On Wednesday, it was First Day of School success over here at the Shull’s house!
This year, we didn’t have any kiddos transitioning to a new school (the first time in a few years) which just made things so much easier for this mama. Everyone knew their school, their teachers and their classmates. We had our bags packed, our lunches made and were out the door. I’m still in denial that summer is over, BUT I will say, after school when everyone piled into my car, it really felt like the best first day of school in a long time. Kensington was super excited to be the “top dog”, Smith was pumped about *finally* being able to play sports through the school (you have to wait until 7th grade here), Ashby has one of her besties in class and loves both of her teachers and Miss Mades was so excited to *finally* be old enough to buy an ‘extra’ in the lunchroom (2nd grade and up can buy individual extra drinks/snacks/desserts during lunch).
Here are a few pics of our first day back…
Well this just feels all wrong. Where did…
…this girl go?! Agh! She’s in 8th grade now! She cheers, she plays basketball and volleyball, she loves her classes and friends…I feel like a teenager moved into my house without my permission. I’m so happy she’s excited about this school year!
This kid has such a challenging schedule and couldn’t be happier about it. Ha! He is also suuuuuper pumped about playing middle school football this fall.
Little Miss Fourth Grade is my social butterfly who loves school! Third grade was a huge year of growth for Ashby, so I’m excited to see how she continues to mature this year too. She’s going to do amazing things this one.
And Mades was pumped to head off to 2nd grade! I shared this story on Instagram, but way back when Kensington started 2nd grade in 2016, the first time I met her teacher, I asked her if it would be okay if she went with us to China to bring home her baby sister (just three weeks later!). Her teacher immediately beamed, told me a story about how adoption had blessed her family and could not have been more encouraging about that trip. Fast forward six years…
…and Madeley is now in her class too! How fun is that?! My other two kiddos had different teachers in 2nd grade, so it was super fun and special to see that these girls would share the same teacher. A very full circle moment for our family.
After our traditional breakfast…
…we grabbed the little girls’ backpacks…
…and all six of us headed to the elementary school for drop off.
When the four of us got back it was time to get these middle schoolers out the door…
…they were excited to go 🙂 .
I went to breakfast with my girlfriends after drop off and then found my summer blues happy place…
…amen.
After a trip to Old Navy and Trader Joe’s, I went home…
…made our traditional after school on the first day snack along with lasagna and then anxiously awaited 3:00!
I reallllllly love having my babies home with me, so this time of year is always super bittersweet. I’m excited they’re excited, but I sure do miss them!
If you’re sending your kids back to school this week, I’m sending you all the love! xx
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Alison says
I just love reading all the back to school posts. And that is such an awesome, sweet story that Kensington & Mades have the same 2nd grade teacher!
Erika Slaughter says
Yay!!! I’m so glad they all had great first days!
Elspeth says
I love following your family! They have grown so much!! Have a great year at school!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Sheaffer says
WELL. That was a punch in the gut! This walk down memory lane has me all sorts of emotional, but they pics are awesome!!!
Lisa D says
Such a sweet time! It goes sooo fast, too fast…. hug on your babies!
Meghan S. says
I’m so glad it was a great first day! And I love that you took the day to yourself. Sometime if you have a chance, I’d love to know how Kensington (my 11 year old daughter is a Kensington, too!) does her hair. Is she able to style it on her own? How does she style it to get the waves? As a mom, any tips on how to teach daughters to style their own hair? Thanks!
Mix and Match Mama says
She does it all on her own! I think most days she uses a 1″ curling iron and then brushes it out a bit.
Traci m says
Love this so much!! We started last Wednesday too❤️
Elizabeth Feldpausch says
This is giving me all the feels this morning!! I remember when K went off to Kindergarten! I didn’t have any kids yet and was teaching first grade, I felt like I would never get to that point with kids of my own, now my second kiddos starts Kinder tomorrow!
Mix and Match Mama says
Oh goodness!!! I hope it’s a great first day!!
Beth Valenta says
Love seeing your pics! I am off to school today before kids start in 2 weeks here in VA. Wishing a blessed school year for all of you and off to year 16 as a school counselor! So excited.
Mix and Match Mama says
I hope you have a wonderful day!! What a blessing you must be for so many!!
Kate says
What a precious post. Best of luck to everyone! Have a great year.
K.K. says
Oh, so good for such a good start!!
I pulled out my Cinnamon Pumpkin soap yesterday… Slowly getting amped for my favorite season too! 🙂
Kristen says
Can you link K’s sneakers and also her backpack. My daughter is starting 7th and I can’t find a good backpack this is spacious enough to fit everything she will need this year!
Mix and Match Mama says
Her backpack is from The North Face website and her sneakers are from Nordstrom!
Kayla Bruce says
How sweet! Did you ever consider homeschooling?
Mix and Match Mama says
That’s so funny because Andrew and I were JUST talking about this yesterday after church. Yes, I considered it but probably never seriously considered it. So far, I don’t feel God call me to that, but I guess it could always still happen. So far, our schools have been huge blessings to our family.
Brittany says
Loving K’s jeans and shoes! I have an almost 7th grader – where’d you get them?! Also is her lunch in the lululemon bag? We’re struggling to find a lunchbox!
Mix and Match Mama says
Yes, that’s the lunchbox she prefers right now. #idontunderstandit 😉 I believe those jeans are Abercrombie!
Julie Payne says
No more Matilda Jane 😥
Babies sure don’t keep.
Mix and Match Mama says
That just about made me cry!!! Mades did wear Matilda Jane to school this morning, but she’s my last one. #sobbingnow
Alison says
So fun to see all the photos from the first year you sent Kensington off to school! It is simply unreal how fast it goes when you look back. I’ll be sending my oldest off to his SENIOR year in a couple of weeks, and my youngest off to second grade. I feel like it was yesterday when my son was heading to second grade… [cue the mom tears]
Mix and Match Mama says
Oh my gosh! All the love!!
Leah says
Hi, I have a daughter going into 8th grade and love your daughter’s style. Do you post links for where you get her clothes? Thanks!
Mix and Match Mama says
I occasionally do! She tends to shop at a wide variety of places including boutiques on our square. I need to do a better job of documenting it to share with you guys!
SS says
We don’t start until September but I have all the feels since my baby is starting kindergarten this year. All I do is look at those pictures of K and know I will blink and that will be my little girl soon. Time goes too fast! 🥲
Mix and Match Mama says
Oh goodness!! Enjoy it, mama!!!
Sarah Shaneyfelt says
I love back to school posts! And your yearly pictures really show how time flies so quickly–my little boy started the 3 year old class at his preschool and I know the next 2 years will just fly by!
MeetTheShaneyfelts
Kathy W says
I would love a post with clothing ideas for 13 year old girls. They are so hard to shop for these days! A mix of Amazon and Nordstrom, etc would be nice.
Kristen says
Yes I agree!
Kim says
Wow! Looking back on the old pictures made me realize how long I have been following your blog. Time flies!
On an unrelated note, could you tell me where you buy the Namase flour and vanilla paste? I live in your area and I am having trouble finding them.
Thanks!
Mix and Match Mama says
I always buy the flour on Amazon and the vanilla paste at our grocery store!
Kim N says
Oh my – Kensington suddenly looks so grown up! Here we went back Aug. 3 this year – so early! Love seeing all the back to school photos – hoping they have a great year!
Dena A says
I was going to ask this same exact question. My daughter has really long hair that has a little bit of natural wave, but when she lets it go it looks straggly. Of course, she much prefers for me to do her hair. She gets to stand there and read a book.
Kacy M says
This is amazing! They’re all so grown up!
Jennifer says
Shay!!! Girl, this is totally off topic, but Where. Are. Your. Plants?! 😆😆😆😆 hahahaha #reallife
Mix and Match Mama says
Dead. Dead. Dead. Agh!!!!! It’s so dang HOT!
Beth says
The full circle moment with the 2nd grade teacher gave me chills. So amazing. 🙂
Mix and Match Mama says
Isn’t it special?!
Kelly Ting says
First time commenter here! I know you’ve had your “First Day Of” sign for years (because that’s how long I’ve been following!) but can you share where you got it?! I love how simple it is! So glad your kids had a great first day of school!
Mix and Match Mama says
I’m so happy you commented today! I bought it off of Etsy years and years ago. I bet someone on Etsy still makes one today!
Sandy Hunter says
I love love your pictures! Remembering when you picked up Mades from the Chinese nursery and how difficult it was for her to leave there, then looking at her now – she has just blossomed into this happy outgoing little girl. You performed a miracle and God will bless your family for it!