This morning Mack was the first person in our house to wake up.
At 6:09 am. Sigh.
However, I quickly realized that I should seize his early rise as an opportunity to spend some special time with him. The other night Evie stayed up late and I really treasured that time with her; Mack getting up early was really no different! We quietly got dressed and sneaked downstairs. Together, we mixed and measured and baked a couple loaves of homemade zucchini-banana bread. After we popped them in the oven we set out for a nice long walk together. In the quiet of the early morning, we padded around our new neighborhood, taking in all the sights and sounds along the way.
We came upon a bagel store, and since bagels are one of Mack’s favorite treats we stopped for a little snack.
While we were enjoying a chocolate chip bagel, Mack spotted a red car across the street. He loves cars – particularly red ones – so he was quite excited. Lately he’s been referring to his car collection as his “babies” and he covers them with blankets and tells me they are taking a nap. Sometimes I can’t believe the differences between my boy and my girl…!
With all his excitement about the red car, I thought it would be fun to treat him to another toy car. Fortunately, we were down the street from a Walgreens. All the Walgreens here in the city have a display with toy cars, and Mack seems to have a built in radar for it. As soon as we entered this Walgreens that we’d never been in before, he escaped from the stroller and found the stash. We spent a solid 20 minutes looking at the cars, opening their little doors, lining them up and then choosing the lucky one to take home.
Mack is a tenacious and precious ball of energy. He never stops. But, when I have one-on-one time with him he settles down a bit and he is truly a delight. He loosens the tough-guy shield he normally keeps up, and he allows himself to be my sweet little boy. I wish so much I could start every day like today.
When we came home Chris and the girls were waiting for us with warm zucchini-banana bread fresh from the oven. We sat around the dining table together. Just another start to a Sunday at home. Life is good.
Zucchini-Banana Bread
1 stick butter, softened
1 cup sugar
3 very ripe bananas, smoooshed
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract (as always, I use homemade vanilla extract)
1 medium zucchini, grated and squeezed of excess moisture
1 cup unbleached flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a large bowl, whip butter until it is a bit fluffy. Add sugar and stir until combined. Add eggs, vanilla, bananas and zucchini.
In a separate bowl, whisk flour, soda and salt. Add to wet ingredients and stir until just incorporated.
Lightly grease two loaf pans (I like using coconut oil for this). Divide batter evenly between the two pans. Bake for 50-60 minutes.
Serve to the ones you love!!
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Made this today. Sooooo yummy. Added a dash of cinnamon. Tried a slice fresh from the oven, and had to share with my little guy. He kept asking for “mo”.
Love the idea of adding cinnamon! Yummy!