We headed out today.

First we headed to Greece to meet Daddy for lunch.  We were using up some of our Pizza Hut “BOOK IT!” coupons the kids earn for reading.

As we entered Rochester from 104 West Beau asked, “What is that?”  I looked to my left.  Ah.  Yes.  What IS that?

What kind of answer would I give him.  My no-holds-barred, “That is large pieces of metal the city undoubtedly paid for despite not having enough money for pot holes, the city schools and police overtime, in order to make them look hip to the dozen or two visitors that get lost on their way from the airport to Paychex each year.”

Would I give him the politically correct, gushy answer, “That is how someone used their talents to make our city more beautiful.  Isn’t it nice how we all can offer different things and have different ways to earn a living, honey?”

What he got was, “Art.”
“Art?” Beau replied, clearly doubtful.
“Yup.  Art,” I said.
”How is that art?” he said.
”Haven’t you made sculptures in art classes?” I offered.
”Yeah…” he said, still uncertain.  “Why is it there?”
“To be a decoration.” I answered.
”Oh,” was the last I heard.

The Pizza Hut I’d found on MapQuest turned out to be a Carry-Out only place and we had to drive about 6 miles out of Daddy’s way to find the next closest one in Greece.  It was a great lunch.  The place was quiet and the kids had fun.

We then headed to the Rochester Museum and Science center. 

On the corner of English Road and Dewey Ave. in Greece we saw this, um, gentleman.

 

“What’s HE doing, Mom?” many voices asked at once.

Now.  How.  Do.  You.  Answer.  That?
”Well guys.  Maybe he doesn’t have a job and someone offered him some money to dance like that to advertise their company and he needs the money so he is willing to do it.”

After random comments from the kids, such as, “But why is he the Statue of Liberty?” and “Can I make one of those?” and “I am going to make that costume and dance like that for Claire,” and “Where is the music coming from?” all I could say was, “I hope you guys never have to have a job like that.  I’m glad it is a warm day, huh?”

Since the shortest distance between two points is a direct line, I headed from Greece to the RMSC through the city.  I didn’t have directions, per se, just my “Born-And-Bred-In-Rochester-Instincts/GPS” we headed due south.  I did pretty well.  But the kids were getting rowdy and I was trying to concentrate.  I was trying to focus and get them to quiet down a bit and made the mistake of saying, “Come on, guys.  You need to settle down.  This is not a nice neighborhood and I am trying to pay extra attention.”

“What do you mean not a nice ‘neighborhood?’” Beau asked.  “How can a neighborhood be nice?”

SIGH  –  Did I really start a “meaningful conversation” just when I am trying to pay MORE attention to details than not?  I give a few short-sentence answers about poverty and different living situations, etc., to try to satisfy him/them.  Then my deep-thinking first-born starts looking for evidence to support my statement.  “Oh – that kid is riding his bike in the street.  That IS bad.”  Followed by, “I just saw two people smoking, Mom.”  SIGH

I did do pretty well, going only a teeny bit further south than I needed to.  We corrected it quickly.

We got to the museum.  Our goal was to see the Dinosaur exhibit that is visiting.
It was rather pathetic.
It was a TON of video games, some fake bones and some electronic dinosaurs that have nothing on Walt Disney World.

We did run into some homeschool friends, which always thrills the kids.  Especially in the middle of the day when the rest of the world is at school.

On the drive, I asked Angel what kind of cake she would like for her birthday.  I suggested a Barbie doll cake. 
Know what SHE suggested?

THE STATUE OF LIBERTY!