My regular readers know that Little Guy and Little Miss are my constant companions in the kitchen. When I begin a recipe, one of them (usually Little Guy) will drag the step stool from the pantry to the island, and they'll both climb up and beg to help.
Little Guy has been successfully wielding a hand mixer since he was two, and now it's Little Miss's turn. She's not quite there yet, but then again, she's not quite two years old.
Baking with kids is hard under normal circumstances, and even harder when a time constraint is involved. Still, I try to let my kids do as much as my patience will allow, knowing that I want them to have fun in the kitchen and enjoy the processes of cooking and baking. But it's more than just having fun and making memories: I want them to see up close what it means to read a recipe, follow directions, measure, pour, mix, stir and improvise when necessary. These are all important life skills that while learned in the kitchen, are applicable everywhere. Further, I want them to be able to take pride in the result and understand that only when you put in the work can you reap the reward.
And they sure do like the reward!
I wonder if my little kitchen elves know all that. Maybe they're too busy enjoying the reward.
Then again, so am I. I just love my kitchen elves.
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