charge of the party for me. He had been wanting to feed everyone strawberry shortcake all day since he had helped me get it ready. He was all over that!
I got Heathen #2 stitched and out of the ER without any comments on my alcohol breath and we headed for home. Heathen #3 was passed out on the couch and everyone had already left (of course!).
My mother-in-law and I were chatting before she left for home and she commented about she had never had strawberry shortcake with beer bread before. Heathen #3 had insisted that they were to put the strawberries on the beer bread - he never showed them the pound cake in the fridge!!!! And he told them he wasn't allowed to have any of it because it had beer in it.
I'm not sure if the best part or the worst part is that all the women ate strawberries and whip cream on beer bread at the direction of a 4-year-old.
Seriously. Only at my zoo!
Thursday, August 20, 2009
No Gutter Balls Allowed
On Tuesday, the Heathens and I went bowling. We had a few "free game" passes laying around on my desk that we just never seemed to get around to using. So we went over to the alley for a few games. The boys had a good time - both bowling and fighting with each other. It's harder to photograph bowling than you would think. These were the best shots I got of each of the boys.
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