TALKING TRASH: THINGS THAT GO BUMP IN YOUR BIN

I'm sure that by now you've accepted my challenge of two weeks ago and have completed your assignment - right? You've scanned your kitchen cabinets, pantries, and 'frig and discovered those clear plastic containers for us to reuse and recycle. Let's compare lists:

1. One/two liter soda/water bottles

2. Cooking oil containers

3. Syrup bottles

4. Spice jars

5. Dish detergent squeeze bottles

6. Peanut butter jars

7. Vanilla

8. Salad dressing bottles

9. Vinegar bottles

10. Catsup bottles

There! How'd you do? If you found more than 10, please let us know! A reminder about sanitation at this point. Please thoroughly wash containers in soapy water before REUSING. Neither young hands nor older appreciate sticky,. trashy materials when creating! Several years ago, on a family camping trip to Colorado Springs, our grown children, spouses, and one granddaughter converged on a remote campsite. Montana and Missouri families met, thoroughly thrilled to reunite. Tents were erected, the week-long fun projected, belongings protected. A picnic pending, we noticed many with one liter water bottles in hand. The challenge was set! Who amongst us can create a workable hummingbird feeder? The fun began! Earnest efforts were made. In short, the whole creative experience was later to become one of the most comical parts of a home video. Oh sure, it would have been nice if only one thirsty fly would have been attracted or if more than one actually held water! But alas, how better to learn than by trying?!

"Fat Bats" are simply that. Using empty, clean two liter plastic bottles as bats, is not only fun but educational. You've seen the short, chubby, plastic bats in stores? Keep your $$ in your piggy bank. When the family budget is so tight it squeaks, create your own toys and games. The old game of stick ball was invented by creative kids who lacked money and space. Fat Bats are just a modern version of the same. Wads of paper or old tennis balls make excellent objects to hit. Eye-hand coordination, force to distance, counting, taking turns, etc. are only a few of the possible learnings.

For "Sunny Funnys" collect as many different shapes and sizes of clear plastic bottles as you have room for in a sunny place. Set up your laboratory on the kitchen floor covered with newspapers, and let the fun begin. Mark, won't you and your wife try this with Becca Co. and report to us on your experience? Any other budding scientists out there? Warning: This can be messy! Cover floor or go outside and Cover the kids! You'll also need food coloring, water and a funnel. This too can be made from a dish detergent bottle by cutting off the bottom and with lid still intact, invert into each container to be filled. Kids pours please (Great self-help skill)! Parents only handle food coloring. Fill 3 containers with primary colors (red, blue, yellow) and the rest are for mixing colors. My five year old granddaughter exclaimed, "Amazing!" "Wow! Look what I made happen!" Worth the effort and the mess? You bet!

"Rocky Rattles" are created simply by putting rocks, popcorn kernels, rice, bird seed, buttons, or packing foam inside of one/two liter bottles. Tape the lid on securely for younger children. Turn on the music, loosen up Mom and Dad, and let the family shake, rattle, and roll in your own "Bottle Band!"

If you'll take the time, make the effort, and get involved with these projects, I guarantee that you will create family memories that will last a lifetime! The happiest memories that our grown children share about their childhood, most always reflect on the simpler, cost-free TIME that we spent together. Reuse -- recycle -- and you've also helped teach them Respect!

Care to share an idea with us? Just send it in to "Ms. Kaye," Southeast Missourian, P.O. Box 699, Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63701.