Keeping it green

This morning we all woke up early to watch the Illinois Marathon.  Finley really provided some early motivation for the runners.

Later in the day it was time to grocery shop and get gas.  Jamie and I filled up the Subaru today and it cost us $4.09 a gallon, total price $49.  Not too bad considering we only fill up a once or twice a month.  Fin has opted for an alternative approach using water.



Also, pretend fuel isn't the only use for water.

Easter Preparation

With Easter Sunday approaching it is time to color easter eggs.

Finley really got into it.



He also helped frost the bunny cake.

Ion-Dipole Intermolecular Forces

Here is some fun science at home demonstrating intermolecular forces.

(1)  Procure a balloon and a two year old child.

(2) Convince the child to allow you to rub a balloon vigorously on top of their head.  If needed bribe with M&M's or other candy.

(3) Place the balloon next to a small stream of water coming out of your faucet.

Rubbing the balloon on the child's head will build up a negative charge on the balloon.  The negative charge on the balloon causes the water molecules to orient themselves with their partial positive charge aligned to interact with the negative charge on the balloon.

The water stream will therefore curve around the surface of the balloon.

Life is good!

Two days ago Jamie brought Finley to a local Easter egg hunt.  When they left they met this guy.

A 2000 International Harvester garbage truck (actual truck not shown).  If you look online, accidents between passenger vehicles and garbage trucks are notoriously deadly.  Luckily, Jamie wasn't out too far into the road, and only the bumper and lights were torn off.

We are truly a fortunate family this weekend.  Cars can be replaced, family cannot.

And yes, it was 80 degrees out today!

Fresh air makes for a sleepy boy.

Home Sweet Home

It has been a very busy couple of weeks.  The elementary school that Jamie works at has a balanced calendar, so spring break was two weeks.  We headed home to the UP for a week.  While we were home I flew to Maine for an interview at UNE.

The location was beautiful.  The campus is situated right were the Saco river runs into the ocean.

After flying back to the Yoop, we drove back down to Illinois.  They next day I departed to South Dakota for another interview, this time at DWU.

Mitchell had a lot to offer for a small town, including the Corn Palace.

It is good to finally be home with no where to go for a few weeks.  It's Saturday, it's warm outside, and there are trees to climb!

Lordy, lordy, look who's two!

Two years ago, at 2:01 am on March 7, 2009, our beloved son, Finley Michael Johnson, made us a family of three.  Today (well actually five days ago) we celebrated his 2nd birthday.

We brought out the traditional, if two years can be considered traditional, birthday banner courtesy of Grandma Cindy.  I must say he is still very handsome.

Fin was just a tad excited about getting to the cake and presents.

Happy Birthday was sung and, finally, presents were opened.  No time to admire the wrapping!

Happy Birthday Finley!

Let's Go Band!

Recently I have been in the market for a trombone.  Why?  Simply because they rock.   I couldn't find one for a decent price in Urbana, so fortunately Pre-UNK Dan came to the rescue.  The only obstacle was finding something of equal or greater fantasticness to barter.  You can't beat a homemade winter hat, so I turned in my "man card", put needles to yarn, and crafted this beauty.

 

I think it turned out acceptable for my first one, a little rough, but you might say it has character.

In exchange, Dan's trombone.  A beautiful instrument.

Finley seemed to enjoy it.

After much practice, we were able to finish the visit with this short marching band performance.



Thanks a lot, Jessie and Dan, for coming to visit!