Happy Wednesday from Walt Disney World, friends!
As Madeley, Erika, Britt and I enjoy our day at the most magical place on Earth, I have THREE THINGS about each of the kiddos for you. You know, every time I do one of these posts, I get the SWEETEST feedback. It seems like so many of you love those random little details that make a person a person and a family a family.
This fall is going by way too quickly, and I’m trying to soak up as much as I can. Actually, this season of motherhood is going by too fast too.
Here we go, THREE THINGS starting with KENSINGTON…
#1: Our girl is officially obsessed with MUSICALS! As an elective this year, she took theater and loves it!! She auditioned for a part in Elf which made us so proud and now, she listens to Broadway show tunes and watches Broadway performances on TV. She is just about always singing some sort of song (her new favorite musical is Hairspray!), and she joined the church’s youth choir. We are seriously so proud of her!
#2: I don’t know if it’s her age, or the fact that it’s fall or the fact that she’s her mother’s daughter, but we cannot keep her out of the kitchen. Kensington is a baking machine! Pumpkin bread, chocolate chip cookies, cakes, bars…she is super into baking! On Sunday, she asked me when the kitchen was going to get quiet so she could do “her thing”. I said “What is ‘your thing’?” and she told me “Watch You’ve Got Mail and bake pumpkin bread”. I mean…holy cow. It was like looking in a mirror. I love it so much!
#3: This year, K is a cheerleader at her middle school, and it’s become such a fun sport we didn’t know we were missing over here! She’s been going to tumbling/cheer classes weekly for several years, but having her on an actual squad, watching her cheer at real live football games…it’s all SO MUCH FUN! She loves it! When I say she is constantly walking around the house saying and doing cheers to herself, SHE IS CONSTANTLY WALKING AROUND THE HOUSE SAYING AND DOING CHEERS TO HERSELF. At least twice a day, I have to ask her to stop and/or move to another room because I cannot talk to one child while another is belting out Lions, let’s do it, come on fans, show your spirit. Ha! Seventh grade has been a realllllly great year for K!
Next up, Smith!
#1: Smith has been playing the violin for over four years, but now that he’s a part of an actual orchestra, he is OBSESSED with playing the violin. He’s playing it at 6:10 in the morning…he’s playing it at 11:10 at night. He’s playing it when I’m making dinner. He’s playing it when he should be getting ready for school. He’s playing it in the living room, the kitchen…heck, he’s playing it in my closet. He is officially passionate. He’s also now listening to classical music, talking to me about people named Bach and Mozart (I’m like dude, my knowledge goes as far as Little Einstein’s, slow down!). Ha! He loves the violin. He also loves…
#2: Football! This was Smith’s second year to play tackle football, and he loved it even more than last year! I always get excited when my kids are excited about activities and well, this kid can’t grab his pads and head outside fast enough. He plays with a great group of kids, coaches and parents…it’s been an extra fun fall with football!
#3: Oh my word, we laugh and laugh and laugh because this year, Smith is in middle school and he is loving all the clubs. All of them. Smith has signed up for approximately 85 clubs. Most 6th graders are in school 7 hours a day, Smith is in school about 17 because he goes early and stays late for clubs. Bahahaha! They had this “club fair” where you could go and check out all of the clubs and well, he went and came out with brochures for so many and then proceeded to sign up for them all. If you’re looking for Smith, he’s at FCA. Or maybe Music Theory Club. Perhaps Calculator club. Or Student Government. I mean…y’all…he’s loving middle school and all the clubs.
Next up, sweet Ashby…
#1: Well, Ashby Shull is apparently a goal scoring QUEEN! Two weeks ago, she scored her first goal in soccer and then this week, she did it again! It’s like soccer finally “clicked” and she loves it more than ever before! Seeing Ashby love soccer so much has made Andrew and I enjoy it even more. It has been SUCH a fun soccer season for our goal scoring, hustling, super fast, always aggressive girl!
#2: Ashby has been reading Wonder this fall! So, I read Wonder a few years ago (you can read my review HERE, I had mixed emotions), but Ashby really wanted to read it, and I always want to encourage reading (especially challenging books like this!), and my goodness, she loves it! She reads a little bit each day, and we chat about it. When she finishes the book, we’re going to watch the movie together. We have had so many sweet, sweet conversations because of this book. I’m so happy she’s turning into a reader too!!
#3: Ashby has really blossomed into the big kid category recently. Even though she’s still “a little” around here, she’s just BIGGER. She gets our sarcasm (and can dish it right back to you!), she is starting to really help/take care of Madeley in ways that typically the big kids do. She’s really into going to church, learning new things (she loves checking out non-fiction books!) and has all of these advanced ideas/conversations that she can’t wait to talk to us about. I’m telling you…she’s just not little any more.
Last but not least…
…Madeley! Or Mades as she’s more commonly referred to in our house 🙂 .
#1: Well this girl just wants to craft. Or paint. Or draw. Or doodle. Please just hand her a marker/colored pencil/pen/crayon and she’ll be happy for hours. While all of my kids have liked to be artsy from time to time, Madeley prefers it the most. She is just super content with a notebook and pencil.
#2: Madeley puts on her makeup every morning. Guys, she LOVES makeup and hair. She has been saying for YEARS that when she grows up, she wants to be “a hair salon girl” and I honest to goodness can see that (she would also like to be a police officer too, so you know, she’s keeping her options open… 😉 ). She comes into my bathroom every morning and uses my brushes (no makeup, just the brushes) and pretty accurately “applies” her makeup. I think it goes back to item #1 above…she is just very artsy and creative including wanting to play with and experiment with makeup.
#3: Madeley is doing great in school! Our big 1st grader went through a wonky kinder year with COVID and all (didn’t we all…), so I was a little nervous about what 1st would look like this year, but on Monday, I was up at school having her first quarter meeting (all parents do this), and her sweet teacher just beamed talking about how well she was doing both academically and socially. She even said that at the beginning of the year, Madeley quietly asked her one day if she could have her seat moved closer to the front as some of the other students were “distracting her”. Agh! I love how she advocated for herself!! I am so proud of our big girl!!
And that, my friends, is three things about each of the Shull kids.
I’m off to enjoy Disney! I’ll see you back here tomorrow though for a post I really enjoyed pulling together!! 🙂
Elspeth says
These posts are a favorite of mine too!!! Love the little facts! Thanks for sharing!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Dana P says
The sweetest! Your kids seem like they’re really thriving. ? And I’m with K-I may not be belting out old chants, but my kids often catch me doing a little dance or cheer from my high school days! ? It’s a fun way to keep your day moving!!
Amy Heinl says
I love these updates on the kiddos and the thing that stands out among all 4 is how much they are thriving in their lives. All of their interests are so varied but it goes to show that children who grow up in homes where they are loved and cherished just blossom and that’s certainly a reflection of the home you and Andrew have created for them. I cant wait to see where the road ahead takes each of them
Erika Slaughter says
Smith and his club sign-ups made me laugh out loud! Can we add due to those club sign-ups the boy must pack like he’s going on a seven night cruise every day for school? hahaha! Seeing Smith get in/out of my car will always be one of my favorite things and memories of Smith in 6th grade. He knows it’s funny. He realizes he’s got a lot going on and I think that’s what makes it even funnier! Love those four!
Mix and Match Mama says
Do you hear me laughing over here? Because I am! Hahahahaha!
Kelly says
Love this post! So neat to hear what your kiddos are up to. Have a great time at WDW.
Laci Murray says
Love these kind of post!
Michelle Brouwer says
Your kiddos are so positive and invoked in amazing programs because of your positive and go get ‘em nature. What a blessing you are to your family! I’ve loved your blog for many years.
Sheaffer Sims says
I loved everything about this post!
Alison says
Loved this! Thank you for sharing your incredible kiddos with us. They most definitely seem to all have their very own personalities and that is so great. I know larger families, sometimes people can get caught up in one another’s interests or passions and not define their own. But yours seem to have it down! 🙂
Tracy W Doubts says
You have great kids Shay. You and Andrew are obviously doing a terrific job.
MelanieL says
Awe I love this so much but Smith’s life really made me smile because my 10th grade boy is very similar. All the clubs, sports, had me up at 5:15 each day on fall break to attend CrossFit morning sessions… 🙂 I’m so glad I’m a mom to a boy (& a sweet 17y/o girl!).
Kelly Webb says
I just loved this! And my youngest son went through a Wonder stage and also enjoyed Auggie & Me and also the Wonder Journal. I think there are even more books in the collection now. I always thought the books gave good opportunities for “teachable moments” and heart to heart convos which are just priceless to me with him now a freshman. Thanks for always sharing about your family with us!
Anneka says
This is so sweet. I loved reading it. My 6 year old loves crafting too. My 3 year old girl loves coloring too. The 4 year old boy in the middle? It takes me 3 hours to scribble color a school page. ? He excells in other areas like Lego creations.
Susan says
You are raising some amazing young adults! Keep doing what you are doing. I loved each story of each of your amazing kids! I only had one daughter…she’s in her last year of medical school and she makes me proud every single day. She also packed like she was going on a 7-day cruise!
Joan Walton says
I love how your kids are pursuing their interests with passion. It will be great as Smith starts to bring classical music into your home and teaches everyone about it. Madeley is clearly one with an artistic streak. She even enjoys taking photos and is pretty good at it from what you have posted. Maybe a real drawing/painting class for her would be a good idea. It’s wonderful that your kids have an opportunities to broaden their cultural interests in addition to their sports endeavors.
Keisha Dawson says
These are some of my favorite types of posts. Love seeing these little tidbits of your sweet kiddos!
Megan says
Love this! What kind of drink does K like from Starbucks (I have a 13 yo too)?
Mix and Match Mama says
It changes every time! She’s a big tea person, but I sometimes let her get lattes too!
Tracy Robinson says
So sweet and so amazing how they are all so different and amazing in their own way. Thank you for sharing your sweet family with us.
Stephanie Platt says
Such a fun post! Fun to get a peak into what your adorable kiddos are up to!
Nancy says
love the way the Shull kids live it up!
Joanne says
Sounds like they are all doing amazing!! I love that they all have such passion.
Patty says
LOVE this post! I really think all of you would enjoy the TSO Christmas tour…especially Smith! Have you ever thought about taking them? Fabulous show!
Tiffanie says
I love these updates and seeing how the kids are growing!
Have to say, musical theatre changed my life in middle school….go K! And I grew up playing violin so it’s so great to see how Smith is loving it too. I now am so thankful to my mom for listening to me practice all those years….so bless you for sitting through the practices too! Haha!
Kelly Bonner says
I loved the part about Smith signing up for all the clubs! ? Too funny!
Elizabeth says
Sweet post! But you forgot two Shulls – I would love to read three things about Shay & Andrew, too! Have so much fun at Disney!!
Ashley says
My 3rd grader is reading Wonder with his class now. And I thinks it’s good because the Principal just sent a note home saying bullying was at an all time high this year! It makes me so sad, but this book helps me have conversations with my son about empathy, choosing your words and how they can impact others, and overcoming adversity. Love your updates on all your kiddos!
Liz Thorson says
Loved this post, Shay! You and Andrew are raising 4 truly remarkable, wonderful children! I love reading about their many and varied interests! I thought WOW! upon reading each of the 3 points you shared about each child! Your buttons must be bursting with love and pride for who these kiddos are becoming!
Paula says
I LOVE these kind of updates! My oh goodness have they bloomed so very much over the years! I love all of their individuality and interest! What a beautiful family you & Andrew have!