It seems this blog has taken on a slightly different tone these days.  I focus a lot of my daughter and the wonderful activities we do together because, frankly, that is what is most interesting to me right now.  Plus, most of these crafts and projects happen in my kitchen anyway.  It is the one room in the house in which I spend almost 90% of my waking hours.  I've been cooking- don't think that I haven't.  In fact, just this morning, I finished up a decorated cookie project for the neighbors.  I'll post the pix as well as a link to the super helpful tutorial that I used when putting them together.  But, back to my favorite topic...

<a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/tub-paint-2.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-968" alt="bathtub finger paint" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/tub-paint-2.jpg" width="500" height="403" /></a>

It has been a horrid winter.  Between the appallingly bad weather and the resulting sicknesses, we have spent an unimaginable amount of time trapped inside our house.  (The novelty of the new house has worn off, indeed.)  I have spent entire weeks wherein one 12-hour day with O followed another and then another, and there wasn't another soul around to interact with.  So, we have gotten creative.  We've had loads of fun with all kinds of toddler-friendly crafts and indoor activities, but to tell you the truth, I CANNOT WAIT for the spring and summer when it is so nice outside that we abandon crafts, projects, and books and head outside ALL DAY LONG.

<a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/tub-paint.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-969" alt="bathtub paints" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/tub-paint.jpg" width="357" height="500" /></a>

That said, a few weeks back, I was desperate for a nice finish to our day. With Daniel Tiger occupying O for a moment, I flipped through <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Everything-Toddler-Activities-Book-ebook/dp/B001OLRKUC">The Everything Toddler Activity Book</a>.  There are a lot of spectacular activities in this book to engage even the most bored parent and tot, but I have yet to accumulate enough toilet paper rolls for most of the projects.  Note to self: do not throw away plastic caps, containers, paper towel tubes, toilet paper rolls, shoe boxes or anything that might be easily converted into something fantastic with a little help from one's imagination.  We settled on bathtub finger paints.  I mixed up the paints with ingredients I already had on hand, and within 5 minutes, we were ready for fun.  O LOVED this idea.  She painted every wall in the tub, mixed the colors together ("make-een pur-ple"), drizzled the paint into the water and watched it dissipate, and scrubbed all of her parts (singing "scrubby dubby doo" all the while).

The only thing I would do differently is to add slightly less food coloring.  I used the same Wilton gel colorings that I use for everything.  A little goes a long way.  Her hands did have a slight pink tint to them after we got out of the bath.  But, she was happy, and mommy could relax for a moment (well, as relaxed as you can get while perching on the toilet next to the tub).  The paints lasted for several days.  We stored them in tiny plastic containers with a lid.  They just need to be stirred up a little when you come back to them.

Happy bathing.

(Excuse the poor quality photos.  Sometimes you just have to enjoy the moment &amp; not go rushing off for the good camera.)

<strong>Bathtub Finger Paints</strong>

(This makes a tiny batch.  If your child desires multiple colors, make 2 or 3 separate batches and dye each one individually.)

2 tablespoons liquid soap

1 tablespoon cornstarch

a few drops of food coloring

1.  Mix all of the ingredients in a plastic container.  Cover with a tight lid when not using.