<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/IMGP3563-2.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1313" alt="cupcakes, toddlers" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/IMGP3563-2.jpg" width="500" height="331" /></a>Ben made the usual request for his birthday, this year...anything with coconut.  Lately, though, he has requested chocolate along with his coconut.  A few years back, prior to the chocolate requests, I went with a <a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/154-happy-birthday">simple white cake and the obligatory coconut</a>.  Then, he requested German chocolate.  I obliged, and disguised it in the form of a <a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/391-happy-birthday-benner-2">White Sox cake</a>.  Last year, we had a giant housewarming party for his birthday, so I kept things simple and baked my favorite chocolate cupcakes (from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Flour-Spectacular-Recipes-Bostons-Bakery/dp/081186944X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1412389056&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=joanne+chang%2C+flour">Joanne Chang's <em>Flour</em> cookbook</a>) and topped them with cream cheese-coconut frosting (try this version from <a href="http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/coconut-cream-cheese-frosting-50400000125265/"><em>Southern Living</em></a>).  They were so popular that Ben's cousin's fiancee requested them for her <a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/1224-i-do">bridal shower</a>, and Ben asked for them again this year.  The best part?  They couldn't be easier.  So, even when this tired and pregnant mama has her hands full, we can still find time to make Daddy happy.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/IMGP3520-2.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1309" alt="baking with toddlers" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/IMGP3520-2.jpg" width="365" height="500" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">As a teenager, my go-to babysitting tactic was to bring the kids into the kitchen with me.  Aside from that, I was pretty much useless with the little ones.  We went to the park and watched lots of movies, but the real fun was had when the mixer and the oven were running.  I have been waiting more than 2 years for O to be ready to help me in the kitchen, and it seems the time has come.  When she heard we were making cupcakes for Daddy, she couldn't get to the kitchen fast enough.  I may have mentioned it, but she was a very active participant in <a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/1245-silly-sylvie-and-the-chocolate-factory">Sylvia's cupcakes </a>and Eloise's <a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/1296-beach-ball-cookies">beach ball cookies</a>.  This time, though, she was ready for the big leagues: using a piping bag to do the frosting.  Since they were just for Dad, I was happy to give her free reign.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/IMGP3539-2.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1310" alt="baking with toddlers" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/IMGP3539-2.jpg" width="315" height="500" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Of course, if I ever caught a pro holding a pastry bag like this, I'd cringe, but you can't expect much more from a toddler.  Their little hands just aren't strong enough to do it one-handed.  She was SO very proud of herself.  My heart just melted.  She kept asking, "Mommy, does 'is' one 'yook' good?"</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/IMGP3558-2.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1312" alt="baking with toddlers" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/IMGP3558-2.jpg" width="320" height="500" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Of course, no cupcake is complete without sprinkles- at least not in O's mind.  She probably ate more than she got on the cupcakes, and I'll be cleaning them off the floor for months....but, the end result was worth it.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/IMGP3571-2.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1315" alt="chocolate coconut cupcakes" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/IMGP3571-2.jpg" width="331" height="500" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Of course, I couldn't let her have all the fun.  So, I piped a few myself.  Before she went to bed, O left out one cupcake on a plate alongside a handmade card and a glass of brown liquor (poured by mom).  Pretty good, right?</p>