Chef Ben's Cookie Pizza

I couldn't wait to post the pictures of Ben's baking adventure last night. Grandma Anita sent a pizza-making kit for Ben on Valentine's Day. I had stuck in the cabinet for a rainy day b/c we did not have to ingredients to make a pizza, and Ben would hardly understand that once he saw the cool kit. Last night Ben was browsing the cupboards and found the kit. We had already eaten dinner, so I thought we'd use the kit to make a dessert pizza instead. Soon Ben was strapping on the apron that came with his kit, and Hunter was pulling a chair counterside, so we could get to work on an M & M cookie pizza.

The boys helped me with the ingredients, using the measuring devides from the kit, as well as some from my drawer, and they watched as the mixer made it all come togther. Those are clean dishes drying in the sink, for the record. LOL.

I used the little baking pizza pan that came with the kit. Oven safe. Cool.

Don't forget the ever important dough tasting.

Then, they helped me top the thing with baking M & M's.

Ben was so proud of his creation! I'm so scrapbooking this picture later.

What does a three year old do while his cookie bakes? He waits right by the oven, of course.

All done, yum. Hunter had a pretty good helping of dinner, so he ate some of the cookie and roasted his chunky ass in front of a Barney video. Ben on the other hand ate nearly the whole thing. It turned out great.

Happy Day all.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

The boys have been asking for cookies a lot this last week, likely because December was pretty filled with cookies... However, I am doing rather well on Weight Watchers and would like to avoid the temptation of baking for as long as possible. Yesterday, I decided I can't deprive my kids of treats just b/c I can't control myself. FYI: I didn't lose any more weight this week, but I didn't gain either.

So yesterday I baked the boys some chocolate chip cookies. I had one and half myself, but I mad just enough for us to have a cookie snack, left one for Dad in a baggie, and froze the dough--next time the boys need a cookie I can crack open the freezer and make some in a jiffy. The less time the dough is out, the less time for temptation. Win-win situation.

I had to share something about Ben and these cookies. I think it's standard: little boys and dirt go hand in hand. Ben is the exception. For the most part, he doesn't like to get dirty; and he loves to get clean. When I served the cookies Ben promptly asked for a fork. I informed him that he could eat the cookie with his hands.

As snack time progressed I realized I needed to take some pictures. Here are Hunter and Joey enjoying their cookies like little boys should:

This is Joe after just one cookie. LOL.

I don't know what Hunter thinks that napkin is accomplishing? LOL.
And here is my darling Benjamin as clean as can be. Hilarious, huh? I can't even eat one of these hot melty cookies without getting massive chocolaty goodness on my hands... how did he do that?

I am the muffin lady.

These kids love muffins. I've meant to document it for some time now. They REALLY love them. As they bake, the kids stalk the oven door, and beg for me to turn the oven light on. They crowd the table, and dance for joy when the muffins are done. Hunter will eat 4, so will Joey. Somedays, I'm ambitous and I make them from scratch, but most days I use Betty. Either way, the pure muffin bliss ensues.

Cupcake Monster

We *might* be bad parents for this. But, we don't care. Hunter had us laughing so hard, and as you can see, he had such a good time. Ben left his cereal on the table unattended (he picked out some Mickey Mouse fruity pebbles this week). Hunter moved in to take it over... no sooner we added 4th of July cupcakes to the mix. Hunter's cupcakes were frosting free. Ben licked the frosting off of his cupcakes, and then gave them to Hunter. When all was said and done, Hunter may, or may not, have consumed 7 cupcakes on this table. Hehe.