We were so lucky to have Hurricane Florence miss us in Charlottesville. At one point they had her path heading here but then everything shifted south. It just so happened that my parents had plans to come up for a visit for Mazen’s birthday party and our baby shower, so they escaped some gross weather in North Carolina as well. We have yet to hear a report from Bald Head Island on the status of our house there, and it might be some time before anyone is back on the island to check on things. We had the weather news on all weekend following the storm, and the footage has been so heartbreaking to see.
We were glad to have Grammie + Pea here though, and we packed a lot into our weekend together. They arrived late on Thursday, and since Mazen was with Matt, we all went out to dinner at Oakhart Social for a rare double date. Dressed up to go out!
We had a great tapas meals ending with this epic s’mores bread pudding. One of the best desserts I’ve had in a while! Towers of chocolate bread, chocolate puppy chow, and toasted marshmallow fluff!
On Friday we surprised Mazen with a visit to his cafeteria for lunch! Somehow he knew we were coming though, but he was still glad to see us!
Since Mazen’s lunch is at 10:20 am, mom and I went out for real lunch closer to noon. We ran a few errands and dined at Burton’s Grill where we had some delicious lunch salads on the covered patio while rain misted around us.
We met Mazey at the bus and the playing began! An animal feast!
For dinner I thawed out a four pack of Butcher Box steaks! I ordered my first box when they had a free ground beef for life promotion. (They may actually still be running it!) If you’re not familiar, Butcher Box ships humanely raised, high quality grass-fed and finished beef and chicken to your doorstep. It’s super convenient, and I love having meat to thaw out when needed instead of always having to run to the store.
Note the giraffe that joined us for dinner!
My dad spent an hour (literally!) making this epic salad from all of the veggies in his fridge he brought up. It was a great diverse selection of healthy produce, including turnips, pea shoots, and tomatoes.
We had baked potatoes to finished off the meal.
Friday evening we watched the Minimalism documentary. I really enjoyed it, and I was thrilled that Thomas’s comment after turning it off was “I’m inspired!”
Saturday morning T made us veggie omelets and toast.
After digesting I did a prenatal workout DVD in the basement. It was the first time I’ve done a prenatal workout this pregnancy, and it was fun! I really need to embrace at-home workouts more when it’s hard to get to the gym. I was quite sweaty when I finished! Mazen even did some of it with me!
At noon we went to ACAC for his birthday party! It was originally scheduled for a few weeks ago, but due to many of his friends being out of town we postponed it a few weeks. It was also supposed to be a pool party, but since the weather was cold and rainy, we moved it inside to the Big Room. Totally glad this happened because it ended up being such a great party spot! Much easier to keep an eye on all the kids in one big room.
They had a great time running around!
We broke for pizza and cupcakes in the classroom halfway through. One happy boy!
We were all totally exhausted when we got home, and I was able to take a little nap while Mazen watched his new Lego Batman movie.
We had plans to take Mazen out to dinner with us, but ACAC was having a neon glow dance party that the neighbors were attending (it’s free!) and Mazen begged us to join them. We figured another double date sounded fun to us so long as he was happy, so I took a car full of kids up to the party and then we went to Maya for dinner. The neighbors picked up the kids, so the carpooling bought us each 30 minutes on either end of the night.
Pimento cheese fritters!!
And pork tenderloin with grits and squash. So delish!
Mazen came home past bedtime with the news that his group had won the dance off competition! I went to bed right after he did.
Sunday morning Thomas made us breakfast sandwiches with bacon, egg, and cheese on whole wheat english muffins, plus grapes and OJ.
We took Gussie for a walk and got ready for our baby shower! I’m going to save that recap for tomorrow’s post because it deserves its own post. See you then!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
What a fun birthday party! Glad Mazen got to enjoy his birthday weekend. We had a Super Typhoon here in Hong Kong, equivalent to a Category 5 hurricane, so it was home all weekend for us.
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
KathEats says
I just saw this on the news – it sounds awful. Hope your loved ones are safe.
Erin says
Hope all is well. We lived on Okinawa for a couple years and I remember typhoon season well. Fortunately, they are much better prepared than we typically are in the States.
Lisa says
Is it normal to have a baby shower after your first baby? Maybe it’s just my friend group, but we haven’t done one of these yet.
KathEats says
Yes, we’ve done them for all of our second babies. Different vibe, usually, but every baby deserves to be sprinkled.
Laura says
Looks like such a fun weekend, and I’m glad your parents are able to be there! You’re so lucky Thomas seems like such a chef in the kitchen! Those breakfasts look delicious! My husband barely knows how to toast an english muffin… ha!
Just curious… how many friends did Mazen invite? Did he do his entire class? I never know what protocol is on that. Great party set up! Did Matt attend, as well? Do y’all split costs on things like the birthday party? You guys seem to do such a good job co-parenting!
Can’t wait for baby shower recap. That cake looks beautiful. Y’all are so blessed to be surrounded by so much support!
KathEats says
We didn’t invite his whole class, especially because it’s the beginning of the school year. I just asked him to name 10 friends that he wanted to celebrate with, and we included some siblings too. Yes, Matt was there too, and we had a good time.
Rebecca says
As a RD do you know the particulars on if Lea shoots are considered sprouts (like mung bean and alfalfa sprouts)? As a first time mom I’m more cautious but the ones in your salad look so good!
KathEats says
Honestly this didn’t even cross my mind. They were well washed. I haven’t been eating the smaller sprouts because they have the seed shell which can harbor bacteria, but these did not have the seed shell so I think they were more just like eating lettuce.
Jessica says
The fall tree on the cake in the last picture is SO lovely.
KathEats says
: ) Can’t wait to share the rest of the pics tomorrow!
Laurie Gannon says
I read and enjoyed your entire post but must have scrolled up to ogle (I legit “ogled”) the s’mores dessert at least three times. I am all about the s’mores. I want to get a small blowtorch so I can make that dessert at home. I see a #nailedit in my future. 🙂
leatitia says
That last picture, wow, so pretty!! Can’t wait to read about it!
Emily says
When did Mazen lose his first tooth? I noticed the gap in the pictures on this post. That must have been an exciting addition to his birthday.
KathEats says
His birthday weekend!
Steph says
What wonderful celebrations! You probably wrote about it, but I noticed that Mazen lost a tooth. How precious and like a big kid!
KathEats says
I think I forgot! I’ll try to get a good pic and share more of how it happened 🙂
Kaci says
I am so glad y’all missed any major weather issues and that Mazen had such a fun packed weekend of birthday celebrations! I so hope your family vacay home was spared!
I love all of your cute outfits! Can’t wait to hear about the baby shower! That cake and table decor looks amazing!
Emily says
When did Mazen lose his first tooth? I noticed the gap in the photos in this post. How exciting to have that happen in addition to his birthday.
KathEats says
His birthday weekend! I didn’t realize I hadn’t shared yet : )
Katie says
I’m obsessed with the Minimalism documentary! It has changed the way I look at bringing stuff into my life. I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Tracy says
It’s definitely birthday season in your house! When is Thomas’ birthday? Looks like a fun party!
I hope Bald Head didn’t get too much damage! Good luck with that.
KathEats says
His bday is Dec 5!
Jessie says
Which prenatal exercise DVD are you using? I’ve tried a few but haven’t found one I really like.
KathEats says
This is it! I like it because it’s not super gentle yoga style but really a good cardio workout with high intensity and there are something like 6 workouts in one.
Ellen says
That looks like a lovely celebration! That picture of you and your Mom is beautiful!
KathEats says
Thank you : )
Ttrockwood says
What a great way to celebrate Mazen! He looks like he had a blast :))
I’m baffled as to how he has a “lunch break” at 10:20am! That is really kind of bizarre and hopefully changes as he gets older.
That salad looks fantastic- i love any tiny tender greens. And T is really on his breakfast game !
Megan @meganmtiu says
Looks like a really fun weekend!