Hippo Eggs

Today, the Heathens woke early (only by FORCE) to attend Heathen #1's swim meet.  To their utter delight (and my HORROR), it was snowing.  AND it was STICKING!

By the time we made it out of the swim meet, there was approximately 6 inches of snow.  On the way home, I had to stop and take some photos on Ligonier Mountain.

Taken at summit on Route 271.

Taken at summit on Route 271.

Taken at summit on Route 271.

Taken at Laurel Highlands trailhead on Route 271.

Taken at Laurel Highlands trailhead on Route 271.

Taken at Laurel Highlands trailhead on Route 271.

The snow was gorgeous, white, and clean.  Despite the whining of the tired Heathens, I snapped a lot of photos.  These were my favorites.

But that isn't the good part of today...  THAT would be too NORMAL.  And we all know that NORMAL and ZOO go together like water and oil....

After arriving home, the younger two Heathens played outside in the snow.  I know, SHOCKING!

Heathen #3 informed me of what they made in the snow after I mistakenly asked about the snowmen in our yard.  There were 4 "figures" in our yard.  I was informed that only 2 of the 4 were snowmen.

The other two were a "hippo and a hippo egg."  Really?

And when I was then STUPID enough to guess which snow lump was what, I was informed.

THIS is the hippo!

THIS is the hippo egg.  Can't you tell?

HOW could I have not known?  What kind of mother am I?  On the way back into the house, I promised to pay more attention instead of "just guessing" because I was not a very good "guesser."

I responded with an apologetic sounding, "Yes, sir." and headed into the house.

Halloween Challenge

Last night was the annual Halloween parade in town.  And we had BEAUTIFUL weather.  The Heathens and I, along with the Grandma, headed down town a bit early so that we could find a good spot to watch the festivities.

Only arriving about 15 minutes before start time, we were able to find a spot big enough for the five of us to all see well.  Grandma took a blanket for the Heathens to sit on.  She sat just behind us in a chair.

As the parade was starting, a woman walked up behind us with 5 kids.  One of the kids stepped right infront of Grandma.  Grandma nicely asked her to move.  The woman got NASTY!  I heard my mother-in-law.  She was polite when she asked the girl to move.  The woman accused the Grandma of using a nasty tone of voice!  Wow.  Okay, lady.

Then the women told all of her children to sit INFRONT of my children.  So I told her that my kids weren't able to see.  And I got the "look of death."  So she moved them to our left and put them in front of other people. 

As the parade started, my Heathens sat forward onto their knees because the woman's kids were practically out in the street blocking their view.  Behind us, in comes two women with a stroller and a toddler and pushed the stroller ONTO the blanket where my kids are sitting.  Then they start telling this toddler to "git out there" to get them some candy!

I asked them to move the stroller so that I could get the blanket out from under it.  And SHE YELLED AT ME!  That my kids weren't even sitting on the blanket and I had NO RIGHT to have it there.  It was a FREE COUNTRY and she could do whatever she wanted.  I commented that it was obviously a free country and she was free to be as ignorant and rude as she wanted.  (At this point, I was fed up.  But I will admit, I should have just kept my mouth shut.)

She asked me if I wanted to "go at it" after the parade!  Really? Are we in middle school?

At this point, Heathen #2 was crying because his mother and his grandmother are going to get beat up.  And Heathen #1 is offering to "take her" for me.  Heathen #3 was oblivious in his quest to get candy from the parade people.

As the parade continued, these women continued to push this toddler into the street to get them candy!  He MIGHT have been two.  It was ridiculous!  And then, one of the women (who was about my age) went up to the curb, held out her hand, and started asking the parade people for candy for HER!

Really?

Next year, I hope it's cold and snowy for the parade.  The crazy people will stay home!

Things You Find in Kids' Packets...

This past weekend, while in New Jersey for my sister's wedding, we went to Chili's to eat for lunch.  We took the 3 Heathens, my brother and his wife, and their son.

At Chili's, the kids' menus came in a plastic cup with crayons and some flyers.  Heathen #3 spent his time filling them out.  After attempting his middle name, and spelling it incorrectly, he passed me the flyer with the mistake.

Handed to me by Heathen #3 at Chili's.  He's never had to
spell his middle name often enough to get it right.  We now practice.

I slid the flyer out of the way as the waitress brought drinks.  In the process of shuffling things on the table, the flyer was flipped over.  And this is what I see:

The back of Heathen #3's flyer - that was handed
out with the KIDS' MENUS!

Thank goodness Heathen #3 didn't see it as he has learned to read.  I can just HEAR him sounding it out!

Like any other good mother, I quickly showed it to ALL the adults at the table.  Then I folded it up to bring home and add to the Zoo's blog of antics.  Is it safe for me to go anywhere?

Wedding Aftermath

We survived the wedding.  Despite the crazy New Jersey traffic, extended time in the car and with family, etc., we survived.

Did I mention I broke my ankle?  At my sister's reception, BEFORE drinking anything.  That is true talent.

While sitting in my chair at the dinner table, somehow I managed to get the heel of my shoe tangled in my dress.  The dresses were floor-length (or almost considering that I was the Amazon again).

Not realizing that my shoe was tangled in my dress, I attempted to stand up quickly and chase after a Heathen.  He wasn't in trouble.  I was being silly and teasing him.  It didn't go well - and I ended up on the floor.

The ankle did the usual, lovely swelling and bruising.  I borrowed my mother's slippers to wear home from New Jersey as none of my shoes would do.

Last night, a few of my toes were taking turns going numb.  The Asst. Zookeeper said, "Get it checked."  I said, "Yes, sir."  (Stop snorting.  I do occassionally show the man some respect.  Just not often.)

I stopped between classes today to have it x-rayed.  Told the doctor what happened.  He said, "We'll send you for an x-ray and then we'll call you if we see anything.  You don't have to wait while we read the film."

Then I showed him my ankle.  He said, "You need to wait here while we have that read."  Then he put me in one of these contraptions:

Did I mention I was in EBENSBURG and had to drive home in this thing!  Thank heavens for light traffic. 

I think when I'm all done wearing this thing, I'll sign it and give it to my sister as a belated-wedding present.  :)

Welcome to the Zoo, Uncle Paul!

This weekend, I married off the last of my or the Asst. Zookeeper's siblings.  My "baby" sister, Ali was married on Saturday evening in New Jersey.  She's married a great man, Paul, that I think will survive periodic visits from the Heathens.  Here is the event in photo:

Ozark, at the rehearsal dinner.  He couldn't WAIT to eat
and decided to eat the paper wrapper to the chopsticks.  Here
he is, mid-chew.

Heathen #2 with his dinner.  He'd never had corn on the cob
on a stick!  Quite the novelty!

Heathen #3 and Ozark.  The poor child spent a good bit
of the weekend with bunny ears, courtesy of the Heathens.

My Heathens had a GREAT time with Ozark.  If only Texas
was a bit closer.  Thank goodness Christmas is soon!

Grammy B teaches Ozark how to rub Uncle Paul's head.
Ozark learned quickly and loved it!

My father and his wedding present from
my sister and her soon-to-be husband.

The three Heathens dressed for the
wedding.  The Asst. Zookeeper took this
just before the ceremony, before there
was any dirt or food on them. 
Thank you!

Ozark is on the edge of the dance floor,
waiting for the ceremony to begin.

Heathen #3 and Ozark.  One of the few photos of Ozark and
his cousins that does NOT involve bunny ears for Ozark.

Dressed for the ceremony.  I had to crop
the photo to hid all the wrinkles at the
bottom of my dress from dressing small
children.  Thanks to the Asst. Zookeeper
for the photo!

Rhys, Michelle, and Ozark.  Love you three!

Heathen #3 is headed down the aisle
with one of the flower girls.  He did
a FABULOUS job and carried the
real rings in his plate!

Ali & my father, just before they
started down the aisle.  Her gown was
gorgeous!

Ozark, during the ceremony!  I promise to provide a
copy of this photo to his parents for blackmail
purposes as he gets older!

My father and Paul's father performed the ceremony.  It was
very sincere to hear the two of them provide advice for the
young couple.  Between my parents and Paul's, they had
more than 70 years of marriage experience to offer.

During the vows.

You may kiss the bride!

Ceremony is over!  Back into the
warm building!

For a good performance, Heathen #3
receives his payment!  (Those
are Skittles that he is eating.)

Heathen #3 and me in our
wedding finery.

And us again!  He did such a great job
smiling for photos that he deserved
a silly one.

Aunt Dani stole the Ozark during the reception.

We've been spotted by Grammy B!  She's coming for Ozark!

During the Father-Daughter dance.

Paul & Ali cutting the cake.

Congratulations to the newly-weds!