Time for cooking lessons

A couple of days ago John started talking about pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. They are his absolute favorite treat. If you know John, he is not a big sweets guy. It seems like when ever I make cookies, brownies, etc. we never end up eating them. So when John asked if I would make cookies, it was a big deal. I decided to have a little cooking lesson with Ella. I remembered that I had purchased matching mom/daughter aprons when Ella was like a month old. We found the aprons and put them on. I sat Ella on the counter and she helped with EVERYTHING! She even cracked an egg all by herself (of course I had to fish out some shells). She was so excited to help. She was grinning the entire time. It was so nice to spend some one on one time with Ella. I don't know the last time I felt that happy. We brought some cookies to our neighbors and they said, "how did you have time for this?" I said, "I don't know, we made time." I was so happy that I didn't let this opportunity pass me by. Yes I could have finished the cookies much quicker without the help of little hands, but I would have missed out on; flour in her hair, egg shells in the batter, chocolate on her face, a big mess in the kitchen and the biggest smile on the sweetest little face. I realize that I need to take the opportunity to just have fun with my kids. So what if the house is messy and I haven't gotten dressed, I had fun with my kids!!!