Cousin Cook Off

Last Saturday, Henry, Reese and Zoe decided to have themselves a little cook-off. It was a friendly little competition where the kids would make their own pizzas and cupcakes. It was designed to help the kids learn more about the kitchen, build self-esteem and give them a sense of accomplishment. We achieved all that. However, before you attempt something like this at home with your own children, you should know that side effects may include, pizza sauce stains, pizza sauce ending up in other facial orifices other than their mouth and contact high from all the sugar in cupcakes. Other than that, everything went off without a hitch.

See how Henners is so pleased with his sauce spreading skills?


Zoe is concentrating on her sauce.


Zoe sprinkles her cheese on the pizza first. See how delicately she handles the dairy topping?


Henry tries a little something new. What if all the cheese were in one place instead of spread around?

Back to Zoe. She has created a masterpiece.

Henry is definitely creating something.

The Cousins pose by their creations just before they are placed in the oven. As you can see, cooler heads prevailed and Henry was coaxed into spreading his cheese somewhat evenly over his pizza. The same can not be said for his mushrooms.

While the pizzas are baking, Reese enjoys the company of her Aunt Kimberly.

Finally! The pizzas are complete! Witness Zoe's cheese and mushroom pie.

And behold Henry's half cheese, half mushroom concoction. I don't think I can stress to you enough just how much cheese was on this sucker.

We enjoyed both pizzas but were still a little hungry afterward for a sweet treat. We decided that cupcakes would hit the spot.

Henry was the official batter stirrer.

And the self-appointed batter taster.

Once the cakes were baked and cooled, it was time to frost them. Zoe wanted blue and Henry insisted on green. Here's Zoe decorating her portion of the cupcakes. Nicely done, little lady.

Henry got bored half-way through the decorating and then experienced blue frosting envy. He bartered a deal with Zoe which was basically just taking a few of her cakes and placing them on his tray. She didn't really seem to mind.

He then skipped the sprinkles and sugar toppings almost completely and began sampling his tasty treat.

Yummers.

Double Yummers.


Zoe just kept right on decorating.

Just then, we heard a little peep coming from the corner.

It was Reesie! She could see and smell all the deliciousness happening and wanted in on the action. And if you know Reese, whenever there is food involved, she better be front and center and tasting it too.

I offered her a small piece of the cupcake. I was sure this would make her happy. Apparently not. This is her 'Seriously? This is ALL you are giving me?' face.


She wasn't satisfied. She wanted the whole thing.

Of course she didn't get it, but she did flirt with me enough to have a few small bites. See how happy she is now?


Then we heard a loud commotion coming from the other side of the kitchen. It seems that while I was busy treating Reesie, Henry had downed another two cupcakes and was on a ragin' sugar high.

Don't be alarmed. He crashed 10 minutes later, falling asleep in his bed refusing to let us wipe the frosting from his lips. When he emerged from his room three hours later, the frosting had disappeared. Where it went will always be a mystery.