Today, I came across a fascinating DIY project for homemade lava lamps while browsing Pinterest and decided to save it for later. Unfortunately, I left my browser open, and when my little one, Alex, peeked over my shoulder, he spotted the pin. “Oh, can we make those today?” he asked excitedly. “Of course, sweetheart!” I replied.
I gathered the measuring cups, vegetable oil, and a glass jar, only to realize we were out of food coloring. Alex’s excitement quickly faded. “Don’t worry, when your dad gets home, I’ll grab some food coloring,” I reassured him.
When my partner, Mike, arrived, I kept my promise. With a Whole Foods just five minutes away, I called to confirm they had food coloring in stock. Relief washed over me when they did.
However, when I got to the store, I discovered that their food coloring was priced at a staggering twenty dollars. I spent five minutes debating whether to pay the premium or drive to the Giant grocery store fifteen minutes away. Imagining Alex’s eager face, I reluctantly opted to buy it and stood in line.
The cashier asked how my day was going. I forced a smile and grumbled about spending twenty bucks on food coloring. She suggested I go to Giant where it would be much cheaper. “You’re right,” I said, realizing my folly. Thanking her, I left the store empty-handed.
I drove to Giant, found the food coloring, and stood in line again. While waiting, I read about celebrity events and even picked up some gum. But when it was time to pay, I realized I had left my wallet at Whole Foods! Panicking, I rushed back to retrieve it. Thankfully, my wallet was exactly where I had left it. I bought the overpriced food coloring, all while rolling my eyes at my own chaos and vowing to avoid Pinterest science experiments in the future.
Finally, I returned home to a very excited Alex, ready to create the much-anticipated lava lamp. We mixed the oil, salt, water, and food coloring into the jar. Together, we waited for the magic to happen. And we waited, and waited. “Isn’t it supposed to do something?” he asked. “Yeah, it should be,” I replied, feeling let down. I ended up blaming the all-natural, preservative-free food coloring.
Pinterest, I’m done with you—once again.
More Insights
For more insights on navigating the journey to starting a family, check out one of our other blog posts here. If you’re looking for a reliable resource on at-home insemination, visit Make A Mom. Understanding the ins and outs of pregnancy and home insemination can be challenging; this article from Parents is an excellent resource.
In summary, my attempt at a simple lava lamp experiment turned into a comedic yet frustrating adventure. Despite my efforts, the outcome was less than spectacular, leading me to question whether Pinterest-inspired projects are worth the hassle.