Birthday Boy!

Aunt Dani got the honor of hosting Ozark's first birthday party here in PA. Although I know he had a party in TX and there is another planned for CA, it was still lots of fun!

In one house, we had people from CA, PA, OH, TX and a few other states if we count birth locations.  With a crew of approximately 20 family members, Ozark smashed cake and had a good time!

Ozark's personal cake.

The cake for the family.

He was so civilized to start - using a spoon.

The first taste of icing!

Civilization is over-rated.  He needs a drink to wash
down all the icing!

To Aunt Dani's delight: he had icing in his hair!

Opening presents with Mom and Dad.

Happy Birthday, Ozark!

To Ozark: Happy Birthday! I wish you lived closer, so I'll just have to steal the moments I can.

To Rhys and Michelle: Thanks for sharing him with me.  :)  I love birthday parties!  Congrats on surviving the first year of parenthood.  Just a few more years to go.

Newest Zoo Arrivals

All Zoos have a constant influx of animals.  Some arrive with planning on everyone's part.  Others arrive when the Zookeeper says, "Awwww! I want them!"

Thus, the arrival of Sorchia and Tucker, a set of litter mates.  Tucker (cream-colored) is male.  Sorchia (black & white) is female.  Both just over a pound when they arrived at the Zoo, they are ALMOST four pounds together at this point.  Although, from they way they eat, they should weigh a lot more.

They have spent the past few weeks playing in the end of the garlands in the hallway.  This was the latest "battle" that I witnessed.

Tucker says, "These are my garlands."
Sorchia says, "You think?"

Tucker says, "STOP looking at the garlands, they are mine!"
Sorchia says, "Eeeeek!"

Tucker says, "You can have them."
Sorchia says, "I knew they were mine anyway."

Replay this battle a minimum of 20 times a day.  You can put in your own conversation.  Alternate the winner about 50% of the time.

Welcome to life at the Zoo!

Icing & Sprinkles EVERYWHERE

Saturday, December 17th was a BUSY day at the Zoo!  I roused the Heathens out of bed "early" on a Saturday morning.  We had people to pick up and places to be!

First stop, picking up Noah Logan, Ili Grace, and Wyatt.  Turned out, Gertrude had spent the night at her house - I managed to pick up four kids instead of just three!  Second stop was to pick up Skinny Minnie.  By 8:45, I had a car full of 8 children (ages 13 to 3) and we were headed for breakfast with Santa.

Breakfast with Santa was great!  There was only one problem.  Santa's helper that day was Pappy.  As soon as the grandchildren heard his voice, their heads all snapped around and they narrowed their eyes at Santa.  Breakfast was finished with lots of sticky syrup for the pancakes and lots of suspicious looks at Santa.

While the younger 2 Heathens had final rehearsal for the Christmas pageant, I took the other 6 children to the grocery store to purchase more "decorations."  Although I had already been to the store, I knew I didn't have enough sprinkles, icing or "stuff" for them to put on their cookies.

Taking six children to the grocery store is interesting.  We went to the store where I normally shop with my three Heathens.  This time, I had twice as many kids and only 1 of them was mine.  After 20 minutes of shopping, we had Christmas M&Ms, marshmallows, sprinkles, and icing in multiple tubes and containers ready for checkout.  It was basically a big purchase of sugar in various forms.

We picked up the younger two Heathens and headed to the Zoo.  The kiddos all watched Rudolph while I made macaroni and cheese for lunch.  I thought water took forever to boil when there were three hungry Heathens.  It takes MUCH longer when there are 8 of the staring at the water in the pot!

Once fed, I separated the kiddos into two rooms for decorating.  The youngest three stayed in the kitchen, while the oldest five headed for the dining room.  Here are the kiddos with their favorite cookie they decorated:

Heathen #2

Skinny Minnie

Gertrude

Meatball

Ili Grace

Heathen #3

Heathen #1

Noah Logan

There were sprinkles and icing everywhere!  All things considered, the kiddos where unbelievably NEAT.  A quick wipe of the table and a swipe of the vacuum and everything was picked up!

The only casualty was a spilled glass of milk that found it's way into Skinny Minnie's lap.  She finished decorating in a pair of Heathen shorts while her jeans were in the washer.

Then (the best part), I packed up all the over-sugared kiddos, their cookie creations, and TOOK THEM HOME!

Collar Embarassment

The Dogs went to Petco for their monthly "spa" day.  I take them to Petco for two reasons.  First, the Dogs are both big enough to be a pain to bathe at home without making the whole Zoo smell like wet dog.  And second, I hate smelling like a wet dog after I finish bathing them!

"Spa" day is one of the Dogs favorites.  It combines some of their favorite pass times: car rides, water, attention, and snacks.  When I pull in at Petco, they start whimpering in the back because I won't take them inside fast enough.

This is what I found when I picked them up a few hours later:

Duchess

Bantley

They turned my Dogs into poodles!  Usually, the Dogs come home with a bandana tied around their necks.  The bandanas they love - if you take them off before they fall off, the Dogs will whimper.  The frilly collar was in place of the bandana for the holidays.

My Dogs look like lapdogs - but they love the collars!  Heathen #1 took it off Bantley, who promptly tried to stick his head back into it!

Here's the best part: instead of looking ferocious when they play, they look STUPID!

As each of the Heathens arrived home from school, I heard from the front door, "Momma, WHAT is on the dogs?"  Looks like I'm not the only one to think they look ridiculous.



Bobcats & Jingle Bells

Last evening was the Cub Scout Pack meeting for the month of December. Heathen #3 earned his Bobcat badge!  After a lot of work, the boys in Heathen #3's den were thrilled to get their patches.

Heathen #3 (right) and his cousin (left)
are so excited to get their patches!

The den gets their patches.  I'm in the green t-shirt, with
Heathen #3 in front of me.

Also at the Pack Meeting, our favorite December person paid a visit!  Unfortunately, the Asst. Zookeeper wasn't able to be there (he was at "work").

Heathen #3 with Santa

Heathen #2 with Santa

We were home from the Pack meeting for approximately 15 minutes before the Asst. Zookeeper arrived home from "work."  The younger two Heathens were convinced that the Asst. Zookeeper had played Santa that evening at the Pack meeting. 

The Asst. Zookeeper promptly called his evening maintenance foreman at the mine and asked him to explain to the Heathens that he had been at work all evening.  Thanks to Mike Gerber for talking to the Heathens so that they knew Daddy had been at work!

"Rescue Stupid" Boots

Every morning, the Dogs eagerly wait at the back door so that they can go out and stare at the Huge Rabbits that moo at them.  It has become a morning ritual at our house.  Wake the Heathens.  Put a Dog outside.  Listen to the barking and mooing commence.  All Creatures seem happy with the arrangement.

While Duchess is smart and never gets tangled, Bantley can NOT say the same.  It is only 8:00 and for the third time this morning, I looked outside and found this:

Doesn't he look pitiful?

For some reason, if he is outside for more than a minute, he manages to tie himself around this handrail.  This "figure 8" isn't the worst he's done.  Last night, he literally managed to tie himself to part of the railing.  How he did it, I have no idea.

The best part isn't that he continually does this.  It isn't even the pitiful look on his face when you discover him.  Or even the excitement when he realizes you are coming to rescue him.

The best part is that he thinks you are trying to kill him while you try to unwind him, so he struggles the entire time to tangle himself up farther!

Considering I plan to die in this house, and Bantley is only about 4 years old, I have many more mornings of this to look forward to.  In preparation, this morning I placed an old pair of boots at my back door that I can just step into.  I've dubbed them my "Rescue Stupid" boots.

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?