Baking with kids!

My Little Helpers!

My kids love to bake with me and most of the time I enjoy baking with them, however we do NOT have a kitchen conducive to helpers! Oh, how I long for an island where the kids are on one side and I'm on the other! Not because I don't want them in my space, but because I don't want them in front of my stuff. You know, the drawer with the utensils, the cupboard with the ingredients, the oven door...basically in front of everything I need to open! I remember as a kid learning how to make Overnight Buns, a family recipe. Ten cups of flour (if I remember right) was a lot of flour to measure out and keep track of. A few batches may have been either too sticky or a little dry depending on my counting errors but I always got to help! When I would stay at my cousin Amy's house we would even play "Bakery" and come up with all kinds of things to sell - cookies, bars, you name it! Because I have these fond memories of baking/cooking I want to make sure my boys have those same memories and become proficient in the kitchen. Some day their wives will appreciate my efforts! Well, we decided to make some pumpkin cookies the other day. I had found the recipe online and thought why not give it a try. Connor and Owen were quick to help and it's not unusual for Owen to request to make cookies on a regular basis. Connor was even caught cooking at school in kindergarten...he would read a book and turn around and cook in the kitchen play area telling Mrs. Schlatter he was reading recipes like me. I think we're off to a good start!

Aren't the licking the beaters the best part of baking?

My Little Goblins

We started our Halloween off with the yearly tradition of a Jack-Lantern pizza from Papa Murphy's. Surprisingly, the boys aren't big pepperoni fans, but they do like this pizza. Our tradition changed a little this year as we were invited to neighbor's for soup and drinks before trick-or-treating, so we enjoyed the pizza for lunch instead of supper!

This year Mason decided he was old enough to trick-or-treat on his own with his buddies Jack and Lilly. They were super excited to go and even planned out their costumes together - 2 baseball and 1 softball player! The kids proved to be very responsible and checked in at the end of each block. They even took Connor with them on a street too! The nice thing about our neighborhood is it's contained with no major traffic, so the kids don't have to leave the 'hood to go on the great candy hunt! Although, there are 6 streets, the kids are usually content with 3 or so and still manage to bring in the jackpot (of candy that is)!

Here are my little goblins - Mason (North Stars baseball player), Connor (Mets baseball player), and Owen (cowboy). I think Mason and his buddies had an impact on Connor's costume choice. He wanted to be like the big kids too! Owen was pretty proud of his costume and leading up to Halloween he would quickly inform people he was a cowBOY, not a cowGIRL!

The jackpot...this is just the part cousin Marcus gets!!!

Decorating Pumpkins

I admit it...I despise carving pumpkins! Not sure if it's the slimy insides or the tedious cutting, but it's not my favorite thing to do! So instead, I buy these cute little dealy boppers (yes, I know a real official name) you just push in. The boys still had a lot of fun and we didn't have nearly the mess!

Mason's started out looking cute, but he was going for a scary monster, so with a little help of some markers...

he achieved SCARY!

I think Connor was going for hair. You know, bushy eyebrows, mustache, etc...

and he ended up with CUTE (and maybe a little on the odd side)!

Owen, being Owen, just wanted to stick as many "things" into his pumpkin as possible!

I think it ended up part witch, part Mr. Potato Head!

GO PANTHERS!

Our family has found a true love for the UNI Panthers in the last couple of years. Supporting and cheering them on in the UNI Dome is an event the kids look forward to. Of course, who wouldn't love tailgating with all kinds of food and drinks, playing with kids, and watching football in the Dome? Here are a few highlights from the year!

I'm thinking this picture of TC just might have to be blown up and posted in the toy room!

Introducing TC's little sister, TK (aka The Kitten)!

Connor loves watching Carlos Anderson and was thrilled to get a quick shot with him!

The boys are also getting ready to support the Panther basketball team. They participated in a Panther Pals program on Sunday and had the opportunity to practice some basketball skills, enjoyed a Subway lunch and received a t-shirt and basketball! Who better to pose with than our very own neighbors, Jake Koch and Johnny Moran!

GO PANTHERS!