It's not all it's cracked up to be

I have to say that I do love a slower pace with just Alex and me at home during the day. I decided to make chocolate chip cookies one day and let Alex help. When I do this with all of the kids, everyone lines up and takes a turn adding or mixing something. It didn't quite go as planned with only Alex "helping".

Before we started I noticed the butter had been flattened in the wrapper, I guess he was checking the temperature. He brought his own stool, and promptly turned on the mixer while holding the paddle in his hand and hooking it on the moving part sideway, while still holding on. Luckily I was there, because he was almost knocked off his stool. After one more time turning on the mixer I got the brilliant idea to unplug it.

I decided to speed things up and measure the dry ingredients myself. Alex decided he would add them, and used the flat spatula to transfer piles of flour to the bowl. He decided that was not fast enough, took the measuring cup and threw it in the bowl of flour. Needless to say, my perfect measurements were not so perfect anymore. He decided the best way to get butter out of the wrapper was to squeeze it. You might wonder where was I? I was standing right there, I have a little speedy gonzales! Luckily, I was able to save the eggs from his grasp.

Thankfully, my little "helper" was happy to go into the family room to play while I baked the cookies. Of course, in his hand he had a tablespoon with dough piled high to his delight. Baked cookies are not the ultimate goal in our house, it's all about the dough. Thanks to Herb for that one!

Almost everyday when the kids come home, they open the fridge in the garage to see what they can get. One day Henry said, "Eggs! Can I have some for dinner?" I made him shut the door and go inside. Once inside, I realized Alex had not followed. I opened the door to find him holding the 18 count carton of eggs lopsided with eggs running out of the end of the carton. Ahhhhh! He left a trail of egg soup on the rugs leading from the fridge all the way to the door. Thank goodness for the garden hose!