Take the Heathens to Work Day

Heathen #3 had a grand adventure for Takw Your Child To Work Day. And, as I was making the arrangements for that trip, I knew the other Heathens needed something for that day as well. Only, the Zoo has an employment issue. 

None of the Heathens want to be a teacher/professor (what I do) and because they are students, they already have a pretty good idea of what happens all day.  

While the Heathens would probably be fascinated by the prospect of a trip underground with the Asst. Zookeeper, laws and regulations forbid it. No pretending to be the chief electrician at a coal mine - even if you stay above ground all day. 

Two parents = two strike outs. 

And I'm okay with the fact that my Heathens will probably never "follow in my footsteps" when it comes to choosing an occupation. Because I am ME and they are all very separate, and different HEATHENS. 

Heathen #1, at the age of 17 and at the end of his junior year is currently looking at a machinist apprenticeship program. He attended the open house offered several months ago and came home very intrigued. I kept the paperwork and pulled it out a few weeks ago. 

With a few phones calls, I was able to set up a job shadowing for the eldest Heathen on April 23rd. While I was in New York, I received the following texts:

With me in NYC, the eldest Heathen had to get himself up and go location prior to 7am. When I called him at 6:30, he was already at Sheetz getting breakfast and excited to be on his way. 

Needless to say, the Heathen came home from a great experience and learned so much. Thank you, to JWF Industries and Mr. Rob Pytash for all your efforts on behalf of my Heathen. 

Heathen #2 was bitten by the technology bug a few years ago, thanks to the schools Technology Club, run by Mrs. McCreary. Luckily, the Asst. Zookeeper and I are friends with the CEO of Prime Design Solutions. After exchanging a few emails, Heathen #2 was cleared to spend the day at the office, working on graphic design and layout, marketing, etc. 

This Heathen sent me text updates as well!  Read on:

Later that day, this was posted to the company's Facebook page:

As this Heathen is still too young to drive (and I was out of town), my parents willingly transported the middle Heathen both directions - his grandfather picked him up at the Zoo at 7:30 and took him to breakfast. His grandmother picked him up at the end of his work day and took him home. I couldn't have managed it without the transport help. Thank you, Granddad and Grammy B!

The Heathen came home happily babbling about everything he had gotten to do that day. Another success!! Thank you to Mr. Brian Law and the rest of the staff at Prime Design Solutions for sharing your work day with my Heathen. 

April 23, 2015 was an ASTOUNDINGLY successful day in the life of the Zoo.  Not only did all three Heathens gain valuable experience and knowledge, but we experienced others being willing to step in and share an experience with my Heathens. Not that the Asst. Zookeeper and I needed any proof that we made the right choice for our Heathens by living here, but our Heathens experienced and witnessed the value of family, friends, and community. Thank you to all for April 23rd!

Determination and a Barrel Horse Goal

Heathen #2 is probably the most like me.  And I'm well aware of that fact.  And I know it is most likely the reason that he and I drive each other crazy - we've even talked about it.  It is something that we are working on improving so that we can both survive his teenage years successfully.

MONTHS ago (September 2014), after watching the barrel racing at the county fair, Heathen #2 decided he wanted to race a barrel horse.  Although we have horses here at the Zoo, none of them are suited for this (whether by age or temperament).

Heathen #2 riding Ariat.

And, I will admit, I wasn't a lot of help.  This was something that I had no clue about.  Not only had I never done this, I didn't even know anyone who had that I could use as a starting point.  I will admit that I kept pushing "find stables with barrel riding lessons" to the bottom of my TO DO LIST.

So Heathen #2 took care of it himself.  He located a set of stables and made friends.  He made arrangements on his own for when he could go (all we had to do was drive the car).  He made arrangements for ordering the tack he needed to ride and paid for it himself.  He brought home the list of Silver Shoe competition dates and put it on the refrigerator.

Yesterday morning (Sunday), my Heathen got out of bed at 4am.  On his own.  I could hear him upstairs moving around and getting dressed.  At 4:15, he stuck his head in my bedroom door and asked if I was up - he was to be at the barn at 5:30 am, and we had a 45 minute drive (minimum) to get him there.  He was practically vibrating with excitement.  It was worth getting up at that hour just to see him.

I've seen my Heathen ride the horses we have here at the Zoo - and he does very well with them.  Better than the rest of us, as a matter of fact.  But yesterday, I saw my Heathen really RIDE for the first time.  And the Asst. Zookeeper and I watched with pride.

It was his first competition EVER.  And, because of the distance to the stables, he doesn't get there nearly as often as he would like.  But he LEARNED what he wanted to learn.  He DID wanted he wanted to do.  He RODE a barrel horse in competition.   And the Asst. Zookeeper and I couldn't have been prouder of him.

As first time "show parents," the Asst. Zookeeper and I had no idea what to expect.  But we learned a lot as well, watching the kids ride.

At 10 pm, the Asst. Zookeeper and I made the 45 minute drive back out to the stables to pick up a very tired Heathen - the horses all had to be returned to the barn and the tack unloaded.  We pulled back into the Zoo somewhere between 11:30 and midnight.

Heathen #2 has had difficulty sleeping in a car since he was probably two or three.  The motion keeps him awake.  However, this is what we found when we looked behind us in the car:

Exhausted, with a saddle for a pillow.

This morning, Heathen #2 had a hard time crawling out of bed.  He is exhausted.  But he never asked to stay home from school.  He's sore and stiff and he has some bruises from yesterday.  After taking some Tylenol, I sent him back up to lay down for another 30 minutes and told him I would drive him to school.

He's going to have a long, tough day.  But, he set a goal for himself.  And, he accomplished it.  He's already looking forward to the competition next month.  The determination and dedication in Heathen #2, while frustrating on occasion, are also some of his greatest assets and will serve him well in the future.

Well done, Heathen.  You did SO WELL.

Ms. Jolene Watt, her daughters (Gabby & Billy Jo), and everyone else at Oak Street Stables - thank you.  You taught my Heathen something that I could not.  For that, I am always grateful.  While we encourage the Heathens to be willing to try ANYTHING, this is something that the Asst. Zookeeper and I couldn't have supported on our own.  Thank you.

Nerds Take New York!

My Heathen #3 is a nerd - he loves school and everything about it.  The social aspect.  The bus ride.  The cycle classes.  The teachers.  And, the learning - he LOVES to learn new things.  Learning is a challenge this Heathen accepts with open arms and then asks, "Isn't there more?"

Many days ago, I wrote a post about my little "quarter-circle nerd."  The conversation that I documented, I also shared with my father in a phone conversation - who then shared it with my younger brother.

My younger brother was a "quarter-circle nerd" as well, and I love him dearly.  He and my youngest Heathen remind me so much of each other that I occasionally use my brother's name when talking to Heathen #3.

Approximately three weeks ago, I received an email from my brother:

Yo Danners,

Awhile back Dad mentioned Landon saying he was disinterested in something because other kids thought it was nerdy.  I’d be happy to bring Landon to Two Sigma for Take Your Kid To Work day on 4/23 so he can see what grown-up-and-nerdy is like.

You two could come in the day before.  I’d take Landon to work for the event and you’d have a day in Manhattan to yourself.  I fly out for Austin on Friday after work but you two would be welcome to stick around into the weekend if you like.   Should be able to fit everyone at my apartment so the only expense would be transportation to/from the city.

Let me know either way,

Rhys

My younger brother doesn't know it, but he made me cry that day.  It had been a difficult "mom" day with the Heathens, and then I opened this email.  I have the BEST younger brother - have I mentioned that?

I immediately accepted the invitation - what an ADVENTURE it would be for Heathen #3.  The older Heathens had each gotten to go on an adventure trip with me and without any siblings.  This was PERFECT for the littlest Heathen.

The Asst. Zookeeper made my travel arrangements.  He truly is the best travel agent to have on hand!  Plans were made.  Arrangements were made for the Zoo to run smoothly in my absence.  Bags were packed.  And the adventure began!

We took Amtrak from the Johnstown station to Penn Station in New York - it was perfect.  The train, and its dining car, were popular with the littlest Heathen.

Waiting for our train to arrive at the Johnstown station.

Finally!  All aboard!

Breakfast on the rails.

Comfortable for 7.5 hours - not a single complaint!

 Once we arrived in Penn Station, my brother met us.  After stopping at his apartment to drop off our backpacks, we headed for Central Park to exercise the Heathen.  Anyone who owns a Heathen knows that it is like owning a dog - exercise after a long period of little physical movement is REQUIRED.

Heathen #3 spent more than an hour running through the park and climbing up and down the biggest rocks he could locate.

Central Park, New York

After feeding and ablutions, the Heathen was exhausted and fell asleep with no difficulty, despite the excitement of the upcoming day.

The "boys" headed out the door at 8am.  And the trip to work required another trip on the subway (always a hit with the Heathen when we go to New York).  After the required "mom" speech (behave, be polite, BEHAVE), I sent them out the door!

My two FAVORITE quarter-circle nerds.

How I spent my day is NOT important.  I will admit that a lot of it was thinking about what was happening with the boys and really hoping that everything was going well.

I met them in the building lobby at 5 pm, and Heathen #3 was BUBBLING with his adventures and what he had done.  He had gotten a t-shirt.  And had a group leader.  And they fed him breakfast AND lunch.  And they built a robot. And. And. And.  

SUCCESS.

Heathen #3 talked the entire time we walked to the Staten Island Ferry.  I wanted him to do something "New Yorky" that evening that the other Heathens had not done.  And his uncle planned well.  Riding the Ferry was a new experience and gave the Heathen the closest look he's ever had at the Statue of Liberty.

We took this photo on the way back to New York on the State
Island Ferry.  That's the Statue of Liberty over his shoulder.

Again, it was dinner, ablutions, and then crashed into bed.  The Heathen was exhausted, but happy - which is all that mattered.

Friday morning, my brother headed off to work before we had to catch the train home.  While it was a short visit, and he spent most of the time with my Heathen, it meant the world to me.  Someday, I hope to be able to return the favor in some manner.

Heathen #3 and I headed out and found a little restaurant for breakfast, then took the Subway to Penn Station.  

Penn Station and waiting for the track number
to appear on the board for our train,
the Pennsylvanian.

Heathen #3 made sure he could wear his new t-shirt to school today.  He had an adventure that he will NEVER forget.  And, I hope, he feels a little more comfortable as a "quarter-circle nerd."  He has a great future ahead of him, wherever he goes.

And, to my younger brother - thank you.  Helping my littlest Heathen be more comfortable in his own skin is one of the greatest gifts you could have ever given me.  Thank you.