"SAND" CAKE

            1 3-qt plastic sand bucket & shovels (or 3 1-qt sand buckets) 
            1/2 cup butter (one stick) 
            2 8-ounce packages of cream cheese 
            1/2 cup powdered sugar 
            12 ounces frozen whipped topping 
            3 1/2 cups milk 
            2 3/4-ounce packages of instant vanilla pudding 
            1 20-ounce package vanilla wafers, crushed 
            Beach Bears, Gummy Worms, and/or Gummy Sharks for garnish 
      Using soapy water, wash sand buckets and shovels, rinse them and dry them, then set them aside. On a microwave safe
      dish, place butter. Place in microwave on defrost (or 30% power) for 1 minute. Put butter in large mixing bowl. Repeat
      softening process with cream cheese and add to mixing bowl. (Note: you can also place butter, cream cheese, and whipped
      topping on the counter for 1 hour to soften them.) Mix butter and cream cheese together. Uncover frozen whipped topping
      and place in microwave on defrost (or 30% power) for 1 to 2 minutes. In a medium-size bowl, add milk. Sprinkle pudding
      over milk and whip or beat until thickened, about 1 minute. Add pudding and whipped topping to the cream cheese mixture
      and mix until smooth using a wooden spoon or electric mixer. In a food processor, process vanilla wafers until they form a
      fine even crumb. Or place wafers in a plastic bag and roll them, using a rolling pin, until you have completely broken them up.

      In the buckets, place a layer of crushed vanilla wafers, then a layer of the cream cheese-pudding mixture. Keep layer until
      full and end with a layer of crushed wafers. Cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate several hours. Before serving, decorate
      with Beach Bears, Gummy Worms or Sharks if desired. Use shovel to serve. 

      Serves 8-10 people.