The Naughty Step: Let them eat cake ...

I'm not quite sure why but I decided that cake baking would be an after school activity today. I was already shattered from helping out at our local parent and toddler music group this morning (as I was unencumbered by a child I got there early, set up, panicked that half the stuff was missing, located the stuff, prepared the snack, served the snack and tea and coffee and then cleared it all up again) as I've had a cold for a month now.

I think it was because we have lots of eggs - which were purchased with a promise of a baking frenzy which didn't happen as any spare moment I've had has been wrapped up in bed cuddling a paracetamol based hot cold remedy.

The topic of some baking was discussed in the car on the way home from school - mainly because of the sulk that had ensued from having to walk an extra 500 yards to the car as I couldn't get a space closer. In theory we could - and should - walk to and from school within about 35 minutes, however this involves walking past a parade of shops which would cost me a fortune in bribes to get him there/home.

Don't get me wrong I have baked with my son before - but it usually ends in disaster with us both losing our temper. However, I've mellowed of late. At half term I even suggested some alfresco painting in the sunshine and watched calmly whilst he spread paint everywhere! My OH's rant of 'what's THAT all over the drive' was met with a smile rather than my usual explanation of everything our son had done wrong that day. (It was later deduced that I had a fever.)

He does sometimes bake with his dad and quite often bakes with his grandma - without incident.

We just annoy each other.

As soon as I laid out the ingredients there was trouble.

S: Can I squish it like crumble?

Me: no, it's a cake.

S: (wails) but I want to squish it and then lick my fingers WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH

Me: okay how about you try breaking the eggs?

S: WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH ... can I lick the bowl?

Me: not while we're mixing the cake.

S: can I lick the spoon?

Me: no we need that to mix the cake.

S: but when can I eat it? I want to eat it.

Me: just be patient.

S takes a sneaky lick whilst I'm hunting for a cake tin AND bun cases - as whichever one I don't get out he will want to do. I can only find the 'new' loose bottomed cake tin (remember that - we'll return to it later).

S opted for BIG cake and was very happy to finally be able to lick the spoon.

For the next 40 minutes I had to cope with 'Can I eat the cake yet?' every 30 seconds. It wears you down, believe me.

When the cake was finally ready I whipped it out of the oven aiming to get it on the cooling rack out of reach. I held it on the bottom - which came loose, the side ring sliding down my arm. You can imagine the expletive as I threw the cake down and rushed to the cold tap.

Eventually cake was cool (though my arm was still on fire!) - I did the icing as I couldn't cope with the bowl licking again - and iced. Later we all had a share.