Friday Pieday


When I started doing Friday Pieday with the kids last year I really had no clue what I was doing (still don't) or where it would lead, but for about six or seven weeks every Friday I just made a point to bake a pie with whoever was around and wanted to join in. The tradition stuck like glue with them and in fact even though we took a break from making a pie every week they still ask, without fail all the time if it's Friday yet and if we get to make a pie.


It was kind of shocking to me actually how much the little act of intentionality worked on them and boosted their confidence so much in fact just this week Grandma told Josie that Grandpa loves apple pies and apparently she beamed and said "well I know how to make pies!" and that just made my heart swell with joy!


So I've decided to make it a yearlong goal to make a pie as many weeks as possible with the kids in 2015. We shall see where it leads and I know I will learn a ton, I am not a great pastry chef by any stretch of the imagination just a Mom on a mission to bless her kids with a special tradition!


I mentioned to a few friends that I was picking back up with the project and got a few comments like "that is crazy, do you even sleep?" :) ha! Made me crack up because I TOTALLY get the intimidation factor and stress of baking with toddlers - I thought I'd share just a couple things I've learned so far in case you were thinking of starting a similar tradition or are groaning at the thought of what a mess it would be.


The first thing I do is choose the pie with the kids in advance and make sure we have all of the ingredients on hand for Friday before Friday rolls around. Nothing worse than not being prepared.


If the pie has a really involved crust or many many steps I usually make the dough the night before or try to do any of the steps in advance so that Pieday is not complicated or stressful for me!


Make sure your work space is clean and set out all of the ingredients and the tools needed before calling the kids into the kitchen and if you want to photograph the experience have the camera there too so that you aren't looking for it with flour all over your hands with the kids grabbing and flinging things while you scramble.


And after we are done making the pie and get it into the oven or fridge I like to have a little snack and a special movie or activity all set to transition the kids onto the next thing and give me a chance to clean up alone - I know it's good to have the kids help with clean up but on Pieday for the most part I like to get the crazy mess under control quickly making my stress level a lot lower.


And then make a HUGE deal when the pie is served. We usually do pie right after dinner on Friday and we ooh and ahh and set special plates out - seriously you will be shocked at how they beam with pride, it's my favorite part!


Just my two cents of course if you have any other tips or ideas I would love you to leave them in the comments and if you've done a similar project tell me about it I am all ears!

These are a few pictures of pies we made that I never posted about - Orange Dreamsicle and Blueberry Fried Pies. We are making a pie today and I will be sharing it next Friday of course. Thanks so much for letting me share a little about my process and plan here it helps me with accountability! Hope you have a wonderful Friday - and I will be back tomorrow with Ten on Ten! xoxo

12 comments:

  1. This is such a FUN idea.

    Fondly,
    Glenda

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  2. I love everything about this and hope to do something like it with my future kiddos. Pioneer Woman has a super yummy pie crust recipe and it's perfect for making ahead and keeping in the freezer! It also makes 2 crusts per batch, so you could probably just make a bunch at once and then have them ready for the month - just a suggestion!

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    1. Ooh such a great idea - thank you so much I will have to look into that! xoxo

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  3. Oh yumm. I want to make those!!! Super cute pictures and very fun idea!!

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  4. I ADORE THIS!!!!!!!!!! You are such a great mama:)

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    1. Ashely you are so so sweet - the feeling is mutual my friend, I hope you are doing well! xoxo

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  5. Love the tips!! Cooking with kids is so stressful to me, (strangely, I swear it was more fun when they were younger) but your ideas make it sound more achievable. What do you do when all they want to do is swipe sugar, dough & anything else tasty they can get their little fingers on? : )

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    1. Ha - I know, I totally feel you and in full disclosure I think it's easier for me to plan for pie day and get all geared up to do it once a week and not as easy on say a tuesday night when they want to jump in and help with dinner or even worse want to cook alone…it's all a work in progress and I have to release so much control because I definitely like things done a certain way. You are an incredible chef and mother Kari, I bet I could learn a TON from you my friend! xoxo

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  6. I just love this soo much! I need to put it on my list of things to do! I do bake with the boys sometimes, although I'll be honest, a lot of times when they pull up a chair and ask if they can help, I'm sometimes tempted to say not right now! Just because I know how much longer and messier the process will be. But after I'm always glad that I took the extra time to make those special memories with them! Thanks for the inspiration! xo

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