2011 Trojahn Christmas Gift Exchange

Adult gift exchange (Yes, Katie, you are an adult now)---$40 minimum. Ladies buy a woman's gift; Men buy a men's gift.

Kid's gift exchange---$25 minimum.

Jacob buys for Henry
Luke.....William
Ryan....Charlie
Sydney...Ryan
Thomas....Peter
William....Scarlett
Henry....Jacob
Peter.....Luke
Dotty....Miaja
Charlie....Thomas
Scarlett....Aili
Miaja....Dotty
Aili....Sydney

School Projects - Part 2

Nathan had to build a Rube Goldberg type device for school. It had to use 3 of 4 types of energy (heat, light, sound, motion) to accomplish a task. At first I thought he just had to design and draw one - then I realized we actually had to make something work. Once again we ended up with a rather simple design that met all the requirements. [See post re: Ellen's physics boat]

Without Evan's mammoth speakers I doubt we could have produced a big enough sound wave to move that pinewood derby car off the starting block-even with the car only about 20 millimeters from the bass driver. Evan just happened to have an audiophile sampler of the William Tell Overture WITH real cannons. You never know when you might need that particular item.

My ears are still ringing. It took several tries to get it to work - even with something this simple. All with the volume turned WAY up. I'm surprised the authorities didn't show up.

And I just noticed... How appropriate that somewhere during the filming the screen saver on the TV reverted to the Starship Enterprise. Isn't that your TV wallpaper? Wait, what are you saying? You don't have a computer hanging from the back of your television to watch Hulu and stream iTunes? I'm shocked and embarrassed for you. It's the only way I know of to force you to use 4 remote controls, a keyboard, and a windows network login just to watch last weeks episode of Dancing with the Stars.

School Projects - Physics Boat

When did school projects turn into parent projects? I already did my time in school. I don't need to do your homework too.

Ellen had to build a boat for physics class. The boat had to be able to hold a 5 pound bag of sand and float for 1 minute, but when the sand was removed and the boat was filled with water it would sink (completely submerged). The teacher also specified that the boat couldn't be box shaped with square corners.

Think about it. The physics is pretty straight forward - although I had to explain it to Ellen about 10 times. What is the major criteria of the boats design to allow it to float carrying 5lbs of sand but sink when full of water?

Figured it out yet? No. Ok, I'll tell you. The hull of the boat has to be capable of holding a volume of water that weighs more than 5lbs. If it holds less than that ,then the boat won't sink. So we know that a gallon of water (or milk) weighs roughly 8.5 lbs. So any boat what would hold a gallon would float with 5lbs of sand and sink when filled with water. So with no specifications on the construction of the boat other than the limit on box shapes, we moved onto the next step.

What can I use to make this boat that won't dissolve in water and requires the least amount of work? A plastic gallon jug! Ellen and I drove to the grocery store and bought a gallon jug of juice. Nathan started drinking large volumes of juice while Ellen cut a hole in the side of the jug large enough to allow the sand to be loaded. We tested it in the kitchen sink and Voila! Floated with a 5 lb bag of sugar (conveniently packaged in that size already) sank like a stone when filled with water. After one final adjustment (attached a weight to the bottom as ballast to reduce rolling if the load wasn't exactly centered) and it was finished.

$5 of juice + 10 minutes = one successful physics boat

Ellen's teacher didn't believe it would work and actually mocked the design. Fool! Bow to the magnificence of it's simplicity. It worked like a charm. A+

Memorial Day 2011

2011 Trojahn Summer Activities

ST LOUIS ZOO --Tuesday, June 14 (raindate Friday, June 17)

Meet at the zoo for the morning. Zoo hours are 8am-5pm. Admission is free. Extra charge for some attractions, but some of them are free for the first hour. Parking is free on the road side, but $12 per car if you park in their lot. Bring a picnic lunch and blanket to eat off grounds in a grassy area. Afternoon is up to you!

Check their website for more info
Stingrays $3 person under 2 free
Children's zoo $4 person, under 2 free
Carousel $3 person
Railroad $5 person
Sealion show $3 person

WILDLIFE PRAIRIE PARK, PEORIA-Wednesday, July 13 (rain date Wednesday, July 20)

Wednesdays are carload days. $18 per carload, up to 8 people. Regular admission is $6.50 for 13 years and older, $4.50 for kids 4-12. Kids under 3 is free. Cheapest admission applies. Park hours are 9am-6:30pm. Bring a picnic lunch to eat on grounds at 12:30. Buffalo and Elk are fed at 1pm. Single and double jogger strollers and wagons available for $5.

SCOVILL ZOO AND CHILDREN'S MUSEUM OF ILLINOIS, DECATUR-Thursday, August 11 (rain date Thursday, August 18)

Thursdays are free at this zoo! Hours are 10-5. Extra charge for carousel ($1.50) and train ride ($2.50). Bring quarters to feed the animals. They have a great play ground at this zoo. Bring picnic lunch. In the afternoon we'll go next door to the children's museum. Admission is $5, under 2 is free.

Hair Raising Syd

Do you think I should wear my hair like this more often????

TROJAHN TRAIT

The newest addition in the Trojahn Family entrepreneur trade! Soon William will be hanging drywall like his daddy or Papa Trojahn!