I signed up my little ones for a hip hop dance class at the YMCA on Monday nights. Tonight is week 2 of a 12 week run, I’ve watched my older daughters go through similar classes in the past but was unsure of what to expect with ages 3 and 5.

It starts with a warmup basically organized chaos and running all around the gym. Loosening up leg and arm muscles as they run back and forth working up a sweat. And now they are being shown and repeating some basic hip hop moves.

Austin for two weeks in a row, every time I mention the class says “I’m not dancing…” and makes a funny face.

While sitting here watching the class go down he is right there with his sister shuffling back and forth across the dance floor (aka gym) and seems to be having a great time as there is a big smile on his face.

I was slightly worried that he would be the kid that was distracted by everything that went by, or wasn’t listening to the instructor like this other little boy is who is currently running laps around the exterior of the gym instead of participating. Kind of funny…

I suspect that it is because his sister is in the class with him and had this been a solo mission for Austin he might be acting differently. It’s fun watching them have fun, get exercise and not be sitting there in front of the TV watching mindlessly.

I love the YMCA it has great programs for the kids that doesn’t cost any extra for the discounted membership price I was given. Perhaps I will give that Yoga class a try I’ve been itching to try out…

It’s been a baking kind of day. One of my favorite things to do is make tasty treats in my kitchen as I not only enjoy the process I find it to be a big stress reliever in my life. It’s a bonus that all my kids love my baking too! Every day after school they ask for a snack of my own creation and by far their favorite is Banana Bread, loaded with Chocolate Chips!

I bake at least one loaf every week, sometimes two (like today) and a few weeks ago I actually made 4 loaves. Three of them we ate and the fourth went to the neighbor’s house. They love it too! So here is my recipe for Banana Banana Bread, enjoy!

Banana Banana Bread

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup butter

3/4 cup brown sugar

2 eggs, beaten

2 1/3 cups mashed overripe bananas

1/2 cup sour cream or yogurt (optional)

1/3 cup Chocolate Chips (optional)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9*5 inch loaf pan.
In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt. In a separate bowl, cream together butter and brown sugar.
Stir in eggs, mashed bananas, and (optional) sour cream/yogurt until well blended.
Stir banana mixture in flour mixture; stir just to moisten.
Fold in Chocolate Chips (optional)
Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.
Bake in preheated oven for 60 to 65 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of the loaf comes out clean.
Let bread cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack.

Enjoy! Great with butter, or toasted.

Tag: kids love it

I’m Not Dancing…