Big Messy Art

I have a secret confession. I don't normally do this. In fact, I try really really hard not to do this, but yesterday I made a total impulse buy. I stopped by the drug store on the way home and while standing in line for the cash register I spied these little guys.

How could I say no? I stuck my hand in to the bin and just squished and played and then, I loaded up my basket and bought the bunch. What can I say? I am a total sucker!

I walked in the door and announced to my children that we were about to have some serious fun! The stars were aligned because as I looked in my front yard, I saw that some one had left a huge piece of cardboard just sitting there in front of my house. I nailed it to the fence, added a few bottles of paint and my invitation to play was complete.

The kids loved squishing the rubbery little guys around in the paint. They loved hurling them at the cardboard. They loved the cool sound it made when it splatted down to the ground.

I loved the squeals of delight, and the beautiful, flower like shapes that were left from where the flailing tentacles of the critter as it hit the surface. I loved that when they decided paint wasn't enough they ran and got the shaving cream to add to the bucket. I love that they always take it a step further.

The neighbors even started to venture out to see what madness we had going on.  One girl  yelled with glee as she grabbed a hand full of critters and flung it at the fence, "I'd never be allowed to do this at MY house!"

Score.