St. Nicholas Baking

I have never particularly enjoyed baking with the kids. My dislike for this activity mostly has to do with the clean-up. I can't stand overseeing four children of all ages in the midst of flour, broken eggs and various liquids. However, I have always felt slightly guilty that I haven't tried hard enough to introduce them to the kitchen and the joys of cooking. Therefore, I have been trying harder lately and I have enlisted some heavenly companions to help me face a kitchen full of budding chefs. My first celestial buddy is St. Nicholas. His feast day is fast approaching (Dec. 6) and he also happens to be Benjamin's patron saint. So, I decided that I better test the gingerbread recipe before leaving it in the kids' empty boots on the morning of the feast day. The test run was necessary as I am quite a good cook but my baking has been notoriously inedible. Dave usually asks guests to bring the dessert! Nevertheless, all went well and I didn't find cookies hidden under plates or napkins.

Joseph was the trickiest variable. As always, he insisted that he had to be fully engaged in the activity. The floor would not satisfy this 11-month old. I tried the backpack carrier but he came precariously close to falling out as he strained to watch what was going on in front of Mommy. He eventually came to rest in the booster seat with a pile of flour to play with. Jacob and Hannah moved from cookies to some sort of science experiment (their expression) which I later found hardened on the bathroom sink. Benjamin spent the entire time making a mountain out of flour on the table. I was happiest when it was all cleaned up. They asked me the next day if we could bake again. I told them that I needed some time... Enjoy the pictures.