Today is LET’S LOOK!
Once a month, Erika and I do a little link up where we “look” at different aspects of our lives (and then if you blog, you share and link up too!). In keeping with the tradition this year of my Let’s Look prompts being TERRIBLY WRONG, today’s prompt says “your school pics” which I wrote to mean MY school pics from when I was in school. Want to know where I keep all of my old photo albums?
Here…
…sigh.
The movers packed those babies away two months ago, and they’re currently sitting in some warehouse in Grand Prairie, TX. So, I can’t share my pics, but I can share my kids’ pics from their first day of “in person” school. Last Thursday, I sent all four kiddos out the door and all at once, this mom, closed a chapter in her life that went by TOO QUICKLY!!!
My 12 years with young kiddos at home just went by in a blink.
The good news?
They were so excited to be back in school!!!!
All dressed up and ready for 6th, 5th, 2nd and kindergarten!
A few driveway pics before we left! The younger three are all in elementary school, but Kensington is now in middle school!
They’ve been obliging me with school pics for so long 🙂 .
All six of us took them up to school for their first day. Miss Madeley was SO READY for kindergarten! In all my years sending off kinder kids, I’ve never seen one more ready.
How sweet is this?! She bounced right on in to the building. All of the kids were so excited, but it made my mama heart happy that my two who were attending new schools were especially excited about it.
After school, I couldn’t wait to hear about their day. It was, of course, very different than “normal” school with lots of changes and safety measures, but really and truly, they were just so excited to be in the building that it didn’t seem to matter. I wasn’t sure, after being home for six months, if they’d struggle getting up the next morning for day two…
…but no ma’am, they did not! All of them were excited and anxious to do it again! How big do these sweet girls look?!
Kensington loved middle school. It was the first time in her life she didn’t have to walk in a line, got to sit where she wanted in the cafeteria, was able to select her own electives…she felt very big.
That face. Ha! Mades couldn’t wait for day two of school!
After two full days back in the routine after a six month break, this is what I found at 8:00 on Friday night…
…she had been so excited to watch The Addams Family but didn’t make it five minutes. Bahaha! How many teachers felt the same way?!
It was a very bittersweet day…
First day of kinder, first grade and preschool in 2015.
…but I’m so excited for my kids.

Babies don’t keep, friends. Babies don’t keep.
Okay, next month on Let’s Look…
…it’s how we “pumpkin”. FOR THE LOVE, PLEASE, I BEG YOU, DO NOT LET SOMETHING SCREW THIS UP FOR ME!!!!!!!!!
Here’s what we’ve been “looking” at so far this year…
In January, we looked at our bedside tables.
In February, we looked at our winter wardrobe.
In March, we looked at what’s inside our bags.
In April, we looked at how we typically celebrate Easter.
In May, we looked at our weekend.
In June, we looked at how we can make sure we’re encouraging racial diversity at home
In July, we looked at our summer wardrobes.
In August, we looked at our desks.
If you blogged too, make sure you link up below! Happy Wednesday, friends!! Have the BEST day!!
Erika Slaughter says
GIRL!!! How I wish my school pictures had been in those cabinets too!! ???
Mix and Match Mama says
We finally found the one positive to the flood!!!! 😉
Elspeth says
Awe this is so bittersweet!! I have been following your blog for years and it’s crazy to see your children grow through the years! Than you for sharing Shay! I hope the school year is great!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
The kids are the cutest! Great post! ?
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
COURTNEY LAWRENCE says
Love the sweet photos of your kiddos. They do grow too quickly! Where is K’s yellow hair tie/ scrunchie from!? It’s adorable and I need my own!
P.S. You house is coming along nicely. I can’t wait to see the new ‘finished’ areas! 🙂
Courtney
Mix and Match Mama says
Awww! Thank you!!! Okay, I’m like 99% sure we bought that last fall at Anthro!
Sheaffer Sims says
They are so grown up I can hardly stand it!!!
Joanne says
My son has been so full of chatter after school! I wasn’t really expecting that with him being a cool, calm high schooler now but I am loving the joy and energy he just radiates from being in the building with others and learning new things.
Julie says
Love the pics! My now ninth grader was not such a willing participant Bahaha! He did not want his pic made but I told him I’m the mom and I get a picture now smile lol. My husband and I went outside to take his and his sisters pic before they got on bus and it was so funny, he said “great! The whole family is out here” Bahaha. He was afraid the bus would pull up and we were all out there. I have been known to take their pic while getting on the bus but I spared him this year. Lol
Sarah Shaneyfelt says
Kensington is literally your mini me! I love it! I love that she’s wearing a sweater on the first day of school! I definitely get to wear I start dressing for the season I want and not the season I’m in LOL!
MeetTheShaneyfelts
Mix and Match Mama says
She would rather sweat to death than not wear a sweater in September 😉 .
Melissa says
Out of curiosity, what are those things looped to Ashby and Madeley’s backpacks? Seeing your kids’ previous photos of their first day of school makes me realize how the years have flown by of me following your blog too. It’s been a treat to follow. Blessings to your family, Shay!
Mix and Match Mama says
Ohhhhh! They’re little spirit sticks you can earn at school for all sorts of things…they’re from last year. Kensington gave Madeley all of hers, so she has them too now like Ashby!
Julie says
I laughed so hard when I realized that once again, your ‘Let’s Look’ was just not happening. I love that you can be funny about it. You have to laugh right? I am betting nothing is going to screw up your pumpkin theme ‘let’s look!’ You need that one! I feel so appreciative that you share your beautiful family with us. Seeing your kids back to school photos made me smile! Here outside Boston, we have no in person school at the high school, and only a few days here and there for the Youngers. I miss it all. Thanks for starting my day with these cheerful pictures and for making me smile!
Mix and Match Mama says
Girl, if my pumpkin Let’s Look gets screwed up, the world has come to an end 😉 .
Yley Allen says
Great pictures! Can’t believe how big your kiddos have grown! I started following your blog years ago when they were so little. Boy does time fly!
Emily says
Where do you buy Kensington’s jeans?? She seems super long and skinny like my kiddo and I always have trouble getting them long enough and fitted enough for her liking!!
Mix and Match Mama says
Right now, I would say Joe Jeans from Nordstrom are her fave!!
Laurie Scarrow says
Madely’s shirt and bow went from white to turquoise! Did she have the same things in another color? I never comment, but am so intrigued by this! They all look precious and I’m so happy they are off to a great start to the year!
Mix and Match Mama says
She has two shirts about kindergarten…so maybe you’re thinking of the other one???
Bernadine says
It’s a filter / preset Shay uses for Instagram photos. So it’s edited to make it look turquoise 🙂
Amanda @ That Inspired Chick says
Madeley’s kindergarten shirt is precious!!!
That Inspired Chick
Megan Johnson says
So cute! Where is K’s cute sweater from the first day pic from??
Mix and Match Mama says
Old Navy!
Lisa D says
Love those sweet pics!
“So quiet down cobwebs, dust go to sleep. I’m rocking my baby and babies don’t keep!” I love that poem and especially at this back-to-school time of year it is particularly poignant. Enjoy these precious days. Just some thoughts from a mom and grandma this Wed. morning.
Carly says
My mom had this poem posted all growing up and I printed out a copy for my house when I had babies. I love it, but it makes me tear up now too ?❤️.
Cara says
Finding jeans that are comfortable on my 12 year old daughter is difficult! Where do you find Kensington’s jeans? Thank you!
Mix and Match Mama says
That is so tricky!!! Right now, I would say Joe Jeans from Nordstrom are her favorite.
Chastity Samuel says
Where is K’s shirt from with the gray sweater…the orange shirt with the buffalo plaid pumpkin? Love it!
Mix and Match Mama says
Jane.com 🙂
Katie Compton says
When my daughter started middle her favorite thing was NOT WALKING IN A LINE! Haha! I teach 2nd grade and kinda wish we didn’t have to do the line thing. I’d rather just have a gaggle of 2nd graders heading down the hall. But not sure that would go over well… ?
Lucy Bertoldi says
And here comes another school year! Wishing your kids a great year (it will be memorable that’s for sure!!) xx
Emily says
So cute! Do you mind sharing where Ashby’s dress in the first day pics is from?
Mix and Match Mama says
Boden!
Kate says
Where do you get your kids face masks? Thanks!
Mix and Match Mama says
Amazon!