Helping Mama in the kitchen

The kids love to get in on the action. Quinny will start saying “tower, tower” for me to get the learning tower over to where I am cooking. Today I had a brilliant moment - I have to celebrate those because there aren’t many!!

I had Tyler sauteing vegetables for our pizza and Quinn was wanting to stir them with her spoon. Tyler is quite possesive of his cooking tasks and I wasn’t thrilled with her being so close to the fire. So I got a pot out for her and put some cold water and oats in it and set it on the burner next to Tyler sans fire. Perfect! She was “cooking” with her brother, but away from burn danger!

Tyler did a great job with the veggies, but once he was done - he was eyeing her soup action. Quinn had been adding more oats and crackers to her mix and Tyler was wanting in on the play! It all worked out as she was done and got down and he made soup for a while and called it quits.

Oh and the pizza I made tonight was so yummy! Whole Foods pizza crust from their bakery (the best crust if you ask me), Muir Glen pizza sauce (the best sauce if you ask me), vegetables sauted in olive oil (onions, zuchini, red bell pepper), grated carrot, chard and covered with mozerella cheese! I made two pizzas and I would say that whole meal cost me $12 max - way cheaper than ordering pizzas and even more delicious (if you ask me!).

Then he went to play with his new railroad crossing, she went outside and I got the dishes done. Tyler got this new track railroad crossing piece that his Daddy and I thought he would enjoy. We decided to just go ahead and give it to him. We opened the garage door and met the delivery guy and opened up the package. At first Tyler was confused because he thought it was FROM the delivery guy and wanted to know why he brought Tyler this toy! I explained that no, Mommy and Daddy ordered it for him. Then he was trying to figure out what day it was…not my birthday….not Christmas….

Anyway, he played ALL afternoon long. It was awesome! In fact tonight was the quietest evening we have had in months. No out of control children. Tyler just played with his train contentedly. I wonder if the 4pm snack also helped - fresh applesauce and peanut butter crackers?

Anyway it was such a nice evening. I think I am figuring out more about our rhythms and what is needed - two words - sensory integration. That is what I am thinking right now. More on that later. I am tired and time to myself is incredibly rare with all Quinn’s wakings, so I am signing off! Gotta get their dolls finished.

Who Knew a Rail Road Crossing was so cool?!?