Joining the Lord's Table

Notice the bunny ears on Heathen #2 and
the serious look on Pastor's face.

Mother's Day this year saw the Zoo celebrating Heathen #2's First Communion!  I thought it was the perfect Mother's Day present!

After sitting through several classes and meetings with Pastor, we had to attend one last meeting with both the Asst. Zookeeper and I as well.  I was thrilled with how well Heathen #2 participated in the class.  He listened carefully and knew the answers to the questions.  The best part was the look of horror on Heathen #2's face when one of the little boys started hanging and swinging from the communion rail in front of the church.  I think holding the Heathens' first communions until they are a bit older has helped them to understand the importance of what they are partaking in.

Pastor Bob is a favorite with my Heathens.  While he takes his calling very seriously, he also loves to play with the kids.  He tells jokes, scares them by jumping around corners at them, and he loves to laugh with them.

Pastor Bob Wagner and Heathen #2

Grandma made a beautiful cake,

 Congratulations, Heathen #2 on reaching another milestone.

Perfect Gift from Texas

As my brother and his family live in Texas, I travel there once or twice a year.  Sometimes for an event, sometimes for no reason other than to visit.  I usually travel alone to Texas for several reasons.  First, the cost of flying five people to Texas for a weekend is simply ridiculous.  Second, I avoid pulling the Heathens out of school as much as possible.  And, third, sometimes I just need some time to not be "Momma" for a day or so to be able to recharge.

My Heathens all own multiple Texas t-shirts.  So, I was looking at a dilemma when I headed for the airport this time around.  The younger two Heathens, in particular, were rather upset that I was leaving for the weekend.  They asked me to bring them something.

I scoured all the airport shops looking for something that stated it was from Texas that the Heathens would really like.  After several hours or t-shirts, key chains, cowboy hats, and plastic boots, I hit the jackpot and spotted these at a register:

To make them even MORE perfect, they were available in the three colors I've used for my Heathens since they were born (blue for Heathen #1, green for Heathen #2, and yellow for Heathen #3)!

The Heathens were happily grossed out by them.  Heathen #3 even waited to be able to take his to school and show his teacher.  Now, how to top scorpion lollipops on the NEXT trip to Texas....

Freshman Letter WINNER

Told him to smile.

Heathen #1 had only ONE goal for swimming this year - to earn his Letterman's jacket.  Today, he brought home the proof of his accomplishment!!!

I told him to REALLY smile because he didn't look very
happy in the original photo.  :)

Bunny Clothes

At the Zoo, the Easter Bunny doesn't bring buckets of candy.  He always brings some candy, but he also brings small toys, usually a combination of strange and silly things.  He's been known to bring sandals, swimming trunks, beach towels and candy that makes noise.

Once thing the Easter Bunny has ALWAYS put in the Heathens' baskets are new clothes to wear to church on Easter morning.  Strangely enough, the Heathen's are always excited to see the new clothes!

Weird Heathens - what small heathen likes dress clothes?

Easter 2013

The Rabbit Strikes Again

The Heathens never fail to make me laugh.  Several years ago, the Asst. Zookeeper was being silly while the Heathens were dying Easter eggs and pretended to drink the egg dye.  Every year since, the Heathens do the same thing.  What weirdos.

Eating things they shouldn't.

Sadly, this is rather normal.

Not sure what he was thinking...

Easter morning dawned EARLY and bright as always.  Usually Heathen #2 is the first out of bed and then proceeds to wake the other Heathens.   

Again, normal.

I kept waiting for him to fall off the ottoman.
Somehow, he never did.

Again, normal.

This is what happens when I say,
"Look here, I want a picture."

After the Heathens had all found their baskets, I wanted one picture of the three of them together with their baskets.  The following is the collection of pictures I managed to get.  Not one photo of everyone looking at the camera with nice smiles.  But I think I like this collection of photos better - it truly shows who my Heathens are and what life is truly like here at the Zoo.

 

 

 

 

 

Lord, I love my Heathens.

Tom Sawyer

Heathen #3 as Tom Sawyer

Once again this year, our elementary school had "Storybook Character Day" in celebration of Dr. Suess's birthday.  This is something my Heathens have always enjoyed.

The trouble is that costumes for little heathens are a bit harder than for little girls.  Lots of stories have princesses in them - and most little girls own dress up clothes.  Thinking of a male storybook character that has a fun costume is a little harder.  I managed to talk him into Tom Sawyer and then I headed to the thrift store for the pieces I needed.  Managed the entire ensemble for less than $8 and he was thrilled with the results!

Fun in the Snow

The Zoo in Winter.

The snow is so FLUFFY!

  We just had the most beautiful snow fall here this weekend.  The Zoo looks magical when this happens.  It is one of those times where I know we made the right choice in relocating the Zoo here about 18 months ago.

It was also a perfect weekend for snow tubing!  The church youth group headed to Seven Springs for a few hours of time on the tubing hill.  The Heathens had a fabulous time.  This is definitely one of their favorite snow-activities!