Nibble Nibble, Little Mouse

Sometimes it seems like I spend the vast majority of my day getting snacks for small people.  Even though they can reach their own bowls plus a great many of our snacky items, I still get A LOT of requests to fix snacks.  The last few days I've started setting out a "nibble tray" so that they are free to graze all day; it's a suggestion I saw in one of our Dr. Sears books.  In our case it's more of a pig-out tray because when it's first set out both boys behave like two crazed polar bears fighting over a fat juicy seal. 

Yesterday the tray came out right after breakfast:

 It was so cute.  Short Pants put his breakfast dishes away, looked over at me, and stated very solemnly, "I think I need the nibble tray."  heehee

We went outside to play in the miniscule snowfall, and when we came back in the boys had a special treat of cocoa and marshmallows.  I left them with the treat and nibble tray and ran upstairs to check my e-mail.

Yes, I am a total dumb ass. 

For the record, leaving small boys alone with bitty snacky foods and hot cocoa is not a good idea unless you like cleaning:

 
 

Comments

[Zonnah]

Oh well, you got a break and it is cleanable :)

[Mari-Ann]

Hehe!! Excellent idea on the snack tray... it would be well received here.
PS: I did it! I made a little Mother Earth out of wool (late) last night! I am still looking forward to your tutorial though. :)

[Christy]

I hear you, except in my case it was an unhealthy last bit of a chip bag that I left Haley alone with and ended up crumbled into our sheep mat. She's also known for stuffing her unwanted food into her drink, though, so I totally sympathize.

[hiking mama]

I agree with Zonnah that sometimes a little mess is worth the break! We have found using cloth placemats helps with the mess at the table. It soaks up the spills and contains most of his mess. When he is finished eating it gets rolled up and put with his napkin in an old wet bag from his cloth diapering days. His favorite part is zipping it closed again. He also has a tiny dust pan and hand broom. This is something he has just learned how to use by himself although he has been helping for many months.

[Rebecca]

Oh, God love 'em.

The snack tray is a great idea, though... got to give that a try.