Because you can't always play in the pool

The weather has turned cooler this week, but recently we had some honest-to-goodness hot summer days. For the circus, those days are best spent in the backyard, splashing in the wading pool, painting with sidewalk chalk paint, drinking lemonade, and eating popsicles.

Admittedly, those are some good days.

But even with the most liberal application (and reapplication) of sunscreen and a conscientious use of sun hats, eventually a mom worries a bit about sun exposure. As the heat wave wore on, we began thinking about ways to entertain the girls without sending them out into the bright sunshine. Inspiration struck while cruising through the commissary. In the pasta aisle, to be precise.

We snatched up a box of rigatoni, some rubbing alcohol, and some food dye. With just a little bit of work, we had lots of this:

Some rummaging through the "art closet" produced leftover ribbon, construction paper, and painter's tape. (Of course, any tape will do.) A little fussing, and we had this:

And the next thing you know, we had an excellent opportunity to work on fine motor skills. Kathleen was excited; she'd done this before. We weren't sure that Madeline would be all that interested, but she was. And she did a great job.

I just love watching those chubby little hands at work.

Fine motor skills produce some fine jewelry. Okay, a lot of fine jewelry. (And fine is in the eye of the beholder, I suppose.)

Kathleen very generously made necklaces for everyone in the family. Some family members may have been more excited about that than others, but everyone wore a necklace, nonetheless.

Poor, sick Daddy still wears a necklace. Kathleen wanted to give Indy a necklace, too, but we convinced her that necklaces aren't a good idea for little babies.

And that's how to keep the circus out of the pool. . . but only for a while!