So yesterday was kind of one of those days. First of all, it was a Monday, which is never good for anyone. Second, because Thanksgiving is next week, my kids have a short school week, which means that on Thursday morning, we are leaving the first real family vacation (like where we’re not shoehorned into someone’s spare bedroom/couch) we’ve taken in 6 1/2 years (so pretty much my kids’ whole lives). As excited as we are to go, there is so much that needs to be done before we go. I need to make sure y’all and all your Thanksgiving needs are taken care of, my dog swiped my toast this morning while I wasn’t watching and then decided to un-house-train herself, my house is a disaster, my children didn’t go to bed until 9:30 last night because we were watching the last Harry Potter movie, meaning this morning, my daughter had the horrible realization that she couldn’t eat her breakfast because she didn’t like the length of her pants.
One of the things on my to-do list was to bake with my kids. I’m participating in the Foodbuzz Tastemakers Program and we were provided with some Nestle products to help us get bake-y in the kitchen. I had visions of these chocolate chip cookies, or these chocolate chip cookies, or these toffee chocolate chip cookies, or chocolate chip cookie pie. But first, I needed to work on the posts that are going up while I’m on vacation. Turns out my little girl wanted to help…
(please excuse her less-than-model-perfect hair–again, one of those days. Also, I’m not a neglectful mother, it really is warm enough outside for tank tops and shoelessness).
As much as I was trying to hurry things along, she reaaaaally wanted to help measure and pour.
I was stressing out. I may have kind of yelled. See that dusty mess on the table? Imagine that all over my house.
Then we picked up my little boy from the bus stop. And he had had a really bad day. By the time we had settled the fact that math isn’t the biggest deal in the world, we had time for cookies, but I knew it was going to be stressful and I really wanted to not be mad and yell-y while we were doing it. Enter…refrigerated cookie dough. Believe me, when the cookies matter, I’m a 100% believer in homemade cookie dough. But when memories and quality time matter and time’s short? Refrigerated cookie dough all the way, baby.
See where we’re going with this? Pizzookies, anyone?
By the time we scooped ice cream…
and drizzled chocolate and caramel sauce…
all was forgotten. I even forgot about the pretzel dust all over my dining room, especially when I realized that my little girl helping me crush and measure them was the whole point–baking up love and memories. Even if it was messier and took 3 times as long, it was so much more fun to have my little helper in there with me rather than doing it all by myself. Sappy enough for you? Go brine yourself a turkey and you’ll feel better, I promise… 🙂
Disclaimer: Nestle provided me with chocolate chips and cookie dough, but the opinions and memories are all miiiiine.
Questions & Reviews
Wow I’ve never seen cookie dough baked like that before- what a great idea! How long does it usually take to cook?
Into every life, some pretzel dust must fall. 🙂
Ohhhh! Do I see a pretzel crusted cheesecake/jello dessert in our future? I hope so 🙂
My most favorite thing about you and Sara are how human you are! I love hearing about whatever life brings you and how you make it through. You brighten my day with laughter and joy plus amazing recipes and food. Thanks for being human and not lying that every day is perfect day with you and your kids and always having a clean house. You and Sara are amazing!
You are awesome! You have singlehandedly removed the guilt from the roll of refrigerated cookie dough and replaced it with joy and fun. Your words and actions have put smiles on the faces of two cute kids. And all of this from a cooking blog? It don’t git inny bettern’ this!
I love that you a human and have some of the same frustrations that can turn into a learning to love it moments! I am going to have to try this with my little helper.
I’m a firm believer in letting the helpers help even though it will take 3 times the time you can do it. remember it’s your love of cooking you’re teaching. The kids will remember Yes even teens.
So the pretzels in the chocolate chip cookies? Wasn’t that yummy? I saw a recipe in one of the murder mysteries that I like to read (Joanne Fluke is the author and they are all based on FOOD and include RECIPES) and tried it. Yummy…
So true, I was so extremely stressed out after our last mini vacation-not even a full one! 4 kids on a 9 hour trip = wanting to pull my freaking hair out!! All’s well that ends well though, right? It’ll be great! Cookies make everything better! 🙂
Yeah, this is why I’ve decided it’s unrealistic to want more than the one kid I’ve got. She’s not even 2 and has such strong opinions that I can’t imagine how much worse it’s going to get.