RJ science lab

RJ made the school newsletter.

RJ thinks to himself, "c'mon ... big explosion."

Recessed Lighting

After living in the dark for several years we decided to install recessed lighting in the living room.

Since the area above the living room was loosely-finished attic the project was not too difficult ... in theory. What we learned:

• Although there was a straight run from the existing single-gong box to the attic (only a single 2' x 4' to drill through), the process still took 3-4 hours.
• 14/2 wire is almost $1/foot.
• Working in the attic when it is 77 degrees out is still sweaty work
• Breathing without a mask while moving dusty insulation was a bad idea
• Wearing a short sleeve shirt resulted in two-days of itchy skin

RJ ran the wire around the attic and helped with the wiring

Turns out that wearing a long sleeve shirt would have saved a lot of itchy skin

Julia took a break from reading to get tools, clean up, and test the new switch (Sara still has to mud)

Kids night at Speedway

Hagerstown Speedway had kids night ... so Julia got in free (teenagers pay the student price) and each got a free snow cone and a ride around the track in a race car.

Warm in the sun ... things got chilly when the sun went down

 

Kids rode around track hanging out the window of the #32 car

We routed for the 32-car during the final race but the car didn't drift like the top ones in the race.

Other items of note:

• The 25 car was there and added to what is probably a record breaking losing streak.
• The concession stand closed before kids got their pretzels. But we survived. Barely. 
• Sara was sick so she missed out on the fun. Bummer. 

First day of 8th and 5th grade

Kids got off to they usual start. RJ was annoyed. Julia was excited.

The difference this year was that school started after the first round of the US Open Tennis tournament. The ESPN highlights included Daniil Medvedev's meltdown that Dad tried to re-create.

Julia tries to be cool by looking annoyed

Daniil Medvedev's meltdown re-enactment

Julia not trying to be cool

Ravens win 30-3

Sara and RJ went to the Commanders versus the Ravens preseason game. Hillary and Logan provided the tickets. 

After a 2.5 hour commute, team Johnson got to watch the second quarter

After missing entire 3rd quarter waiting for food the Ravens won 30-3!

Cleveland Guardian's Game

Sara's family got together at a Cleveland Guardians game ... Aunt Donna organized a sweet box for 30-40 people.

Met Suzie, David (not pictured), Laura, Johnny the day before the game

Sara's wallet stayed at home, so she had to deal with us while shoe shopping (and Petco - looking at fish/birds)

The next day we made it to the game ... 

Pic at entrance. Only pic where Doug wasn't 'batting' or 'throwing'

Family pic after getting to the box

Box with entire Cleveland crowd

Watching game, each of us had 3-4 sodas!

After the game, kids got to 'run the bases'

Doug shows the 2nd basement how to throw out a runner at first, without throwing the ball away

Doug bet $1 on the Guardians. Braves won, Doug lost, Doug was mad.

The Guardians committed 3 errors (one was not officially an error because nobody touched the infield popup). The three errors and 2 mental lapses accounted for 3 runs ... Doug should have won the bet.

Even though the game took 3 hours, we had fun. If you want to watch the game in 13 minutes ... here you go ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtPONmgvL8o. 

Climbing Camp

Kids attended climbing camp during the week of Aug 11. Both had fun. Both complained daily about how sore they were and how much their muscles hurt. The best part was they won some crawling game that they suggested ... and as a result, both had band aids from rug burns on their knees (see Cleveland trip pictures).

Bradley, Milo, RJ (Julia and Ava not pictures)

RJ acts as the belayer for Bradley