Adam’s birthday was a couple of weeks ago, and H was a huge help making his birthday cake. Every year I make a roast chicken dinner for him and bake a three-tiered devil’s food cake with vanilla buttercream. This year H helped with the cake. Baking with her always requires a little project management, but baking a three-tiered cake required a little more.

First, try to get her to help sift the flour.

Then accept that she would rather stick her hands in the flour stream.

Let her try to use the measuring spoons.

Then just let her get her hands dirty.

Teach her about packing brown sugar.

Accept the mess left afterwards. And the fact that as soon as the mixer comes on, she will abandon the project to get away from the noise.

Eat the cake.