How to Create a Snow Storm in Your Bathroom (In Case You Ever Need to Know)

I am writing today with a runny nose and a vicious cough. No, I don't have a cold. I am suffering from Johnson & Johnson talcuminhaleitis. It's a very rare and annoying reaction that occurs when one breathes too much baby powder.

Late last night I heard a thumping sound coming from upstairs in the direction of Ian's room. This is never a good sign. Steve went up to check on him. I heard him tell Ian very loudly to get back in bed and go to sleep. Quick footsteps down the stairs. I met him in the hall and asked what had happened.

Ian had decided his Rescue Heroes needed to save someone from a snow storm. Soooooooo, he emptied two baby powder containers onto the bathroom floor and began making dog sled tracks through it. Powder coated everything. The room was already white; now it glistens.

It was too much mess to try to clean up last night, so I waited until this morning and woke him up 15 minutes early with vacuum cleaner in hand. He was still very proud of his ingenuity. I was beginning to see the humor in it, but there was no way I was going to let him know. Together we vacuumed, swept, and wet-wiped. Still, the powdered sugar-like coating stayed. I wanted to call The Cat in the Hat to see if Little Cat Z could spare some VOOM.

On our way to school, I told Ian that I am no longer angry about the mess. However, if he ever does something like that again, he will be cleaning it solo. . .with his toothbrush. This was probably a mistake. The wheels in his head have surely been turning all day trying to come up with a new way to redecorate the bathroom with toothpaste. That's pretty much all that is left in there, since he used the entire 16-ounce bottle of lotion to finger paint on his mirror last week. I guess he could do something with shampoo or bath soap.

Does anyone know how to safety-proof a house from a 7 year-old?