We hit up the DeYoung museum the other day to see a display of Impressionism paintings on loan from the Musee D’Orsay. Knowing they had a couple Degas paintings, including The Dancing Lesson, I let Emmeline wear her favorite ballet tutu and told her to run around until she found the painting. Ten minutes later, there she was, staring at the plump backsides of milling tourists gathered around to see the painting.

“I think it’s behind them,” she said, pointing at the group.

And so we waited for a bit until the crowds cleared and there it was indeed. She was happy to see all the dancers and learn a little bit more about the scene from the audio guide we shared.

I’m not sure what the “off” hours are for this exhibit, but I would definitely try to find them if you’re headed over there with small children or parents who hate large crowds and the moronic way people have a habit of just standing in doorways, as if the entire museum isn’t trying to get by them. We’ll try to find those off hours to, because there were a couple paintings we wanted to spend more time with but got sort of pushed around until we found ourselves stuck in a doorway, unable to move.