I absolutely love to bake. I have a collection of fun shaped cake pans that just thrill me when I can put them to use. My son is little too young to help me but my niece and nephew are just the right age to have a blast at it.
On their last visit Dylan and Madie joined me in baking a strawberry castle cake and subsequently destroying my kitchen. We all had grand fun. Every pot, pan, measuring cup and box of cereal I owned was on my kitchen floor. The three of us were covered in flour and sugar and it was picture perfect.
Granted the baking process goes a lot quicker when one isn’t trying to photograph it, but a little extra time is well worth it for the memories that are captured. The two looked like Keebler elves, standing on stools in shortened aprons and stirring like it was the only thing in the world.
When there was nothing else needed to finish the cake they started to play hide and seek in the cabinets. They pressed their noses against the oven window every minute or so to check if the cake was done. Then they pretended to bake some more with play doh and whatever kitchen utensils that hadn’t yet made it to the sink.
I ended up with dozens of fantastic pictures of my little chefs. I even had one printed on an apron for them to give their father for his birthday. A little mess can be a lot of fun. They are coming to visit again next week and Dylan has already called me three times with his plans to bake cakes. He wants another castle, a snake and a worm. Being a good big brother he also asked if Madie could make a strawberry shortcake flower.
Sometimes the photos are the lasting impressions, and sometimes it’s the actual memory. If a three year old can have enough fun that he remembers it six months later I am just happy to be a part of it.
Christy
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