Milestone

When I go to get Parleigh laid down for bed, I have the kids sit quietly in the living room and look at books. If they are quiet, then we get to read  once Parleigh’s laid down, otherwise we’ll just read scriptures and say prayers and go to bed. They love reading books, and so far we haven’t had a problem of them being quiet when I ask them.
Last week, I came into the living room and there sat Parker, Preston, and Paisley on the couch—with Parker reading to them. Like, reading reading. I sat beside them, and continued to be mesmerized by the fact that Parker can read now! He’s obviously been reading sight words and sounding out other words for the past couple of months. And I’m sure if I would have given him the opportunity, I’m sure we could have read a “big” book. He’s read some “little books that have 3-5 words on a page, and only 5 pages. But, to actually hear him read, it was exciting! The book? “Go, Dog. Go!”

I wanted some way to thank Parker’s teacher, for teaching him how to read. I am so thankful to her….I’m sure I could do it, but I’m just glad that I didn’t have to! Since she’s made Parker become “one smart cookie” I thought it would be fitting to make her some cookies. But not just any cookies, some ginormous cookies! I found a recipe….for chocolate chip cookies, and I just had to try it. I’m curious how many variations of chocolate chip cookies I’ve made in the past couple of years. A million ga zillion! That’s how many.
This one was different. It had specific directions that you shouldn’t deviate from. And I didn’t. I followed it to a T. And they turned out awesome! The other exciting thing? I had all the ingredients on hand. I didn’t have to go out and buy any! :) I also used my food scale and weighed the flour and sugar, and my measurements were different because of it. These cookies were literally the size of my hand!

C is for Cookie!

I am so proud of my little boy! He is growing up so fast, and learning so much! It’s so much fun to see his little brain making connections and figuring out things!
And here’s the recipe. Try them! They might just be the best!

Chocolate Chip Cookies  

Recipe Via 

2 cups minus 2 tablespoons (8 1/2 ounces) cake flour
1 2/3 cups (8 1/2 ounces) bread flour
1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt
2 1/2 sticks (1 1/4 cups) unsalted butter
1 1/4 cups (10 ounces) light brown sugar
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons (8 ounces) granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons natural vanilla extract
1 1/4 pounds bittersweet chocolate disks at least 60 percent cacao content
Sea salt.
1. Sift flours, baking soda, baking powder and salt into a bowl. Set aside.
2. Using a mixer fitted with paddle attachment, cream butter and sugars together until very light, about 5 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla. Reduce speed to low, add dry ingredients and mix until just combined, 5 to 10 seconds. Drop chocolate pieces in and incorporate them without breaking them. Press plastic wrap against dough and refrigerate for 24 to 36 hours. Dough may be used in batches, and can be refrigerated for up to 72 hours.
3. When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a nonstick baking mat. Set aside.
4. Scoop 6 3 1/2-ounce mounds of dough (the size of generous golf balls) onto baking sheet, making sure to turn horizontally any chocolate pieces that are poking up; it will make for a more attractive cookie. Sprinkle lightly with sea salt and bake until golden brown but still soft, 18 to 20 minutes. Transfer sheet to a wire rack for 10 minutes, then slip cookies onto another rack to cool a bit more. Repeat with remaining dough, or reserve dough, refrigerated, for baking remaining batches the next day. Eat warm, with a big napkin.
Yield: 1 1/2 dozen 5-inch cookies.