Today, I thought I’d do a post all about Kensington and then next week, I’ll do one all about Smith. Years from now, I want to make sure that I look back and have documented them each individually and specifically.
I feel really blessed and very frightened at the same time to be raising both a son and a daughter. I feel like I need to be well versed in all things boy and all things girl…and that is often overwhelming! Today, here are a few things about my sweet K.
Right now, my girl is into 3 things…
Ballet. She loves ballet. I really thought she would like gymnastics and/or tap more…but she really loves ballet the most. After 3 years, we have recently stopped taking gymnastics and next year, she only wants to take ballet.
Oh my goodness! This girl can cook! Now…I know she’s my daughter and all but seriously, I didn’t really realize my love of cooking until I was ten, but at five, this girl knows she loves to make food. She can tell you what it takes to make a cake (flour, vegetable oil, eggs, etc), she can use a knife correctly and safely, she measures accurately, she can set the oven temps and timers…she is in the kitchen with me every day. And I love it.
And when Kensington grows up, she wants to live in Paris. I know I’ve said this a million times but I love all things French (which is why I studied it for 6 years in school and minored in it in college). Kensington asks me every day to translate things into French and one of her favorite things to do is play on my iPad and use my kid language apps (in French, of course!). She says she is going to study baking in France and Ebby Lee is going to go with her and study art. And this is why Erika and I do a lot of this…
…reading about how to raise up Godly Christian girls. Oh my. We read.
My daily prayer is that I raise my daughter up in the Lord so that I can send her out to shine for Him wherever He leads her. My goal is not to keep her here under my watch all the time, my goal is to help her rely completely on the Lord and to follow His direction for her life and to go. To go and do what God calls her to do. And so I read.
Of course, I read the Bible every day but I am so thankful that the Lord blesses so many wonderful writers with the amazing gift of encouraging, motivating and instructing parents on how to raise Godly kids. Thanks to my friend Kelly’s recommendation, I’m currently reading Raising a Princess and before that, I read Bringing Up Girls by James Dobson. Both fabulous books!
Since we’re talking about Kensington today, I thought I’d tell you what she said on Saturday. We were talking about her hair and she told me she had hair like Belle (because it’s always about a Disney Princess in her world…) and Tarzan. I said, “You mean like Jane from Tarzan?”. And she said, “No. My hair looks like Belle’s and Tarzan’s.”
I laughed out loud! I’m pretty sure my daughter is the only one in the world that is associating her hair with Tarzan’s.
Last month, Nordstrom generously gave us a $1,000 gift card to giveaway on the blog (so sweet of them!) and asked if I wouldn’t mind sharing some of my favorite playtime clothes with my readers. Well, I am always more than happy to share things that I truly love and spend my own money on for my kiddos, so I agreed.
I have said it before and I’ll say it again, Nordstrom is the best place to buy shoes and clothes (especially play clothes!) for your kiddos because of their awesome return and exchange policy. Here are some of my favorite playtime clothes for Kensington this summer. Thank you again Nordstrom for always generously providing gift cards for my readers!
Kensington is a dress kind of girl. Which means she also wears dresses for playtime (sigh). I’m always on the lookout for cute, easy to wash and dry, not too fancy play clothes…
I bought this dress for Kensington to wear in Hawaii because I know she’ll wear it all summer long too! It’s cute enough for her to wear to church but practical enough for play wear too. And it washed and dried beautifully! (She was not smiling because she said she had her “serious” face on with her glasses…sigh…girls.)
I also really love this dress because I have it paired here with her leggings and denim jacket and then this summer, she’ll just wear it with sandals. Any dress that I can make work every season is a winner in my book!
And here are a few other of my favorite playtime dresses and jumpers…
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And one of these days, I’m going to convince Kensington that she needs to embrace the shorts like her mama. How cute are these?!?!
Speaking of those strawberry red shorts…wouldn’t she look adorable in them when she goes to a Red Sox game?!
Another sweet fact about my girl is that she is a Red Sox fan just like her mama. She can correctly identify several of the Sox players, she knows that the Sox play in Fenway Park, she knows all about Boston and she knows the Yankees stink. I couldn’t be more proud (and her dad couldn’t be more disappointed). I had so much fun taking her to Boston last May that this year, I’m doing it again. I think both of our hearts now officially belong to the Red Sox.
Now…the biggest thing Kensington and I disagree on are her shoes. I know that sounds silly but it is so true. She is reaaaaaaaaaally picky about which shoes she wears and nothing (I repeat nothing) wears me out more than taking her to a shoe store, trying shoes on her, her loving said shoes, taking her home, her wearing said shoes for 5 minutes and then her saying she doesn’t like them any more. It happens all the time. Sigh.
Just now, I pulled out her 4 favorite pairs of shoes from her closet…
If I don’t stray from these four pairs, then we’re pretty good (for spring and summer…for winter, she loves her Uggs!). These four babies are well worn, well loved and take her from the pool to school to play time to church and everywhere in between.
I’m a big fan of the pink Crocs (also in red and silver…we have silver too) because she can wear them everywhere and they wipe and clean right off. Since they’re closed toe, she can wear them to school, she wears them to the park, to the pool…everywhere. And as far as Crocs go, they’re the best lookin’ ones.
Then, we have her flower sandals (that have those fabulous no-slip soles so that she doesn’t fall!).
And then her ballerina flats (with sparkles of course!) are for church and dressier occasions.
People often ask me if we call her something else (since Kensington is so long) but no…she’s a Kensington. She’s five. She loves stuffed animals. She loves writing names and adding bubbles dots on the points. She loves to sing. She loves lip gloss. She loves any kind of accessory. She loves playing with her friends. She loves Lucky Charms. She loves Jesus. And we love her.
Next week, Smith :).
And for dinner tonight…
…you’ve been asking me to share my favorite pot luck suppers, so today is the day!
XOXO
Sheaffer {Pinterest Told Me To} says
Awwwww! I loved this post! And I'm cracking up that we both had kid posts today and hadn't even talked about it. She is DEFINITELY just like her mama! Love You Kensington!
MJ says
What a precious girl! I'm a boy mom and love it all the way, but raising a princess? When I read you talking about your sweet K, methinks I would have loved it too!
MJ in France
Tab & Erika says
What a fun post all about your sweet girl!!! LOVED it and her!!
Blue-Eyed Bride says
Love this post! So so so sweet!
Amy Heinl says
I loved this post and Kensington is an amazing little girl. I have no doubt she will go out into the world and do great things that shine with her love of the Lord. I so like that she truly knows "what she likes" and wants to do with such strong conviction. That will serve her well as she journey's down life's path. You are doing a great job mom!
Kelly Stamps says
I loved reading this!!! Five year old girls are the best! And Kensington is just such a beautiful little girl!!! I wish she and Harper could be friends! 🙂
Patty says
I enjoyed your fun post about your daughter! I'm a mom of two sons and soon to be a first time grandmother in November.:) My youngest son wants to move to Boston and we both love the Red Sox. Have a blessed day!
Narci says
So sweet! We just love that girl! 🙂
Darrington Ludlam says
Love this post! Your comment about her name reminded me of my family. People always asked my parents how they would shorten Darrington, and they said they named me Darrington bc they wanted to call me that! Ha! Some girls just aren't nickname girls, and I like that!
Tara G. says
Dannah Gresh has some great books you might like to put in your collection, too. I heard Coast Goff speak at the Dot mom conference and her book had some helpful nuggets, too. John Croyle spoke, too- I like a straight shooter! Looking forward to reading his book.
Paula says
Such sweetness.
Haley @ Cupcakes and Sunshine says
Kensington is absolutely adorable! Loving that her hair is like Belle's and Tarzan's. So, so cute.
Ashley L. says
Such a beautiful girl! Thanks for the shoe suggestions, I've never been a Crocs fan but those are adorable.
April Parrish says
Beautiful post! What a wonderful example you are for all moms. It is so important to pray for our children and their future! Kensington is adorable and no doubt loved by so many. Prayers for her and you as she begins the new journey of Big School!
Jen Fisher says
I have a 2 1/2 year old little girl. She already has opinions about her shoes and it drives me a little crazy. Ha. I just remind myself to pick my battles and that's not one to worry about. I try to be a "yes mom" in that area. What does Kensington wear under her dresses? My little one is into dresses too but now that it is warming up she needs something besides tights or leggings. She is potty trained and needs something to wear under her dresses. Suggestions? Your Kensington is a sweet girl. Seeing her love of cooking encourages me to get my two in the kitchen with me more. Thanks.
Shawna says
She is beautiful and it sounds like you have a little fashionista on your hands 🙂 I have two boys so raising a girl is foreign to me. But it sounds like so much fun!
Anonymous says
Hey Shay, I have been following your blog for a while now (your kids are so precious)! you have mentioned French a lot and I was recently thinking that I wanted to learn it. Do you have any tips or advice on what the best way to learn French would be?
Dani {Adventures of a Pharm Girl} says
So sweet! And I love the name Kensington. Thanks for sharing
x Dani
Hillary P says
Just ordered the "Raising a Princess" book! Thanks for the recommendation. Our daughter is obsessed with Minnie Mouse and we have the same issue with shoes. When our daughter stopped wearing a certain pair after 5 min, I started telling her that I was sure Minnie had a pair just like them. She will then put them right back on! 🙂
Liz/ says
What a sweet post and that Kensington is just the cutest!! Can't wait to read more about Smith too!
Dawn says
Thank you so much for the book recommendation!!! I have a great book for boys but I couldn't land on one for my girl!
Jennifer says
She's beautiful! I just recently found your blog and always look forward to your posts. 🙂
Jennifer Cannon says
John Croyle just recently came and spoke at our church about raising a princess. He is a incredible speaker! I dont have kids yet, but wow! I'd love to read the book….
That sweet Kensington is growing up! So fun to "watch" her grow up over the years on blogland!
xoxo
Jennifer
Sally Cavenaugh says
Is your daughters hair straight or curly? I would love any suggestions for kid hair products. My daughters hair is curly and thick. Would love something to fight the frizz and smooth away the strays or holds wave and curl and by the end of the day doesn't look like an afro – not sure how to spell. Thanks. Sally
Lana says
Kensington is so adorable and seems like she has such a sweet personality. I have two boys and often wish I had a daughter as well. Have a great day 🙂
Anonymous says
Love this post! I was thinking about asking you if you ever call her anything besides Kensington. I just love that name for a future daughter, but I wouldn't want her to be called anything besides Kensington!
kelli says
Your adorable daughter (and you!) might like the song Sophie Roux by Lady Danville. Happy, kid-appropriate words, and a little bit of French in there! My 10 yo son and I listen to it all the time and I catch him humming it to himself. 🙂
Anonymous says
This is so precious. the whole time I was reading it I kept thinking, she needs to read Raising a Modern Day Princess by Pam Farrell. I heard about it on Focus on the Family and it is wonderful! I also think doing raising girls Bible studies with other girl moms is so fun!
Thanks for sharing this, it is awesome/inspiring to see people committed to raising godly children!
Jaren says
You said you thank God that he blesses writers with their wonderful gifts to encourage and motivate parents. That immediately struck me because I feel the same about the writing you do on your blog. I know he speaks through you quite often. Today's post is just one example of many! Thanks Shay!
Anonymous says
Darling girl with a sweet, loving mother! First, as a mother to all boys, I hope you'll post some book recommendations when you write about your son. And second, many years from now I hope my sons meet lovely young ladies who were raised by thoughtful mothers like you!
V @ X-tremely V says
I love this post just for Kensington! And I love that it is "Kensington". I never had a nickname or anything as kid…it was just Vanessa 🙂
She is truly adorable! So much like her mama 🙂
Chic Coastal Living says
Kensington is so sweet! I love all of the little outfits that you plan for her to wear! I have three boys so I've never had the pleasure of buying anything piok for my kids. Fun post!
Tiffany {A Touch of Grace} says
What a sweet little girl. My daughter is super girly too. I'm going to have to check out those books you read. I know I will need them here shortly. 🙂
Jeanie says
Great post on your beautiful Kensington. (I so want to call her Kensie. I think because I have a shih tzu named Kenzie. ;))
Anonymous says
She is adorable!!! I will have to check out that book!
Anonymous says
I absolutely love your blog and loved reading about your precious daughter today:) do you have any similar books for moms of sons? I'd love to read some!
Aubrey says
I love hearing about this sweet girl! Just keep doing whatever it is that you're doing, mama. Kensington is something special!
Tanner Manor says
Loved this post! I clicked on the link for Kensington's dress but the dress is different. Do you mind sharing where you bought the dress in the pic? Thanks so much…:)
Rebecca Olivas says
Such a great post! Do you read your books on an iPad or kindle or do you buy your books? If you are buying hard copies, what do you do with all the books you've already read? My book case is full. I hate to get rid of them. Ha! What do you do with them?