First Bite/Boo at the Zoo/Eagle Scout

Today was a big day for Kinley. I've noticed her eyeing my food a lot lately and trying to grab everything around her, so I thought maybe she would like to try some baby cereal. She did awesome and seemed to enjoy it. She even opened her mouth every time I brought the spoon to her mouth. I love the look she gets in her eyes when she experiences something new. Being around her helps to remind me just what an amazing world we live in. There are so many sensory boosters all around us, which often go unrecognized by us all. Oh to see things through the eyes of a child!

This morning Steven took Hunter bright and early (around 6:45am) to help a scout in our ward fulfill his Eagle Scout Project. Their job was to help transplant desert cacti to an old dirt frontage road that the forest service wants "covered up". It is hoped that cars will stop trying to use this road and in five years, the cacti will have grown-up enough to make it like native desert landscape again. Anyhow, they started off with donuts (yummy!) and then headed out to the site. In the pictures you will see the barren dirt road, cactus branches being cut and hauled for transplant, cactus pieces in Hunter's shoe (thank goodness he wore his hikers!), and the finished road. It was quite a job, but what an accomplishment for all involved.

While the older boys were working hard, I took the 3 younger ones to "Boo at the Zoo". Many of the children were dressed up in their Halloween costumes, but sometimes we can be scary enough as is (really, I was just too lazy to put it all together and then didn't want the stress if worrying if their costumes were ruined before Halloween)! Anyhow, they had a fun time and had the water areas basically to themselves. Being that I forgot our towel, I was sure grateful to be in AZ where their clothes would be dry in like 5 mins. We focused this zoo visit on seeing the snakes, birds and swung by for a closer look at the giraffes.