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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

Everyday Life ·

Things on Thursday!


I haven’t shared one of these in a while, but today, I have some THINGS for your THURSDAY!

Just a bunch of random things about each of us right now 🙂 .

I hope you guys all have a GREAT day!!

, Things on Thursday!

1: This girl is about to start middle school!!!  Virtual/in person…either way, it’s a huge milestone and my mama heart is all sorts of anxious about it!  Middle school is so BIG!  How did this happen?!  She’s so pumped about her classes (her first time to pick and choose!), the new building, meeting new kids and all of the extra “perks” that come with life as a middle schooler.  If you have suggestions about where to get backpacks for kids this age, we’re all ears!!

2: Kensington’s birthday gift this year is a little bedroom remodel.  She’s been asking for one since January…annnnnnnd since we’re already living upside down, we’re going to spruce up her room too.  #whynot #constructionzone It’s been so much fun to let her look on my Pinterest and pin ideas to her very own (secret) board.  She’s so excited!

3: Right now, this girl is my reader!!! I have been so proud of her this summer for reading so many more books than she typically does!!  I will share a complete list soon, but she has really taken to reading as one of her favorite hobbies and that makes her mama proud.

, Things on Thursday!

1: This pic sums him up.  Ha!  Smith is our busiest bee!! He has been practicing his violin, playing baseball and now, football too!  He has some really great buddies on both teams that he has enjoyed spending his time with this summer.  With so many things he normally does during the summer cancelled, he has had extra time to devote to these things and people.

2: FISHING!! Smith loves to go fishing almost daily with his buddies.  Andrew grew up fishing with friends all summer, so he has LOVED that Smith is now doing it too.  They can hop on their bikes, fish all day and ride home for dinner.  He is active, smelly and oh so happy!

3: Smith is excited to be the top dog at school this year.  He’s a big fifth grader and for the first time, he will not go to school with Kensington…but he is SO PUMPED about going with Mades!  Yes, Ashby will be there too, but this is his one and only year to ever be in the same building with Madeley, and he cannot wait!  Even if they never go back in person, I think he’s going to make it his personal mission this year to be her “helper” with all the things kindergarten.

, Things on Thursday!

1: Our little rockstar here is going to dominate second grade! We are going to use technology this year to REALLY assist Ashby with writing so that she does not have to do everything herself always (it’s so laborious to write with your non-dominant hand).  She is excited, she is ready, she will NAIL IT.  She’s started picking up books more on her own to read in her spare time.  I love to see people become readers 🙂 .

2: Want to know what else she’s nailing?!  Cheer! Ashby has been working hard with Kensington at this little neighborhood camp this summer (one family per time) and LOVES cheering.  She’s been jumping and working on her moves…she gets so excited to show me a new cheer.  I get so excited to see her do so well at something new!

3: Ashby is for sure still the dog whisperer.  We were at football practice the other night and this lab practically sat in Ashby’s lap the entire time.  Ashby is a magnet to dogs…all dogs, any dogs, your dog, my dog…she loves dogs.

, Things on Thursday!

1: Miss Madeley is all ready for fall!  We were in the car the other day with Ebby Lee and from the backseat, I heard her say “Ebby Lee, pretend like it’s the first day of kindergarten and you’re a new friend.  I want to tell you who I am.”.  Bahaha!  Ebby Lee played along while Kensington and I cracked up!  She has a whole speech memorized that basically includes her life story.

2: Madeley is turning into Miss Independent over here.  Where we used to have to assist her with several little daily activities (showering/washing hair, reaching the sink, getting her breakfast), this girl can handle on her own now.  If she can’t reach, she’ll find the step stool…the other day, I found her microwaving frozen pancakes!  Those fourth kids catch on quick!!

3: This girl has our biggest and bubbliest personality. I’m really excited to see her step into that “big school aged kid” role because I think she’ll do fantastic!  She loves to learn, she loves to try new things, she’s funny, witty and ready to be a big girl.  I was talking to them about after school activities and she told me she wanted to sign up for hip hop.  Baha!  Okay, Mades!  Sure!  That totally sums her up.  Ballet?  Kind of slow.  Hip hop?  More her speed 😉 .

, Things on Thursday!

1: Well, we’re just trying to keep our heads above water over here.  Seriously, the whole house thing will be fine.  We’re moving right along (perhaps not as quickly as I would like…haven’t these people watched Extreme Home Makeovers?!  I thought this could be done in 24 hours?! 😉 ).  Once it’s all said and done…you know, in 2024, we will be so happy with the changes. : )

2: Andrew and I have been trying to carve out “us” time lately earlier in the evening as it’s hard when the kids have activities and such.  We’ve been telling the kids to go away, (we’re such good parents.  ha!) so we can enjoy a little charcuterie board before dinner and craziness at least once a week.  You have to make the time, friends!  You have to!!

3: The list is looooooong of places we want to travel…so we’re anxiously awaiting the time when we can do that again.  Anyone else holding tight until they can explore again?!

, Things on Thursday!

Three things about these three…

1: They’re either all three sleeping like angels…

2: …or all three running around like crazy dogs being incredibly loud.  The other day, Erika called and thought the construction was really amped up…but no, it was just the sound of three dogs chasing one stuffed animal across the room.  #sigh

3: We all know that Poppy is the undisputed alpha…but Yankee will challenge her from time to time.  Frenchie is not interested in any sort of power, so she lets them duke it out and then after they’ve settled who eats first/goes out first/gets the toy first, she steps in and happily takes third place.

Three things for your Thursday 🙂 .

Don’t forget, time is almost up for this…

, Things on Thursday!

…my NORDSTROM GIVEAWAY!!  The winner will be selected later tonight and then their name posted on tomorrow’s blog post.  If you haven’t entered to win, YOU SHOULD!!  One winner will receive TWO $500 Nordstrom gift cards to shop the sale!  All the details HERE.

Have a great afternoon, everyone!!  See you tomorrow!!!

, Things on Thursday!

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Comments

  1. Jami says

    Our middle school doesn’t allow 6th graders to go to their locker after every class…. actually come to think of it this year all students can only go in the morning, before and after lunch and after school. My son, 7th grade, carried a Case It binder. I got it from Amazon. I got the one that is double zipped… we are on block scheduling so one side is A days and one is B days. Keeps him organized.
    We stared traditional/in person school last week.

  2. polly pover says

    What a fun post! So sports camps and summer sports not canceled in your area? Do the kids play with masks? Just trying to think how you would social distance playing football!

  5. Val says

    Vera Bradley has great backpacks for middle schoolers – it’s my 6th grader’s pick!

  7. Sheaffer Sims says

    It’s not surprising that your kids love to read. Just as it’s not surprising that me kid doesn’t. The apple doesn’t fall far I guess. 🙂

  8. Beck says

    Love this post. And I know many have said this before, but I love your positive outlook. We cannot control our circumstances but we can control our attitude, and it makes all the difference! Thank you for your great example 😊

    Regarding backpacks, we always ordered from LL Bean. They are plenty big, come in many colors, and are durable. My son’s backpack lasted all through high school and college (perhaps he didn’t use it enough?! ha)

  9. Elspeth says

    What a fun update!! I have been following your blog for years and it’s so cool to see everyone grow up and change. You have to be so proud of everyone and what they are accomplishing. Your mama heart has to be happy. Thanks for sharing today!
    http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com

  11. Beth Knecht says

    I love that Smith is so excited for Madeley to be at school with him. Such a sweet big brother! I can’t wait for the world to open back up. 5 months of being still is starting to be a bit much!! Let’s dream about getaways today!

  12. Becky says

    I got my grand daughter a great backpack from J Crew before she entered 7th grade. Totally appropriate!

  14. Kelly Roll says

    Middle school is such an exciting time. Northface is a super popular brand for backpacks for both boys and girls here. The girls also love Vera Bradley’s because they are so light, super durable and carry a ton. It warms my heart that Kennsington i such a big reader. Has she read the Land of Stories series where the kids fall into a book and deal with all sorts of characters from Disney fairytales? They are wonderful. Keeper of the Lost Cities is also an amazing series! The kids could not put it down.

  15. Andrea says

    Fun update!! I’m so ready to travel again!!! My girl is a few years older than yours but I feel like her backpacks were Roxy or Vera Bradley at that age. Now it’s definitely North Face.

  16. Kristen says

    Loved loved loved your post!!! 😊 I hope all four kids have a great start to their school year! It will be different for sure but I bet they rock this school year! ❤️

  20. Janda says

    We’re big fans of the LLBean deluxe book pack. My 9th grader has had his since 4th grade and it still looks brand new. It has many different pockets to hold everything.

  23. Becky Rasdall says

    Hey Shay! My middle school girl (going into 8th) had a Lands End backpack (LLBean is also great), but she wanted Northface this year – seems to be a popular choice at her school!

  24. Laura says

    We go classic with LL Bean backpacks – the bigger ones are great for middle and high school. They do not do their lifetime warranty anymore but I still think they’re worth the money.

  25. Mindy Tierney says

    For backpacks…my daughter is going in 10th grade. We have always let her get a new one every 2 years. In 1st and 3rd grade she had a pottery barn kids one. In 5th grade she felt the patterns were too young kid looking. She ended up with a Lands End Classmate Large backpack that she liked. She also found a good pattern in 7th grade from there. Their patterns are hit and miss each year. Some years great patterns, other years they look like for only 1st graders. In 9th grade the kids here get school issued laptops (iPads in middle school), so we got a Vera Bradley Large Laptop backpack with a special side zipper for laptops. It has been excellent!!! Highly recommend theirs. Go to the outlets. Much much better pricing and Kensington can them see the patterns in person. We also got a lunch sack from there as well. The Rubbermaid LunchBlox containers for perfectly in there! Oh also, starting in middle school we found using a morning and afternoon binder worked best. The staples best line is great! It comes in tons of colors. Make sure it’s the ones with the black rubber around the edges. Let me know if you want more details on the binder sizing and organization that worked well for us.

    • Laura says

      Yes, to the Staples binders! My kids’ middle school encouraged those and taught them to keep everything in one binder with dividers. I’ve been buying them ever since.

      And, Jansport or North Face backpacks are best. Both come in lots of color options. We do random lunch boxes…

  26. Maria says

    JanSport backpacks. The majority of the school has JanSport. The original not the lesser brand sold at Target (I was told it must be the original 🙂 I must say, through elementary we used PB backpacks and JanSport do hold up better. I believe we went with the cool school model which has two main compartments. My kids put their lunchboxes in the front narrower compartment. The JanSport lunchboxes I’ve only found on their website. Same durable material as the backpacks. Highly recommend!

  27. Kathy says

    Great little updates on everyone in the family! I love to read just like Kensington, and both my husband and I like to fish too, just like Smith–although deep sea fishing is our fave. 🙂 So great that Ashby is having loads of fun cheering! Both of my granddaughters want to get into cheer and gymnastics ASAP. Madeley is a girl after my own heart, as I also like to prepare for everything, and love meeting new people!

  28. Libby says

    We’ve gotten our t(w)een backpacks through Pottery Barn Teen, Lands End, and High Sierra. Just remember to buy one that can hold whichever tech device the school may require her to have, along with books and binders.

  29. Leslee says

    For preschool and elementary school my 4 have always had pottery barn backpacks, but once they got into middle and upper school…my kids like the simplicity of Lands End and they’re durable. Plus they have to have the padding for laptops! You can still monogram and so forth!

  30. Joanne says

    My middle son is a cat whisperer so I totally know what you mean about your dog magnet! My youngest sort of when the other way– instead of being more independent he worked on manipulating everyone else more so that he can do even less! I think he had all three meals made for himself yesterday by someone different at each meal.

  31. Karen says

    My 6th grader (last year) sadly shunned her Vera Bradley backpacks that’s she had always carried, and instead wanted a more “teen” look like her older sister. She chose a very light blue North Face one, and it held up great with the load and less locker time. My teens NF backpack has held up for 3 years and since it is her senior year she wants to keep it again.

  32. Angela Patterson says

    I love hearing about the latest on each of your loves!! We have two boys and they’re sports fanatics so…they LOVE the Nike Elite backpacks. Pricey, but we usually get two years out of them! From what I’ve seen, girls in the middle school grades love the Vera Bradley backpacks. I am going back to teaching after being home for seven years with the boys. Yes, quite the year to go back! Haha:) I would love to see Kensington‘s list of books that she is loving. I cannot wait to teach sixth grade literacy and social studies and I’m looking for new books to add to our classroom library!!

  34. Dawn Staff says

    Vera Bradley backpacks are popular in Kentucky with middle and high schoolers. They come in a few different sizes. Get the biggest one. You can get a matching lunch box as well.

  35. Elizabeth T says

    I would hands down say a Jon Hart backpack is a PHENOMENAL investment for a 6th grader. They are Texas made and sturdy as can be!

  36. Mary-Charles says

    Backpack suggestion for Kensington- Stoney clover! They are pricey but would last all middle school! So many cute colors and ways to personalize with adorable patches!

  37. Jessica says

    The school district that I work at and also where my boys attend, 6th grade is still in elementary school. Middle school is 7th & 8th grade which I think is great. This year my oldest is a senior in high school and my youngest will be in 5th grade. Hope your kids have a wonderful school year!

  38. Kim says

    Madeley has me cracking up, she’s too much!! I worked in the same preschool for 30 years and the best part was talking to the kids and loving all the funny things they say!! Oh and all the free hugs!! Good luck to all your kiddos this year!!

  39. Tracy Robinson says

    Both of my daughters loved the Northface Jester for middle school. One of them just got a new Jester to get ready for high school (yikes!). They are very durable and just the right size.

  40. Angela Ellingson says

    Your Instagram story video about who does what chore was hilarious! This is such a fun post!

  42. Sarah Foteff says

    I cannot wait to hear how much Madeley loves kindergarten! Her practice introduction cracked me up!! She is so much fun.

    Also, your dogs look like they’re posing for their album cover HA! So cute. Love the chaos a house full of pups brings and love this little update!

  43. Kay says

    I’m so glad you talked a bit about carving out alone time! I think if I had to pick one thing that’s getting to me most about Covid is that my husband and I are never ever ever ever alone. LOL! It’s hard to carve out time for us, and also, for each of us to just have some badly needed alone time. I feel so bad for my three kids and I know they’re missing their normal lives and we’re sort of all they have right now :(. So I’m inspired by your charge to make them go away for a bit! It will help so much if I can just get some sort of break even if it’s a few times a week. I love starting my mornings with your blog! Your cheerful and upbeat attitude is so needed right now. Also, thank you for recommending ‘The Simple Wild’ I love it SO MUCH! We are on the Cape this week (YAY!) and it has been amazing to read a book I love so much.

  45. Brittney White says

    When my girls went to middle school, they asked for Vera Bradley bags. Also, so jealous your girls can cheer. Mine are anxiously awaiting to see if their program will open.

  46. Chrys says

    I feel like a little piece of my soul has died since travelling has come to a halt. I’m supposed to be in Barcelona RIGHT NOW and getting on a ship on Sunday to cruise the Mediterranean. Instead, we are home, healthy, and grateful, but sad nonetheless. In November we are supposed to be heading to Turks and Caicos and I don’t care if I have to swim there myself, I AM GOING! Your travel posts are my very favorite and I have been missing them so much. Can’t wait until it picks back up again.

  47. Alison T. says

    Loved this little update. They are all growing so much! And girl, all good parents have to tell their kids to go away for a bit. It’s how we recharge and remain good parents. Lol. 😉

  48. Jennifer Moncrieff says

    Very Bradley seems to really last for my daughter. We didn’t want a pattern this year and at the Outlets they have navy and plain black ones.

    Also, which Rayban Sunglasses are those? Light Blue Gradient? I like that they are not overpowering.

  49. Dena A says

    My daughter is a dog whisperer too (well except for maybe our own crazy pooch). Anytime we are out and she sees a dog she asks if she can pet it and within seconds that dog is putty in her hands.

    Middle school is so exciting and a crazy new beast. We entered middle school last year with my son and the work load picked up like crazy. So important to stay on top of everything from day one. Especially if they have the desire to be on honor roll or something like that.

  50. Tiff says

    What do I need to do to sign up as one of Madeley’s practice pals? Could she be any more precious?!?

  51. Misty S says

    Vera Bradley backpacks were/are THE thing for middle school girls in our area! My daughter is going into the 10th grade and she had to have a new one every year of middle school. Last year it was a free VS Pink backpack. A LOT cheaper! LOL
    Good luck to all of your kiddos going back to school!

  53. LTK says

    We live in NYC. Fjallraven backpacks and Herschel seem to be the the popular picks here for older kids.

  55. Janet says

    My kids used the LL Bean back packs from kindergarten through college. When they moved to high school, they had a block schedule. We added an additional back pack in a different color. One for A day and one for B day. This way they weren’t constantly changing out books needed for that day or forgetting books.

  56. Jaren says

    Yay for middle school! I teach 6th grade Math and Science! Most kids love Under Armor backpacks or Vera Bradley (with all the matching accessories). We usually find great Under Armor back packs at Dick’s or Kohl’s. I love how they have multiple storage pockets for all their things. Also, 6th graders LOVE colorful flair pens!! The teachers do too! Several of my students tell me it makes them excited to take notes if they can do them in their favorite colors! LOL! Whatever works, right?!

  57. Jodi says

    Hi! I have a 10-year-old son too that likes to fish? Do you let him and his friends go by himself or does a parent stay with them? How long do they fish for? Do they get bored? I’d love to live close to a pond so he could go.

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      They fish all day long! Seriously, it’s been amazing to watch these boys fall in love with fishing! We have ponds and a little lake right in the middle of where we live…all within a stone’s throw of our homes.

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