Letting the kids cook dinner

Fist of all, you must know that I have a very difficult time allowing my kids to do certain tacks by themselves, in particular, cooking.  If I'm in the kitchen with them, I pretty much take over and 10% through the preparation process.  It is just SO difficult for me to watch them bumble about inefficiently, taken  exponentially longer to get tasks done than they take me.  So, I've decided that in order for them to learn to cook, I need to hand them a recipe, and basically walk away (or better yet, like this week, drive away taking other kids to after school activities).  I am trying to let each of the four oldest kids have a night to make dinner each week.  They have cooked dinner occasionally before, but as I said earlier, I'm to quick to jump in and help/take over.

Aaron made Monday's dinner this week.  He made chili with corn bread.  The chili had a whole bunch of hard, black chunks in it.  At first I thought that he had just burned the ground beef, and told everyone to just move the burnt items to the side of their plates.  Aside from that, it was a delicious dinner.  When it was time to clean up and wash dishes, I discovered the true source of the black chunks. My spatula was missing the bottom 1/5th of it's edge.

Carissa made Wednesday's dinner.  The rice was mush!  She cooked it in the microwave, just like I told her, but instead of cooking 2 1/2 cups rice in 5 cups of water, she decided that she wanted more rice, so she tries 3 1/2 cups rice to 7 cups water.  Her adjustments far exceed the capacity of our microwave bowl, so well, I'm not sure why it turned to mush, but it did.  Her chicken gravy was also way to thin.

Oh adventures!  Two more kids to go this week.  Maybe it's a good thing I'm a picky eater.  I still have 10 pounds to lose, and maybe their cooking will tip the balance in favor of smaller meals.

Blue and Gold 2014

Yesterday was our ward's Blue and Gold Banquet for the cub scouts.  Each boy brought a cake that they decorated for a cake decorating contest.  Here is Patrick with his cake.  Aside from baking the cake, it is all his own work.  I think he'll surpass my abilities soon 

 

 Patrick also completed all of his Bear Badge requirements during spring break, so here we are with him pinning the parent pin on me.  I'm so excited for his to turn 10 in two months so he can be in my Webelos Den.

Easter Sunday

Today was a beautiful Easter Sunday.  What a glorious day to remember and celebrate the atonement, crucifixion, and especially resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ.

I was asked to give a talk in Sacrament meeting a church today, and that went well.  In my preparation, I reviewed this talk by President Thomas S. Monson.  What a powerful testimony of our Savior Jesus Christ

President Monson-Easter 2010

In the afternoon, we had my in-laws over for dinner and to watch our Easter egg hunt.

 

New blog and other stuff

If your interested, I've started a new blog.  It is for my projects.  I want to keep it separate from my family stuff.  On it you'll see what ever I'm currently working on.  Household, garden, craft, or self improvement projects.  My interests vary, so if you're interested, follow my new link.

I've removed the links to other family blogs, and instead I am following them. 

Also, I'll be closing this blog to the public.  If you'd like to continue to keep up with me and my family, contact me so I can allow you to see.  I'll have to look into doing that, but I'm sure I can figure it out.

Look for more changes in the future.