We drove to Lansing, this past Saturday, to grab some Mexican food for lunch.  The mole recipe was not as remembered -- which is not a compliment -- but fortunately, the food was still delicious and the owner is a fantastically, friendly guy, which makes the experience always enjoyable.  Plus he's a tennis fan, so the Aussie finals were on -- anyone else think Li Na was giving Azaranka a little comeuppance with the ankle twist there?  Seemed like she got up with a bit of a smirk!

Despite the middling mole, the torta was marvelous, as always; their roll is so amazingly delicate.  Weirdly, it came without mole at all, which was brought on request and, not horrible, just, no socks were blowing away.

As we departed back toward the MI Museum (it seemed reasonable to do something else while we were there), Will caught glimpse of a large warehouse like pet store and plead to check it out.  So, we turned right from the left lane for a quick side trip. 

The place was incredible!  Huge, with tons of fish, amphibians, birds and rodents and a koi stream!  Many of the rodent cages were housed in a shallowed out old school bus and they had a house rat on one of the counters that would come out and see you -- if it was awake.

Two terrific tortoises

Rows and roes of fish

A saltwater aquarium with coral and sea anemones

The koi stream -- cleverly discrete in its carping.

 A big, blue, beautiful macaw

The sign by him said not to bother him, but he kept calling, "Hello! Come see me!"  Then laughing maniacally.

After an hour or so there we did finally get to the museum.  Michigan is celebrating its 176th birthday, so there were some activities for the -- kid.  And also, more people on hand than usual for re-enactments and explanations.

 Will made a hat and happily joined the army -- though he was afraid of the soldiers walking around with the real guns.

 He recruited some more motley muckrakers to the cause.

 Last time we were here, Will took over as instructor in the classroom -- and a strict one he was!  Sternly keeping the children in line he put on a great show for the dozen or so people.  Somewhere on the internet a pictures of him with comments along the lines of, "You should have seen this little kid at the museum!  He was hilarious!"

This time, he stayed truer to his lineage and got in trouble.  Ari, as always is lost in daydreams and Jared, for some reason, actually appears to be working...  That can't be correct.

Ne'er was there

a cuter riveter