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I'm Shay! I’m a cookbook author, lifestyle blogger, travel agency owner, wife and mama who loves making every day special for my family.

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Mix & Match Mama

Kensington ·

All About Kensington


Because I do a lot of posts on adoption and so many of our “daily life” pics happen while the big kids are at school, they often get left out a bit here in blog world…so every once in a while, I do a post just on one of the big kids.  Today’s post is all about Kensington…

Our sweet oldest kiddo is in the third grade this year.

I would say that this year, K has come into her own.

She turned nine back in September and all of a sudden, she went from little girl to big kid overnight.

We’ve had our bumps in the road regarding school.  Kensington is very shy in a classroom setting and often, that gets her behind or the teacher thinks she’s behind (because she doesn’t like to speak up, answer questions, have any attention on her in class), so we’ve struggled with building her confidence in that department (as well as communicating with teachers so that they know her personality plays a big factor in the classroom), and this year, she’s done amazingly well.  I was really nervous about this going into the year, but she has overcome a lot and doing really well in school.

This sweet girl LOVES her friends!  Every day, I hear story after story about what her friends are up to, what happened at recess, what so and so had for lunch…it’s a lot of “girl” talk when she gets home from school.  I hope that Kensington sees how much I love my girlfriends and wants that too (it seems she does!).  Girlfriends are so important!

This year, Kensington has also figured out her “thing” after school too.  We’ve done dance for several years, but last year, she wanted to take a break and only do one class along with basketball.  Well…that didn’t go well.  She missed all of her dance classes and really didn’t enjoy basketball at all.  This year, she picked some great classes at dance (and has some super sweet friends up there too!), plus, she started volleyball and LOVES it!

She tells me every day how she’s going to play volleyball at K-State.

She goes outside every day and works on volleyball with one of us or by herself (sometimes Smith helps her too!).  I am just so excited that she has things this year she LOVES.  It makes this mama heart very happy.

Kensington Kate is super sweet, sensitive, fun, fiercely loyal, emotional, passionate, and creative all wrapped up in one beautiful girl.

She is my independent one.  Her favorite thing to do after school is go upstairs and play “school” in her room.  She enjoys the company of her siblings from time to time, but she very much can entertain herself.

She’s just growing up so fast!  She’s gone from little girl to big kid who talks to me about big, deep, complicated things.  She makes her own snacks, puts away her laundry, does her homework, and helps me with the younger two (they LOVE it when Kensington gives them a bubble bath!).  I’m just really proud of who this girl is becoming.  She has a heart for the Lord and that right there makes me happiest of all.  I am so thankful for this sweet daughter of mine.

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Comments

  3. Samantha Angel says

    Awh!! I LOVE that she wants to play volleyball at K-State! How sweet is that! ?

  5. Sheaffer Sims says

    Kensington is obviously beautiful on the outside, but she is even more beautiful on the inside! She is just as sweet as can be, and watching her in her big sister role is an absolute joy.

  6. Amy Heinl says

    You can really tell this year how she is growing into her pwn. In all of her pictures her warm spirit really shines througj. You can tell what a loving big sister she is. I am so glad she loves volleyball. Does she still talk of going to France and being a chef/baker. Oh the amazing path filled with many adventures she has ahead of her. Have the happiest of days, sweet Kensington

      • Cathy says

        As a teacher I LOVE this! It is important for there to be all kinds of teachers. If she does become a teacher (I know it is a long way off – but I decided in grade 1!I bet she will have a BIG heart for shy kids and honour them.

  7. Erika Slaughter says

    We LOVE that girl so much!!! My very favorite thing about Kensington is how she celebrates people. If I was making a partying list…she’d be my number one invitee!!

  9. Polly says

    She is so sweet. I was shy in school. I am glad she is finding what she likes.
    Coming into who God wants her to become. God bless you and your husband for adopting . I have 2 cousins who were adopted. One cousin passed away, sadly. But I love my other adopted cousin. Funny, I didn’t know for yrs Pat , she was adopted. God bless you

  10. Elizabeth says

    She is so sweet. I was always shy in school growing up too. I actually was afraid to ever speak up in class or ask questions until about my junior year of college! It really made a difference though once I did, and I was able to really excel. Just continue to encourage her 🙂 I’m so excited for her that she is learning what sports she likes and is doing something she really enjoys this year!

  13. Brittany says

    Sweet girl! Have you read Quiet by Susan Cain? I think it might be helpful for you to read for Kensington. As an extrovert, I realized I often misunderstand introverts that I teach. Anyway, thought I’d share 🙂

  14. Taylor says

    I love reading your blog and seeing sweet Kensington play volleyball is so fun! I started playing when I was her age and just finished playing Division 1 volleyball 🙂 Tell her to never give up on her dreams because anything is possible!

  15. Nancy says

    Thank you fro sharing about Kensington. She’s adorable. To be honest, I’ve often wondered about your two biological children, so it was great to see this post!

  16. Jordan says

    So sweet! I can relate to Kensington. I was always so shy in a classroom setting. Dance is actually what broke my shell and enhanced my confidence. Keep up the dancing!! By high school and college, I was not shy in a classroom.

  17. Kelly says

    Your Kensington Kate is a beautiful girl! I love that she is finding her way with some help from you and Andrew, I’m sure. Enjoy that sweet girl!

  18. Melissa says

    So sweet! As a mama, I can relate to how fun it is when your kids find their “thing.” One of my good friends calls it “finding their lane” which I think is a perfect analogy. She is darling ; )

  19. Laci says

    I love reading updates on Kensington because my daughter is her exact age almost to the day! I agree, it’s like this last birthday my daughter has just completely changed! For the good of course, but it’s neat to see what they blossom into as they grow!

  20. Rebecca @ Every Piece Fits says

    Beautiful little lady! I related to being misunderstood because I’m shy and an introvert too and it’s a struggle to participate sometimes. I’d get anxiety every time I raised my hand to answer a question and I wanted to answer questions because I knew the answers and was a straight A student…but while waiting to be called on I’d break into a sweat and turn splotchy red on both my face and neck. It’s awful. And it still happens to me as an adult!!! Slow growth in confidence to be able to speak up and participate is so important though. XO
    Rebecca @ EveryPieceFits.com

  21. Lauren Leverenz says

    I’m a college volleyball player in St. Louis that started playing when I was around Kensington’s age and it’s so cool to see young girls have the same dreams as I did! My advice to Kensington is to keep playing as long as her passion is still there? I’ve been playing for 11 years now and I still love the competition and all the friends that I have made. Good luck!

  24. daniellem02 says

    What a special girl! My son is the same way in class. Honestly, I think I prefer that to a kid who is an attention hog! I’m an introvert, so I think it would be a lot harder for me to deal with that!

  25. Rose says

    That’s such a sweet post about Kensington. I only have one, a 2.5 year old son and we just found out we have one on the way. My little guy is as sweet as can be. He is also very shy and I too am hopeful he will open up. He’s very aware of his surroundings and perhaps that also makes him more cautious. These traits of being aware, cautious and observant are probably strengths in disguise. I hope so! You are a great role model for her and good job on raising such a kind girl!

  26. Shay says

    LOVE reading about your oldest! She sounds like my oldest who is in 2nd grade. She too, struggles with significant shyness (bordering on social anxiety) where she would freeze up when asked a question. She sometimes still struggles with this and it’s something we work on every day. I’m so happy to hear that Kensington is coming into her own and gaining confidence! She’s growing into quite the beautiful young lady! =)

  27. Lindsay D. says

    What a beautiful little lady!!

    My daughter, Molly, is also in third grade and getting braces on over spring break. Do you or Kensington have any advice for Molly?? Thanks!! 🙂

  28. Sharon says

    My son has a reserved personality and had these same issues in school, fyi. He is super bright, but would get ignored because he is well behaved, quiet and doing well enough (even though, I knew he could be doing so much more). His report card said he didn’t know things which he had known since he was 3 or 4. With a kid like him, I now realize personality plays such a role in school performance. We actually switched him to a school with a lower teacher to student ratio (two teachers per class) and he has thrived. I know you don’t want to do that, b/c all your kids are at that school, but just wanted to let you know how much that has helped him not get ignored in the classroom. And sounds like she has figured it out on her own!

  29. Brittany says

    Oh sweet Kensington – this girl still has a piece of my heart! Her sweet spirit and heart for Jesus makes my heart smile. You did good momma, love this girl!!

  32. Jasmin says

    I was the same way, really shy in grade school so my mom would tell my teacher to pick me for things like presentations which I hated! Looking back now, though, I guess that was a good thing. Glad she is doing well this year and that she’s enjoying a sport she likes!

  33. Lindsay @ Lindsay's Sweet World says

    What a kind and helpful little girl you’re raising! She actually reminds me of myself when I was little. I was painfully shy, too, and playing school in my room was my favorite! In third grade for Christmas all I wanted were some real school supplies and Santa came through! I will never forget that Christmas. I think those school supplies were possibly some of my favorite gifts of all time.

  34. Kelly B. says

    She is a sweet, sweet girl. As someone who was very shy in school and wanted to cry at the thought of a group of people looking at me it makes me so happy to read that you are allowing her to be herself and just helping her to grow in confidence instead of telling her that she just needs to get over it. You’re doing great with her.

  35. Kelly says

    She’s a beauty and seems so sweet. The darling pic of her in her dance class seems to show a sweet shy look. Thank you for sharing the cool things she’s into these days. Such a pretty little girl!

  36. Liz THORSON says

    Love learning more about sweet Kennsington! I am quite certain she will always adore you, too. ❤️

  38. Savannah says

    Kensington is a beautiful girl.

    I say this with love…. given her shyness, how does she feel about you sharing private details about her life and personality on the internet?

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      I asked her and let her read the post before I published it. I started checking with them a few years ago before I posted anything on IG or my blog about them. Most of the time, they don’t care…but there have been some things they’ve asked me not to share, so I haven’t.

  39. Susie says

    That last photo of Kensington is perfection! And sorry for the random question, but what is your paint color in the first pic of K by the stairs? Thanks!

  40. Savannah says

    I’m an English tutor for K-State athletics! I can’t wait to meet Kensington one day as a volleyball player! 😉

  41. Naomi says

    So sweet ? Can you do a post oh how you help your kids to build their relationship with God?

  42. Blair says

    Growing up I was also very shy and I hated when my overheard my mother talking about me to her friends. I would have died if my mother had put all the information that you just put out about Kensington. Just a thought. Does she know you just shared all that about her?

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      She read it before I published it 🙂 . About two years ago, I started checking with the big kids before I posted anything on Instagram or my blog about them. Typically, they don’t care, but sometimes, they tell me not to publish something and I won’t. Like the other day when it was rare disease 2018 day, I asked Ashby before I talked about it on Instagram (and showed her the pic), she said I could post it. I always ask.

  44. Charly says

    What are some of Kensington’s favorite things? My sister and brother-in-law are adopting a 9 year old girl!! We’re so excited!! I want to make her a goody bag/basket but I’m clueless as to what to put in there! I have little ones! ?

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      Books, coloring books, any sort of craft, she loves beads (like to make bracelets and stuff), and she still loves stuffed animals and such 🙂 .

  45. Cortny says

    I’ve been listening to the book called Quiet: the power of introverts in a world that can’t stop talking and it a has been SO eye opening. A great read! I’m hoping it helps in how I parent my girls! Would highly recommend!

  46. Candice says

    Do people say she looks like Andrew? I think she looks exactly like her dad! Sweet girl!

  48. Mandy says

    What a beautiful girl she is on the inside and out! My daughter is also named Kenzingtyn but also goes by Kenzy. Does your Kensington ever get called anything for short or always her full name?

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      We call her K sometimes, but most of the time, it’s Kensington 🙂 .

  50. Julie says

    Such a sweet post! She is a special girl I can tell. I can relate to her as I was the same growing up in school-it was hard! But it seems K is thriving and growing and has so many positives in her life and she’s going to do just great. Thanks for sharing about your darling daughter with us! Love hearing about your kiddos.

  51. Brittany says

    I have an Aubrey Kate! She is two and a half and so full of life. I love that K is loving volleyball. I am personally hoping my girl loves it as much as I did and we skip past cheerleading. We start dance in the fall and I can’t wait! Thank you for sharing about your sweet girl!

  52. Elizabeth says

    Aww she is too cute and seems like just the sweetest! Have you ever seen the cute clothes at Sports Katz (www.sportskatz.com)? It’s all online and they have such cute sports girls stuff especially for volleyball girls and dancers!

  53. Mary Ann says

    Kensington is darling! What a delight she seems. With over 20 years in education, it pains me to see you write about her experience in the classroom. I would think the teachers in your higher quality school would be trained to know the difference in a shy student vs struggling one. Great that you are aware that parent collaboration is critical! Exactly what parent teacher conferences are for! Kudos to you for advocating best for your child, regardless the struggle. Sadly, so many extroverted (& you seem very extroverted) parents push to make their introverted child like them & it backfires. Thank Kensington for letting us read more what’s going on in her world at the moment.

  54. Kathy says

    So I am late to this party because I am behind on your blog posts. Let me tell you, honey, I have a Kensington. She is 19 years old as of February 23rd and throughout her school years she was quiet, introspective, and shy. Her teachers always wanted her to speak out more, and we encouraged her in this area as much as we could. But at the same time, we also shared with her teachers that she has an introspective personality. We finally got to the point where we told them she was not a talker…that it was part of who she is and she was not going to change. To this day she is not a huge talker, but she is incredibly smart, independent, and says what she needs to when she needs to. She attends a university 1000’s of miles away and she is doing great! So, no worries dear mama. Keep letting the teachers know this is just who your sweet Kensington is. Don’t let anyone try to change her.