Pollock-style Art in the Snow

With 5+ inches of snow on the ground, our entire region has come to a standstill. Stores are closed, the Governor is urging people to stay home, and churches and schools are cancelled. This state just doesn't know what to do with the white stuff. It would seem that snowplows and sand/salt trucks are a rare commodity. It's not just a few parking lots and sidewalks that are still iced over but also US Highways, major freeways, and even the Interstate. It is bizarre to me having spent the first part of January in Kansas where they had suffered through a snow dump of 10+ inches and had their PARKING LOTS cleared within 48 hours. Interstates and major highways are constantly scraped and sanded even as the snow continues to fall. But that's just not the case in the old Tarheel state. Around here, life will likely come to a standstill for the better part of the week.

So, here's an activity to occupy your little ones during one of your ventures outdoors. If your kiddos are anything like mine, you haven't yet had five minutes to snuggle up with a blanket, book, and hot chocolate. Instead you're putting on layers and layers of clothes and trudging outdoors.

What you'll need:
-Assorted squirt bottles (Water guns, water bottles, and condiment bottles work great.)
-Food coloring
-Water

1. Add several drops of food coloring to each bottle. Go ahead and mix colors to get new colors if you have enough bottles. (This may stain. Linus was wearing waterproof snowpants so it just brushed off.)
2. Fill bottle with water, secure lid, and shake.
3. Spend 20-25 minutes locating mittens, hats, and scarves and bundling up.
4. Find a pristine section of snow (or just make it down the front steps).
5. Hand over squirters and let the art begin.