Kitchen Help

Safe to say that Lucie and Ryan are into food these days. And while the food bill shows the cost of growing toddlers, our weekly trips to the grocery store have evolved from chore to anticipated family outing. Ryan and I take one cart in search of fruit, vegetables, "yellow wine", and sandwiches. Megan and Lucie head off in the opposite direction to pick up milk, yogurt, and pretzels.

But the fun doesn't stop at the store. Getting all of those bags from the car to the condo often requires a team caravan with the wagon or stroller. Putting away groceries gives them another chance to spot their favorites and make lunch requests.

We have documented L & R's many cooking successes, but sometimes things do head in the other direction. A few weeks ago their latest culinary creation ended with me discharging a fire extinguisher for the first time in my life. One morning, our little sous chefs-in-training insisted on filling the entire muffin tin with paper inserts even though only half of the tray was filled with blueberry muffin batter. As Megan tried to surreptitiously pick out the extras, a few fell down and ignited on the heating element.

Important note to fellow toddler parents: when this happens to you, and I'm sure it will, simply close the oven door and let the small flames burn themselves out. Something capable of withstanding 500 degrees will not be damaged by a paper fire. After all, it's an oven! Pulling the pin and hitting the oven with multiple blasts will make you a hero, but it will turn a two minute cleanup effort into a multi-hour ordeal.