Well, the little kitchen chalkboard doesn’t lie…yesterday was our first day of school! It really feels like our summer FLEW by!! I don’t know why…but I was mentally less prepared this year than other years. Be that as it may, it came and we had a great day!
I was up early yesterday morning making my annual Back to School Breakfast! We had our green pancakes, sausage balls and pigs in a blanket.
A few heart sprinkles for good luck 🙂 .
Three kiddos are like “okay, it’s the first day of school, let’s be happy!” and one kiddo was like “why am I up this early if I’m not going to school?”. Ha!
Lunchboxes filled and ready to go!
Our sweet Ashby was off to FIRST GRADE! How is that possible?! Guess what? This year, BOWEN IS IN HER CLASS!! What? What? We were so excited!!
Smith was super pumped to be heading to fourth grade. This is a first for him, but this year, he has Kensington’s fourth grade teacher! Other than kinder, none of my kids have ever had the same teacher until this year. Smith has K’s fourth grade teacher and Ashby has K’s first grade teacher. We were all so excited!
And then…we had our fifth grader to send off. Guys, we just sent her to kindergarten like last year and now, she’s the oldest in school! Remember this party we had for all of our friends who had kids heading to kinder…
…and now, they’re all in fifth grade!! My heart.
We had to take an official “first day of school” pic with all four Shulls…
…Madeley is so excited for her first day of school too (in September!)! And then…
…this pretty much sums them up 🙂 .
Our annual obligatory backpack pic 🙂 .
Right when I took this pic, Smith said, “Kensington, why are you smiling?”. Ha!
Oh! I’m going to miss them a lot now that they’re back in school, but I’m genuinely so excited about this year. I know in my heart that they’re just ready to go.
Family selfie before we drop them off!
On the first day, parents can walk their kids to class. We dropped everyone off in order, Ashby, Smith and then…
…there was one.
A selfie with our fifth grader. School hasn’t always been easy for Kensington, but last year, she really had some amazing teachers and came into her own. She also really committed to volleyball and I think it gave her the confidence boost she needed. She is SO excited about this school year. In fact, I don’t think we’ve ever dropped her off this happy. I’m so proud of her!
After breakfast, I made my annual drive to our town square for a diner breakfast with friends. This is our sixth year in a row to do this.
The two little sisters 🙂 .
We had so many mamas at the table and then a kids’ table too.
I squeezed in a selfie with the two sweet girls next to me…Sheaffer and the birthday girl Narci!
A big breakfast makes us HAPPY!
Always such a fun morning!
Mades and I made our annual trek from breakfast to Hobby Lobby in search of PUMPKINS! In my little world, it’s fall y’all 🙂 .
Down to ONE!
Don’t forget, I shared my BACK TO SCHOOL Q&A HERE (where I answered any and all school related questions) and my BACK TO SCHOOL EVERYTHING POST HERE (where I shared our menus, where we bought back to school clothes and shoes, traditions and so much more).
Also, I am sharing one of my MOST POPULAR FOOD POSTS OF THE YEAR with you again today! Every single year, this post here…
…is one of my most popular! It’s my BACK TO SCHOOL SLOW COOKER SUPPERS post! Make sure you check it out HERE.
In the meantime, I hope you all have a great weekend! I love starting the year with a two day week! xo
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
Seems like everyone enjoyed their first day! Happy faces all around! ?✨
–
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Erika Slaughter says
Wahoo!!! So glad everyone had such a great first day! And Madeley’s face in that breakfast picture cracked me up!
Mother of 3 says
That sounds like a great start to the school year!
Sheaffer Sims says
All of their 1st day outfits were SO CUTE! Great pictures, mama!
Amanda @ Cupcake N Dreams says
I cannot believe how fast the kids are growing! I think having these traditions for the 1st day of school are awesome for the kids! I’m not ready for pumpkins yet but Madeley is too cute in Hobby Lobby!!
Amanda @ Cupcake N Dreams
Narci says
Adorable pics of their first day! So happy for your crew!!
K says
Can you share where the big Thermos’ are from that are by the kids lunchboxes? I’m looking for some just like that….that hold a larger amount of water than the 12 oz. Thermos’ do. Thanks!
Mix and Match Mama says
I talk about them here and explain I we use them! https://mixandmatchmama.com/2019/08/back-to-school-qa/
Beth Miller says
As I read in a meme the other day, “It’s 97 degrees outside. Get your pumpkin spice away from my margarita!”
Mix and Match Mama says
Bahahahaha!
Chane says
What a special post!!! May they have a great year!
Kate says
I was hoping for a *40 things about Narci* post between her blogger friends on this special birthday.
Mix and Match Mama says
Awe! Numbers 1-like 20 of mine would be about how sweet she is. There would be several “taco” references too as she is always a fun one to eat tacos with. Lots about her being a good mama, a good cook, a great photographer, excellent friend, and I could go on. Really, 40 wouldn’t be nearly enough!
Amanda Nall says
Such a fun morning at breakfast, as always!! And everyone looked so cute on their first day!
That Inspired Chick
Jenna Toole says
It’s interesting to see how this is not the first post you say Kensington has struggled at school but you’ve blogged several times as well how you pull her (and your other kids) out of school for “special days” and f(r)amily trips.
Mix and Match Mama says
She has struggled not with academics but with shyness. Her grades are great, her shyness has had an affect on her throughout the years. All of that being said, quality time with my kiddos and making special memories are always important in our family.
Lauren Palmer says
Okay where are those stairs Kensington is on? Are these secret stairs at our school? I have never seen them!!!
Mix and Match Mama says
Hahahaha! They’re at the end of both the fourth grade hall (going up) and the fifth grade hall (going down). You need to walk down there and check them out! I was oblivious to them until last year when K was in fourth!
Dana says
so inquiring minds (or maybe just mine) wants to know what you bought at Hobby Lobby??!!!
Mix and Match Mama says
Some fall sprinkles (for cupcakes), fall cupcake liners, one fall light up sign and some fall napkins 🙂 .
Anneka says
So sweet! Just FYI from one fall junkie to another, I was in Michael’s yesterday and they have some pretty amazing fall stuff this year. I almost bought all the things, but instead I took pictures so I can see what I actually need when I get my 18 tons of fall decorations out Sep 1!
Leah R says
Oh my Kensington is your mini! So beautiful…all of your kiddos!
And I have been on the hunt for white/cream pumpkins! I see some in the back of your picture..did Hobby Lobby have a lot of them?? The Hobby Lobby in Colleyville (where I live) didn’t have many a couple weeks ago!!!
Kristi Bluj says
Totally unrelated to back to school, but how do you clean your griddle?
Mix and Match Mama says
Hot water and light dish soap.
Leslie S says
Any chance you can link to some of your fav cute fall themed tees? It’s still HOT here in SC so I’m hoping you have some good suggestions for short sleeve football/cozy/fall tees. It will be got here thru thanksgiving so getting in the fall mood really takes effort LOL
Mix and Match Mama says
I’ve been looking at them at Jane.com!! That’s kind of my new favorite place for them!
Sarah says
Where is K’s backpack from? It’s cute!
Mix and Match Mama says
PB Teen!
Ella says
Is it just me or does Smith wear that outfit every 1st and last day of school?
Mix and Match Mama says
Hahaha! He loves to wear green shorts and a blue shirt on the first day. It’s getting harder and harder to find. Hahaha!
Meg Allen says
I spot a WKU shirt. From one Hilltopper to another, Go TOPS!
Caren says
In your back to school Q&A you said the girls NEVER wear socks, but Kensington is wearing socks today…. they ARE mismatched though, so I can totally commiserate. My kids never have matching socks! Maybe I will try your tip for Smith and only buy socks in one color.
Mix and Match Mama says
Hahaha! I asked her about it and she said she was going to wear them with her new Converse so they don’t stink…but inside out because they’re comfier that way. #idontunderstandeither
Paula says
Kensington is just such a little Lady! I’m so happy she grew into herself and is feeing better about school. I can just see her walking around a College campus already – I mean I’d wear her outfit easily! 😉
Kristen says
Did you update your countertops? They look like quartz.
Mix and Match Mama says
We did and they are!
Jaime says
Seems like you guys had a ton of fun! Question have you ever made baked empanadas?
Mix and Match Mama says
Ohhhh! I haven’t! I love to eat those though!
Loren says
I was in hobby lobby yesterday. I saw all the pumpkins and fall stuff and I thought of you 🙂 then i also saw a sign that said “Keep your pumpkin spice latte away from my margarita” I died laughing.
Jenn says
I hope they all had a great first day! I thought of you when I heard Starbucks announce when pumpkin spice will be back and wondered if you’d be heading to Hobby Lobby! ?
Kacy M says
So exciting!!! They grow so fast omg
Brooke Gehm says
They all look so cute! I love Kensington’s necklace. 🙂 Perfect for her. I hope they have a fantastic year.
Leslie S says
Building a house — would love more info on your kitchen update and the quartz countertops!! Are they more durable than granite in your opinion? Is the hype legit? What color did you choose? Any and all info appreciated!!
Mix and Match Mama says
I really like them! I have “calcutta” and so far, they seem super durable and easy to use. Honestly, they seem very similar to granite (can handle hot food, doesn’t scratch easily, etc). I think they’re very similar. I went with quartz this time because I wanted more white and granite didn’t have what I was looking for.
Kathi Mackintosh says
Oh, Shay! This post just gave me all the feels. It’s such a big deal to be the oldest in the school–I hope Kensington and all of your sweet kiddos have a wonderful year! I have so many first-day-of-school fond memories, like having handmade signs every year (my daughter’s sign always had to match her outfit–the boys couldn’t care less). Now, my oldest lives out of state working his first “big-boy job”, I just left my other two at college to begin their senior and junior years, and I am in my teary “re-entry” period of adjusting to the empty nest again. It’s a good season too, not always easy, but good. I’m so thankful that God is faithful through every season. 🙂
Carol says
Your kids are getting so big I can’t even believe this!!! So precious, have a great year sweet kiddos!
madison says
I thought Kensington never wears socks.
Mix and Match Mama says
I think she does with her Converse! Not her booties, Uggs or Adidas, etc.