1 three-quart plastic sand bucket or 3 one-quart sand buckets with shovels
1/2 c. butter (1 stick)
2 (8 oz.) pkgs. cream cheese
1/2 c. powdered sugar
12 oz. frozen whipped topping
3 1/2 c. milk
2 (3.4 oz.) pkgs. instant vanilla pudding (other flavors may be used)
1 (20 oz.) pkg. vanilla wafers, crushed
Beach Bears, Gummy Worms and/or Gummy Sharks for garnish, optional

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 percent 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 counter for 1 hour to soften.) Mix butter and cream cheese together.

Place powdered sugar in a sifter and sift powdered sugar into the butter-cream cheese mixture. Mix in the powdered sugar until it's well blended.

Uncover frozen whipped topping and place in microwave on defrost (or 30 percent power) for 1 to 2 minutes.

In a medium size bowl, add milk. Sprinkle pudding over milk and whisk 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 cream cheese-pudding mixture. Keep layering until full (about four layers of each) 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.

Cook's Note: This may be made ahead and frozen, which will keep it safe longer for outdoor picnics.