Sometimes I have really grand visions of motherhood in my head. Carter and I in our matching aprons, the kitchen is clean, toys are put away in the background, and we’re covered in flour and sugar and love while we bond over baking cookies from scratch. We cuddle blissfully on the couch while the cookies bake and Charlotte naps peacefully upstairs.
I have the ingredients in the pantry, but you know what I don’t have? The time, energy, or patience for all that mess. Yep, I said it.
I absolutely TREASURE sweet moments with my kiddos, but baking cookies just isn’t happening right now. We had good intentions to make them for Santa and even that fell off the list.
When I saw these Valentine cookies at the grocery store, I hid them in the shopping cart for a day just like this.

And you know what? It was FINE. Carter had fun. We still had time together while sis napped. There wasn’t a mess to clean up after. Everyone wins.
There wasn’t batter to lick from the beaters, but he licked some of the cookies before they made it to the baking sheet. That basically counts right?
I’m pretty sure he still got an experience out of it too. He carefully counted out the cookies and waited patiently for them on a stool in front of the oven.

Does he look like he has been cheated at all? I don’t think so. It was totally worth it and we had time afterward to make treasure maps and hunt for clues instead of cleaning up our baking mess.
Second child alert: Carter was waaaay proud of his work and wanted to share with Charlotte so she got to enjoy his masterpiece. She gave me this great little smile first, like she knew she was in for a real treat. Then sister friend dug right in.

Mommas, I see your hearts. I know you want the best for your kiddos. And whatever that means to you, I’m cheering you on.
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