Jill Smokler, AKA Scary Mommy
What started as an innocent on-line baby book to chronicle Jill's stay-at-home days with her children, (Lily, Ben, and Evan) quickly transformed into a vibrant community of parents, brought together by a common theme: Parenting doesn’t have to be perfect. Learn more here.
Latest posts by Jill Smokler, AKA Scary Mommy (see all)
- Dear Judgy Mothers on My Website… - June 15, 2013
- 10 Skills Every Mother Should Possess - June 10, 2013
- Perfection (Or pretty close) - June 3, 2013
Why would a non-reptile loving person allow an assortment of lizards, turtles and snakes into her house on a Saturday afternoon?
To see this, of course!
I would do just about anything to make that little face smile.
Happy fourth birthday, my love. I hope this is your best year yet!
{If you live in the PA/MD area, I can’t recommend Critter Caravans highly enough. If you can handle it, that is.}
{ 62 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh wow, that looks SO COOL!! Can I have it for *my* birthday? ;)
Happy Birthday to your big boy! xx
.-= Marylin´s last blog ..A photo I’m actually happy with! =-.
That’s so cool!!!!
.-= Anne´s last blog ..Hayden Panettiere in Self Magazine =-.
Good God woman…you have to be the best mother in the world. There isn’t a snowballs chance in hell those things would ever be in my house. I don’t even want them in my state.
I bow to your queen-ness.
Yup, I’d have to agree. It’s worth the smile! :)
.-= Lynn from For Love or Funny´s last blog ..Weekend Wish =-.
You are a much better mama than I am because there is NO way those things are coming in house. Zoo anybody???
.-= Mel’s Box of Chocolates´s last blog ..Sunday Stars =-.
Although I do have to say those pictures made it worth your while. The looks on their faces…priceless!
.-= Mel’s Box of Chocolates´s last blog ..Sunday Stars =-.
Yes, that smile would be worth all the slime. :-)
.-= Chris´s last blog ..February Hates Me =-.
My son went to a birthday party when he was five where the family actually owned a fairly large snake. “Luckily” the party happened to hit its feeding day and they got to surround the aquarium and see the snake get fed a (dead) mouse. I guarantee that you have never seen a dozen 5 year old boys sit so still and so quietly for as long as these boys did. My son came running up to me afterward and said, with a big grin, “Mommy, Mommy, guess what! It ate the bum last!!!”
.-= Kat´s last blog ..A Time of Pride and Tears =-.
LOL, that’s awesome. The kids were quickly quieted when they were told that the snake, could indeed, kill. Handy sucker to have around.
You are one brave momma my friend! I get sweaty palms just looking at these photos! But you’re right – what wouldn’t we do to see a smile that big?! Glad you survived and the kids all had fun!!!
I’m with you 100%. It’s amazing what we’ll do for a smile. I’ve reached a whole new level of self depreciation. :)
.-= Lori´s last blog ..Bestest Sport Ever =-.
WOW!!!! looks like your party turned out great… but, i must admit, i had to shy away from a couple of your photos. MEGA fear of snakes.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEN!!!
.-= nic @mybottlesup´s last blog ..passing time =-.
Wow, looks like they provide a really terrific assortment! My sister had a large monitor lizard (over 6 feet) for many years so I’m not squeamish about reptiles – though I wouldn’t race to own one. What a blast for your boychild! And so educational! My stock response when my kids ask for reptile pets is, “Do you want to clean up after an animal than can digest hair and bones? hmmm? Do you know how nasty that poop is?!?”
.-= Sally´s last blog ..Clothes Make the Man =-.
That is so cool! I have all boys and have always wanted to do this kind of party. I’m glad it was a success. Happy Birthday!
.-= Rhea@mommy23monkeys´s last blog ..Today Is A Really Screwed Up Day =-.
I hope they didn’t forget any lizards when they left.
Happy Birthday!
.-= C @ Kid Things´s last blog ..Spinning It =-.
For a non-repile loving person, allowing all those creepy crawlies around for love of a little boy, puts you in the Mother of the Year nomination.
They look like they had a fabulous time! Happy Birthday to your little man.
.-= Tara R.´s last blog ..Weekly Winners ~ controlled burn =-.
Happy birthday to your little man!
And….. shut the front door Jill! My 3rd child is having THE same party today at 3. The reptile man is coming. The dino cake needs to be picked up at 2. Incredible similarities.
Let start planning their wedding!
.-= OHmommy´s last blog ..I can’t make this stuff up. #worstmomoftheyear =-.
can we get more shots of the inside of that cake? hello?
.-= dawn´s last blog ..banana-espresso crumb cake =-.
Oh, I bought it. I’m over trying to bake. Maybe next year I’ll fly you out to make the damn thing for me.
Did they forget any critter behind? Just asking…
Fantastic photos. I tend to throw birthday parties where I throw a few kids in the backyard and say, “Make your own fun. Come get me if anyone gets hurt.” Needless to say, I’m not in the running for Mother of the Year. Unless that’s Sarcastic Mother of the Year…then, I’m short listed.
.-= Ironic Mom´s last blog ..Bizarre Baby Names =-.
what a great birthday party idea! you totally get cool mom points :)
.-= Lizzie´s last blog ..Peace Found =-.
That’s about the coolest idea for a birthday party EVER.
.-= TheKitchenWitch´s last blog ..Neighbor Friday: Bon Appetit Hon =-.
You are a brave, brave woman! :-)
.-= Megan´s last blog ..F is for Friends =-.
That looks so cool! I’ll have to check them out when my son gets a little older, since we live in PA.
.-= Kathleen´s last blog ..Serif Digital Scrapbook Artist 2 {Giveaway} =-.
Thank you for allowing Critter Caravans to be part of Ben’s birthday. As stated before, he was such a well behaved and attentive boy. Actually the whole group of kids were well behaved (even the adults).
It’s sorta funny that a couple people mentioned leaving a lizard behind. Last night when we got home we realized we have one snake unaccounted for. Not to worry, it will show up eventually. They like warm places, so if you wake up one morning and its lying beside you in bed, just give me a call and I will come and get it.
For those who mentioned being afraid, I don’t know how many times we’ve had people come up and thank us. A typical conversation goes along the lines of “Thank you for helping me get over my fear of snakes.” The first show we did yesterday would be a case in point. We had a gentleman that would not touch a snake at the beginning of the show, by the very end he actually held a snake. Albeit a small snake, he still held it. There is no reason to be afraid of a snake. Now if it was a spider, that would be a different story. I DON’T LIKE BUGS.
Thanks for the business and call out. You Rock!
Tom
My husband was not amused by that, Tom. :) Ben did get a set of plastic snakes as a gift and I’ve been doing double takes all day!
Oh. I would love to do that for my son. He’s only 2.5 right now…and scared of bounce houses and the blow dryer still, so hopefully he will be brave by the time he’s 4 :-)
.-= Jones´s last blog ..The BlogRollers-Featured Blogger =-.
OMG! You are the coolest mom EVER. My kids would LOVE a party like that!! As a matter of fact, I thing you should change your blog title to “Awesomely Cool and Throws the Best Parties EVER Mommy.” I admit, it doesn’t roll off the tongue so well.
That totally has a ring to it. I love it!!
You are a brave woman, I don’t think I could go near a snake of that size.
Happy birthday little man!
.-= Allison´s last blog ..Meal Plan 3.01.10 =-.
Wow looks like you guys had a lot of fun! I think I would of stayed far a way, hate reptiles :)
I’ve heard great things about reptile parties in general. Great photos!
.-= Stimey´s last blog ..Well, It’s Official. =-.
That is the coolest birthday party! I can’t say that I *love* reptiles, be we’ve had our share of snakes, lizards and turtles growing up. They were great pets, but I prefer the furry kind. They’re easier to cuddle with than reptiles.
.-= Shawntel´s last blog ..New Family Members =-.
What an awesome party. Every little boys dream.
Happy Birthday Ben! Your Mommy is SO BRAVE to have this type of party…not sure I could do it! Looks like a great time, though!
.-= MommaLionessMichele´s last blog ..Working Girl =-.
Oh what fun! Looks as if everyone had a great time especially the Birthday Boy! Loving that cake!!
That’s a nice mama. Happy Birthday to your big guy!
.-= tracey´s last blog ..By popular demand…. =-.
Hey lady! So very cool bday theme! Love that cake! Btw…your new blog design rocks…do you do that yourself? Very nice. Thanks for adding me as a FB friend! Would love it if you were interested in participating in POM’s Connect MEme Monday!
http://thepursuitofmommyness.com/
.-= The Pursuit of Mommyness´s last blog ..Thank Google it’s Friday Follow! =-.
Sounds like fun! Happy Birthday Ben!
.-= Cranky Sarah´s last blog ..OOTW =-.
Wow, that is hard core! What a fun party for a little boy!!
.-= Alecia @ Hoobing Family Adventures´s last blog ..Happy Ten Months =-.
GAH! Love the dino birthday cake!!! Whoever picked that out has EXCELLENT taste!!
Stopping by from SITS!
the big slimy yellow thing? na – uh. no way. EVERRRRRRR
.-= scrappysue´s last blog ..photostory friday: the e-ticket =-.
also! how do u install that terribly cute ‘follow’ widget (but without twitter, coz i don’t tweet!) thanks!
.-= scrappysue´s last blog ..photostory friday: the e-ticket =-.
You’re way braver than I am…Thank GOD I have girls that [hopefully] won’t want these slimy, scary things anywhere within 100 yards of them. Great pictures though!
.-= Lindsay @ Kids Are Teachers´s last blog ..Free Samples!! =-.
You made Princess Nagger’s day with this post. She’s in awe of the ginormous T-Rex on the table next to your adorable son, and even more so of the dinosaur fossils on his cake! :) Now she’s going to school a very happy girl! :)
Happy Birthday to your adorable little man! :)
.-= Stacy (the Random Cool Chick)´s last blog ..Rapunzel, Rapunzel, Let Down Your Hair… or at least find a good hairdresser! =-.
Oh ewwww. But you are an AWESOME mom. He looks very happy. :)
.-= Kelly Deneen´s last blog ..Not Me Monday =-.
Um no thanks. That is why I am glad I have a girl.
.-= DCUrbanDad´s last blog ..Time to snap out of it =-.
Fun Jill! We did the same for J &J’s birthday in Jan- Curious Creatures from Groveland, MA. It was so much fun! Your pics are great….
How fun is that? I have a soon-to-be five year old who would love that kind of birthday party!
.-= Lolli´s last blog ..My Kids Have Never Seen the Olympics =-.
looks like a great party!! :) Did you make that cake yourself?!?
.-= Complicated Mama´s last blog ..Justin Bieber owner and operator of the heart break hotel… for babies. =-.
No. think I’m over baking cakes when I can buy them like that for thirty bucks. :)
You’re awesome!
.-= nycgirl0501´s last blog ..And the Winner is… =-.
Man if I had boys I’d so do a birthday party like this. Scratch that…my daughter would LOVE it.
.-= Becky @TheRealBecks´s last blog ..Practice makes perfect =-.
That is amazing! I would LOVE that kind of party…can I get them for my birthday?!
.-= Sunday Stilwell´s last blog ..The screaming banshee answers your questions! =-.
wow, fantastic, that’s really an interesting and impressive birthday.
Oh how divine! I’m not even sure there’s an age limit on this type of party. There would be many grown men who would crawl over hot coals to handle these critters! You did well!
I don’t know if I could do that Jill… I have serious issues with things that slither or skitter.
Boy, you are a brave woman!!!
What an awesome party. We recently had a reptile guy come to the Chick-fil-a b our house and the kids LOVED it. I don’t know if I’m brave enough to have them in my house, though (after all, a frog peed on the floor during the presentation.)
.-= Krystyn´s last blog ..No, you can’t call me Drew. =-.
I recently just had a reptile party for my 8 year old and he loved it! We had most of the same animals as well, and a similar cake! It was so much fun! If you are in LA, I recc reptacular!
The things we do for our kids, I tell you! Well, it looks like Ben had loads of fun! YAY for snakes and turtles, oh my!
.-= Old School/New School Mom´s last blog ..Teaching Colors to a Color-Indifferent Toddler =-.
What an awesome idea for a kid’s birthday party! All the kids look so happy!
.-= Vic´s last blog ..Japanese Hair Straightening =-.