Three words: mud-splattered glee. That's what you'll see as your child whips up our mud parfait, a fabulous new twist on the quintessential springtime mud pie. We suggest making the parfait "glass" several hours before heading for the mud to allow the glue time to dry. Your mud chefs may want to collect parfait ingredients such as leaves, twigs or pebbles while they wait.

PARFAIT GLASS MATERIALS

Rubber band
Clear 2-liter bottle with cap
X-Acto knife or scissors
Craft Goop (or other glue made for plastics)

DIRECTIONS

1. Using a rubber band around the bottle as a guide, cut around the bottle about 4 inches from the bottom (a parent's job).

2. Trim the base section again just above the molded ridges. Discard the center portion.

3. Turn the top and bottom parts upside down and glue the spout with the cap onto the center of the base.

4. When the glue's dry, your child can fill it trifle style--alternating layers of mud with pebbles, sand, dirt, leaves and any other "ingredients" she likes. Top with a rock "cherry" and a leaf.

TIP: If playing outside is out of the question, fill a small tub or old foil roaster with dirt, set it on the garage floor along with a container of water, some plastic spoons, a garden trowel and disposable cups. Add kids and wait.

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