I really had no idea how Mazen would like Halloween. My gut instinct told me he would hate every bit of it. But turns out he loved it!! I think all the practicing and the talk and party at preschool really helped.
On Friday we met KK at the free trolley stop and took it to the UVA grounds for trick or treating. He LOVED the trolley right, and he got lots of attention in his dino costume : )
Once on grounds we met up with our friends and ran around for a bit before the festivities started.
How cute are they!?
Going to the lawn is crazy but also really fun.
There are so many great costumes! We actually know these guys : )
We got in the super long line, which moved fast. Soon enough we were in the thick of things! The students were so lovely, and their costumes were awesome as well.
Mazen really got into the spirit… a little too much! Often he tried to get 2-3 pieces of candy from one person. He didn’t understand that one was enough. He also didn’t understand that we weren’t supposed to eat it all at once! The one thing he did really well: lots of “Tank yous!!”
After he’d had enough trick or treating we rode the trolley home and got ready for our own neighborhood’s celebration.
We ordered a pizza via delivery to fuel up.
And made a salad. Note that the witch was hungry!
And we opened some Somona wine to celebrate the holiday!
We had a wonderful time visiting the neighbors. There was a moment when everything was dark and children were plentiful that took me right back to the Halloweens of my youth. It was a moment I haven’t relived in many years!! Matt and I ended the night with a few episodes of Portlandia. Love that show!
Saturday, November 1: Happy 60th birthday to my dad!!
Eyeball to eyeball is their favorite game.
Saturday began with French toast topped with some homemade blueberry syrup made by my friend Becky!
I went to the gym in the morning for a quick workout and then later went to a birthday party to celebrate my friend Nelle!
Delicious homemade cake!
I squeezed in a grocery shopping trip afterwards so I could have Sunday morning at home, and then joined the boys for a walk to beer run. It seems like just yesterday Mazen was in a stroller all the time, yet now he can actually walk quite far!
I’m still not really into beer again, but when I saw the Warlock on tap I had to get it! Matt had the Avery Rumpkin aged in rum barrels that was soooo sweet, but really unique and good!
We shared a huge platter of nachos 3 ways
And I had a shitake and baby kale salad as my entrée
Sunday morning we had a really fun family breakfast!
Eggs, bacon, toast, grapes and coffee.
I spent all of Sunday on my feet. Literally – I got to 23,000 steps on my Jawbone by the end of the day! I hit 10,000 before my soccer game even started.
I sorted through my closet, only keeping my favorites, putting away the summery items, and getting my sweaters out of the attic.
And then I spent hours cleaning out the attic. I sorted through our memorabilia trunk and only kept the best stuff (like my high school graduation speech!) and went up and down the steps 100 times. I bought some big tubs to group like items (like all breastfeeding supplies).
An easy-to-digest lunch before the last soccer game of the regular season! PB&J.
WE WON our game!!! It was incredibly windy and cold, but it was a fun game.
When I got home we put together this recipe – shrimp and grits sushi! Can’t wait to share it with you soon in a few weeks with the Shrimp Council.
Served with shaved brussels sprouts sautéed with bacon!
And I’d call that a wrap!!
Kaila @healthyhelperblog! says
Mazen’s halloween costume is TOO CUTE. I used to do ‘cheek to cheek’ with my grandpa too! Miss him. Congrats on winning your soccer game! Can’t wait for the homemade sushi recipe! One of my favorite meals.
Shel@PeachyPalate says
He’s such a cute crocodile! And of course you made a great non scary pretty witch! 🙂 Brussels and bacon..ultimate side! Bit of melted clarified butter on top…yummers!
Holly @ Happiness This Hour says
It’s 6:40am and I now I’m craving sushi, haha! Your food always looks so balanced and yummy!!
Katie @ Live Half Full says
What a delicious weekend! I would say yes to Warlock on tap too. I bet it was so good!!!
Amanda @ Slimplify Life says
Trick or treating on the lawn was my absolute favorite as a UVA undergrad, the kids are always so so adorable!! Glad y’all had good weather this year!
Livi @ Eat, Pray, Work It Out says
I love your costumes, and that you can go trick or treating UVA lawn is so cool!
Laura@SneakersandSpatulas says
His dinosaur costumer is too cute!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Mazen is so cute! Glad he enjoyed Halloween!
Yay for sorting out the closets! It always gives you such a great feeling of accomplishment 😉
Kim k says
I really enjoyed this post Kathy! Just curious when you are tackling projects such as cleaning out your closet or cleaning out the attic, what is Mazen doing? I have a toddler and always find it incredibly difficult to tackle project such as this because they are either destroying what you were doing, crying, or are making a mess somewhere else. Interested to hear your tactic!
KathEats says
Mazen and Matt usually do guys morning out on Sundays so I can get some of the chores done (grocery shopping, meal prep, cleaning, etc) so they were out on an adventure.
Fancy says
What’s your best advice on what memorabilia to keep? I struggle with this and tend to keep everything! I’d love some advice!
KathEats says
I was thinking “Would my great grandchildren like to see this?” So photos, love letters, collage acceptance, diplomas, historical moments (like tickets to the Olympics) and significant papers- yes. Everything else, likely no.
Anele @ Success Along the Weigh says
Such a cutie in his costume!
Thank you for teaching him to thank people for the candy at trick or treat. It’s much appreciated from those of us who grew up the same way and aren’t hearing it from trick or treaters.
Christina @ The Beautiful Balance says
Shrimp and grits sushi?! Sign me up! Awesome weekend, seriously the kids in costumes are adorable!
Audrey says
I never really cared too much for Halloween after I turned 12 or 13 years old, until I became a mom! Now I cannot get enough ‘kids in costume’ pics!!! It’s like Christmas in October! 😉 Thanks for sharing your adorable pics of Mazen.
Merideth Cohrs says
Looks like you guys celebrated the holiday right!! I love that you mixed in great food and wine with the candy splurges of the weekend 🙂
Linda @ The Fitty says
No time to cook, so you ordered Pizza? I heard here. in Toronto all the pizza places were doue to an overwhelming demand frfrza on Halloween night! Many parties and hangouts went on…unbelievable, right?
Chantel says
Kath, that shrimp and grits sushi sounds delicious! Can’t wait for the recipe!
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats says
That’s so cool that the students do that for the kids! I’ve actually been in one of those dorm rooms along the lawn when I visited several years go during college. Such a beautiful campus! And kids in dinosaur costumes are my favorite – he’s adorable!
lisa valinsky says
Such a fun and full weekend! I love Mazen’s little costume, and pizza and salad sounds like the perfect accompaniment to the holiday. 🙂
Have a great week, Kath!
Katie @ Balanced RD says
His Halloween costume is adorable and looks warm 🙂 We had pizza and wine on Halloween night too…must be a good cold weather treat!
Rachel says
Brrrr it was freezing in NC yesterday, so I can just imagine VA. I cannot run in cold weather because it burns my chest so good job on the soccer game! I did take a walk this morning in the 30 degrees. I think it’s safe to say winter is on it’s way 🙂
Ashley @ Saving Money in your Twenties says
So cool that mazen enjoyed halloween! I would imagine that it’s pretty scary for little kids who don’t quite understand it yet 🙂 He was adorable in that dino costume!!
Karen H. says
Fun post! Mazen was adorable in his costume. Looks like a wonderful weekend!
Jeanie says
Happy birthday to your dad. What a weekend you had! Just had to say seeing those Brussels sprouts literally made my mouth water. Must try that. One of my most favorite things these days is Brussels sprouts roasted with olive oil, sea salt and freshly ground pepper.
Alison @ Daily Moves and Grooves says
Shrimp and grits sushi is such a brilliant idea! Looking forward to the recipe 🙂
And Mazen looked mighty ferocious in his dinosaur costume!
Tiffany says
Kath, I love posts like this!! Your writing style makes me feel like we are having lattes together and you are telling me all about your fun weekend!
By the way, I bought the chia oat explosion and wanted to know if you think you can just eat it cold without warming it up? I don’t really like to use the microwave. Thanks!
KathEats says
Yup cold is fine. And thanks!
Karla says
Wait…what?!?! When did Mazen start looking like a little man and not a baby! He is growing up quickly! Awe!
Amanda @ Life to Table says
The kids look so cute! Sadly no one comes to my neighborhood to trick or treat. Now I’m stuck with a bag full of twix (not complaining). Beer run is great! I am stalking their menu for Hardywood’s gingerbread stout. Let me know if you see it anywhere!
KathEats says
I would love to try that beer!
Kim says
What’s your secret to getting so much done in a day? We could all learn a thing or two! I’d love to see productivity tips. Thanks for all the inspiration!
Elyse says
Looks like a fun-filled weekend! Loved, loved M’s costume!
Alicia @ Pandora Sews says
I have to ask…is the bacon with the shaved brussels sprouts TJs Black Forest Bacon? If so, that stuff is so addictive!
KathEats says
It is a black forest! From Whole Foods though.
Liz says
Hi Kath,
Where is this pizza from? It looks amazing! I’m always looking for a new pizza place in Cville to try.
KathEats says
Belmont Pizza!