Bruno Family Vacation - Day Two

Another long, on-our-feet day today. After Aunt Margie headed off to work (after a long night that included several rounds with the local fire siren and a window-rattling thunderstorm), the Brunos and Andrew headed out for the Strong Museum of Play in Rochester. To say that place is big is a wicked understatement!

First thing inside is a carousel, which Xander rode three times throughout the day. I took a turn on it before we left. Our next stop was Sesame Street, which was pretty cool. There was lots of hands-on activities, like a pipe organ made out of pvc pipes and things to climb on, in and around.

After a turn through the Reading Adventure (with areas like Mystery Mansion and Wizard Place) we took the noon tour of the Butterfly Sanctuary. There were so many butterflies, and they were so pretty! Xander walked around with his hands cupped, hoping to lure a butterfly to land on him. He got his chance when one of the guides found an injured butterfly and let Xander give it a ride.

Then of course we had to take a stroll through Berenstain Bear country. Xander got his picture taken with Mama Bear, built a "stone" wall, and checked out Brother Bear and Sister Bear's clubhouses. Here, as throughout the rest of the museum, were books that could be read if anyone had the inclination.

There was a break for some whining (Xander, who didn't want anyone else to look at anything in the museum) and some lunch at the food court. Xander ate a Subway ham and cheese, a yogurt, and most of my little bag of Baked Lays. Piggie! We also took time out for some ice cream at the diner. It was so delicious!!

After we toured through the museum part of the museum, and I got to check out the cool Barbie exhibit they have to celebrate her 50th Anniversary, Xander went to the mini Wegmans to do a spot of grocery shopping. Once he'd checked out his items, he went back to the bakery/deli, donned an apron, and started hawking pizzas and bread. Too funny!

Our last stop at the museum was the videogame exhibit. They had an amazing array of old arcade games in there that we could play. All the greats were represented - Pac Man, Frogger, Asteroids and Donkey Kong among them. Xander played the Star Wars: Empire Strikes Back game for a while (I think it was broken, because on one token the game play never seemed to end!) and then played something called Gauntlet.

After a quick trip to Walmart to pick up discount tickets for Darien Lake tomorrow, we crashed back at Aunt Margie's. Xander and Andrew went in the pool - something Xander has been impatiently waiting for. When Aunt Margie came home from work, Joe and I treated her and Andrew to dinner out at Applebees. Way too yummy! (And yes, I brought leftovers home. Didn't eat it all in one sitting this time!)

Now Xander and Andrew are upstairs reading a book, Aunt Margie is folding laundry, Joe is watching UFC highlights on TV, and I'm here updating all my fans (or maybe just my mom, LOL!). I plan to relax with a new CK magazine and then hit the sheets. Tomorrow: Darien Lake! My feet are already wincing!