The Power of Banana Bread

We love banana bread here. Love. I'm pretty sure it is James' favorite thing to eat. Whenever we buy bananas, he assumes it is to make banana bread. The logic of them having to go "bad" to make bread is lost on his little four-year old mind. Anyways, we had four ripe-for-the-making-of-bread bananas ready to go yesterday, but we didn't get around it. Today,we did! 

James is such an awesome little helper. He absolutely loves to help me in the kitchen. If I'm in there, it is for sure he will come behind me within a few minutes asking me if he can help me make whatever I am making. As usual, he was an awesome little sous chef today. We got the batter all done, added our chocolate chips (and, as sous chef, he enjoyed test tasting said chocolate chips), put it in our pan, and popped it in the oven. An hour later we had deliciously warm banana bread. But it was out of his mind for the moment, while he played in his own little world until dinner time. 

For dinner, we had macaroni and cheese and broccoli. Homemade mac and cheese is probably everyone's favorite meal. Broccoli... not so much. James will nibble on the good part and be oh so proud of himself. Gavin will say he is going to eat it, but then tell us he doesn't want it. No matter what. Jack downs the stuff. It's so nice to finally have a veggie lover. Tonight while eating James said, "I'm going to eat all of it, so I can get a special treat... get banana bread." I was surprised he said that- I hadn't said anything about having to eat all his dinner to get banana bread. But hey... you said it, buddy. He finished his pasta and then ate all the tops of his broccoli (I don't blame him for not eating the stalks... shoot, I didn't start eating those till a few years ago!). He never does that. Why did he do that? To make sure he got his banana bread! Then he proceeded to peer into the broccoli bowl, looking for more. Upon seeing it was empty (I just gave the rest of it to the chunky broccoli lover), he gave me the best sad face ever and cried out, "Oh NO! My broccoli is gooone! Where did it gooo?" It was too cute. I asked him, "Did you want some more? Is it so good?" He said, "Yes. Broccoli is yummy in my tummy!" I just laughed- he cracks me up! He quickly moved onto the fact that he needed his banana bread now, but I said we had to wait for Jack to finish eating. Once he was done, everybody got a good slice of banana bread for a treat. And boy, was it enjoyed. After everyone was done, Gavin and Jack got out of their seats. James, on the other hand, asked me for more pasta. "You want more? Ok!" He then goes, "Yes, I want more pasta so I can get more treat!" Ha! Yeah, this household doesn't work that way, buddy. Sorry! I told him that he could have more, but that didn't mean he would get more treat. He was so sad. He insisted again and I said no. I had to go take care of something with one of the other boys, and when I looked over James was trying to serve himself some more mac and cheese. "Do you want more afterall?" He gave me a cute smile and nodded  yes and enjoyed another plate of pasta... with no banana bread after, but the promise of some tomorrow!

It's so crazy seeing the logic forming in these kid's minds!