Four Bluffton third grade boys share their thoughts on a variety of topics this week. They are Anthony Herzog, whose teacher is Mrs. Kingley, Jude Spallinger (Bogart), Cole Koenig (Raeburn) and Trent Howard (Armstrong).

What is your favorite subject in third grade?
Anthony: Science. The experiments are fun.
Jude: Math: I’m always good at it.
Cole: Math. Last year I received As and Bs.
Trent: Technology!
Anthony: We don’t have that.
Trent: I know.

I can see this will be an interesting interview. Tell me, what’s different between second grade and third grade?
Anthony: Well, let me see. In third grade you get ice cream for passing multiplication tests.
Jude: AR. That means accelerated reading. The levels are harder. Books are larger and longer.
Cole: We didn’t have multiplication in the second grade. I was in Wisconsin last year.
Trent: In third grade you have different times for recess. You get an extra recess on Friday and since today (this interview was on Thursday before spring break) is the last day of the week, the extra recess will be today.

If you could meet someone from another planet, what planet would that be, and what would you talk about?
Anthony: Food land planet. I’d get to know him then I’d get a lifetime supply of food.
Jude: Sports land planet. I’m always good at sports.
Trent: That’s true. He is.
Cole: Sports land. I’m in baseball. This summer I’ll be on the Findlay 9 and 10 traveling baseball team.
Trent: Lava land, no sorry, cross that off, Volcano land. I’ll find out how to use their power.

If you could give yourself any nickname you wanted, what nickname would you use?
Anthony: Pie. I like pie.
Jude: Sportsman.
Cole: Hmm, I don’t know. Smiley?
Trent: Lavaman Howard.

If you could combine two animals, which would you combine, what would they look like and what would you call the new animal? (This question caused great excitement and hand raising.)
Anthony: A dragon and a mouse. It would be small, but could fly. It would also keep you warm. I’d call it Wing Mouse.
Jude: A monkey and a spider. It would be a small, little pet that could climb on your shoulder.
Cole: A fish and a horse. I’d call it Fishy Horse.
Trent: Probably a spider and a crocodile. It would be a crocodile with spider legs and spider fangs.

What’s the largest number?
Anthony: Infinity. Even though its’ not a number. You see, numbers never stop.
Jude: Infinity plus 1. (Everyone laughs)
Cole: Infinity plus 2. (Everyone laughs)
Icon: I thought you might say that.
Trent: Beyond. (Stretching his hands out). Numbers never stop.

If you could go on a vacation anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Anthony: Japan.
Jude: I’d watch the Miami Heat play in the tournament.
Cole: I’d watch the Boston Celtics play. I like them.
Trent: China. No, California.

Name your favorite professional sports team.
Anthony: Columbus Crew.
Jude: I have four favorites. May I list them? Brazil, the soccer team, the Heat, the Celtics and the LA Lakers.
Cole: Milwaukee Wave, an indoor soccer team, the Brewers, the Packers, Wisconsin and Notre Dame.
Icon: I can tell you are from Wisconsin.
Trent: Red Sox, Miami Heat, and Lakers.
Cole: You better not say the Celtics.
Trent: And the Celtics. (Everyone laughs)

Imagine you are a chef in an expensive restaurant. Tell me what exotic dish you would create for your menu.
Anthony: I’d take batter, mud and flies and wrap it up and heat it over 12,000 degrees. Take it out, put it in the freezer to minus 2 degrees, then melt it for 25 seconds, open the door, add more flies, beat it down and serve it. I’d call I Fly Pie.

(Note: The basic recipe idea was repeated with variations with each of our interviewees, as you will soon discover.)

Jude: I’d cut up hamburger, add cheese, mud, potatoes, one giant mommy fly, one giant napkin, freeze it to minus 3 degrees, then put it in the oven at 13,000 degrees, take it out, cool it, and serve. I’d call it Big Momma Fly Pie.

Cole: I’d take mud, flies, a book…The Cat in the Hat…put it all in the oven at 19,000 degrees, take it out, put it in the freezer to minus 1 degree for nine minutes and then in an oven at 1,900 degrees and take out. I’d call it Big Fat Momma Fly Pie.

Trent: Start with a soft taco, hamburger, cheese and more cheese, catsup, onions, lettuce, tomatoes. Wrap, heat for two billions degrees, then in the freezer for minus 20,00 degrees. I’d call it the World’s Biggest Hamburger.

Icon: Sounds delicious.

We have time for one more question. What would you like to be when you grow up?
Anthony: A giant. I’d walk around in the morning, then shrink back to normal size in the afternoon, then become as small as a mouse. Then I’d wake up and discover it was all a dream.
Jude: A professional basketball or soccer player.
Cole: A professional baseball player. I’d pitch for the Milwaukee Brewers and shut out Cincinnati in two games.
Trent: A professional basketball player for the Miami Heat.

Well, it’s been interesting talking with each of you. You may return to your classrooms.