A Moment of Pride and Maturity

Heathen #1 is in the orange boat in the
foreground.

Stoneycreek Rendevous arrived on the Zoo's schedule again - much to Heathen #1's delight and impatience!  Since this particular Heathen turned 12 and was placed in a whitewater kayak, he has been an addict.

In the past three years, he has managed to outgrow two boats - one for each season he has paddled.  As we were loading gear to head for the river this weekend, the Asst. Zookeeper mentioned that Heathen #1 had outgrown his current boat.  I groaned - all I could see were dollar signs.  A new boat usually requires a new skirt to fit the cockpit.  Ugh.

When we arrived at the river, Heathen #1 immediately headed for the boat vendors to inspect what was around.  After about 45 minutes, he came back asking if he could have $25 to demo a boat for the weekend.  He had found a brand new Fluid Dope that would allow him another six inches of growth.  The Asst. Zookeeper went and inspected the boat to make sure it fit our Heathen correctly and allowed him to exit his boat safely.

For the past two seasons, Heathen #1 has spent in the wave at Greenhouse park and at roll clinics.  We were not letting him go down the river until we were comfortable sending him.  He finally reached that point - and we told him he could sign up for the beginners trip.  We were gifted with a bigger smile than on a Christmas morning and I got a hug so big I'm pretty sure he cracked my ribs.

He made the trip downriver without any trouble.  We even managed to find him a group to run the river again on the second day.  Heathen #1 had a wonderful weekend - he was exhaused when he finally got home, but he was already asking when he could run the river again. 

Just finished his first run down the river.

Heathen #1 handling the new boat in the wave.

 After finishing his first run downriver, the Asst. Zookeeper and I were prepared for the question, "Can I have that boat?"  We had already come to the conclusion that his old boat was no longer safe for him to paddle.  Heathen #1 had grown so much since last season that he could no longer safely exit his boat - he kept getting stuck.  NOT ACCEPTABLE to either the Asst. Zookeeper or to me.  As the Momma that tends to be nervous about this sport anyway, I wasn't comfortable with him taking that boat anywhere that we couldn't see him.

However, Heathen #1 startled us in a wonderful way.  When he approached us about purchasing the boat, he already had gotten a price.  His proposal: would the Asst. Zookeeper and I be willing to loan him the money.  He would make enough at his summer job at scout camp to cover the cost of the boat.  But he wouldn't be able to get as good of a price later in the season when he would have the cash in hand.

The Asst. Zookeeper and I just looked at each other - but we didn't have to talk about it.  His request was very reasonable.  He already had the job secured for the summer.  And he wasn't asking us to buy him a new boat like most kids would do.  I was so proud of my fifteen-year-old!  It was such a mature request.

Maybe the Asst. Zookeeper and I aren't doing such a terrible job of civilizing the Heathens as we occasionally think.  Well done, Heathen #1.  Enjoy the boat, baby, and paddle safely.  You have so much to look forward to and I can't wait to see where the river of your life will take you.

A happy Heathen #1!

 

Wolf Cub to Bear Cub!

It was a big afternoon for Heathen #3!  Today was the bridging ceremony for the Pack.  Heathen #3 removed his yellow Wolf neckerchief  and donned the blue neckerchief of a Bear Cub!

The Asst. Zookeeper removed his neckerchief
and they left it on the far side of the bridge.

 

Preparing for the bridge crossing!

 

Den leader Glenn Stutzman met the Asst. Zookeeper and
Heathen #3 on the end of the bridge.

 

Picking up the blue Bear neckerchief!

 

Heathen #3 and the Asst. Zookeeper are just to the left of
Noah Logan and BIL #2.

 

Congratulations to the newest Bear Cubs!

Well done, Heathen! 

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.