Baking 101

Counter-tops lined with parchment paper, sprinkles sprinkled on cookies (and the floor), baking pans taking over whatever space was available, bowls filled with dough, the oven temps ranging from 325 to 400 at various times, and little hands working tirelessly at frosting/decorating/sprinkling/rolling/flouring/and taste-testing--that was the scene at our house this past weekend.

We have been talking with our boys about some tangible ways we can show God's love to others, especially this time of year as we celebrate Jesus' Birthday. Making up plates of cookies and distributing them to family, friends, neighbors, and even those we don't know all that well seemed like a simple (and delicious) way to give to others, to spread a little Christmas cheer. They have been talking about it for weeks and were so excited to dive into that dough as we discussed how many plates we would make up and where we would go to hand them out. 

 

YUM!

The boys could hardly contain their excitement when it was time to load up the plates with goodies--seriously, I had to tell them to "slow down" a few times because they were so anxious to pick that perfect cookie for that special someone. Either that or it was a race to see who could fill up their plate the fastest. I'll assume the first but believe the latter. Needless to say, watching them be so eager to give warmed my heart--they could hardly wait to pile in the van and head out into the community to do a little giving!

my awesome helpers!!

Mason looked in the tin, gasped, and said "WHOA!"

                                    
At one particular house early on in our delivering, we were walking back to the van and Austin looked up at me and said, "Mom, that was so much fun!" And he is so right! There is something satisfying and even energizing about giving...about watching the delight in the receiver's face...about hearing the surprise in their tone when getting something unexpected. My boys caught on. A simple way to show God's love and it may not seem like much with just a plate of cookies, but hey...there is some Jesus lovin' in those peanut butter balls. :)

We came home tired, but grateful. I couldn't resist in snapping this picture of Mason as he snoozed away...he loves to lay (asleep or awake) with his hands behind his head. Yep, it was a good day. 

tuckered out :)