The 4th of July fireworks from our local Shopco parking lot.
The fourth of July was spectacular at our house! We had the usual feast of sausages, potato salad, fruit and chips.
Our youngest daughter made her first “I am really on my own, cake”. It turned out beautifully and tasted great.
July 4th cake. Doing something yourself is a great esteem booster.
However the highlight was one of those unplanned learning moments that can be so fun. Our son in law brought liquid nitrogen to the party in a large metal bottle so the kids could make ice cream without the wait.
It was fun helping each of the littles combine the ingredients for the ice cream. They love to cook.
Maggie and Jack making ice cream
Jack and Mary making ice cream
Then Brady poured the liquid nitrogen in the ice cream and WOW, we had fog everywhere; clouds on the floor so to speak. The kids LOVED it. The ice cream was amazingly delicious!!
Pour liquid nitrogen into cream and sugar and you have instant ice cream!
Simply delicious home made ice cream!
But as guys and kids will, the fun spilled out of the jar and the ice cream making to any other feasible place. It was poured on the kitchen floor and we all ran rampant through the clouds. It was poured down the stairs and into the sink filled with hot water. Lots of silliness, lots of laughter and fun.
Mary and Jack playing with liquid nitrogen
Jack getting into the fun.
Did you know that if you pour liquid nitrogen on an inflated balloon the balloon deflates. That is because the nitrogen is so cold that it cools off the air in the balloon taking up less space and it deflates. Hold it in the warm room air and it re-inflates. Cool!
Pouring liquid nitrogen on an inflated balloon
Our deflated balloon re-inflating
We learned that nitrogen makes up 80% of what we breathe. Jack couldn’t get his mind around the fact that what was making ice cream is also what we breathe. Lesson for a future year!
We also learned that most elements can be liquid, gas and solid. Just so you know, liquid nitrogen can cause very serious burns and must be handled with great care and only by adults. : )
Maggie enjoying the fire works
July fourth was a learning day at the Johnson’s, learning a bit about chemistry and our wonderful country. Happy Fourth of July!
Mary learning how to use sparklers
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Sounds like amazing family fun! I am going to go make me some ice cream……
Yes it does. The whole lot of it 🙂