December 26, 2004
Putting the D'OH! in Play DohPosted by Bryan
So the other day, Cotter comes home with a small canister of Play Doh, a gift for Christmas from his kindergarten class party.
We're not big partakers in the institution of Play Doh in the McAnally household.
So, to discuss this matter with my children, I open it up and scrape off the most miniscule curl, to share an important conversation that my parents never took the time to share with me.
"You may be tempted," I began, "when playing with Play Doh, to take a small nibble of it."
The children looked at me like I had been hit in the face with a frying pan.
I should have recognized this as a good reason to close my mouth and simply pretend like it had never happened, hoping that my children would gracefully forget about it as more pleasant memories overlay this awkward one.
But I didn't.
"I understand this temptation," I continued. "It smells pretty yummy, so I can see why you'd think it might taste yummy."
I cracked open the sealed lid and took a deep double-nostril inhale. The odor froze my jaw and caused my tongue to thicken in an involuntary wave of revulsion.
Yet, I was committed.
"The fact is, children, that Play Doh is not made to be eaten." With that, I took the miniscule curl, measuring approximately the width and length of a broken pencil lead (and resembling it, too, for the flavor color of the modeling clay was "silver with glitter"), and popped it into my mouth.
Oh.
The.
Horror.
The salty poison of tactile creativity spread like diluted watercolor over my tongue's landscape, causing me to immediately gag and choke.
I, like Lot's wife, had looked over my shoulder back to my own kindergarten temptations and my tongue was being turned into a pillar of salt.
I have vague memories of biting chunks of this stuff off like it was taffy.
Now, I was on the verge of being in need of a call for paramedics (or at least poison control).
I think the kids got the point, though. I'm not sure, as it was difficult to tell amidst their rolling and tearful, uncontrolled laughter at my unexpected spasms and constant spitting.
Kelli, my anchor of compassion observed all that had transpired. "I think this is a good time to have the lecture about eating paste," she said.
After all, it was time for dessert.
December 26, 2004 9:46 PMLOL! I happen to LOVE the smell of Play Doh, but have never succumbed to the urge to taste it. Perhaps you just had a bad flavor, though... Hmm. Do I dare taste test and rate different colors?
Last year, a few weeks before Christmas, we mixed bright colors together enough for it to get all swirly, but not enough for it to assume a dull brown color. We then rolled it out and used cookie cutters in Christmas shapes, poked a hole, let it dry thoroughly, and tied ribbon to make ornaments for the tree. The Play Doh did not shrink or deform as it dried.
Mental note, post these instructions after Thanksgiving for a fun activity that all ages can enjoy!
Posted by: Doug at December 26, 2004 11:26 PMLOL!!! I was instantly transported back to the age of five and sitting on Susan Carlton's front porch and eating Play Doh!
Posted by: aithne at December 27, 2004 10:45 AMThank you aithne! I knew I wasn't the only one!
I knew I wasn't crazy. I think they changed the recipe.
And Doug, every time I read your comments, I remember with great fondness how you shared how you went to fix your kitchen faucet and ended up powerwashing your ceiling. That still makes me laugh.
Every single time.
Posted by: Bryan at December 27, 2004 11:56 AM