Entry FeedMy kids love to help me bake. It seems to double the time required, and at least double the mess. Plus there is always at least one broken egg, and one fight because somebody got to stir more or pour more.
Last night we made my (almost) famous chocolate chip cookies for the school bazaar today. I was actually thrilled that it only took an hour and 15 minutes to make the five dozen cookies. Yes, I had three helpers. You should see the state of my kitchen. I just can't motivate myself to clean it!
Today, Son Two, the fiercely independent one of my offspring, made himself popcorn. Microwave popcorn. It was great - he can read enough to press the "Popcorn" button on the microwave, and then his sister made melted butter to go along with it.
Only one problem. He didn't know to take the plastic wrapper off. Just so you know, it doesn't really seem to matter. The popcorn popped well. Half the wrapper was melted into the bag, the other half just feel off when he took it out of the microwave. No gross burning plastic smell. We were golden!
I have some friends who when renovating their kitchen choose to put their microwave in their island so that the kids to could access it. Other friends did the opposite, placing it over the stove so that the kids knew not to touch. Ours is over the counter, so the kids need a chair to access it.
I haven't explained the "no metal in the microwave" rule yet, though I have cautioned about burns and things being really hot. It seems like we are entering a new phase where the kids can start to prepare their own snacks and meals. If I teach them how, isn't that sort of like phasing myself out of my job? And is that a good thing?