Tweenager in the Kitchen: No-Bake Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites

 

My oldest daughter loves being in the kitchen. She also LOVES to sing and perform, create new things with fabric, glue and paint, and design fashions fit for a runway.

Over the weekend, she decided to make a variety of different items. I was gone for only a few hours at my son’s eye appointment and came home to “frozen yogurt drops”, “healthy breakfast cups”, “blueberry and chocolate yogurt parfait”, and an “apple crumble”. She was very proud of herself. My husband was home and proud of her, too (of course) but had to remind her to clean up the kitchen. She did and then proceeded to keep making things. Later in the afternoon she even made homemade peanut butter cups!! (Sidenote-they were delicious!)

What I love about this is the fact that she decided she wanted to do it, and then just did it! She didn’t stop to question if she could, if she should, or if she had all the right ingredients. She just started.

In that moment, I saw her in a new light. Her own light. In the light where you see your baby girl grow up, right… before… your… very… eyes. That light. And it was amazing!

Thankfully, it didn’t end there. Super Bowl Sunday rolled around and we were all just hanging out in our family room with our puppy when she gets up and heads to the kitchen. I heard some clanking and then the familiar sounds of bowls on the counter and then a hand mixer turned on.

I got up to investigate and found her making “No-Bake Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites.” Again, she didn’t stop to think if she could or should make them, she just started.

It was amazing. I was amazed.

I encouraged her and then asked if I could take some pictures and share her recipe online. She agreed and here we are! So, for anyone else looking to make a yummy treat, get the following supplies ready!

No-Bake Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites

Ingredients

• 1 stick butter, softened
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 3/4 cup mini chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Beat the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy.
2. Add the next two ingredients and mix until well combined. Then, add the flour-little by little.
3. Then add in the mini chocolate chips and stir by hand until evenly distributed in the dough.
4. Roll the dough into 1 inch balls.
5. Place in the fridge for 15 minutes
6. Enjoy!! Place any leftover bites in a covered dish.

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She was busy in the kitchen all weekend. And it wasn’t the “Oh, I am so busy,” kind of busy. It was the “I’m so busy being me” kind of busy, and she was so happy. It was like she found a niche. Something of her own. Something she could do independently of us, but still for us. It was also in this small moment that her love language was revealed to me with such clarity.

Her love language is giving and receiving gifts!

I don’t know why I didn’t realize it sooner…she is always making things for me and leaving me surprise gifts around the house and by my bed. Duh!!! Either way, in that moment I saw her growing up and revealing how she needs to receive love. It was quite a weekend!

Whatever parenting challenges you face today, know this…they are a gift and even though they don’t come with a return policy, they never lose value. Our children are our most priceless and valuable treasures. They will challenge us sometimes, but then sometimes they will surprise us. Like my tween did for me. It was in the SMALL MOMENT that I noticed something that was there all along, but that I didn’t stop to pay attention, too. It was in this moment that I felt INSPIRED in how best to communicate with her. It was in the BEAUTIFUL MESS she left behind in the kitchen that I smiled and was filled with LOVE for her and the life she has in front of her.

There are no happy accidents.

~Kim

You can check out my other writings on Full Time Mom, 30Seconds, and SheSavvy.You can also follow me on Twitter at @barefoot79 or @nohappyaccident.

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