It’s a little life lately.
This post is nothing but randomness off my phone 😉 .
Happy Tuesday! xo
My kids think it’s so funny to “steal” my phone when I’m not looking and leave me selfies. I can tell by the blanket that she’s on my bed…up to no good 😉 . I always smile so brightly when I open my photo album and see their little faces.
No filter. Just a beautiful morning in McKinney, TX.
Smith taught Madeley how to play Mexican Train Dominoes…and she loves it!
This sums us up! In swimsuits (all day, every day), making a mess and being silly.
They never get old. 😉
Oh goodness, I love this kid!
She’s a girl after her mom’s own heart…always wearing slippers! This pair has been passed down for years!!
I love this guy. Several of you have asked how he’s been doing post-op. (If you don’t remember, he had bicep and elbow surgery on January 29th). All of these weeks later, he’s still going to PT five days a week, but his arm is getting stronger and has more range of motion.
See? They all do it. Ha!
Also, if you’re waiting to see my kids in real clothes, check back in September. #laundryisatleasteasier
Smith’s baseball team uses the Boston “B” for their logo…Kensington and I have the wardrobe for it. You should see my dad! When he comes to games, even his flip flops have Bs on them!!
Nanny and PawPaw bought Ashby a girly remote control car that she plays with on repeat!!
Whatcha doin’ Yankee?
This pic sums up our Saturdays! Eye black, swimsuit and violin lessons. We cram in all the fun!
Too cool.
Our resident dog whisperer. She’s destined to work with animals when she grows up.
Sunday morning cuddles.
Bahahaha! This one might be my fave!
You too, Ashby?! 😉
I just can’t resist that face.
Look at Britty and Ashby!
When you have no idea what The Bachelor is but your parents let you watch the three hour recap and you’re like “Wait, what? What is Uncle Seanie doing? Why is Aunt Catherine there? What is happening? Why? Why? What? Why?”. It was three hours of questions from the gallery 😉 .
A pucker for days.
Her first swim as a big EIGHT year old!!!
Kensington wanted to make Ashby’s birthday cake this year, so she did! She picked out a gluten-free funfetti mix, made it all by herself, iced and sprinkled it. She was SO PROUD!
When did she get so BIG?!
We have spent a lot of time together over the last four months…and I’m not hating it. 🙂
I’ve lost all control. Dogs are not allowed on the furniture…much less the barstools. Sigh. All control. Gone.
We had a date night with Smith on Friday night!! It was so much fun!! I love spending time with that sweet boy. We were in bed early though…
…because we had to be at the ballfields by 7:15 am! It was a FANTASTIC weekend…
That’s life lately! xo
Carly says
That gf funfetti is sooo yummy. I made some the other day and ended up being the rest to my in laws down the street cause I didn’t want to keep it around!
Christina says
So much summer fun! Where is your white tank from in the picture if you and Kensington?
Mix and Match Mama says
J Crew!
Erin Pawlak says
Can I ask where you got the dress/shirt ??? you are wearing for your date with Smith? So cute!
Mix and Match Mama says
Z Supply!
Marci says
I love this! Are you wearing the T-shirt or the dress?
Mix and Match Mama says
The striped? It’s a dress!
Marci says
Thank you! 🙂
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
Happy Tuesday, Shay! Love the kids’ selfies haha! ❤️✨
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Kelly says
Ha! How does Smith feel about wearing that Boston B?! ?
Mix and Match Mama says
Hates it. Bahahaha!
Allison says
Mexican train is one of our fav games! So fun! Great pics! 😉
Erika Slaughter says
Wahooo!!!! Those last two pics reminded me what an AMAZING baseball weekend we had!! Love those weekends but then I need an extra day to recover.
Mary says
Hi! Love finding selfies on my phone ?. Do you mind linking the tee in the last picture with you and Smith? Thank you!
Mix and Match Mama says
That’s J Crew!
Mary says
Thank you! Was it from this year?
Mix and Match Mama says
Yes!
Sarah Shaneyfelt says
Such a fun peek into your life! Loving all of the kids’ selfies haha!
MeetTheShaneyfelts
Jaime says
Which gluten free funfetti mix did she use? Did the cake turn out good? I’m still trying to get the hang of G free baking.
Mix and Match Mama says
It was really good!!! I want to say Pilsbury! It was right there on the cake aisle at our local store!
Joy says
Your kids are adorable! I love that Smith plays the violin. I’m trying to encourage my 4 year old son to play a string instrument, because his sisters play cello, violin and viola. But he refuses. ?
Dana says
Your life lately posts always breathe life into me. They look pretty much like our lives (well, maybe a tad fancier with more sports ;)), but somehow they remind me that these really are wonderful days raising children. Our oldest turned 18 last month (what in the world?!) and graduated high school and I’m all the more aware of how fleeting this time is! I’m super sleepy and just overall tired today but this was the boost I needed to persevere. 🙂
Mix and Match Mama says
The sweetest comment, Dana. xx
L Base says
Random! ?How tall are your kids?
Mix and Match Mama says
I have no idea??? Not as tall as me!
Elspeth says
What a fun recap! So glad you are able to enjoy some normalcy of summer! Love it!!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Sheaffer Sims says
Next time I’m with you, I’m stealing your phone and taking a selfie.
Mix and Match Mama says
I just LOL!
Laura says
So much fun and love everyone’s tans! We finally have our tanned legs and arms going from being outside constantly (my state took a while to warm up this year). Looks like on some of your pics you used a filter? Love the look – it’s so summery! Do you use presets you purchased or just Instagram filters?
Mix and Match Mama says
They’re purchased ones! Lightroom with JuliPresets!
Susan says
Our pools are still shut down. These pictures got me like ???
Mix and Match Mama says
Oh boo!!!
Katie says
Can I ask what filter you use on some of those photos? The colors just pop!
Mix and Match Mama says
It’s the JuliPreset with Lightroom!
Leina says
This has nothing to do with your life lately, I do like these posts and it reminded me of my life lately, with a 10 year old daughter. We’ve begun the discussion of puberty, periods, hair. Have you had that discussion with K? “It’s great to be a girl” by Secret Keeper Girls was recommended to me. Do you recommend any religious/Christian books?
(If this is too personal to answer, I understand. I read your blog daily but rarely comment, so I feel like I know you even though you have no clue who I am. Lol)
Mix and Match Mama says
We have The Story of Me books over here and really like them! I haven’t heard of It’s Great to Be a Girl! Looking it up!!
Leina says
Thanks! I’ll check it out!
Raquel says
A lady at our church recommended Passport to Purity. It was a wonderful curriculum, super easy guiding us parents through a tough topic and made it fun too with some of the exercises to draw home the message. My daughter was about 12 and we went away, just she and I for a weekend, worked the curriculum, talked a lot and even was able to get in some fun activities. My daughter is 16 now and even still talks about what a fun experience it was and how it really helped her understand why it’s important to stay pure. All from a Biblical perspective.
Leina says
Thanks, I’ll look into that!
T says
We used The Care and Keeping of You (books 1&2). Not Christian but good. American Girl put them out. For both our son & daughter (summer before they started Middle School) we used Dr. Dobson’s series. CDs….talks puberty, birds & bees. Very good, biblical perspective, helped make what can be awkward discussions less so. Listen first as parent BEFORE listening with your child. Good to do special mom-daughter outing/retreat/weekend as part of listening process. Or Dad-son getaway/outing whichever applies. https://store.focusonthefamily.com/preparing-for-adolescence-cd-set
Paige says
Where is your cute Boston hat from?
Mix and Match Mama says
Always from Jersey Street Store in Boston 🙂 .
Stephanie says
I love your new preset you are using! You inspired me to buy the preset and use it myself! Just one of many things you have inspired me to buy.. when Mix and Match Mama says jump, I say how high:)
Mix and Match Mama says
Oh my gosh! I just LOL! Thank YOU!!
Emily says
The picture with Kensington watching Ashby and the cake….Kinsington looks SO MUCH like you! So pretty! What fun times. 😉 Happy Summer!
Mix and Match Mama says
Thank you!!!!
Julie says
I love these posts and seeing pictures of your happy kids! Adorable. I LOLd over the “floating dog” in the photo where Ashby and Madely are playing blocks on the floor. Hilarious! Glad you guys are making the best of this crazy summer and so jealous that pools are open. We are outside of Boston and things are mostly still closed :(. Thanks for the cheerful blogs-you’re keeping a lot of us going each morning! Looking forward to your next book review too.
Lisa Richardson says
Nice job Kensington! And I’m here to tell you that #1, the selfies don’t stop…I find my 22 year old daughter on mine or her and my DIL together (and I love it) and #2, as the parent of grown kids, enjoy all these jam packed weekends and days. One day you’ll blink, and be living in that big house with just Andrew (and you probably won’t hate it?) You’ll miss them, but the new found freedom isn’t nearly as scary as you’ll fear. You’ve got a cute bunch of kiddos. I can’t wait to go see both of mine in Nashville next week. #thismomtravels
XOXO
http://www.coasttocoast2.com
Mix and Match Mama says
Awwwwwwww!!! Love this.
Nilsa says
Your family is so precious! Warms my heart to see such happy faces. Where did you find your cute hoop earrings in the date night with Smith photo?
Mix and Match Mama says
Awwwww! Thank YOU!!! Those are Kendra Scott hoops!
Kristen says
Where is your blue floral rug from in living room? Love it!
Mix and Match Mama says
Pottery Barn!!
Nancy Jinks says
If the really light furniture in one of your rooms is leather, how do you clean it because I have light colored leather and I’m having a heck of a time cleaning one spot!! Thanks!!
Mix and Match Mama says
All of my leather is dark brown. I do have two light chairs with fabric in the living room…not my brightest moment cleaning those! SIGH! I use Folex to spot clean.
Karah Stracener says
The selfies crack me up. Kids are so funny. Your life lately looks a lot like mine. Lots of family time and pool time and I’m definitely not hating it. I’m thankful for the long slow summer.
Rebecca Purdie says
Such a beautiful fun family!!!
Rebecca Purdie says
Such a beautiful fun family.
Josie says
From your posts it looks like Texas has completely reopened everything? Are there any restrictions still in place? I’m in N.C. and we still have lots of restrictions. Do you feel safe being out and about?
Mix and Match Mama says
It’s not completely reopen, but it’s getting there. Restaurants can be up to 75% filled, sporting events can happen, pools are open, malls/shops/stores are open, etc. We aren’t out and about nearly as much as we would typically be this time of year, but when we are, I feel good about it.
Meredith M. says
Love these posts! What is your go to Starbucks order?
Mix and Match Mama says
Venti Pike with cream. Boring. 😉
Joanne says
Cute photos! My boys have never stolen my phone to try and take selfies. But my niece sometimes does!
Mix and Match Mama says
I bet you love that!!
Diana says
It looks like you all are having such a fun summer so far! Your sunrise pic of your town is so pretty, your town is gorgeous! And I’m so jealous seeing you all go out… I live in Illinois and everything is still closed here 🙁
Mix and Match Mama says
Thank you, Diana. It’s a cute little town. I hope you get some things open soon!
Marcy Cox says
I love that your handsome son, that named his dog Yankee has a Boston B as part of his baseball uniform ? ..
Mix and Match Mama says
All kinds of irony, right?!
Kim C says
Okay, I gotta ask — WHAT is the backdrop of your sunrise picture at the beginning?! It almost reminds me of a scene from Ever After. Is it businesses or houses? I’m intrigued!
Mix and Match Mama says
Awww! It’s Adriatica (the little area in McKinney that has shopping, dining, homes, apartments, businesses, even a chapel!). Isn’t it cute?!
Nicole says
Good morning Shay!! So I’m wondering what your summer schedule looks like right now? When I became a mom you basically helped shape my daily routine with your Shade of Shay way back about your schedule with your kids. We are on the verge of no naps, are you there yet? What does a typical summer day look like? Do you have rest time still for your kids now that they are older? Thanks!!
Mix and Match Mama says
This, of course, is a weird summer because we don’t have the activities/camps/play dates that we typically have over the summer. We’re home all day, but then swim each afternoon for about an hour and a half. The kids play outside/inside while I work and we kind of just hang out. The big kids have sports now in the evenings, but until then, they’re home all day with me. No one naps any more. When Mades started school this year five days a week, she stopped napping. I really wouldn’t say anyone rests either. They sleep in later (they’re all still asleep right now and it’s 8:27 am) and then are up and playing the rest of the day.
Lauren says
We use the Boston B, too. We’re Bombers. So funny because we are in BRAVES country and people look at us like we’re nuts when we’re out in our B gear. Lol!