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Decorating with a two year old ... sigh

post #1 of 64
2/14/07 at 4:14pm
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I decided to make this awesome chocolatey cake for my dh for Valentines. I baked it yesterday and assembled it last night while my boys (aged 2 1/2 and 1 ) were asleep. This morning while I was in the shower, my two year old icon_evil.gif found the cake in the fridge and dug into the icing. Luckily I had some extra icing left over and was able to save it. This afternoon I decided to do the chocolate dipped strawberries that are going to top the cake. Well I burnt the white chocolate in the microwave, so I decided to go with milk chocolate. Well the phone rang and while I was on it, my son decided to "help". He pushed all my dipped strawberries into a big mess icon_cry.gif . I had to call my girlfriend to go buy me more chocolate and there was no way I was gonna throw out strawberries that cost $5 a pint so I washed them off, let them dry and re-dipped them. All I have to say is this cake better be worth it! I know there are other cake decorators out there with little kids, how do you do it? Thanks for letting me vent.
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post #2 of 64
2/14/07 at 4:20pm
I have 4 at home age 10 to 1, usually I stand there decorating with the 1 year old pulling my pants down. I usually just wait till night after they have gone to bed.
Stefanie
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Stefanie
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post #3 of 64
2/14/07 at 4:20pm
I try to do most decorating after the kids are in bed but then I'm up way too late.
Last summer I was decorating a cake and looked up to see my dd ( who was just over one ) got out the back sliding door and was on the porch. I about had a heart attack thinking she was going straight down the stairs.
It's hard and frustrating with kids, I need to find a happy medium. If you do please share. =D
~~Casey

So long and thanks for all the fish!
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~~Casey

So long and thanks for all the fish!
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post #4 of 64
2/14/07 at 4:26pm
I don't have kids, nor do I have any younger siblings, but the older ones sometimes are worse than the 2 YO. icon_razz.gif
Why is it that the first time you do research, it is re-search, rather than just search?
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Why is it that the first time you do research, it is re-search, rather than just search?
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post #5 of 64
2/14/07 at 4:28pm
I can relate. I made a cake for one of my friends for Christmas. I brought it over during a playdate that my 2 year-old and her 3 year-old were having. She decided to let them have some of the cake for lunch and asked me to cut it. I went into the kitchen to get a knife and when I came back, my daughter had a mouth full of frosting! She ran her fingers up the side of the cake. I was so embarassed! At least my friend planned to let the kids have some or else I would have been even more embarassed! icon_redface.gif
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post #6 of 64
2/14/07 at 4:33pm
I have a 6 yo and a 3 yo that always want to "help". I baked with my 6 yo for years before I started doing cakes so it was hard to tell him he couldn't help. So I found a happy medium. I let them help pour in the eggs, oil, water, etc and beat the cake batter. Then they get to lick the beaters as their reward for helping. Then they feel they have helped and are usually ready to move on to something else. I haven't had a problem with them in the cakes as I am decorating. I guess they are old enough now to know that these are special and should not be touched. I know it has got to be hard explaining that to a 2 yo. Good Luck.
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post #7 of 64
2/14/07 at 4:40pm
Oh BC Baker, I understand! I've got 7 1/2 (ADHD), 6 1/2 (autistic) and 2 1/2 (terrible!!!). Normally I end up working when they are asleep, but then I am really tired! My 6 1/2 yo daughter Ruby came in to where I was making brownies yesterday and LICKED the batter that was in the 9x13 pan!!! YUCK-A! She doesn't do too well. They are afraid of the sound of the mixer, so sometimes (BLUSHING BECAUSE I"M TELLING YOU THIS) I run the mixer with nothing in the bowl to keep them out. And I always give them the beaters as a reward for staying out of my hair. But, they get into ALL KINDS of trouble.

I made tootsie roll roses, and my 2 1/2 year old came through and ate 3 of them while I was in the bathroom (she hopped the gate, didn't know she could get over THAT one!!!)
"Be the change you wish to see in the world" - Gandhi

Airports are the new shopping malls - adam
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"Be the change you wish to see in the world" - Gandhi

Airports are the new shopping malls - adam
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post #8 of 64
2/14/07 at 4:46pm
OHH! I almost forgot to share. I've had my experiences w/ little kids ruining cakes too. My bridal shower cake was punched by a kid causing a huge indent in the CAKE!!
Why is it that the first time you do research, it is re-search, rather than just search?
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Why is it that the first time you do research, it is re-search, rather than just search?
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post #9 of 64
2/14/07 at 4:50pm
I so know what you are talking about! I have a DS who is 2 1/2 and a few months ago I had done a cake with chocolate transfers. They were snowmen and he loves snowmen, so before I had a chance to move them, he picked them up and broke 2 of them!!

I'm a SAHM so during the day I always want to do the decorating, but it is just too hard. I usually do the baking during the day, and wait until my DH comes home to do the rest. But I always make sure to put the cake up high enough so the next day there aren't any "accidents"icon_smile.gif
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post #10 of 64
2/14/07 at 5:02pm
I feel your pain!!! my son is two as well, and a few weeks ago woke up before me and came out of his room (he climbed his gate), anyway, dug his little fingers into the cake i stayed up all night making!!! i about died! lucky for him he looked so adorable with his face and hands covered in icing saying "mmmmm mommy, i wowwy"(sorry). needless to say, from now on all cakes will be completely out of reach. but when i'm decorating, he loves to stand around me and sneek icing when possible (hence the pic).
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post #11 of 64
2/14/07 at 5:14pm
decorating + kids = one tired up too late mom!! LOL

I have 3 kids 4 and under... it's fun!!
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I usually do the baking during the day, and wait until my DH comes home to do the rest.



that's what I do a lot too, that and stay up til the wee hours!!

They have become well trained though!! just keep working at it. LOL

I usually promise my 2 older ones that they can plan with the left over icing in bags and/or fondant if they are really good when I'm making the cake!! that has worked really well, even at their your age.
TAMMY
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TAMMY
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post #12 of 64
2/14/07 at 5:21pm
My son is 20 months old. My husband and I have huge fights over it because I'd like him to watch our son while I work. I don't mind my son being in the kitchen when I'm baking but I can't concentrate to decorate when he's around. We are working on it and my husband is getting better at watching him.

Oh..and like everyone else, I usually decorate when he's sleeping. haha
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post #13 of 64
2/14/07 at 5:29pm
I have 2 boys - ages 5 & 2. I usually get the baking done and all my icings mixed and colored and bagged. Then, when the 2 year old goes down for his nap, I can get it all decorated. I prefer to do it during his nap because I don't like being up too late!
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post #14 of 64
2/14/07 at 5:35pm
icon_cry.gif I actually MISS the days when my kids (all grown up now) "helped" Mommy make cakes. Enjoy it, it doesn't last long. icon_sad.gif
Friends don't let friends buy grocery store cakes.
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Friends don't let friends buy grocery store cakes.
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post #15 of 64
2/14/07 at 5:36pm
It's so hard! I have a 3 year old, a 2 year old, and twins who are 4 months old. I do my baking when they're awake, but only decorate when they're sleeping. That's difficult because my husband works nights, but we make it work! I wish I had a big secret tip. . . or that someone had one for me!!!
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