Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Busy, busy, busy!!



Today has been one of "those" days. BUSY!!!!!

Our church is having a Thanksgiving service tonight. Afterwards, we'll have refreshments. I am taking sausage balls and Pumpkin Bars (which are more like cake) with Cream Cheese Icing. YUM!

It seems like it took me FOREVER to get these prepared this morning. I was doing laundry in the middle of it all, too, so that's probably what made it feel like it was taking so long.

And poor Elizabeth, I was so busy this morning that all I could do was turn on the TV and hope she would play by herself. I HATE turning the TV on and letting it "babysit" her, but I, in fact, did that very thing this morning. We rarely turn TV on for her, wanting her to read, color, RUN, PLAY, IMAGINE!!! Perhaps she viewed this morning as a special treat???

Tomorrow brings more baking as my mother-in-law has requested sugar cookies (with icing) and pound cake to go with her Thanksgiving meal on Thursday. I love any excuse to bake, so thank you dear mother-in-law!!

Any suggestions for a better way to occupy Elizabeth while I am busy in the kitchen? Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

Also, I would LOVE to know any special treats that you are making for family and friends for Thanksgiving!!

12 comments:

Dianna said...

I don't think it's terrible to use the tv for babysitting every once in a while. Like you said, you don't do it all the time. I hardly think she'll get addicted that way.

To keep my son occupied when I'm busy, I have to give him something that he doesn't get to do all the time. Preferably something messy and / or destructive. :)

Thanksgiving treats? Pie! and lots of it! I also think plain old cheese and crackers are good while you're waiting for that turkey to bake.

Mrs. Pear said...

I let Miss Pear have some TV too, so don't feel bad!

When we are baking together we started with her just having a set of measuring spoons and cups to play with, sometimes at the sink with just a little bit of water. And sometimes a plastic bowl to bang on.

Just something kitchen-ish to play with while I played with kitchen stuff too.

It works well because yesterday she was so proud to "mix" the Christmas Cake!

FishMama said...

I'm sure we'll be having a few videos for my time in the kitchen tomorrow, too. I have a bunch of T-day treats posted at my blog if you'd like to come visit.

Mary Isabella and Kiley too! said...

Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving. Mary

Anonymous said...

First let me say that your Elizabeth is a doll! Wasn't the wait the worst??? Congratulations!

When my girls were little they had a small drawer in the kitchen filled with plastic containers, wooden spoons, measuring scoops,etc. There were also enpty seasoning containers filled with beans or rice with the lids screwed on very tight. They could only play in that drawer on a special mat (a bath mat works well) in a specific place (safely out of the way, but close by) when I was working in the kitchen.

Heather Anne said...

I used to have a 'safe drawer' too and it was wonderful fun for the children when they were little. I also gave them play dough in their high chairs and 'baking tools' - of course I had to pretend nibble all of their creations! I used the pack n' play in the middle of the kitchen for a long time and just kept up constant chatter or taught them simple Bible verses or played Bible Song Sing Along c.d.'s. I'm sure rotating through all of the good ideas that have been posted will help - with a little video time thrown in when you really need to concentrate!

Kelli said...

I think it's fine to watch a fun show for a special treat! Elizabeth is getting so big!
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family!
Hugs,
Kelli

Cyndi Lewis said...

That is a darling picture of Elizabeth! If her shirt were yellow she would look like a carbon copy of Dora! A little bit of T.V. will be a special treat for her. In the future, if you have any large boxes, create a stove and frig for her and let her "bake" along side you. I will be doing that later today as I have two pies and a pudding salad to make. I'll try to get some pictures. My older kids will be helping but my three year old needs to "help" mommy by just playing.

Anonymous said...

You know, I'm making pumpkin bars with cream cheese icing also! And-I always make sausage balls for Christmas morninng. My mother-in-law makes everything for T-day so I am baking- a caramel pecan pie, pumpkin bars, pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread, cranberry orange bread, and to top it off... two recipes from RR latest mag- pretzel nuggets wrapped in caramel and dipped in chocolate (I'm using peanut butter filled pretzel nuggets and also sticky toffy pudding. Now that my kids are getting a little older I am fine with them playing in the backyard while I cook/bake- the kitchen faces the backyard so I feel it is safe. Also- TV is definitely a must at times! Happy Thanksgiving dear friend. :)- Gretchen

Cyndi Lewis said...

Mrs. U,
I just posted pictures from today at my blog. My three year old loved her box stove, fridge and cupboard. She was busy all day with it and I was able to bake what I needed with out her sitting in front of the t.v. Thanks for the inspiration. Have a great Thanksgiving. http://modernchristianhomestead.blogspot.com

E R I C A said...

Mrs. U,

I too am guilty of having my little daughter watch Dora when I need a few minutes to clean.

My daughter (also from China) just loves Dora. She got a real kick out of the photo of your daughter with the backpack.

Erica

Christy said...

Oh my goodness, do you realize that from that view in the picture your little Elizabeth looks just like Dora? How cute!

My littles learned quite a bit from Dora, and a little bit of TV isn't going to hurt her. If it allows mommy to get some things done without getting frazzled, thats better on the kiddos anyway. Why do us moms allow ourselves to feel so guilty over so many things that, in the big picture of life, just aren't worth feeling guilty over?

Don't feel bad. It's ok. You're a WONDERFUL mommy!

Have a memorable, blessed Thanksgiving dear.

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