Christmas Cookies

Warning:  This post has LOTS of cute pictures of Andrew.  Just thought I would caution you in case you don't want to read this post...but why would you do that?

Normally, Andrew is off limits in the kitchen because we have too much "stuff" out in the open - including breakable items, the pantry and dog food (which oddly enough, Andrew likes to swipe.)  In any case, we thought that Andrew was old enough to help out in the kitchen so we decided to make Christmas cookies.

Before I start commentating on his pictures, let me tell you: there is nothing cuter than seeing a toddler in an apron.  That said, Andrew was initially timid and wasn't sure what he was supposed to do.

With a little coaching, he helped mommy use the cookie cutters.  Although he thought that poking holes in the  middle and eating pieces of it was much more enjoyable.

He discovered powdered sugar.

Andrew discovered some new "tools."  While our first batch of cookies were baking, he figured out how to use the rolling pin...

...and pretended to cut cookies...

...and used the scraper...

He was definitely getting the hang of this whole cookie making business...and thoroughly enjoyed playing with the sugar.

He figured that by the second batch of cookies he was an expert using the cookie cutter, so he went over my work and made a few adjustments.

This kid is smart.  While mommy was placing cookies on the sheet tray, Andrew was swiping raw cookie dough and eating it.

He watched us use the powdered sugar to roll out the dough, so he thought he should do the same.

Or maybe it was his excuse to stuff his face with a handful of powdered sugar.

He wasn't able to hide all of the evidence.

On the last batch, Andrew figured out the routine.  Roll...

...cut...

All done!

Here's our finished product!

At the end of the night, we discovered that Andrew had hidden two raw cookie dough pieces in his apron, ingested two baby handfuls of powdered sugar and one frosted cookie.  He felt so good about himself that he managed to take off most of his clothes before asking mommy to help him remove the rest of them.  This baby has a streaking problem, but that's another story.  :)  Merry Christmas!