Now they can read

A few weeks ago, Carys woke up wanting pancakes for breakfast (Actually this happens almost every morning). I told her she needed to help out making them. She was happy to help and she actually did the bulk of reading the recipe, finding ingredients and measuring. I think all I had to do was cook them on the stove. She's probably close to being ready to do that but I want her to get a little taller since we have a gas stove. Of course, we had a flour spill (I tried my best not to get too overworked about it). Overall, she made me proud that morning. It reminds me I need to make more time with Helen and Walker. I want them all ready to participate in our work at home when we they are able.

Homemade Play Dough

It took me a long time to build up the desire and courage to make play dough. I don't like to make things if I'm not sure how they will turn out. But since I've begun baking, I'm a lot more willing to try and see and just live with the results. So I searched the web and found an excellent recipe for play dough and it works wonderfully. The kids has a fun time with this. Plus their uncle had already given them a big box of cutters and tools from play-doh. Walker actually helped me make a batch, just because he wanted a taste most likely. He did not like it at all. The girls helped clean up at the end. A perfect activity for three.

Christmas Baking

The whole gang participated in baking and cooking our holiday morsels. I've been cooking pumpkin and banana bread for church so I decided to give gingerbread a try. The recipe I used worked out, I think my cookies were a bit thicker. But I think with practice in a few years, I'll be pretty good with gingerbread and hopefully able to put together a homemade gingerbread house with the girls.

Faking Holiday Baking

I'm trying to push past the extreme exhaustion of taking care of a newborn 24/7 and give the girls some holiday fun. I'm taking shortcuts this time and not trying to bake from scratch (which is a huge challenge for me even when I'm fully alert). We've done sugar cookies from the package, icing from the container and we do have sprinkles to make it fun.

The best part is the girls don't know the difference right now, the cookies are actually edible and we enjoy eating them as much as making them.

We did also make these delicious buttermilk cinnamon muffins from scratch. The girls love the muffin tops (they were basically bathed in butter and cinnamon sugar- who wouldn't love it) but the rest of the muffin went uneaten. Poppy and I love these muffins and as soon as I start getting more rest, I will be trying more baking recipes from scratch.

Little Chef

Helen loves to cut things. With knives (here she's using a dull butterknife) or scissors. At school, part of the practical life skills is cutting carrots. She's cut herself a few times but I believe they monitor the kids fairly well.

I've not had the chance to do much cooking with the girls and Helen in particular. They've had a ton of practice setting the table and are great helpers with putting out dinner plates, forks, drinks etc.

I'm looking forward to having more time to find recipes we can all work on. It's best if there are a few jobs for each of the girls and they do not have to do the same thing. They are becoming competative so it's not fun when they argue over jobs. We all did make a brocolli and rice casserole (Helen's favorite) together with no fussing. Everyone was able to do a few jobs and it was very satisfying.

Soup Warms the Soul

The weather is cooler and we love to make soup. I've already got tortilla soup, potato soup, and beef vegetable in the freezer. This year we're going to make chili, french onion soup, chicken noodle and pho. The girls love soup, some better than others. Basically anything with noodles or a good broth is well received.

Breadmaking I

Poppy and Carys made some bread for the week-end. It is delicious! They had fun putting the ingredients together and the most fun eating the bread. Poppy made cheese bread, jam bread and the biggest hit, cinnamon and sugar bread. Yummmm.

Cupcake Fun

We made cupcakes and the girls frosted their own. It was finger licken' good.