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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

Madeley ·

First day of Preschool!


Well, yesterday, I sent my last one off to school.  It was Miss Madeley’s turn to start preschool for this year!  Last year, she went two days a week and LOVED it so much, so this year, she’s going to go Tuesday through Thursday.  I’m going to miss having her at home with me all day, every day…but friends, she is so ready.  Out of all four Shull kids, she’s just the most SOCIAL!  She has loads of friends and wants to hang out with them all the time.  We went to Meet the Teacher last week and she loved her new classroom, her new teachers and was ready to stay and play.

Yesterday morning, we didn’t have to leave for school until 8:50, but she wanted to be up and dressed with the big kids by 7:30.  She had her shoes on and backpack by her side…this girl was READY!

 

 

Agh!  I just love this kiddo so much!!!!

She wanted to take a pic with Elsa as well 🙂 .

Our annual “backpack” pictures!  I’ve always bought my kids’ nap mats off of Etsy.  Her name is Precious n’ Prosper 🙂 .  Here’s the front view…

…and the “you’re under arrest” view.  Also known as the back view 😉 .

I just love this girl so much!!  Andrew takes her to school every Wednesday morning, so I was off to take her today (and daddy the next).

We ran into friends at school!  Britty and Madeley were matching (coincidentally!) on the first day of school.  M is so excited to have Libby in her class again this year.  These two are peas in a pod!

She was ready to go inside and find her class!  She bounced down the hall and said “bye, Mom” as she ran inside.  This girl was excited!

So, what did I do after?  Well, I needed milk (I never have the right amount of milk…always way too much or not enough), so I stopped by our local grocery store where they have a Starbucks inside and the cutest little store ever on the second floor…

 

I drank my PSL and enjoyed looking at all the fall 🙂 .

I always ask my kiddos these questions on the first day of school.  Here are Madeley’s answers…

1. How old are you?
5 (she’s really 3 but likes to say she’s older…)
2. What is your favorite color?
orange
3. What is your favorite food?
mac and cheese
4. What is your favorite TV show?
Peppa Pig
5. What is your favorite holiday?
I don’t know (hahaha!)
6. What is your favorite thing to do with Mom?
play
7. What is your favorite thing to do with Dad?
play
8. What is your favorite thing to do with Kensington & Smith?
play
9. What is your favorite thing to do with Ashby?
play (see the theme here…)
10. What are you most excited about this year in school?
friends
11. What are you most nervous about this year in school?
(she looked at me like I was crazy)
12. What do you want to be when you grow up?
Work at State Farm (see story below…)
13. What is your favorite movie?
Elsa (that would be Frozen)
14. What is your favorite toy/stuffed animal?
blankie
15. What is your favorite thing to wear?
Huh? (I’m going to guess dresses!)
So, for those of you who don’t know…we are a State Farm family.  My grandfather was a SF agent for over 40 years, my dad has been one for 39 years, Andrew has been one for 12 years and I worked for State Farm for 12 years.  So…we talk about it a lot around here (and the kids go up to Andrew’s office all the time).  A few weeks ago, Madeley started telling us how she wanted to work for State Farm.  She was talking about it a lot.  She was like “I grow up and work at daddy’s office at State Farm.  I love State Farm.”.  I mean…that’s so cute and all, but speaking as someone who had that job for over a decade, it can be pretty dull and not the typical answer a three year old gives.  Then, the other day, she and I were in the car backing out of the garage and Andrew was getting into his car.  She was all “Daddy go to work at State Farm.  I love State Farm. I love pigs and cows and horses.  I work with cows at State Farm.”  Hahahaha!  She thinks Andrew works with animals at a FARM.  Bahahahaha!  Andrew and I were laughing so hard!  Sweet girl!  Where does she think he hides the barn animals when she’s up there visiting?  In the storage closet?  Hahaha!  Anyway…that’s why she said State Farm.  Like a good neighbor…State Farm is there (minus the barn animals!).
When I picked her up after school, she was all smiles and ready to go get the big kids.  I really think this is going to be a great year for our sweet girl!

So, they’re all in school now.  Fall has officially begun!  Speaking of which, make sure you click HERE today to check out my easy recipe for these…

PB & J Thumbprint Cookies

…my PB&J Thumbprint Cookies!

These make delicious (and easy!) after school snacks.  My kids love them…and let’s be honest, I do too 🙂 .

One last thing for today.  Did you enter to win this yesterday…

September Giveaway

…on Friday morning, I’m going to announce four winners who each get either a new slow cooker or Instant Pot!  Enter to win HERE.

Have a great Wednesday, friends!  If you’re looking for me, I’m at home working and missing my babies…with a Pumpkin Spice Latte 😉 . xo

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Comments

  3. Erika Slaughter says

    MADELEY!!! I hadn’t heard the end of this story! That’s why she wanted to work at State Farm?!? Hahahaha! That girl! So glad day one was a success!

  5. Sarah Shaneyfelt says

    Love her story about State Farm!!! It’s funny enough a 3 year old wants to be an insurance agent but then finding out it’s really because she thinks it’s an actual farm….that’s too cute!
    MeetTheShaneyfelts

  6. Becky says

    We have had State Farm as our insurance for years! They have had to deal with a lot of vandalism (foster kids bio parents), a tree falling on our house, and insuring all of our kiddos as they got to that age. Our sweet agent……

  10. Hilary says

    Oh my goodness, she is precious!!! My dad worked for State Farm for 34 years and when we were growing my brothers called it Snake Farm!

  12. Crystal says

    Love that she was so excited to go! I would love for my 2 and a half yr old to be more excited about social situations but she just clings to me and cries when I try to drop her off at SS. Any tips? I remember reading that Kensington was a little like this, correct? Just more shy and reserved? I want my daughter to be brave and try new things but she is just so shy.

  13. Narci says

    Oh my stars! So funny!! Madeley is such a sweet and fun girl!! She is going to have the best year!

  14. Sheaffer Sims says

    Awwwww! Sweet Madeley!!!! The state farm story is the cutest! And I love that picture of her with the nap mat thrown over her shoulder. 🙂

  16. Amy Grubbs says

    State Farm family here too! My daughter says she wants to work for State Farm until we actually visit my husband’s office! Haha it’s all fun & games until the farm animals don’t show up.

  19. Melissa Terry says

    Ok the pictures are darling but the State Farm story literally made me laugh! That’s going to be one of those conversations that will go down in family lore. So cute!

  20. Ralinn says

    The SF story and Madeley is too cute. She sounds like a fun little girl. She is going to have a great year.

  21. Elizabeth says

    Oh my goodness, so cute! How old is Madeley now? She looks so tiny compared to Libby! I hope that she has a wonderful time at pre-school this year! She seems like she would be such a little social butterfly!

  23. Rachel says

    She is so darling! I just love stories like the State Farm one ? kids are just the best! And after this post now I want to go walk the fall aisle at hobby lobby ?

  24. Nicole says

    So sweet!!! What’s your work out schedule going to be during school? Will you be going to the gym more? 🙂

  26. Kelsey says

    She looks like such a big girl in that photo with her nap mat over her shoulder!! That State Farm story is too funny!!

  30. Sheila says

    Oh, my gosh. What a precious baby girl you have! Love all that you share on here, that State Farm story cracked me up! Kids are the best 🙂

  32. Debbie says

    Oh.my.goodness! The State Farm story……had to chuckle! Shay, where do you buy the cute little ruffled outfits your girls wear? Love them! ???

  33. Jennifer says

    Oh my goodness I love Madeley’s State Farm story!!!! We are a State Farm family too. But we’re not agents. 🙂 Me, my husband, sister, and a cousin all work for SF. I’ve been following your blog and family for so long and its fun when you talk a little about State Farm since I have that connection. If we have to move to the hub in Dallas, I want to move to McKinney!

  35. Natalie Buie says

    What type of position does Andrew and your father have with State Farm…if you don’t mind me asking

  37. Lauren says

    She is just the cutest!!!! Ah! So funny!! Also, will you be doing a tour of your fall home decor? Love those posts 🙂

  38. andrea in mn says

    Early childhood education is so important. Thanking your for sharing your family’s story in general. I hope it will encourage others to engage their children in a pre-school education is some manner or form.

  40. Paula Hawthorne says

    Shay, I don’t comment often. But, I just want to say, your sweet kids make me smile. I love the updates. Looking back, I have read your blog since Smith was born. They all have changed so much. You have such beautiful children.

  41. Lindsay says

    Kids are so literal, I mean State Farm and a real farm, makes total sense.
    Also, where is your top from in the pics??

  44. Leanne Gilchrist says

    LOL, Madeley, that girl just makes my day, seriously. We’re a Post Office Family. My husband has been a mailman for 25 years, and you know, my 4 year old son, Jack, wants so badly to work at the Post Office, just like Daddy! Jack is obsessed with cars, and so, he can just deliver mail and be their mechanic! LOL! You know, those thumbprint cookies are going to be in my oven when I get home from work, and how good would they taste with Nutella in the middle!!?? Right!? I love that Madeley and Britt matched!! Shay, your blog just cheers me right up. Thanks so much for sharing your family with us.

  45. Wendy O says

    That State Farm story is too cute! I have to let you know about my story. When I was entering Kindergarten, my Mom told me over and over that I would learn how to read when I got there. We low and behold I remember standing by my Mom in the school office and the secretary told us my teachers name… wait for it… MRS. REED!!!! I just knew I had got the right teacher, I was so excited!!!!

  46. Deepal Patel says

    The State Farm story made my day! LOL! Madeley is sooo sweet and precious! Love your little family <3

  48. Liz Thorson says

    Oh Madeley, she makes me smile and laugh out loud, so often! Her precious, happy heart shines out of every picture and her take on State Farm…sooo adorable!❤️

  50. Southern & Style says

    Oh my goodness, that State Farm story is too, too funny! If you ever come to Alabama, bring that sweet girl to visit our poultry & cattle farm-she would love it!

    xoxo, SS

    Southern and Style

  51. Dawn Scheurich says

    My dad worked retired from State Farm after working for them for 40 plus years, and my grandad also retired from State Farm!! They were both claims specialists, so we are a State Farm family too!

  52. Eunice White says

    She is just so very sweet! I took a bit of a blog (reading) break so I may have missed this, but I’ve been thinking about your friend Meagan and wondering if they were able to get things resolved with their little one? Hope so!

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      The birth mother asked the adoption agency to allow Meagan and her family to raise Violet, so that’s what ended up happening. Thank you for asking. She’s doing fantastic!

  53. Lindsay says

    So adorable. I was born in the town that SF was founded and I honestly always knew that I would grow up to work at SF like my parents. Welp, here I am … 28 and I have been with the company for all of my 20’s. I don’t know if I’d ever move to TX but if I get asked … McKinney, TX here I come! 🙂

  55. Angela Ellingson says

    How I the world do you look so gorgeous after getting 4 kids ready for school? Seriously, it’s like you have a super power. 😉 That Madeley story will be told for years to come. Precious!!

  56. Kimberly C says

    That State Farm story is just the sweetest thing ever! I’m sure the cows at your parents house didn’t help her reasoning ?

  57. Kacy Mah says

    That’s so sweet! And I love the State Farm story hahaha. I teach preschool and we started last Monday!

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