Baking Cookies

Yummm, there's nothing much better than eating fresh-out-of-the-oven-homemade chocolate chip cookies.

I long ago started making these yummy morsels when I was in college. We had an oven in my dorm building (in the basement) and I had a fridge to keep the margarine and eggs around. It was quite the treat to whip up a batch (the boys never complained, either).

I haven't neglected sharing this joy with my daughters. In fact, they often "help" me in the kitchen. Unfortunately, there must be something that says I can bake/cook with them only after I've just mopped the floor. But, hey! It makes it easier to sweep things up, right? (This same law applies to eating rice the same evening).

Zoë helped me bake cookies since she was old enough to stand up (safely) on a chair. Megan the same. I realized, however, that Miranda had not yet had this joy. She's been showing LOTS of interest in joining her mom/sisters and wants to know what's really going on in that big silver bowl that has something spinning around inside of it. And, what does all that white stuff taste like?

So, we made cookies last week. All three girls pulled chairs, stools, and volunteered (ok, they argued) over helping me add ingredients. They do really well- despite the arguments (Mom always gets to put in the eggs, tho').

Yes, it can get messy. Sure, they love to eat raw dough- but I'm not so worried about that. (For a fun, yummy recipe where you don't have to worry about raw eggs, click here). We enjoy our time together, we make something, and they even "help" clean up (Megan's favorite is to "wash" the dishes using lots of bubbles. She'll clean them for hours! so long as there's bubbles in the water). It's still a great chance for me to spend some time with my girls, doing 'girly' things, and have something fun/yummy to show for it. Besides, who doesn't love warm chocolate chip cookies on a freezing cold day?!?