Her way

There is little to no tradition for kitchen time in the family I come from. So I find myself wondering how come don't I find it challenging also?! Slowly but surely my kids moved in the same direction.
At first there was a big cooking set that a generous friend got them last Christmas. You know, one of those toys that are complex enough to give you ideas and simple enough to let you play "your way". So we had countless gatherings and tea parties, there were soups made and cakes baked and everybody's been happy for a while.
But today the Missy said she wanted to play "my way". After pondering and trying to decide what to make for dessert - I was offering pancakes or gaufres - she decided: we'll make Puffy Cake.
Yeah, right! Like it was really on the list, this one, was it?! So I told her as a patient but also tight-on-schedule mama: "Then you do it, by yourself." And I was already reaching for the milk to start the pancakes when she said in a determined voice:

"I need a big bowl.
And flour.
 Why do you keep it on the top shelf???
 And I want eggs. How many do I put? Why only...?
I need more room on the table."
 Help- me -lift -and-could -you -pour  became one word for a new cook.

And suddenly I found myself as a helper, not so sure of myself, not so sure I was about to start pancakes anymore, but careful not to break her rhythm and her concentration.

 And then she took a short break to help those Parisian cats while humming scales and arpeggios...

 And then she carried on...

 When the baking dish seemed full enough the rest of the mixture found another place to go. :)))

And when everything was done, I looked in her sparkling eyes as she asked "can we do it again like this?"
Oh, yes, for sure!