Well, I attempted a Day in the Life post.
About twice a year, I do a “day in the life” post and kind of pride myself of capturing the whole day really well. Apparently, I can do that with three kids. With four kids, I capture snip-its here and there…because I kept forgetting I was doing it. I had written on my calendar to document this past Thursday, November 10. I always just pick a random day and go from there…the fact that I forgot chunks of our day pretty much explains where my brain is right now 🙂 . Here is a day in the life of us…
As soon as my alarm went off, I screen shot my phone. Up and at ’em at 4:20 AM. I love getting up early in the morning. This is my time: it’s quiet, my phone isn’t ringing, my house is cozy and I get so much done. I’m kind of addicted to waking up early.
That being said, if I didn’t have my coffee, there is absolutely no way I could wake up that early!
Here I am at my desk…robe, cozy blanket and coffee in hand.
(And if you use a Nespresso, it froths your black coffee…so that’s not a latte, it’s just the coffee finely frothed. Yummm!)
I published both of my posts for the day: Cheeseburger Joes and Madeley’s Post Adoption.
I’ve been reading the One Year Bible this year…so, here I am doing my quiet time and reading today’s scripture. I have loved reading through the Bible this year. I think I’m even going to start over and do it again in 2017 too.
So, I work until 6:00 and then I eat breakfast and do a few things before the kids wake up. Breakfast: oatmeal with peanut butter and a veggie juice.
At 6:30, I wake up the two big kids. I love this boy so much :).
Kensington and Smith asked to watch Home Alone 2 a few minutes before school while they ate their breakfast. I always tell them that when I was little, I used to really want a big family like Kevin’s…and now, I have one :). (I also wanted to live in Kevin’s house! I love that house!)
I emptied the dishwasher…
…and sorted laundry.
Andrew came home from the gym. Love this guy so much too!
The big kids got dressed and were about to head out right when Madeley woke up. Everyone is saying good morning. As you can see…Kensington went for the understated bow on this day…
Madeley is like “where’s my breakfast, mom?”.
And then I had to wake this one up. Poor Ashby! She was still so sleepy. She kept watching a little Home Alone 2 while she ate her breakfast too.
This year, we decided to make Thursdays our crazy days. We do all of our sports on Thursdays this year, so it’s nuts and we don’t get to eat dinner together, but the rest of the week, we don’t have anything after school and are home as a family every night…so it’s worth it. On Thursdays, I always put dinner in the slow cooker so that when you’re ready to eat, it’s there waiting on you (since we’re not eating together). On this night, I put Chicken Tortilla Soup in.
I got dressed and got my two littles dressed too.
(My sweater is here and my booties are here…I love my booties!!)
Oops! We drove to Erika’s house to pick up Bowen and then took both Ashby and Bowen to school. They looked adorable…too bad I forgot to take a picture! This is Madeley and me getting back in the car after we dropped them off. You’ll just have to take my word that those two would have given me a great picture had I remembered! 😉
I had a quick doctor appointment and Miss Madeley came with me. She’s smelling her hands after putting hand sanitizer on. Nothing like the smell of Purell, right M? 😉
I took this sweet picture walking back to the car when we were done.
Annnnnd…then I apparently blacked out on a huge chunk of our day. We came home, we played, we ate lunch, we read a book and then Madeley went down for a nap around 12:15. I only remembered my day in the life pics when I sat down at my desk to work and saw…
…my new scented glitter gel pens and thought, I need to take a pic of these…oh wait? I should have been taking pics all along just now! #mombrain Kensington bought these pens at Barnes and Noble the other day and I borrowed one and LOVED it so much that I found them on Amazon and bought myself some. They write so smooth and have just a tiny bit of sparkle in them. They make me so happy (plus they smell nice too!).
So, between 12:15 and 3:00, I work…and sometimes pin :). And I listen to Christmas music the entire time too…because that makes me SO HAPPY!
Right at 3:00, I woke up this cutie and we headed out to pick up the big kids.
Here we are waiting for the bigger kids. Since I took to preschool that morning, Erika meets me with Ashby and Bowen and we pick up the other four kids together.
I attempted a picture when we all five got back home…but that wasn’t happening.
Whoa! The next two hours were a blur of unloading backpacks, doing homework, making lunches for the next day and getting everyone dressed and ready for their evening activities. Smith and Kensington had basketball at 5:00 and then Ashby and Kensington had dance at 6:15.
Andrew came home and took the big two to basketball, so me and the little two had dinner before dance.
Ashby colored a little before dinner…
…soup is ready! I just ladled, garnished and the three of us ate (M didn’t have soup but Ashby and I did). Then, the other three ate it later.
After dinner, we did a quick round of speech therapy homework. She got mini M&Ms on today’s assignment.
Time to get Ashby ready for dance…but she was too busy being pushed around the house…
…by her little sister :).
By 6:00, I have Ashby and Madeley up at dance. Andrew showed up a few minutes later and took M and gave me Kensington and Ebby Lee. So…I had about 1.5 hours of sitting at dance…and I used my time to read. #delightful
We’re walking back in the door right before 8:00. Kensington is hungry and Ashby is hyper. The blur is her dancing like crazy!
I was hungry and in need of some sort of snack: a little granola while I folded laundry and watched One Tree Hill on my phone. #multitaskingmama
And before I knew it, all four kids were bathed and in bed, I had taken a shower and just the two of us were left on the couch watching TV and eating a little brownie…it was about 9:15. We watched TV for about 30 minutes and then I read in bed for about 20 minutes more.
And that my friends, is a little example of a day in the life of us. It’s kind of crazy, full of energy, with lots of love. If you want to look back at other days in the life, just click below:
See you tomorrow :).
Susan Jeffries says
I thought that my husband and I were the only humans who woke up at 4am(: Glad to know we have company. Your day looks a lot like mine, but my kiddo is in high school now. She dances every night for 3-5 hours. I hope your girls continue. It has been such fun for our family. What are the bags you use in your crock pot? I am a terrible cook, but your recipes are so simple to recreate! I have tried several successfully! Thanks!
Priscilla says
Crock pot liners. You can get them at the grocery store.
Leslie Z. says
WOW! Mom life looks so incredibly busy!
http://www.withlovefromgablog.blogspot.com
Carrie says
6 hours of sleep still seems crazy, especially if you don’t fall asleep instantly. You likely are getting more like a little over 5 hours of sleep which is not healthy. I wish I could do the same but the earliest I do is 5:30! My husband heads to bed around 8:20 so I guess my alone time is in the evening. We put my girls to bed around 7:30. My 9 year old reads for at least an hour, 5 year old is usually asleep within 15 min.
Erika Slaughter says
When you type it out like that it does make Thursday’s look NUTS but it’s so nice to have the other days to be at home. And that morning picture of Ashby. Bless her heart!
Sheaffer says
Ashby on the bar stool is how I look right now. My hair, my eyes having trouble opening, all of it. Madeley’s pumpkin outfit is sooooo cute!!!! And now I want tortilla soup.
Angela Ellingson says
This made me laugh so hard! Same. And that soup does look amazing! Great, full day!
Sarah Shaneyfelt says
I love reading Day in the Life posts! You’ve made me realize I need to do one soon!
MeetTheShaneyfelts
Nicole says
Love these posts! Does Ashby nap too when she’s home? My 4 year old stopped taking naps and we usually have a “rest time” where she reads books and gets to pick a show out on her Kindle, obviously you went through big kids who stopped napping. 🙂 What do you do?
Mix and Match Mama says
Yes! Smith and Ashby are my long term nappers. She naps every day…and if she doesn’t, then I find her passed out asleep on the couch by 5:00 :).
Narci says
Oh these day in the life posts are my favorite! What a busy day, and now I’m thinking we may have chicken tortilla soup for dinner! Ha! Yum!!
Anna says
We visited the actual Home Alone House last year when we were in Chicago. It was awesome! I saw that it was for sale a few months before on facebook. The house looks exactly the same except the owners put up a black wrought iron fence. The fence looks nice but is no doubt there to keep out crazy tourists like me! We made our four year old stand in front of the house with his hands on his face like Kevin does in the movie. The old man’s house next door is incredible! You don’t get the full picture of it in the movie. If you’re ever in Chicago, you should go!
Nicole says
That peanut butter oatmeal! How do you make it?
Mix and Match Mama says
Haha! It’s just basic old oatmeal (I use Bob Redmill’s Gluten Free) with a big spoonful of peanut butter stirred in.
Elspeth Mizner says
Thanks so much for sharing!! Your family is precious!! I love following all your blog posts! What brand and color nail polish are you wearing? I love it!! It looks very fall-ish!!
Mix and Match Mama says
It’s OPI’s Every Month is Oktoberfest :).
Elspeth Mizner says
I love it and it’s perfect for your love of Ocktoberfest!!! Thanks for sharing!!
Diane says
I love the idea of piling all of your activities into one evening. I absolutely detest activities on school nights and this is brilliant!
Nicki says
So crazy but so fun and full of love! The Topshop sweater you linked has lace on the v but it looked like your’s didn’t?!
Mix and Match Mama says
I fixed it! Thank you :).
Mechelle Dockall says
Shay, I LOVE the sweater that you are wearing on this day. I tried to flowing the link you have but it will not allow me to open the page. Can you please tell me where you found it? love your blogs! Thanks
Mix and Match Mama says
Click again! I just tried and it opened!
Lizzie @ This Happy Life says
I love these posts! I also love my morning time too, I get up 1.5 hour before my kiddos but I would love more time, ha ha. Do you workout other days just not Thursdays? I like your idea of making one day the crazy day and having the rest of the week open, I need to remember that 🙂
Mix and Match Mama says
I try and work out three days a week…that doesn’t always happen.
Kelly says
These posts are always a favorite! I’ve been waiting for one since you brought Madeley home because I thought child #4 might be a game changer. (I’m a mom of 6 so I know of what I speak:). You continue to do it all so well, crazy days and all. Have a great Monday, Shay!
Chasity says
Haha Ashby’s face on the bar stool cracks me up. That is me EVERY morning!
Natalie says
I love Ashby’s face after she woke up! Lol
On the link to your sweater it looks like there is lace around the collar. Did you cut it off?
Mix and Match Mama says
I corrected the link :). There were two kinds and I accidentally grabbed the wrong one!
Nikki says
I’m so glad I saw this post! It baffles me how you do it all and you are never late. Now I need you to take my “a day in the life of” and fine tune it! You are like superwoman! I can’t believe Ashby even fit in Speech Therapy on such a busy day. Love that sweet girl! ????
Sarah says
What a fun day!!! Gotta ask – do you sleep in on the weekends?! I desperately want to wake up earlier but I have a newborn right now and she’s up consistently every three hours. I’m also afraid if I wake up super early (like you!!) I’ll be a zombie by 5 pm haha!!! Teach me your ways!!!
-Sarah http://www.thefrugalmillionaireblog.com
Mix and Match Mama says
You have a newborn! Sleep when you can!! On the weekends, I don’t sleep in much…but I don’t have a newborn. Enjoy your rest mama!
heidi says
I love these posts!
I love that picture of your fireplace on it looks so lovely and cozy!
Your a great momma shay!
Susan says
Love your day in the life posts, I get up at 5 and love having the house to myself for just a bit. Your family is adorable!
Madeline says
What model of Nespresso do you have? I’ve been contemplating getting one but not sure which one I want to buy 🙂
Mix and Match Mama says
Vertuoline!
Sara says
You go to bed at 10 and get up at 4? How?! I’m literally dragging myself out of bed at 7 and I go to bed around 11. ????
Autumn says
Hi Shay!
I adore your blog and read it every day!
I wanted to ask how you handle it when your kids don’t want what you cook for dinner. Do you just offer that one thing, or offer them something else?
I have 3 kids and 2 of them are super picky!!
Thanks!
Mix and Match Mama says
I really try hard to only make things my kids like. K prefers beef and Smith chicken…so that’s always tricky because someone is usually a little disappointed, but I’ve learned to navigate and prepare it ways they enjoy (even if it’s not their fave).
Paula says
Busy yet fun & rewarding! Best is how you start it all…quiet & with the Lord. It makes all the difference in my attitude & how I approach my day.
Daniela says
What is the plastic bag thingy in the crockpot? I haven’t seen that before.
Mix and Match Mama says
It’s a slow cooker liner! They’re amazing. When dinner is done, you toss it out and your slow cooker never gets dirty. Reynolds Wrap makes them!
Natalie Clark says
I love these posts! They totally get me excited for the days when I have lots of little ones running around! Can’t wait for all those activities and the fun chaos!
Shannon says
I am in need of a new crockpot. Can you give some recommendations?
Mix and Match Mama says
I have two: one that is 13 years old (pictured on today’s post) that is so basic and plain Jane but I love it! And then my other is the All Clad version from Williams-Sonoma. I love it too!
Angela Banae says
Love reading these posts!! You’re awesome Shay!!! Couple of questions…are you working on any other books right now? I don’t know how you squeeze it all in! And super silly question, but…when you take the girls to dance, do you sit at the studio and read your book? I find that when I’m taking my kids to practice, I always end up talking to other moms the whole time (which I love, but I never get to read). I didn’t know if you go somewhere else, so you can have some quiet time?
Mix and Match Mama says
I have a new book coming out this spring! Thankfully, I finished it in May :). I’m taking a break until after the holidays…and loving it! As for dance, there are about five of us that sit together and read. It’s fun because we always offer suggestions and always read each other’s books! We just sit on benches out in the studio lobby.
Karen says
Shay, I want to live in the Home Alone house too!!! 🙂 Another reason I know we’d be friends!
Francie says
I always love your day in the life post. You are really a early bird, my idea of waking up early is 6am. Great post!
Holly Hopkins says
Okay man I am tired now, haha. Mom Life can be crazy! I need to adopt getting up early! I absolutely despise being woken up by anyone. Im thinking 5:30a tho 4:20 is still night time in my books!!!
Caroline says
Looks like a great day 🙂
Megan says
These day in the life posts are some of my favorites to read! Looks like a great day and I love that even on a busy day you have a dinner plan for your family. Crockpot lovers unite!
Lindsay @ Lindsay's Sweet World says
I always say that I adore these posts! So interesting to read! And SHAAAAY, what do I see in the crock pot?! Is it some sort of crock pot liner that you can use so you don’t have to scrub all of the junk out of it when you’re done?? Best invention ever. I will be looking for these on Amazon, so thank you!
Meghan says
Ok, you’ve convinced me- I’m going to try the 4:20 wake up tomorrow. I currently get up at 5:30 thinking I’ll get through the basic morning chores and prep for the day and then get some time to myself for a quick workout (on days I know I won’t make it to the gym) or read before it’s time to wake the kids, but I’ve been running out of time lately. However- as someone who needs close to 8 hours of sleep or I’m a mess, I’ll be in bed by 8:30 😉
Mix and Match Mama says
Drink a lot of coffee and let me know how it works out 🙂 .
Ali says
Thanks for the post! These day in the life of are always my favorite. Can I ask what lipstick you’re wearing?
Mix and Match Mama says
Bobbi Brown’s Plum Rose :).
Nicole F says
I’m exhausted!
Mix and Match Mama says
This made me LOL!
Maria D. says
You have incredibly busy Thursdays! I can’t get up that early ????
Kelly says
I’ve followed your blog for a few years now and have had the same question which I finally decided to ask. 🙂 I get up at 5:30 every day and by 9:00pm I’m DEAD tired and ready for bed. How do you get up at 4:20 and then stay up past 10:00pm on a consistent basis? Are you tired during the day? 🙂
Mix and Match Mama says
Yes. Ha! The answer is yes. I mean…if I’m too tired, I’ll rest, but I function on some level of kind of tired all the time. Tired in a good way though…a productive and happy tired :).
Lauren says
I have tried so many times to get up early, but I always fail. And I’m nowhere near as busy as you on a day to day basis!! You go girl. Where on earth did you get that super cute maroon jacket!? I love it!!
Mix and Match Mama says
Nordstrom!
Jordan Papajeski says
Wait, you only get like 6 hours of sleep a night?? 10-4 am? All I can say is your super mama for sure! How do you not pass out by the afternoon?
Mix and Match Mama says
I don’t sit down :). If I keep moving and stay busy, I don’t feel tired.
Jayme Bender says
Love these!! You inspire me to be a morning person 🙂 ordering those gel pens for my daughter’s stocking, she’ll love them!
Nicole says
Have you changed your brownie recipe at all? 🙂
Mix and Match Mama says
Ha! Nope :).
Abigail Carter says
Love this! You really do it all! #shayforprez I love getting up early but also love sleeping in – ugh the struggle is real! I know someone else posted about the Home Alone house – but my family lives 3 hours from Chicago & we drove there a few years ago around Christmas time just to see the house! It was SO fun! We also saw the church that Kevin runs into, the neighbors house where the “Wet Bandits” strike (ha!) and other movie landmarks! The town where that house is in (suburb of Chicago) is ADORABLE & we could have stayed the night! The square is darling and there were several cute restaurants we checked out. So if you are ever in the area (especially around Christmas) you have to check it out! So fun!
Loren says
I’ve been following you for years and by default my husband hears all the “mix and match mama” stories… I was telling him about your day in the life post today and how I admire how much you get done in your day and how much you motivate me. We both thought it would be fun to see a Day in the life post … of Andrew!
Denise Hunter says
I don’t know how you get up so early every morning! Do you go to bed a little early? I would need a nap!
Lauren Bullock says
Hi shay, I was wondering if you have ever thought about doing a blog post on your marriage with Andrew. How you guys manage to make it work and make it a priority while being so busy!
Paula says
I have a coffee maker question. I remember when you bought Andrew the Nespresso. You’ve had it awhile now. Pros & Cons vs a Keurig? I’d love to know before headed into “Santa Wish List”.
Mix and Match Mama says
The pro is that it’s better coffee. The quality of the coffee is just so much better than the Keurig pods…that being said, they don’t have a lot of flavors like Keurig…so if that’s important to you, stick with Keurig. They have Vanilla, Hazelnut and Caramel but that’s about it (after that, they have a lot of different stronger coffees without flavor).
Megan Butler says
You make it look easy friend!!
Lisa Whitney says
I also have a Nespresso machine but it does not froth black coffee – do you run it through the aeroccino after it brews?
Mix and Match Mama says
Yours does! When it comes out of the Nespresso machine, it comes out just like this.
Taylor says
What a busy and fun day! love these posts!
Gail says
You go Momma!! Where do you buy the green drinks?
Mix and Match Mama says
Our grocery store!
Lo says
You have to tell us if you’re #TeamPeyton or #TeamBrooke and your other thoughts on One Tree Hill!
Elizabeth says
Please tell me where that purple robe is from?! So cozy for winter!
Mix and Match Mama says
Nordstrom!