What? She doesn't go anywhere without it... so I asked, what are you going to be cooking? They had Facetimed a few days before to plan activities for the week and I had suggested they cook or bake. Well Mari proceeded to list all of her favorite things... pie, cake, desserts, pancakes, cupcakes, french toast... whew... man they were going to have a busy time!
I took the three kids and our trip was just a short four day stop. Lots of great things happened during the week. Like fishing with grandpa, N and C went to Universal together without parents, playing chess, arts and crafts, swimming (of course!) and puzzles, Wii, Hot Wheels.... you name it. This blog though, will be about Cooking with Grandma.
As a kid, I always remember cooking with my mom. I founding remember, weekends, I used to be a paperboy and that meant Saturday and Sunday up at 5:30AM to pick up papers and get them delivered. Usually I did it on my own, but on big paper days one of my parents would help drive to pick up the huge papers (Sundays or Holidays). Usually after my mom and I would make breakfast.
I grew up more a mamas boy I think. We would cook, she would teach me how she made hash browns, why she puts milk in scrambled eggs, how hot to cook things, and how to prep and cook some of my favorite things like freshly caught fish or other family favorites. It all served me well when I moved off to college and had to fend for myself.
If you know Mari, you know she loves snacks and desserts. She is patient and learns things quickly (especially if related to things she likes, like dessert). Her and grandma daily, if not twice a day while in FL cooked or baked. Mari also likes to pretend she is running a restaurant, so she would take orders, set the table, and bring out orders for her customers. It was nice being waited on by Mari, usually the other way around back home.
They cooked some favorites, a cake, cupcakes, waffles, french toast, scrambled eggs... but they also did a few new things grandma taught her. They made a jello pie, which she ended up not liking, so maybe we try that one or similar again and see. They also did some learning, measuring, cutting, etc. I also loved watching Mari learn how to use a hand mixer... ancient technology, that honestly works better than modern ones.
Well here are a few photos of my Mom and Mari cooking is up in Florida. I wished they lived closer, but the distance does mean the days we spend together are more precious and fun filled. We packed each day full to the top with things to do and the kids returned tired from that vacation. So it was well spent, and we will be back again soon, hopefully once again not needing iPads. 
