Monday was not the day I planned, but that’s okay. I wanted to sew two curtain panels because somehow I got it in my mind to paint and make curtains for the living room in time for Thanksgiving. That will not be happening. The painting and two of eight panels are done. But I’m accepting the fact the room won’t be beautiful yet.
Instead of sewing curtain panels, I spent the day doing something “special” with my five-year-old. Natalie’s a morning person. She’s up with Henry before the rest of us crack an eyelid. She tries to wait for us to naturally get up, but once Henry leaves for work she gets lonely. She has learned trying to wake me up gets her nowhere. Yesterday morning she decided to wake up her sister.
Ainsley’s a night owl. It often takes her longer to fall asleep than the other two and longer to roll out in the morning. Her sweet spot’s between 8 and 8:30. Natalie began prodding her before 7. That made for a rough morning. Ains cried, fussed, and generally complained on and off for an hour before I was smart enough to drop everything I was doing (at that point it was cleaning up the kitchen, doing bills, and thinking of heading to the treadmill) and pour into the sourpuss. It’s a much better (although more time-consuming) approach than battling through the grouchiness.
So we baked. And baked. And baked some more. I’m in charge of half the desserts for my family’s Thanksgiving feast on Friday and just one little measly dessert for Henry’s family here on Thursday. So it was something I needed to do anyway and I knew Ainsley would enjoy.
The first thing we did was to make cookies – about 8 dozen. With 34 people expected on Friday and some staying throughout the weekend, I figure it’s best to have plenty on hand. I personally prefer Hershey’s chocolate chip recipe (the salt ratio gets me every time) so we made chocolate chip, the same base recipe with craisins and white choc. chips, and snickerdoodles. Ainsley loved the idea of sugar and cinnamon on the outside of the cookie and giggled at the name.
To make things go faster, I measured out the ingredients for the Hershey’s base recipe twice – but at the same time. Each kid had a dry ingredients bowl to stir.
Ainsley was in charge of the wet ingredients in the mixer.
We tried letting Ryan help put the dry ingredients into the mixer, but some ended up on the counter and floor….
To keep him busy I let him sweep when he was bored.
After dropping Ainsley at school I came home to make a pumpkin log and a huge batch (6 dozen) of Courtney’s pumpkin muffins. They are delish…. not that I tasted them or anything, ya know, being on a sugar ban and all, but I was told they are delish by the kids who scarfed a few down. (Oh okay, I had two bites of pumpkin muffin, and a bite of choc. chip cookie, and a bite of snickerdoodle, but that’s it.)
And by the way, Ainsley was soooo much happier when we started baking it was worth not finishing the living room.
(c) 2016 Leighann Marquiss
Comments (4)
I don’t remember when I first found you blog, but I read it every couple of days…I like how you “keep it real.” 🙂
I can’t stand how cute Ryan is, and I don’t know how you get anything done, those cheeks beg to be kissed and squeezed constantly! Your girls are sweet.
Have a nice Thanksgiving!
Yeah yeah yeah YEAH for you, you made a lifetime of memories in one morning! Who cares (except you) if the den is done… Have fun and enjoy your Thanksgiving….
What a great mom! Very unselfish!
it’s SO hard to switch gears, though! i have SUCH a hard time…i get so focused. good job!