It's Electric: Date Muffins

Thatboy is not a runner.  When he was just a crazy kid he tore apart his knee skating.  After surgery he never went to physical therapy and so to this day...well, let's just say he's a good person to know during a zombie attack, because you'll definitely be able to run faster and longer, leaving him behind for the hoardes.

So usually his participation in races is limited to cheering from the sidelines.  And he does a fantastic job of that.  He's participated in a couple of runs with me if we go in a group that's walking, or if I walk with him.

When I got an email about The Electric Run, I knew it would be one Thatboy would be interested in.  A night race, filled with glowing, neon, and blacklights.  Music, night, and lights, Thatboy has been calling it The Rave Run for weeks.

It took us FOR-EVER to get to the race.  We live 6 miles from the course, and it took us almost an hour and a half to get in.  And then there was another hour waiting as each wave was let on to the course.  By the time we got to the start line we were all kind of in foul moods.  Luckily the course perked us right up.

We were all decked out in our glowing apparel - even Thatbaby!

In addition to glow wands, sticks, bracelets, necklaces, and glasses we also had fun with light up LED accessories.

Thatbaby loved looking around and taking it all in.

A lot of these kind of races have weird mascots (like the creepy Unicorn at the Color Run).  The Mascot for the Electric Run is "Stick Man."

There were different "zones" throughout the course that played with various aspects of light.  I loved this shadow area that changed different colors.  I kept trying to get a good picture of the shadows, but ended up with a pretty cool picture of Thatboy instead.

Unfortunately because it took us so long to get started, Thatbaby fell asleep shortly after the race started and slept the whooooooole way through.

There were giant tubes to run through that lit up and changed colors.

And they made a very big deal about the upside-down parasols.  Actually there was quite a bit about the course that was a little "Alice in Wonderland."

Like the glowing orbs in trees.

Which made for an excellent photo opportunity.

And Thatboy loved the warehouse - he had been hoping we'd get to go through it as soon as he saw those giant balls in the window.

And we also got to go through two different tunnels that were lit with black lights or flashing lights.

And the finish line was glittered with disco balls!

The race was tons of fun - even if Thatbaby did miss out on it.  Thatboy and I had a great time, but paid for it the next morning. We felt like kids again, but we can't really be kids again.  Because after a late night filled with lights and music, we couldn't sleep in like we were used to.  Thatbaby was up and at 'em at his normal early hour.

Thank goodness I didn't have to worry about breakfast!  If you're trying to keep a toddler entertained so you don't have to get out of bed, then it is best to keep muffins at the ready.  These date muffins are one of Thatbaby's favorites.  I love dates instead of raisins and apparently my son has followed suit.

These were inspired by the date cake I had made earlier, but in muffin form they are far more convenient.  And I was pretty glad I had these handy.  Because Thatboy and I?  We are getting old my friends.

Date Muffins

1 tsp baking soda

1 cup dates, chopped

1 Tbsp butter

1 cup sugar

1/2 tsp salt

2 eggs

1 cup flour

1. Preheat oven to 325.  Line a muffin pan with cupcake liners.  Mix 1 cup of boiling water with baking soda and dates.  Let cool.
2. Combine butter, sugar, salt, eggs, and flour in an electric mixer.
3. Add the cooled date mixture and beat until well blended.  Fill each muffin cup 2/3 full and bake for 45 minutes.