This past week was the winter break for my kids — while many of their friends were off playing in the sun and surf, we stayed home for some “staycation” fun.
Often a day or week off school is a good excuse for us to create a silly dessert, have breakfast for dinner, or explore a new restaurant.
While we didn’t stray far from home (or too deep into the cookbook pages), we did have some fun with food:
On Monday we ventured up to Fuddrucker’s for dinner. Now, you may be rolling your eyes thinking “what’s so special about that – it’s like fast food?” — it’s not about the food, it’s about the atmosphere. Fuddrucker’s 
is located inside Jordan’s Furniture in Reading, Mass., a store that prides itself on ‘underprices.’ Picture a furniture store with an dash of amusement park. Seriously – there’s a trapeze school inside (I’ll learn to fly one day!), an ice cream parlor, jelly bean store, and an Imax theater.
Besides, Fuddrucker’s isn’t all about these massive burgers, it’s about the shakes – yum!
On Tuesday we baked a sweet treat – red velvet cupcakes! Alas, these were from a box mix — but so tasty. And it gave us a good excuse to sing “Red Velvet Cup-cake, I eat you up … let’s have a party ...”
We gave our bellies a break on Wednesday; no adventures in eating. Of course, it was Wednesday … Prince spaghetti day!
Thursday saw us visiting a friend, who, can you believe, had never enjoyed a Shamrock Shake. Late winter and the limited availability combine for a great excuse to stop by the McDonald’s drive-thru. Yes, they questioned me when I ordered TEN!
We took the kids to the Harvard-Princeton basketball game on Friday, wondering if we might be in the presence of the next Jeremy Lin. What better snack to enjoy at a game than “A Heap of Popcorn?!” Oh, and Harvard won the game, 67-64; it was a tense game, both teams played very well … but the bottom line is … go, Crimson!
We’ve had a fun week, but, yes, I’m ready for the school bus to pull up to our driveway on Monday morning!
It sounds like you had a fun winter staycation. I miss spending the winter breaks with my sons- they are too old now!
Shamrock Shakes!! I forgot it was Shamrock Shake time!
That is an impressive collection of Shamrock Shakes, and fine reminder that I really must get one!
Awesome staycation. I wanna eat what *you’re* eating. And very little cleanup!! Love that shake photo.
Your staycation holiday sounds like a million times more fun than those who go and hang out on beaches all day. And you had nice food to boot
Aw. You’re the best mom ever! Seriously, you did a lot of stuff with them! I just got Lizzy (12) a shamrock shake yesterday!
I get an education every time I come to your blog – I’d never heard the song Red Solo Cup! I’m old and out of it. It sounds like you had a great week with your kids.
Now I know why you’ve been so quiet on WWF!
And I’ve never had a shamrock shake. Do you guys deliver to CA?
Never had a shamrock shake. But I do like breakfast for dinner. Glad you all enjoyed your staycation
!
The staycation looks like it was a success!! I really love cooking with my kids, well now they are all teens, but we still cook together.
Love all of the family activities. Gage is finally getting to the point where he can actually appreciate some of the places we go
Sounds like a fun action-packed week!
That sounds like the perfect staycation! Hmmmm, I wonder if we have the shamrock shakes here. I haven’t seen them advertised.
Staycation sounds like it was a winner…and wow 10 shamrock shakes…I hope they are delicious!
Ah, but have you ever had a half-chocolate/half-Shamrock shake? I think they’ll even mix them up for you these days. (It wasn’t always like that.)
Sounds like a great winter break “staycation”!
Most of the schools in our area don’t do a winter break anymore since we end up playing Russian Roulette with using too many snow days and having to cut spring break short!
I have never had a Shamrock shake either! I might have to get one just to say I’ve tried it. I mean it’s a shake! Who doesn’t love shakes?!
What a great basketball game to catch! FUN!
Fun times! And yummy treats!
I totally caved! I posted on Facebook about you and these shakes!