From the time Emily and Audrey were very young, they wanted to be in the kitchen. They wanted to be right there, by my side, helping. And unfortunately for them, I’d send them on their not-so-merry way. I like to be alone in the kitchen. I make enough mistakes on my own and to add two fighting youngsters to the mix, would be bad. Plus, our kitchen at the old house was teeny tiny.

But now that we have moved, I let them go at it. They pretty much fix their own breakfast and lunches, now granted it’s not all that fancy of a meal, but still, they do it, and I don’t.

In the kitchen, and pretty much every other area of my life, I do things my way, I don’t give it a lot of thought, if it turns out it turns out. If not, it winds up in the trashcan next to the Lemon Cake I made for Mother’s Day. So, I pretty much just throw the girls in the kitchen with a recipe or instructions, if they need help, they know where to find me.

And their particular instructions on this day was to make a batch of chocolate chip cookies, together, no fighting allowed, if they did choose to fight, they would not be allowed back in the kitchen. And since two eggs needed to be cracked, you each get a turn. {for those of you wondering, yes, i have finally let them crack eggs}

After taking a few quick pictures, Sarah and I headed downstairs to relax. That was my intent anyway, Sarah had other plans that included glue & markers.

They did a great job. The cookies were wonderful. I ate way too many, as usual.

Oh, incase you are wondering, I’m in charge of the stove. I don’t want to have to take any trips to the ER because of burns, or have the Fire Department come out because the stove caught on fire.

are those not the yummiest looking cookies ever!

The Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookie (taken off the back of Ghirardelli Chocolate Chips)

• 11 1/2 ounce(s) 60% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate Chips
• 2 1/4 cup(s) unsifted flour
• 1 teaspoon(s) baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon(s) teaspoon salt
• 1 cup(s) (2 sticks) butter
• 3/4 cup(s) sugar
• 3/4 cup(s) packed brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoon(s) vanilla
• 1 cup(s) chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

Directions
Preheat oven to 375ºF. Stir flour with baking soda and salt; set aside. In large mixer bowl, cream butter with sugar, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Gradually blend dry mixture into creamed mixture. Stir in nuts and chocolate chips. Drop 1 tablespoon of dough per cookie onto ungreased cookie sheets.

Bake at 375ºF for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown.