I really enjoy baking with my granddaughter. Since she's still very young, she loves to get her hands into everything. I had found her playing in the flour a number of times. Instead of getting freaked out about the mess, I gave her a special mixture of flour, beans and rice along with her own set of special measuring cups and a small whisk broom that she can play with as she pleases. She's very good at cracking eggs, but prefers to use her hands instead of a whisk to break up the eggs. Instead of fighting with her about it, I try to use recipes calling for squished things - like banana bread. I don't really care that the bananas and eggs have been squished by little hands rather than a whisk or fork or food processor. Soon, her twin sisters will be "helping" me in the kitchen as well. Working with children in the kitchen is a great way to build relationships and pass on family traditions but it's always messy. It's up to us as adults to find ways to keep it fun.

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