Let’s get started…
Monday, I posted my Meal Planning Monday and on the list was my Hawaiian Chicken & Rice. This recipe is made in the slow cooker so you do absolutely nothing but enjoy it! Woohoo! All five of my Meal Planning Monday suppers are so simple and delish! Your family will love them!
And then today’s recipe is this…
…Apricot & Hummus Paninis.
Your lunch (or light supper!) never tasted so good!
We started swim lessons yesterday! This is a pic of my kiddos last year on swim lesson day and then this is their pic from yesterday…
I mean…these three.
Every year, we go to Ms. Sally’s house for our annual week of swim lessons. Ashby is still learning how to swim, but my big kids are learning fun stuff like diving. I love this time of year!
For grins, here are a few other pics of them at Ms. Sally’s over the years…
Lots…
…and lots…
…and lots…
…of bike riding!
My kiddos are bike riding fools. They want to be out on their bikes 24/7…so that’s what we’ve been doing lately. It won’t be long and it will unfortunately be too darn hot to ride bikes around, so I’m glad they’re enjoying it now.
Green hair.
Y’all know I have to work on not getting green hair every summer. Over the years, I’ve learned that if I put on conditioner before I get in the water (on either wet or dry hair and don’t wash it out), then my hair doesn’t turn green. It’s a daily battle over here.
So many vacations!
Woohoo!
Y’all…there is nothing I love more than setting down and planning someone’s vacation. Oh wait, there is one thing…
…sitting down and planning my own :). I love planning my own the most…but planning other people’s is a close second ;). The first pic is from Rick Steves. We love watching his videos for travel ideas. This was us watching him on the iPad to plan our own vacation and then…
…this is one of my super cute families that just got back from Walt Disney World. Aren’t they adorable?!? I am currently planning trips for existing clients anywhere in the world (I have an awesome Alaskan trip coming up next!) and then for new clients, I’m planning trips to Walt Disney World and on Disney Cruise Line.
For more info, email us at mixandmatchtravelagency@yahoo.com.
I love, love, love helping people make their vacation dreams come true. It gets me so excited!!
Speaking of excited…
…headed to be with my people. I love you Bostonians. Comin’ your way in May!
…my April Book Review has me all kinds of excited! On Monday, I posted the six books I read this month and they are all winners. If you loved The Help and/or The Kitchen House, then you will also love this one from my list. Click here to see them all.
And I’m watching…
…a lot of Red Sox games. If you’re looking for me, just listen for the sound of NESN and you’ll find me. Which leads me to…
…all NESN…all day long.
NESN is the New England Sports Network and I listen to it pretty much 24/7 this time of year. (It’s on TV and on their app…but I listen to it in the background as I’m working instead of watching it.)
Like I mentioned a few weeks ago, me and dresses are having a moment…
Plus, I showed you guys this dress on the hanger awhile back…
And then do you see the cute navy & white top in the background? Last summer, Lucky had these tops out in red…
…and this year, they have it in navy and white. Super cute!
Somebody I love turns 30 this Friday!
Woohoo!!
We have a birthday party for Catherine this Saturday night!
And then I’m doing this on Saturday morning…
This month, Andrea is hosting a Matilda Jane event benefiting Manda and her family! Forty percent of your total purchase will go directly to the Maxwell family. My girls and I will be there and hope to see many of you too!
Skip Days!
Okay, so a few weeks ago, I shared on Instagram that Kensington said she wished she got to spend the day with me and no one else (like Ashby gets to most days). I gently reminded her that she had that time…it just happened to be back when she was birth to 16 months (before Smith came along and interrupted our girl time). So, I shared this and so many of you encouraged me to have an annual “skip day” for my kids where I take them out of school early one at a time and do something special just for them. So, it’s happening. THANK YOU!
One day this month, I’m going to take Kensington out early and one day, Smith. They’re not going to know when it’s happening…it’s going to be a surprise. And then, we’re going to do whatever they want for the day. I’m going to do it on a day when Ashby is in preschool so that they totally get my undivided attention. I’m super pumped about these days too! Thank you for the suggestion!
Yesterday, I shared our Every Day in May idea!
Every day in May, I’m going to post one or two suggestions about how to live a little more healthy and happy that day. So far, the ideas you and I have come up with span everything from going a day without coffee to paying for someone’s beverage at Starbucks to getting a little more sleep. There are so many good ideas! Click here to read them all and/or add to them! Beginning May 1, I’m going to post one or two ideas a day on Facebook. Every day in May, let’s do something good for us.
That’s all for this Wednesday!
Don’t forget, if you blogged along with us, please link up below!
Happy Wednesday friends!
xo
Charming Lucy says
I have a question about the navy and white top. It appears a bit shorter on line than in your post. Is it more of a tunic length or regular length? I love it! I enjoy watching your days with your littles. My daughter is 15 now and I miss those carefree days so much(: Susan
Mix and Match Mama says
It is not tunic length…it's regular shirt length (not too short at all though!). I don't need to layer under it. It's just regular shirt length. 🙂
Charming Lucy says
Thank you!! Just added it to my cart(: Susan
Meagan @ The Clanahan Fam says
Haha! Fun surprise this morning – that's my family 🙂 Thank you and especially HUGE thanks to Erika for letting me bug her with a million texts and emails. It was an amazing trip! xo
Mix and Match Mama says
We were so happy to help you guys!! You make our job easy :).
Megan Cauley says
Okay I have the most random question! Can you tell me how you lace your converse? Such an important skill! ��
Mix and Match Mama says
These are the "shoreline" Converse and they come laced like this. All you do is slip them on ;).
Stephanie Oldfield says
Shay….it's a balmy 38 in Boston right now! Hope it warms up before your trip…would love to meet you when you are here! Look forward to catching up with you every day!
Lauren Darrell says
LOVE that Lilly dress!!!
Erika Slaughter says
Ashby is gonna be swimming like a pro by Friday. I can't wait to see it! Mrs. Sally is magic. 🙂
Sheaffer {Pinterest Told Me To} says
Skip Days are such a great idea! Can't wait to see what y'all do!
Mary Orozco says
Hey Shay, would you consider those Converse comfortable for walking in?
I ordered my daughter a pair of Natives and thinking I might get a pair for myself too.
Mix and Match Mama says
Yes, but I do think you have to break them in first before you set out to walk!
Rebecca Jo says
I'm so curious – what's on that England Sports station to listen to? Is there some sort of sport happening right now in England? I'm all curious.
That panni sounds AMAZING!!!!!
Happy Birthday to Catherine!
Mix and Match Mama says
New England (so like Boston sports…like my Red Sox!)
Aubrey says
Skip Day sounds like so much fun! My kids would totally freak out if I picked them up from school early without telling them first. Can't wait to see how it goes!
Queen In Between says
Love the skip day idea and my kids love those kind of days alone with me! I'm so far behind on blog reading and can't wait to catch up on the every day in may and your book review!!
Narci says
that green dress is adorable on you!! Love it! Also, what a fun idea for Kensington and Smith!! Xo love you, friend!!
Ashley Hogeland says
My favorite posts each month are What's up Wednesdays, Day in the Life, and your book review days! Thanks for giving us a peek into your life! We are loving these spring days as well!! 🙂
Regine Karpel says
Love.
http://www.rsrue.blogspot.com
Caravan Sonnet says
Those pictures from over the years of swimming lessons are SO cute!! 🙂 And I am so excited to try the apricot and hummus sandwich recipe! Thank you so much for hosting this! It is always so fun to connect with everyone!
Leigh (Balancing By Faith) says
Ohhh I love the skip days ideas!! Your kids will LOVE that!!!
Cassie {Hi Sugarplum} says
I love everything in this post…and love the idea of a skip day! I think I need to add that! And I'm planning our next trip too, so I'm digging all around in your archives looking for your tips! xo
Aren says
We're going to both Boston and New York for the first time this summer to see the Rangers play the Sox and the Yankees! I'm so excited! 🙂 #baseballfanatic
Brigid Hamilton says
I did "skip days" with my mom as a kid, she called it a mental health day 🙂 those are some of my best memories! They went on all the way through high school & once senioritis kicked in and I got accepted to college they became much more frequent, when I wasn't skipping class with my friends, I was skipping class to grab lunch and go shopping with my mama!
Also super bummed your dress isn't available! So cute!!
Amanda says
We called them mental health days too!!! So of my best memories are from those days.
Sara Fehrenbacher says
I saw your rstyle link for the Sam Edlemans's since your shoes are from last year. You should also link up to these shoes as well! I have them in Blush Patent, and love them! They are a nude color, with just a hint of pink. I really like that the heel is not too high for those of us who don't wear heels often. Similar style, but a more affordable price than the Sam Edlemans! 🙂
Sara Fehrenbacher says
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/bp-luminate-open-toe-dress-sandal-women/3876512?origin=keywordsearch-personalizedsort&fashioncolor=DENIM%20FABRIC
Meagan Ruse says
I'm glad Smith and Kensington are learning how to dive, I'm counting on them to teach me ?
Mix and Match Mama says
Haha! Me too Meagan!
Kelsey @ The Peacock Roost says
Love the skip day idea! How fun and I know they'll love it! I can't believe it's swim season already!! My family has a certified organic compost company so we're all about growing vegetables & flowers right now! I'd be happy to send you some for free if you're interested (www.charliescompost.com), it works like magic (seriously)! I recently splurged and bought the shoreline converse…I'm in LOVE!!
Kelsey
http://www.thepeacockroost.com
Olivia's Mommy says
YAY Bostonians! I am on and read your blog daily! Hope the Sox have a good season this year! There is nothing like Fenway Park in May! Love your Lilly Dress, but it's sold out boo!
Kristina @ Ms.Modify says
I'm a big Red Sox fan too (I'm from Ca), but my dad is from Boston so it has been engrained in us! How are you and your dad sox fans? Are you also Pats or Celtics fans? We are a Boston house all around!
xo, Kristin
Mix and Match Mama says
My dad has been one since he was young and so it has been ingrained in us too! I cannot comment on the Pats because if I did, my Cowboy loving husband would flip his lid. He already hates the fact that I love the Sox (stupid Yankee fan…), so add Patriots fan on top of that and he'd lose it. That being said…it's hard not to pull for any Boston team when I hear their sports news all day long ;).
A. Nugent says
Shay,
I have the exact same white converse as you (per your recommendation last summer). How are you keeping yours clean? The white fabric on mine is in good shape, but the rubber is starting to get tinted from dirt, etc. In the past I've used a magic eraser on sneakers, but I'm just wondering if you have any additional ideas/tips. Thank you!
Mix and Match Mama says
Well, the picture posted today was from last year when they were brand new. I actually wore them today on my son's field trip and they're a little dingy but not bad. I've washed them (but not dried them) twice now and they clean up great!
Loren Lately says
I love the Lilly Callista dress! What size are you wearing, does it fit true to size? I noticed that it is unavailable at Nordstrom but for anyone interested it is selling on Amazon for the same price. I am adding it to my cart now! Also- I liked how you were wearing it unbuttoned at the top, I didn't know that was an option- so I like the dress even more 🙂 Welcome to Boston- bring some warm weather with you for us! Go Sox!!!
mel @ the larson lingo says
Love your green dress & love that red tank! So cute!
I also love doing this link up with you! 🙂
Megan says
Having skip days is an awesome idea!!! Love it.
In Her Chrysalis says
I'm a single woman who is in graduate school in the medical field, so my life is very different than yours at the moment! But I just love, love, LOVE your blog! It never fails to bring a smile to my face, and it always makes me think of the future in the hopes that I'll have a family of my own someday, God willing. God bless you all! I'm so grateful to have stumbled upon your blog. And now I've been a devoted reader ever since! xoxo, K from California =)
Jessi Cotner says
I would love to know where you got that green jacket in the pic with Catherine. I saw it in an Instagram post and love it!! 🙂 Thanks!
Seri Roth says
I love that you love Boston!! I highly recommend that you visit Sowa open market when you're here! Sowa runs every weekend starting next week. It's a huge open market that includes: a vintage market, flea market, farmers market, AND a whole parking lot full of the most well known Boston food trucks! You would love it 🙂
– Seri
http://www.Serisblog.com
Kerry Forristall says
If you happen to be at the Sox game on May 22, my daughter will be on the field with her Girl Scout troop:)
Amy Lin says
I went to Alaska (Fairbanks) to see the northern lights in March. It was one of the most amazing trips ever!!! Totally surprised myself how much I loved Alaska. Its so so beautiful.
Caitlin McBride says
Shay, any chance you'll be doing a book signing while in Boston? Hope so!!
Andrea says
Confession…. I read you ALL THE TIME and so enjoy your blog, family, etc. THANK YOU for sharing. I am from MN, and admittedly thought the WHOLE WORLD has been "reminiscing", "listening to", "reading about", etc Prince and the loss. : (
I felt sure I would see reference. I look my kids to see the memorials at Paisley Park. Ha!
Not a negative comment at all, just an observation from the Northland, who loves our most talented, true genius son (Who loved his home just as much as I do).
Jordyn Upchurch says
When your favorite blogger is wearing Lilly>>>> That made my day!
xoxo, SS
The Southern Stylista