Pretty in Pink

Today at the elementary school is "Wear Pink for Cancer Awareness Day."  Today is Wednesday.  We found this out on Monday.  And, of course, my Heathens do not own anything pink (unimaginable as that is).

They arrived home from school on Monday in a whirlwind of anxiety.  They ALWAYS participate in the "wear this whatever" days that the school concocts to torment mothers.  My personal favorite so far was when we were given two days notice last year that the children should dress up as their favorite storybook character for Dr. Seuss's birthday.  Yeah, two days notice.  It wasn't pretty, but I managed it.

After the Heathens declared that none of my pick shirts were acceptable, I had to PROMISE that I would buy them a shirt to wear.  And pants.  And socks.  And pink shoes if I could find them.  Have I ever mentioned that the Heathens don't believe in doing anything half-way?

Tuesday morning I was in the local WalMart in a section foreign to me: the girls' section.  Go figure, I had no idea how it was laid out.  I've never even walked through it before!  I located pink t-shirts and pink sweatpants.  No pink socks.  Really?  But I located them in the women's section.  I had to purchase TWO packages of women's socks to get two pink pairs.  There were no pink shoes to be found - yes, I actually looked.

Heathens #2 and #3 were very excited for school this morning!

The pink outfits!

Don't forget the socks, Momma!
(PS - my child is not holding his crotch,
he is pulling up his pant legs so that his
socks are visible!)

These are the girls at our bus stop.  We have a great crew of
kids in our neighborhood.  There are also two boys.  Both boys
refused to wear pink today despite their mothers offering.

Senility

Senility has arrived at the Zoo.  Several months ago, we "adopted" a stray cat that we found in the neighborhood.  What we thought was a stray turned out to be the neighbor's 15-year-old pet that they turned outside.  LOVELY PEOPLE - you should definitely meet them.

We named the critter Wanda and she's been with us for about six months now.  At the grand age of 15, Wanda doesn't put up with ANYTHING from ANYONE.  If one of the dogs gets too close, she hisses and swipes with her claws.  If someone attempts to pet her, she glares at them and then walks away.

She's definitely losing her mind.  These are her favorite places to sleep:

 It doesn't matter what windowsill she chooses.  She MUST sleep with her head against the side.  This picture isn't so bad.  Sometimes she sleeps so tight against the side of the window that is looks painful.  If you attempt to move her, she glares at you and then returns herself to the same uncomfortable looking position.

This box of garbage bags was open in the laundry room.  It opened on top like a box of tissues.  She stuffs herself down into the box as much as possible.  Crazy cat!

We recently purchased a self-cleaning litter box (much to Heathen #1's delight!)  Wanda has a love-hat relationship with the new litter box.  She will sit and stare at it for hours.  If it moves, she attacks.

She will happily use the new litter box.  However, she has a ritual before she will use it.  And yes, I have stopped and watched the ritual many times (who's crazy now?).  Prior to getting into the litter box, she must sit and watch it for several minutes.  Then she hisses and swats it a few times to see if it is going to move.  Once she is convinced that it won't move, she will jump in and use it.  Then she gets out and watches it again.  When it starts to move, she attacks it until it quits moving.  Once she is convinced that she has "killed" it (a.k.a. it stops moving) then she will walk away.

Only to repeat the exact same ritual again later....

Welcome to the Gang!

The youngest Heathen was FINALLY old enough to be a Tiger Cub this year.  He's been waiting his "ENTIRE LIFE" to be a Cub Scout, according to him.

And he's actually right.  I was pregnant with him the year that Heathen #1 was a Tiger, and we've been dragging him along to EVERY scout function since the day he was born.

This Monday was his first "official" parade as a scout. He's walked with the scouts other years, but he was just tagging along. He couldn't have been more proud!

Left to Right: Heathen #1, Heathen #3, Noah Logan (their cousin),
and Heathen #2.  One guess who didn't want to be in the picture!

Heathen #2 has graduated to holding the banner at the front of the
group.  Next year, he'll be old enough to carry one of the flags!

Heathen #3 is GLOWING with pride as he marches
with his den's Tiger flag held high!

The Asst. Zookeeper's Scout Troop
shows EXCELLENT flag skills!

The Asst. Zookeeper and his father are in the center.  Look
at them in their uniforms!  The guys all looked AWESOME!

Parrots, Pierogis, and a Bus Breakdown

As part of Cub Scout Pack 217, the Zoo boarded a  charter bus for Pittsburgh's PNC Park a few weeks ago. Not only did the families experience PERFECT weather, they saw a great Pirates game as well! The Pirates edged out the Reds 4-3.

Heathens #2 and #3 are in the blue shirts.
The other boys are Scouts from our Pack.

The Heathens had never attended a professional baseball game before.  They loved the first 10 minutes.  They ATE their way through the first 6 innings (cotton candy, hot dogs, wings, hot pretzels, Skittles, soda, etc.)  I had even fed them before we left home, but it didn't matter.  Everything they saw someone else eating, they wanted.  I was really glad the Asst. Zookeeper and I had planned ahead and taken enough cash with us!

In addition to a great game, the Heathens were able to watch the Parrot at batting practice and the pierogi races!

 

Although the seats were WAY at the top of section 327, we had a gorgeous view of the river and the Pittsburgh skyline. The Heathens decided they should ride "that boat that keeps going past" next summer.

The view from our seats.

The Scouts also had the opportunity to watch another Cub Scout Pack serve as flag patrol for the National Anthem (which was sung by Steve Miller of the Steve Miller Band!)

Our Pack was also recognized as an attending group. Some of the Scouts and parents may have noticed when our Pack name was "Up In Lights" but my Heathens were busy eating instead.  I thought it was very cool!

After the game, the Scouts and their families headed back to the bus for the ride home. About a mile outside of Blairsville, the bus made a HORRIBLE BANG. The driver, Mr. Joe (who was a great guy) announced that we would have to pull over as the bus was beginning to overheat.

He pulled over at a closed restaurant (The Blue Ridge Restaurant on Route 22) and called McIlwain's for a "rescue bus" as ours wasn't going to make it back to Johnstown.

In true Cub Scout fashion, the boys quickly piled out of the bus and into the parking lot to entertain themselves during the hour or so we had to wait. With a Subway plastic bag and a few cans they found in the parking lot, the Scouts were completely content until the rescue bus arrived.

Special Kudos go out to the Ryan Kovach family for adhering to the "Be Prepared" slogan of scouting. The bus had to be turned off to prevent further damage to the motor - which meant no lights in the bathroom. Ryan and his family quickly produced a flashlight!

Once the rescue bus arrived, the Scouts and their families quickly made their way back to the WHES parking lot, arriving MUCH later than planned. However, the Scouts had a fabulous time and that is all that matters in the end!