It’s Show & Tell Tuesday (woohoo!), and I’m linking up with Andrea.
Today everyone is showing a day in the life…
I try and do one of these posts about twice a year because for me personally, I want to remember these days. I love looking back at how I spent my days at home when my oldest two were babies…those are sweet memories. It was tiring, exhausting, often frustrating and hard work, but boy, it was joy too. I’m so glad that I have it documented.
I love this quote…
…there is so much truth here.
So, in my 7 years of doing these posts, I’ve never done one on a Friday. Why? Why? Why? Fridays are awesome! Fridays should be documented! This is a day in the life of us last Friday, October 30…
Good morning to you! Up and at ’em with coffee in hand by 4:24 am.
First order of business, post my blogs for the day. I love Friday Favorites :).
Because I have always been an old lady trapped inside a young body…I work with a blanket on me.
I work from 4:30 to 6:00 and then at 6:00, I stop and…
…do my daily quiet time. Right now, along with my quiet time each morning, I’m reading Girl Meets Change.
Right around 6:20, I empty the dishwasher and make breakfast simultaneously.
The pic not good…the food, very good! I ate one scrambled egg, two pieces of turkey bacon and a piece of toast with pumpkin butter.
At 6:30, it’s time to wake up the troops for school. First stop, Kensington’s room…
…Kensington is sometimes not in her bed. Thus begins the fun game of “find Kensington”…
…not in Smith’s room…
…ahhhh! She was in Ashby’s room! So, I woke all three kiddos up and took them downstairs for breakfast and a little TV before school.
Next, I got dressed. On Fridays, we walk to school and then I stay and volunteer with Erika for a little bit. When we’re done, Erika, Bowen, Ashby and I go for a long walk in lieu of the gym. So, I’m dressed in my gym clothes. Side note, Andrea gave me this super cute vest/jacket thing. You can unzip the sleeves off and just have a puffer or wear it as is. This is really comfy!
Hey! Look who’s home from the gym! Grabbed a kiss from this guy and headed off to get the kids dressed for school. We have a deal in our house and it works beautifully for us…I get all three kids up, ready and dressed in the morning and Andrew makes sure they all get bathed, into pjs and into bed at night (and then I go in and kiss them). I do mornings, he does evenings and everyone is happy.
Kensington is not ready to get dressed for the day.
For some reason, Smith thought his cap and gloves were necessary on this morning.
Well…I guess we’re not walking to school…or walking after we volunteer. Everyone piled into my car and off we went.
I surprised Smith on this morning and was the mystery reader in his class at 8:10. I read his favorite book, The Day the Crayons Quit.
Such sweet kindergartners!
By 8:20, I was back in the teacher’s copy room with Erika, Ashby and Bowen making copies.
Trying to leave school while it’s raining with a kid in a cast is a lot of work!
We had plans to walk after school and to head to Target…but the rain had me lazy and we headed home instead. Look who we ran into on his way out? 🙂
We were inside for the day and Ashby wanted to get out the Play-Doh.
This girl loves her Play-Doh!
I changed into my favorite shoes :).
The trees are pretty outside my window. I love fall.
Well…inside on a rainy day means I’m baking for my blog!
One of my favorite little helpers :).
All in a day’s work.
Next, coloring.
I made a dish for my blog that had a side of quinoa along with it…so, for lunch, Ashby and I ate broccoli and bacon quinoa (yes), pepperoni and grapes.
And then, laundry round #1.
Someone read a book while I folded laundry.
Ashby took her nap around 12:45 and I went to work on Disney vacations for clients. Here I am at my desk…helping people with their family vacations.
When it rains, I must drink coffee all day. I must.
Laundry…round two.
Around 2:30, I went into the front of our house with a fresh cup of coffee to write some recipes…only to find remnants of a first grader laying around :).
On some Fridays, Andrew goes and gets the big kids from school. They entered the house in a flurry of excitement!
I then proceeded to fold and put up laundry, round two.
At the same time, I watched Project Runway off my DVR.
By 5:00, I finally got dressed and put some actual clothes on for dinner and our church’s trunk or treat. (Um, I love plaid…this we all know…and I especially love it with a puffer.)
We were heading to the garage and I saw the kids all piled on the floor waiting for us.
In the car and off to dinner!
Tex-Mex for the win on a Friday night!
After dinner, we headed to our church’s gym for trunk or treat (it was raining, so we couldn’t do it out of trunks). These three had the best time!
Ashby loves her some Nixon!
They were huddled in a corner eating candy :).
We got home and everyone took showers and got their pajamas on for movie night. On this night…October 30…we decided Ghostbusters was in order!
Happy people.
At 10:22, I went to sleep.
So, that is a day in the life of the Shulls.
I can’t wait to see everyone else’s days in the link up!
Next time on Show & Tell Tuesdays, we’re sharing mission and service projects we’ve been a part of.
And to see posts from the past…
(I was in China for the first two, so I wasn’t able to participate.)
Narci says
What a great day!! Also, I work with a blanket too. 🙂 love!
Erika Slaughter says
I'm reading that same book! Too funny! I just started but it's good so far. And Nixon is sporting his super cool face in that pic with Ashby. Hilarious!
marianiel avila says
Love love love your day in a life post… U guys done a very good job. Your fam is such an inspiration:)
Sheaffer {Pinterest Told Me To} says
I always love these! I've never done one myself, but I'm thinking I need to! That fruit tart looks yummy! Can't wait to see what that's about!!!!!
Sarah says
What a fun day!!! Your family is so cute!! 🙂
I have to admit – I'm jealous you can get up at 4:30 everyday!! How do you do it?! Also, as a blogger myself, I'd love to know more about when you blog, how far in advance you schedule posts, and how you come up with ideas! I run a personal finance blog and am on a good schedule (post every M W F) but want to ramp it up!!
Thanks for sharing a day in your life! Hope you and your family have a wonderful day!
– Sarah http://www.thefrugalmillionaireblog.com
Lindy says
I'm reading Girl Meets Change as well! Don't you love it? We have moved twice in the last 2 years, out of our home state of Georgia, to FL and my BFF sent me this book☺ Looks like you all had a great day, serving your family and having fun! ?
kimm atwood says
Sometimes a rainy day is the best !
The Lindquist Family says
Sounds like it was a wonderful day! Was wondering, where are the kiddos comfy chairs from? Are they PB Kids?
Jamie Allen says
i just LOVE how your besties read and are some of the first commenters on your blog. you all are such beautiful examples of intentional friendships. i always wake up at about 4:45-5:00am and often ponder the thought of getting up and starting my day. the quiet peacefulness of the morning is really my favorite. but then i think about how tired i will be later in the day. do you get tired at all? take naps? or does coffee get you through? sadly, i don't like coffee. but i didn't like gilmore girls at first but i pushed through S1E1 and am now on S1E6. totally hooked. my daughter was in her bedroom and could hear the opening song to GG and texted me {that is the best sound ever}. she completed the entire series awhile ago. only about 150 episodes to go for me…
kelly says
Haha! I wondered the same thing about getting tired? Then I counted how many hours of sleep shay gets a night – 6! I could nvr do that… I need my sleep like smith does. 😉
Tricia Cole says
I really LOVE this blog! I was raised by my grandparents and my friends make fun of me because they think I'm an old person trapped in a young person's body…an old soul. You make being an old soul look good. Thank you for the sweet reminder to embrace who I am. As always, this blog is the perfect way to start my day, it always makes me smile ( :
Hannah Hardy says
So fun! I always love reading your day in a life posts. 🙂 Also, that tex mex sounds pretty amazing right now!
Kjlb37 says
These are my favorite posts! I get up early as well, between 5:30 and 6:00 on the east coast, but I'm not nearly as productive as you. Think I'll work on that:)
Not A Mom says
Reading this post I had Proverbs 31 pop into my head about you and I just had to share. It's such an inspiration how literally everything you do has a purpose and you don't have idle hands which I think I have a bad habit of, just wanted to say thanks for the inspiration this morning!
Linds @ Not A Mom
Kara Schletty says
Totally random question… What were those little cases of dolls? My 3 years olds are obsessed with little dolls and I haven't seen those before.
Brianna says
Super jealous that you're SUCH a morning person. I've tried but always fail miserably. Ugh. But I just love your day in the life posts – they're so sweet and such a great glimpse into your life beyond the screen. Thank you so much for sharing!
Ani says
A quinoa recipe with bacon? Must try that 🙂
Love how Smith sleeps so perfectly in his bed and the girls are all over the place! Such a sweet post for you to look back on in a couple of years.
Vanessa Johnson says
Where did you get Kensington's bean bag? Love your blog!!
Tara Smith says
You are soooo busy in a day! I was hoping you said you took a nap when Ashby did because that's what I was ready for after reading how much you get done in a day!!! Inspirational for sure!
Libba says
If Smith loves The Day the Crayons Quit he will love The Day the Crayons Came Home…http://www.amazon.com/The-Day-Crayons-Came-Home/dp/0399172750 I loved both so much had a buy a copy for all of my grandchildren. Not sure who likes it the most…me or them 🙂
Mix and Match Mama says
Eeks! Thank you so much! Just ordered it! He'll love it!
Kim says
Love Kensington's bean bag chair. Where did you get it?
Mix and Match Mama says
Pottery Barn Teen!
Chicago Mom (Heather) says
How can you only sleep 6 hours a night and still accomplish all that? I need 8-10 hours! I wish I could function on little sleep!
Chelsea says
This post is so fun! Thanks for sharing. I'm super curious…you make such amazing goodies – do you guys eat them all? Share the wealth? I love baking, but my husband is just not a huge fan of sweets. Weirdly, I am always trying to find ways to bake and not eat it all myself!
Mix and Match Mama says
I always taste everything I make but then I typically give the food away. I sign up to deliver meals to as many as I can through our church and then I always bring a big spread on Sundays for my official taste testers (my friends at church) to enjoy!
Nicole says
Oh no! No more everyday brownie for you? And, I have to ask – you look like you're in amazing shape!! How often do you work out now? Thanks! Looking forward to your reply 😉
Mix and Match Mama says
This time of year, I only hit the gym twice a week and then walk on Fridays. This is just such a busy season! That being said, I missed 3 weeks of working out in October because of Ashby's surgery…so I'm definitely not always there!
Mix and Match Mama says
One more thing! I totally ate my brownie during Ghostbusters :).
Nicole says
I love how flexible you are! It encourages me to be the same. Wondering if you notice a difference when you aren't working out? Do you have to eat less, or no change at all? I guess I'm wondering how you're so flexible with it, because I know fitness is important to you! 🙂
Mix and Match Mama says
I pretty much eat the same thing regardless. I guess I feel like 3 weeks of not working out isn't going to ruin a lifetime of good habits. I just really try not to fret about stuff like this. It is what it is, right? Mama life is busy! It's hard to fit everything in!
Julie Rohan says
Hi, Shay!! I was wondering where you got Kensington's leopard "bean bag"??? LOVE YOUR BLOG!:)
Mix and Match Mama says
Pottery Barn Teen!
KRISTIN TATE says
It looks like a great day! I'm so glad you mentioned the book The Day the Crayons Quit. Our school has the book fair this week and tomorrow is Muffins with Mom so I'll have to grab this book for my 1st grader, this book was featured in the book fair advertisement. Today is Donuts with Dad and tomorrow is Goodies with Grand's, it's a super cute way to encourage the family to get excited about reading.
Mama Dean says
Love this post – regular people, regular life – just with a cool blog. Please remind me again where the kiddo's Halloween sheets come from…
Mix and Match Mama says
Pottery Barn Kids!
Samm Castro says
You are super woman! I love reading your blogs during my morning cup of coffee! 🙂 I can't wait to help in my little ones' classes when they're school aged! Also, love the comment about you doing mornings and your husband doing evenings. It's like that in our house too!
jess says
I actually thought of you this weekend when I bought this ..
http://www.landsend.com/products/womens-plaid-down-vest/id_288187_59?cm_mmc=139971612&source=GS&003=56492216&010=4358103
I thought about sending you the link, but didn't get to it,
And then you wrote, " (Um, I love plaid…this we all know…and I especially love it with a puffer.)" and, well, I really wasn't left with a choice, was I? lol
PS It was 40% off in store this weekend making it only $35, which is a STEAL as their vests last forever. I'm sure they will run another sale, so it's worth keeping an eye out 🙂
Amanda says
I love your home! Where is you pink laundry room wallpaper from? It is beautiful! Also, where are your backpack name signs from? Thank you!!!
Mix and Match Mama says
I had a girl custom make my signs. I bet you could find someone on Etsy to do the same for you!
Olivia says
Love seeing Day in the life posts…and you are awesome for volunteering! Used to teach and volunteers really make a difference…how fun to do it with Erika! Your house looked so calm and peaceful on that rainy day. 🙂
dresselfamily.blogspot.com says
these are some of my fav posts.. along with what you eat in a day haha.
I too wish I could function on that amount of sleep and still look stunning… ain't happening around here !
Do you gave to do much 'picking up' after kids.. my kids are getting older 11, 9 & 8 and I'm constantly cleaning up books , coats, etc.. how do you stay on top. I know you gave help on Mondays but what about day to day.. I need help haha
Mix and Match Mama says
Eeks! All I do is pick up stuff! I'm constantly picking things up. My kids help out a lot and everything…but let's be real, I pick up a lot too!
dresselfamily.blogspot.com says
Oh I'm glad it's not just me!!! ☺
Señora Strickfaden says
I never know where my daughter is going to be in the morning either. Lately I've been find her UNDER our bed on the floor all tucked in with a blanket and a pillow. Scared me the first time she did that when I couldn't find her ANYWHERE. Crazy girl. Also, I think you get the better end of the deal. Getting kids ready in the morning is so much easier than the night time routine. That's a win for you!
Mix and Match Mama says
My hair kind of does its own thing, and my makeup takes like 8 minutes. I bet I get totally dressed in 10 or 12 minutes. My kids are around the house doing a wide variety of things. When they were little, I had a basket of toys in my room that they played with while I got dressed.
Tiffany Bagalini says
My daughter (7 years old) just picked out that same book on Sunday and we have read it every night before bed this week. Also, love the puffer vest with removable arms!
Leigh Clark says
What a fun day!! I am curious on this blog – do you mainly use iphone pics or camera pics? Looks like for your recipe blog they are camera pics, right?
Mix and Match Mama says
I use a nice fancy camera for my food pics…but for this blog, I only use my iPhone. 🙂
The Nelson Happenings says
Thanks for sharing !!! I love the photo of the kids waiting for you by the garage !! So sweet.
Erin says
Oh goodness your kiddos are the sweetest! Love how Kensington ends up in everyone else's bed. That sounds like my daughter!
-Erin (No Bohns About It)
Lindsey Ruston says
Love how Ashby had pepperoni and grapes for lunch! My daughter, Hadley, will be 3 in February and I thought she was the only one who loved that combination! She calls it roni. 🙂 Love these kind of posts!
Kendra Petrellese says
Thanks so much for sharing! It's amazing how much ya'll get done, I need to get on your level and start getting up earlier! Thanks for the inspiration!
Side note…I've been going back and forth about those pjs you rave about, but finally bit th bullet and got me some and some for gifts!
Lindsay at Lindsay'sSweetWorld says
I just love these Day In The Life posts… it's so interesting to see what everyone does on a daily basis!
Melanie Smith says
I have to ask- what's the brown stuff in the bowls during dinner? Bean dip?
Kate F says
Hi! I love your blog- I also LOVE your lipstick, it is soo pretty and I want! may I ask what brand/color it is?
thanks! 🙂 🙂
Kate F says
Shay!
I LOVE Your lipstick – may I ask what brand/shade it is? I need It in my life
xxo
Aubrey says
I totally hear you on the old lady trapped in a young person's body! Apparently there are quite a few of us out there. My best friend in junior high and I identified this tendency and even gave each other grandma names: Mona for me (since my grandma's name is Noma) and Vera for her (her grandma's name was Reva). You totally have to come up with a granny name for yourself for those lady moments. 😉
The Groves Family says
Love your blog! I have so enjoyed watching Ashby and your family with the adoption process. ❤️ Where did you get your booties from?
Jen says
Shay!! Where is your blue kitchen rug from? I love it!
Kathryn says
Girl how do you survive on only 6 hours of sleep?!
I would love love love to have longer mornings pre-family wake up, but I literally cannot function without my 8-9 hours. What is your secret?!
Mary Tyson Bradshaw says
Hey, Shay! I enjoyed walking through your Friday with you. I was the Mystery Reader in my son's 1st grade class last Friday morning, too – and I read "The Day the Crayons Came Home!" What fun. Smith's smile was as big as my son's when he saw me!
V @ X-tremely V says
Looks like a great Friday! I don't think I would get half as much done as you do and I only have one litte one! lol!
Amanda says
Where is the wallpaper in your laundry room and closet from? Thank you!
Sarah Shaneyfelt says
I loved how you caught your girls sleeping! It's so funny the way that kids can sleep! And I love that they love each other so much as sisters! I remember when I moved away for college, my mom told me that my little sister slept in my bed for a week after because she missed me so much 🙂 There's nothing like the bond between sisters!
Sarah at MeetTheShaneyfelts
Bailey Foster says
Love these posts! What brand/model camera do you use? The quality of your pictures is amazing!
Mix and Match Mama says
I use my iPhone for every picture but food. For food, I use a Canon.
Anna Lasky says
I really want to make that recipe you ate for lunch! Can you direct me to where I can find it? Looks so yummy! 🙂
Amy Powell says
Where are your booties from in the outfit with the puffer and plaid shirt? They are so adorable!!
Mix and Match Mama says
They're from Nordstrom last year. They're Ugg booties.
Piston says
I laughed out loud when I read your comment about it being 12:45! I thought to myself WOW she did all that before 12:45!!! You go girl!
-Loren Ferruccio
Beautifully Seaside // Formerly Chic Coastal Living says
You are one incredible mama! And you just inspired me to do more stuff, not sure what but I'm going to think of a few fun things to do. Actually I remember being right where you are as a super busy mom with three little ones and having the best time! Now I have 2 teens and 1 almost 21 and I spend a lot of my time praying they continue to make good decisions and stay close to Jesus always 🙂 P.S. You and I can totally share clothes, because we love the same styles XOXOXO.
Jeanie says
I love reading day in the life posts. It's so interesting to see how others spend their days. I noticed in several of your pictures that everyone has on a jacket or long sleeves except Ashby. Does she get extra warm because of her medical condition, or does she just prefer not to wear long sleeves?
Mix and Match Mama says
It's because of that silly cast! Her coats and jackets don't fit over her arm. She's been wearing short sleeves or sleeveless and then we're wrapping her in a towel or blanket. I'm praying she gets it off today!!!
Briana Runde says
I love reading about your day! You are a busy mama!! Do you get up at 4:30 on the weekends too?
Mix and Match Mama says
Yes :). Sometimes…I'll sleep to 5:00 on Saturdays, but usually I don't.
Nathalia Washington says
Oh my Shay! 4:24???? Do you get up by 5 every morning? If so what time do you always go to bed? How do you function? You are super mom!!
please write back! : )
Mix and Match Mama says
Haha! Not super mom! If I probably stopped moving during the day, I'd need a nap :). My dad doesn't sleep that much…he's in bed around 10:30 each night and up around 4:30…I think it's genetic :).
Jen R says
That's how i am – GO, GO, GO all day long, but once I stop, I am DONE. haha
Elizabeth Birenbaum says
Sounds like a great day!!! I have one question though… do you prefer to post your own blog posts vs scheduling them to post? Do you have a preference and if you do, why? I usually schedule them to post at 3am PST so it's around 6am Eastern time when people are starting to wake up, otherwise by the time I'm up it's 6am PST and 9am Eastern and although I know I can post anytime, I feel like that's "late". But I've noticed that you always say you wake up and post your posts and I'm wondering if you prefer to post vs schedule. Thanks 🙂
Mix and Match Mama says
Since I'm up early, I like to re-read my blogs and post them myself. If I'm out of town, I'll schedule them but 99% of the time, I publish them because it's convenient for me :).
Megan says
Looks like an amazing day!!! And that recipe you were cooking up looks yummy!!!
Laura says
Peach Crayon! My five year old loves that book too. He always asks me to read the peach crayon letter twice. Aren't five year old boys the greatest?!?
Jaren says
Looks like a great day! I always love these posts too!
Meredith says
Are Smith and Ashby's PB Kids chairs the regular size Anywhere chair or the Oversized chairs? Thanks!
Life on Bradberry says
Out of curiosity- What earrings are you wearing in this post (they may be diamond studs it's hard to tell) they look like a great neutral earring?