baking with the pita

We are back to hot, humid weather now. I suppose the fall-like temperatures couldn't last long in August. This morning I was scheduled for an 8-mile run. I shortened it to 7.6 miles but stayed around a 9:15 pace for most of the run except for walking the steeper hills. I was soaking wet by the end of the run. So sweaty that I looked as if I'd wet my shorts. Note to self (again): Do not wear light-colored running shorts on hot days.

What I really wanted to talk about today was baking. Celia has watched me cook many times, but yesterday she actually participated for the first time. We made pumpkin muffins. I used a very simple vegan recipe, so she could get messy in the batter and taste it without anything yucky like raw eggs in there. Celia was very interested in the different sized measuring spoons and cups. She tried them all out, scooping and dumping the dry ingredients in the bowl. I measured everything for her and she would pour it into the bowl. Cooking is going to be a great activity for us.

The pumpkin's color made it very interesting, and she had to investigate further.

Pita helped stir the batter, then watched me fill the muffin cups and put them in the oven.

Then it was time to get into something while Mommy washed the dishes. It started off with just a couple of straws delicately removed from the box...

And escalated quite rapidly into a bit of a situation.

She was thrilled.

We're already into the first of only two remaining weeks of summer vacation. On the agenda this afternoon: a trip to the farm to pick up our share and visit the chickens, and playing in the sandbox if it isn't too hot in the sun. My dinner is already made, and I have meatloaf for Chris and Celia ready for the oven. Now for a cup of coffee before Pita wakes up from her nap!