A Morning at Benchmark's Science Center...

This morning our sweet neighbors (Robert & Christine Altavilla) took us to Christine's school for a tour of its FABULOUS Science Center. I've been wanting to take the boys there for some time as I toured this school years back when looking for a preschool for Jared. Their science center is unbelievable. So many different types of animals and projects going on.

As expected ... it was an amazing experience. I remember loving science as a kid. It was an interest my parents took the time to nurture. Seriously, I dissecting sharks in elementary school.

Now as a parent to my own kids, it's funny to see the different personalities in our boys - Will is so much like me and LOVES touching everything (our little "seeker), while Jared is just like his daddy, a firstborn observer ("avoider"). They were both very excited to see the snakes and animals - fun activity for us while Phoenix is experiencing a "Excessive Heat Warning" kind of a day where the temps are expected to hit 113!

Will petting the bearded dragon - Kyle fed him a bunch of crickets while we were there. This sucker is fast!

Jared petting one of the bunnies.

Yep - that's Will. Holding a TARANTULA.

Will holding one of the newborn mice (aka snake food).

Kyle showing the boys the huge bull snake.

(notice each boys' proximity to the reptile)

Will holding one of the corn snakes.

I decided to make a summer project out of the morning to stretch out the learning experience. Each of the boys picked a different animal, took their own picture of it (actually Jared took both pics) and interviewed Kyle, the lab tech to find out more about their animals.

Jared picked the tree frog.

Will picked the desert tortoise.

Both boys worked hard on their reports.

And were so proud of their finished products, they hung them on the wall and asked me to take a picture of them with their reports.

What fun to be the mom of these boys. What a blessing to get to be home with them so much to teach them things (thanks, Cute Husband). And THANKS Christine for taking us to your school for the morning - newborn and all!

(PS: I should definitely add a shameless plug for Benchmark Charter School - an A+ charter school in northeast Phoenix. Christine's mom is one of the principals and she teaches Kindergarten. Seems like such a great place!)