The Right Tools Make All The Difference

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The Right Tools Make All The Difference

October 28, 2009

Grace likes to cook. You wouldn’t have guessed, right?

Thanks to her new Learning Tower, it is quicker and easier than ever for Grace to help cook. We received the Learning Tower two weeks ago yesterday, and she has used it every single day since. She loves it.

I love that she can help so easily.

Well, I love it as long as she isn’t deciding to grab handfuls of whatever we’re cooking and toss it around the kitchen. That irritates the heck out of me, actually.

Is there a reason that it shouldn’t irritate me? Is she learning something? I think she’s just being ornery.

I’m going back to Positive Parenting Solutions for an answer on that one.

The right tools make all of the difference.

Back in my days as a Pampered Chef kitchen consultant, I got a mini whisk. I’ve always liked it because I can use it in a small bowl, like when I’m scrambling eggs.

Turns out that mini whisk is just the right size for Gracie.

We made Pumpkin Pie Pancakes, and I was using my big, sturdy whisk to mix the pumpkin into our pancake better. Grace helped by using the little sturdy whisk.

Frankly, she made a huge mess, but it was accidental, so I was okay with it.

She was so proud of herself!

My helping, Mommy!

And that excitement means she’ll be back again tomorrow.

Grace’s Kitchen Friends

Please join in Grace’s Kitchen Friends! To play along, all you have to do is fill out MckLinky below. You can link up any post that talks about kids and food: Grace's Kitchen Friends

feeding kids
cooking with kids
kids’ nutrition
play with food or play kitchens
crafts with or about food
There are a lot of other kids and food things I haven’t listed (like growing food with kids or fun recipes that kids love!), so please don’t feel limited.

I’m easy like that, Dear Reader. The only thing I ask is that you link back here to Grace’s Kitchen Friends in your post. I can’t wait to see what your kids are doing!

Happily shared at Things I Love Thursday, A Thousand Words Thursday, Show and Tell Friday, Hosted by Cecily, Friday’s Foto Finish Fiesta, Give Me Your Best Shot, Finer Things Friday, Family Friday, and Beautiful Life

We received Grace’s Learning Tower to evaluate in order to write a review.

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Caramel Apples | Hoosier Homemade said:

[...] ~Grace’s Kitchen Friends hosted by Feels Like Home [...]

# 28 October 2009 at 9:49 pm

Liz@HoosierHomemade said:

Those pancakes sound delish! I think it’s great that Grace loves to cook with you. 2 out of 3 of my boys enjoy cooking with me. I’m really happy about that!
Thanks for hosting!
~Liz
Liz@HoosierHomemade´s last blog ..Holiday Food Fest

# 28 October 2009 at 9:59 pm

Martha said:

Stopping in from ATWT. Do you have any of those pancakes left? Your daughter is too cute!

My ATWT
Martha´s last blog ..A Thousand Words Thursday – Halloween through the Years

# 29 October 2009 at 6:27 am

Sally said:

CUTE!!!
Love the pumpkin pancake batter in her hair, that’s a nice touch!!!
Your daughter is cute!
Happy ATWT!
Sally´s last blog ..A Thousand Words Thursday

# 29 October 2009 at 7:21 am

colleen said:

ah cute!

# 29 October 2009 at 7:48 am

sheila said:

Ah, I can’t join in, my post is on teeth, lol. But she’s a little cutie!
sheila´s last blog ..Thousand Word Thursday ~ All Smiles

# 29 October 2009 at 8:05 am

angie said:

looks like the perfect tool for her
angie´s last blog ..Halloween Special Crazy Sticky "Bat" Wing and Worm Buns

# 29 October 2009 at 12:39 pm

WackyMummy said:

Very cute. I’m the same way… would love to let my boy “help” in the kitchen more, but the mess is unbelievable. Especially since he has a tendency to lose interest and run to the couch in the middle of something, spreading destruction and mayhem in his wake.
WackyMummy´s last blog ..Double-Duty Friday

# 30 October 2009 at 6:43 am

Life with Kaishon said:

That is so darling. I love little girls. Totally and completely : )

# 30 October 2009 at 8:57 am

Fifi Flowers said:

Looks like GOOD times in the kitchen!
Fifi Flowers´s last blog ..Fashionable Halloween Costumes…

# 30 October 2009 at 12:17 pm

Hayley said:

I love this line of thinking! Kudos to you, Mom! You are quite brave. I am sooo not kitchen adept. To think, you made pancakes, entertained your daughter, captured the memories, and blogged about it! Magnificent!
Hayley´s last blog ..Photo Story Friday – The Butterfly Chase

# 30 October 2009 at 12:50 pm

kaye said:

how fun! And pumpkin pancakes sound delicious. If you want to wander down my road I’m home.
kaye´s last blog ..Photo Story Friday: October

# 30 October 2009 at 5:16 pm

Lolli said:

I love all of these pumpkin desserts! And you are so right about the tools. Love your title!
Lolli´s last blog ..Eat, Drink, And Be Scary

# 30 October 2009 at 9:07 pm

Heather @ Not a DIY Life said:

LB does the same thing when she’s helping me in the kitchen & I honestly think she’s just being ornery. I think the lesson is this: how is Mama going to react? I can choose to get mad or I can choose to laugh and let it go. I’m still working on that one! Hugs!

# 31 October 2009 at 7:50 am

Tina said:

Do share the recipe! We love anything pumpkin. My kids have always helped in the kitchen and messes were just part of it all. I use to put a shower curtian on the floor and let them sit in the middle with the bowl between their legs…stirring away. Kept them busy for a good long time!
Tina´s last blog ..2009 5th Annual Homeschool Blog Awards

# 31 October 2009 at 7:59 am

Sam said:

We LOVE our Learning tower too. We have the lime green one and it is so fun. My daughter is a bit clumsy and this makes me feel so much better. She cannot fall off and I can still have fun cooking with her.

I own http://www.ladybugsandlilypads.com and we sell them. We are having a 10% off sale with the coupon code HOLIDAY09 if you would like to share it with your readers.
Sam´s last blog ..What Are You Afraid Of?

# 31 October 2009 at 3:40 pm

CarissaRogers said:

Rock on.. pumpkin pancakes.. what!?

# 2 November 2009 at 9:12 pm

carriekeiser said:

It is always for for kids to get to help cook or bake. I have several kids who come help me on a daily basis. they learn and you learn it's fun for everyone.
I would have signed your mr linky but it is closed. I know for sure I have a PSF on my kids blog that is to do with cooking and kids and several others we've done if you're interested in checking them out.

# 2 November 2009 at 8:52 pm

FeelsLikeHomeBlog (author) said:

Carrie – The Grace's Kitchen Linky always opens on Wednesday night and closes on Friday night. I'd love for you to join us this week.

# 3 November 2009 at 7:17 am

FeelsLikeHomeBlog (author) said:

Carrie – The Grace's Kitchen Linky always opens on Wednesday night and closes on Friday night. I'd love for you to join us this week.

# 3 November 2009 at 3:17 pm

Christmas Presents for a 2-year-old | Feels Like Home said:

[...] received Grace’s My Learning Tower for a review earlier in the fall, and we love it. Grace still climbs up into it almost every day, and she helps [...]

# 1 December 2009 at 11:40 pm