Making Zuchinni Bread with Mariah

I often feel like time goes by so quickly and I don't spend the time I want to with my kids.  I debate about doing things that I need to get done or taking some time out with the kids--or finding a way to incorporate them in what I need to get done.

I had some zuchinni I had thawed--trying to use up the last of what I froze last year before I have fresh to use this year.  So after our walk to drop Aubrey off at school and laying Jonathan down for a nap, I invited Mariah to make zuchinni bread with me.  

To my surprise, she didn't really want to--generally my kids LOVE to help me cook.  But I convinced her with finding an apron for her to wear and letting her start with cracking the eggs.  It was adorable as she cracked the eggs with her tiny hands--and she did a perfect job on the first one!  Telling her so resulted in a squeal of delight and great excitement in continuing to help me.  It was like her confidence had boosted 10 times and she was so cute helping me the rest of the time--apologizing for any time some flour puffed out of the bowl or sugar granuales sprinkled on the counter.  I do have a hard time with any mess and quickly clean it, but it was well worth the effort to have her make the bread with me rather than doing it "perfectly" and "neatly" on my own.