On Whales and Water Fountains

(Birch Aquarium 2008)

On our way to school, we pass a large water fountain at the corner of a shopping center.  My kids love to shout "Water fountain!" and point it out every. single. day.
For the past week or so, the water has been drained and the fountain wall is being resurfaced.
Let me just say, it is a bit disappointing, especially to Mr. Two, who wants to know just who is responsible for this.
As we were driving home, this was the conversation in the car:

Mr. One:  "Mom, I bet they got the whales out of there."
Me:  "What, where are whales?"
Mr. One:  "The whales.  You know, like Shamu whales?  In the fountain."
Me:  "How do you know there are whales in the fountain?"
Mr. One:  "Well, I don't know, but I think there used to be whales in there."
Me:  "Why do you think there were whales in there?"
Mr. One:  "Because of the water squirting up in the fountain. (like blowholes)"
Me:  (smiling and trying really hard not to laugh) "I think that's a very interesting observation.  Whales do squirt water out of their blowholes like that."

Lesson learned:  Turning off the radio, talking and listening to your children provides some priceless insights.