Santa gets all the attention! Let’s hear it for the undervalued Mrs. Claus!! #ImWithHer
Mazen had no trouble telling her his Christmas list. She promised to relay it to Santa.
We went on a little outing to the Omni hotel for an event put on by Virginia Gingerbread Christmas that benefits the Ronald McDonald House of Charlottesville.
Hosted by Mrs. Claus, the program had ballet dancers from the Nutcracker, a talk from Miss Virginia, a magician, a folksy band playing Christmas carols, and the biggest hit, cupcake decorating. The sugar monsters came out with bells on!
I need to find other cute activities like this to do with Mazen. It was $10 for each of us, which went to a good cause as well.
Earlier that day, we had baked oatmeal with peanut butter and pear for breakfast.
After breakfast we headed to school. It was “J” show and tell week, and all by himself Mazen proclaimed that Joker started with J and he would be taking his Joker figurine. His letter, numbers, reading, math, and all of those fun subjects have really blossomed in preK this year!
After working on my computer for a bit, I went for a 4 mile run with Mr. Gus, and somehow managed to cover 8.89 miles (per my Apple Watch) throughout the whole day. Walking to school and back twice helps!
Lunch. Do as I say, not as I do.
Eat sardines.
But do not eat them with an “unlimited” amount of Red, Hot, Blues.
(My bag ripped so I had to transfer to a Ziplock.) The can is the Cherry Vanilla flavor of seltzer from Wegmans. My new fav!
I picked up Mazen and Sylvia together after school, and they were so cute playing dress up.
Dinner was a Cook Smarts meal of Chicken with White Wine Sauce and a kale salad. Loved the mushroom sauce!
Wednesday night was the Survivor Season 33 finale. (YES THAT SHOW IS STILL ON!) I won’t spoil the winner, but the finale was SO GOOD. This might be my new favorite season. So much better than the past few. And I cannot wait for the upcoming season in March – all returning players!!!! Those are always so fun to watch.
Ellen, Hillary and I planned some challenges for the commercial breaks. Hillary had a great trivia balloon game (although the balloons were actually really hard to pop!) and I prepared a few word scramble puzzles for them using Mazen’s letter puzzle.
If you guys watched Survivor, please share your thoughts in the comments – SPOILER ALERT!
Ellie says
I’ve enjoyed your small moments of feminism over the last few week #alsowithher and ordered my “the future is female” shirt for the women’s march on Washington
Danielle says
me too! 🙂
Teresa says
ME too! I don’t care if some people think politics shouldn’t be on a food blog, these little rays of sunshine in your posts lately just make a big difference for this gloomy post-election season. 🙂
KathEats says
Aw thank you 🙂
Elizabeth H. says
The finale was great, and I was happy with the winner, but I was so bummed that Dave didn’t make it to the final 3–I hope he comes back on another season soon!!
KathEats says
Yes I loved him too!
Candice says
I loved Dave! so sad he didn’t make it…
Shanae says
For much of the season, I was so confused as to how he was still in the game. But then I was impressed and heartened to see him win challenges himself, gain confidence, and go through incredible, positive transformation. I’m sure he was sorely disappointed to not have made it to the final the three, but he also seemed accepting if it, for he respected the game and acknowledged the threat he came to pose.
Alice says
You’re so right that Mrs. Claus is highly undervalued! I had never really thought of that. Isn’t it scary how we become conditioned by societal values and norms in such a way that we actually have to think outside of the box to challenge “traditions” and question their roots? Anyway, it looks like you two had a great datenight!
Kelli @ Hungry Hobby says
That looks like so much! Dude dress up was my favorite game to play till I was like 12, too old? oh well! I’ve been back on the oatmeal train too and it’s delicious! It’s finally cold enough in AZ to think about warm hot delicious breakfast!
[email protected] says
That’s so fun that ther was a Mrs. Claus event! She never gets enough attention!
Taryn says
SO HAPPY that Adam won! And hearing his story about coming home and telling him he won – I couldn’t hold it together! I have been watching this show since the 2nd season, and it’s always a favorite of mine. I am just dreading the day they announce that they won’t be producing it anymore, but honestly it seems like people still really enjoy it. Are you still considering applying? I think once my kids get a little older I will apply and just let fate work – I don’t know how I would handle lack of food though 🙂
KathEats says
The story of him coming home – sob!!! Such an amazing ending. I did apply actually two summers ago! Who knows if I’ll ever get on 🙂
Rachel says
This was a great season of Survivor. It was nice to actually like all the players. There weren’t any people you didn’t want to win, which sometimes happens. I was so happy for Adan (and soo sad), but I also thought David and Jay played good games. I can’t believe I’ve been watching it for so many years and I hope they never cancel it! Next season will be great. I kind of hope Sandra wins again–they should vote her out first since she’s won 2 of 2 but I wouldn’t be surprised if they underestimate her again.
KathEats says
Totally agree with you on the likeability! Think back to the last few seasons I felt like they were picking such extreme people that weren’t all that likable but this cast was so good. If I were playing with Sandra I’d get her out first too! And if I were here and I was first out, I would only laugh because she knows she’s such a threat. I feel like she also has to play a different game this time around. It’s going to be so interesting!
Katie D. says
I had Hannah in our office Survivor pool and at first I wrote her off. But she played pretty well, her game was different than what most think is the best game, but it got her to the final 3! (and it got me $45!)
It was a really good season and I loved watching it!
KathEats says
I really liked Hannah too!
Sam @ Hygge Wellness says
You’re right, Mrs. Claus is seriously underrepresented!! Why does it have to be all about him!? Lol!
Katrine @ Katrine in the Kitchen says
Sardines are my favorite!
Jen says
Survivor is one of those shows that just gets better and better the longer that it’s on!!
KATIE says
I went to HS with Ken. He’s a good guy.
KathEats says
Really?!?? He seems really solid and down to earth
KATIE says
Yeah, he’s a couple of years younger than I am, but it was a small HS in NE Kansas. It was really cool watching him on TV.
Jeanie says
I’m a little in love with Gus. 🙂
KathEats says
Me too *heart eyes emoji*
Alex says
That’s a really stunning picture of you and your son. Definitely one to frame!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
Cutest pics ever. 🙂 I wish I was young again and still believed in Santa.
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Lauren says
I was happy for adam but had a major crush going for ken..Hannah drove me a bit nuts but overall I thought it was one of the most likeable groups in awhile.
KathEats says
Agree with you all around!
Sabrina says
Loved this season of Survivor! It was refreshing to see a cast of really strategic players who schemed with minimal drama and hurt feelings. There were so many great people to root for, that I would have been happy with pretty much any outcome from the final 6. Even after 33 seasons, there is always something new and exciting. Psyched for next season…. go Ozzy! 🙂
KathEats says
Yes yes yes!!
JulieS says
Are you LOVING Wegmans??? I live in Rochester NY- thats where Wegmans started. I spend a fortune there every week but love love love the natural food section. They also have THE BEST produce department.