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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

Shay ·

Every Day in May!


May 2018

It’s MAY!!!!!!

I don’t know why, but I always feel like May 1st should be acknowledged.

Kind of like January 1st…and in my world, September 1st.

It’s a new beginning, time for a fresh start and the arrival of a fabulous (plus warm!) season.

The last few years, on May 1st, I’ve done a post called Every Day in May!

May 2018

Basically, I’m just going to hit some highlights about why I’m pumped it’s May and then share something fun for Instagram and A GIVEAWAY!

Mother’s Day 2018

Here are some things we’re looking forward to this month:
1: It’s the last month of school!!  Last year, school didn’t end until June 7, but this year, the kids get out May 30!!!
2: Madeley starts swim lessons!  She is DETERMINED to swim like the big kids this year, so I’m really hopeful that it “clicks” this time.
3: I get to have not two but THREE skip days with my big kids this month!  This is where I pull them out of school a little early one day (one child at a time) and do something special with just them.
4: Mother’s Day weekend is almost here!  We have fun plans on Saturday with my mom and then on Sunday, Andrew promised me guacamole and the pool.  #myperfectday
5: It’s the Manda Strong Foundation’s 2nd Annual Golf Tournament!  This is always such a fun morning!  If you’re local, you can sign up HERE.
6: Today, I’m on the kindergarten field trip.  I’m super pumped to spend the day with my sweet Ashby and her classmates at the aquarium!
7: We have #alltheendoftheyear stuff going on!  My calendar is packed!  We have a Mother’s Day Tea, Field Day, Splash Day, the Economics Fair and the last day of school parties.
8: We have so many fun plans for Memorial Day weekend already planned too!  Fingers crossed the weather is SUNNY!

So, that’s all the fun stuff!  Now, last year, I made myself some goals for the month to get me ready and primed for the summer.  This year, when I sat down to think about what I want to accomplish goal-wise this month, I really thought of these two as the most important…
1: I need to get my work/home life balance in check!  Right now, the kids are in school, so I have all day to work…but when it’s summer, I still have the same amount of work, but I want to enjoy the summer days with my kiddos, so I need to get my s$&# together and get a plan so that I can keep my work up while also being engaged with my kiddos all summer.  One thing I’m going to do differently is workout EARLY this summer instead of going to my class.  I love my class at the gym, but the time is not great when you have kids at home, so I’m going to figure out something to where I can workout before anyone wakes up and then go ahead and check that off of my to-do list.

2: I would love to get the kids’ closets, rooms and play room organized, purged, cleaned up before their home 24/7.  Kensington and I spent two hours working on her room this weekend and now, I need to tackle the others.

So, nothing lofty…but those are the two things that I would really like to get control of before the summer gets control of me.

What are some of your May goals?  I’m such a goal oriented person, and am always inspired by you ladies, so if you have one, please share!!  You can see my goals from last May HERE.

Want to know something else I love about May?  Um, this…

Pimento Cheese Burger

…we eat dinner off of the grill just about every night starting in May and going through August.  Today, I’m sharing my Pimento Cheese Burger with you.  Your May needs this, friends!

Speaking of which.  I know it’s not summer yet, but if you’re already inspired to eat like it is, make sure you check out…

Simple Summer Suppers

…my SIMPLE SUMMER SUPPERS!

Okay, last year, Erika invited me to join her in posting every day in May on Instagram.  It was so much fun that we’re doing it again this year!  Here are the prompts for 2019…

 

…if you’re on Instagram, then post a pic and use our hashtag!  I will pick some at random to re-gram too!

One last thing!

Today, we’re kicking off a giveaway…

…if you book a vacation through Mix and Match Travel Agency sometime this month to travel in 2019 or 2020, your name will be entered into a drawing for a $500 Visa gift card!  Whether you want to go on a cruise, to Europe, Mexico, the Caribbean, Walt Disney World or more, we would love to book your trip this month and then maybe, you’ll win our little giveaway.  Email us today at mixandmatchtravelagency@yahoo.com.

Okay, I’m off to enjoy May 1st at the aquarium with Ashby!  Happy May to YOU! xo

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Comments

  2. Jessica N says

    Please share what workout you decide I am always looking for programs/suggestions. Thanks I love reading your blog!

    • Holly says

      I love T25 and Piyo, both Beachbody workouts. I EVEN found a calendar on Pinterest that mixes them up!

  4. Amanda @ Cupcake N Dreams says

    Now you’ve made me excited for May 1st! I’m glad you guys are bringing back the instagram challenge again! My goals for May are to finish 3 books on my list, keep up with my drinking 60oz of water every day and spending at least 30 mins being active every day!
    Happy May 1st!!
    Amanda @ Cupcake N Dreams 

  5. Narci says

    Oh, how fun! I love these goals and the photo challenge is one of my favorites! And, yes to getting everything ready for the kids to be home! I’m so ready for summer!

  6. Laura E Fredlund says

    I also have a goal to workout early before my kids wake up, because my usual gym schedule isnt ideal during the summer. But it is super important for me to still be exercising for my own well being!

  7. Sandi says

    May 1st… Our 20th Anniversary! We usually take a small weekend trip to celebrate each year, but we figure 20 is a big number so we are trying to figure out something grand to do. The US (tennis) Open is on my husband’s bucket list, I would like to go to Greece (but we have four kids to farm out) or maybe a tropical island in the fall. So many places to go and see! Like many others, my favorite posts are your book reviews!

  8. DeNae says

    I homeschool our four kids, ages 15-5, and we have a 4 year old foster son, so I feel your pain on the workout front. I’ve been working out at home five to six days per week using btribalfit.com. Brooke is an amazing motivator and Christian mom who has a huge variety of challenging and fantastic workouts. Maybe check her out for your summer workout plans.

      • Meg says

        YEY for summer planning ??. I love doing at home workouts now via an online group…it’s motivating and I can do it early in the morning before the fam wakes up ?. If you’re ever interested I am a coach for the company and could provide more info ?

  9. Bailey Bryant says

    Well I picked the perfect time to plan a Disney vacation with y’all! ??

  10. Bren says

    Okay first, I’m all on board with Sheaffer’s goal. 🙂 My goal is to do a major overhaul/clean-out of our bedroom closets. Way late in life I’m a full-time college student and with summer, comes a lighter course load, so that is my number one goal. I’m also interested in what you decide to do for a workout program this summer, looking forward to reading more about it!

  13. Jenna says

    Where I’m from(Annapolis) May 1st is a celebration . For May Day the businesses and houses downtown all put out baskets of flowers- some are very elaborate- and there’s a contest. It’s the best excuse to take the morning off, grab a coffee, and just walk around the town!

  14. Heatheer says

    I don’t know if you already have a post like this….BUT I would love to read a post about what planning a vacation with your agency is like. I have never used a travel agency and I also assume they cost more money. Would love to learn more!

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      They do not cost more money and more often than not, we can get you a better deal! We’d love to connect with you! Email me 🙂 .

      • Sarah says

        I was also interested in using your agency for a Disney trip but wasn’t sure about the $200 fee that you were charging since Disney approved agents are free. I’m thinking that maybe you’ve done away with the planning fee as your recent posts said that there’s no charge to plan with you. I’d also love to know more about planning a trip with your agency. Thanks!

  16. Leah R says

    Bummer that your gym doesn’t have early morning classes for you!!!

    I don’t know if you are able to escape in the mornings, but usually hot yoga has early morning classes! I am not sure if there is one near you or not but it might be worth checking!!

    Otherwise, the yoga stuio I attend The Yoga Project (Fort Worth, Mansfield and Arlington) has free online classes!

  17. Michelle Brouwer says

    We have been working with Clare (who is awesome & amazing!!) to plan our time in Paris. She has been SO helpful, easy to talk to, organized, and sensitive to our family’s needs & preferences. We wouldn’t know about your amazing business & staff without this blog.

  18. Kara says

    I booked my Disney through you ladies! It was fabulous!!! Now…do you do Atlantis vacations??

  19. Tish Ferry says

    I also work from home and the balance struggle is real in the summer! I wish I could get all my work done in a couple hours before the kids are up, but it’s not possible. I’d love to know what schedule you are going to try! Do you block off time each day for work in the morning or afternoon? Last year I ended up working lots of late nights but then I’m on the tired struggle bus which isn’t good! Ha! Simply Tish

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      I do. I block off time in the morning and in the afternoon (and then other random times too). I really try to stay focused on those times so that it doesn’t get out of control.

  20. Laci says

    When I look at my May calendar I almost get hives it is so jam packed with school and sport events but I am itching for the slow pace of Summer!

  21. Lauren says

    Travel question for you Shay – Does your agency charge any fees to book travel? I never used an agency before for my family trips, but I hear they are free, so I wanted to double check. I’m thinking of an Alaskan cruise and I’m sure you have some good advice!

  22. Shannon says

    What are your children’s favorite pool toys? This will be our first summer with a swimming pool and want to have lots of fun things for the kiddos (and adults!) to play with!

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      That’s a great question, let me think…they like the rings and sticks you dive for, any big inflatable, and balls that they can throw/toss/shoot in the basket.

  23. Caroline Klobas says

    My May goals are to read only books that I just want to read (as opposed to books that I feel I “should” read), to go to my barre studio 3x a week, and to save $1,000 for my bathroom renovation. Have fun at the aquarium!

  24. Debbie K says

    This teacher just needs to survive the month…state testing, special needs prom, senior walk, graduation practice, graduation, end of year business like grades and finals. June will be my moth to get it together. LOL

  25. Jenn Kanne says

    Where did you find your red Adirondack chairs by your pool? Are they plastic? I love the look and am looking for something less expensive than wood chairs, but don’t want them to blow away during Nebraska summer storms! Love reading your blog! 🙂

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      They’re from Home Depot!! Yes, they’re super light and easy to move around. Mine are a few years old and they’re still bright red (they haven’t faded!).

  26. Krista says

    Hi Shay. I haven’t read them yet and don’t recall seeing them on your book reviews (quick scan) but I heard The Nightingale and All the Light We Cannot See are really good. They’re next on my reading list; thought I’d share the suggestion.

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      Yes!! I’ve read both. I actually think I read them both in the same month. I love Kristin Hannah books!

  27. Mallory says

    Try Barre3 online if you’d be interested in working out a home. They have a ton of workouts to choose from with a variety of lengths. I’ve been doing Barre/Pilates at home in the morning (around 5:00 everyday) for the past year and a half. Starts my day off on a great note, and if I’m lucky, my kids are asleep while I do it. On days they do wake up, they just join me! 🙂

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      Right now, we do not. That being said, I’ve been and it’s BEAUTIFUL!!

  30. Beth says

    Does your agency no longer charge fees for trips? I see the pros and cons to both sides of charging a fee and not charging a fee. Just wondering if that was a recent change?

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      We do not charge any fees. We did for a while for certain trips, but now, we do not charge any for any type of vacation.