Happy happy Thursday, friends!
As I type this, my four kiddos are in school for the very first day. You know me, I have all the feels right now. I LOVE having my kids at home with me, but I also love our schools and love how excited they each were to go back this year. Yesterday, we launched our first kiddo into high school which meant a slightly new routine for us…four kids and three different schools. We went to bed the night before excited, ready and anxious to start.
Here’s a little recap of our morning…
My alarm went off at 4:00, and I was up and at ’em doing all the things to get us out the door. I made my traditional “green pancakes” (a first day must at our house!).
Our high schools begin before the elementary and middle schools, so Kensington was the first one who needed to be out the door.
Bright and early (and dark!)…
…we took her first day photo 🙂 . You guys…
…it’s going by TOO FAST!!
This year, Kensington will cheer in high school which will make this fall even more fun than it normally is. We are so proud of our girl and know she’s going to do amazing things in high school.
Smith and the littles woke up a bit later, ate breakfast…
…and then we took their pics. Look at this kid! EIGHTH GRADE! How on Earth? Wasn’t he just…
…heading off to kindergarten too?! THAT FACE! Oh my gosh! THAT FACE! Smith will be top dog at his middle school this year where he will play football, the violin and row crew. He’s always been my most academic-minded kiddo, and I am just so excited to see what this year has in store for him.
Speaking of top dogs…
…Miss Ashby is in the FIFTH GRADE! She likes to brag that she is the second oldest in her entire school. She loves that 🙂 .
I blinked and she got here.
Remember this?! Sweet Ashby! Geez, I love this kiddo! This year, Ashby will continue to play soccer and has told me that she’s “signing up for everything they have in fifth grade”. Go get ’em, Ashby!
Finally…
…our sweet Madeley James starts THIRD GRADE which is a huge milestone at our school because you officially get two different teachers (a homeroom teacher who teaches two subjects and then a ‘switch’ teacher who teachers the other two). She is so excited…
…we could not be more proud of this nugget. She is just the sweetest! This year, she will continue playing volleyball, and she’s so excited that Coach Big Fella is still in charge of her team. That’s what she calls Andrew 😉 .
Another school year…
…looks a little different now that we have a high schooler. I can hardly believe that next year, I will have TWO!
When it was time to take the littles to school, we took our annual “backpack pics” 🙂 .
Big backpacks for big girls.
The four of us piled into the golf cart and headed to school drop off.
After we got everyone dropped off (three start times, three end times), I headed to our historic square for…
…our annual first day of school breakfast with friends. After a VERY yummy breakfast at Spoons…
…I went to Hobby Lobby to find my happiness 🙂 .
When I was finished looking at the pumpkins…
…I headed to Trader Joe’s! You guys, I hadn’t been since May, and boy was it nice to be back!
And here we are right now. First day of a quiet house since May…it’s all so bittersweet.
Now, I’m going to stop blogging now and head to my kitchen to make my traditional FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL food. Make sure you check out MY MENU to see which cookies and lasagna and breakfast items I always make on the first day.
That’s all for today!
I hope you have a wonderful Thursday! I’ll see you tomorrow! xx
Erika Slaughter says
Yay!!! So glad all four had a great first day!
Elspeth says
What great traditions! I hope the fist day went well!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Joanne says
Oh yes, the high schools up here all start so darn early too that I used to enjoy the sunrise on the way home from dropping my son off!
Beth Knecht says
Aw! Shay I can’t believe how big they all are! I remember when you were doing your park dates with them. I love how fun you try to make the start of the year. Wishing them so much success this year!
Kristen says
Love K’s hair.. what did she use to get those waves? Can you link jeans and shirt too. I have a tween with the same style, thanks!!
Mix and Match Mama says
Her pants are Zara…I believe her top came from a shop on Nantucket. She uses a 1″ curling iron and then brushes it out after the curls cool down. Thank YOU!
Ellen says
It really is a cute outfit. Shopping with teens is a challenge, but she looks really nice!
Casey says
Where are the girls bigger backpacks from??
Mix and Match Mama says
PB Teen!
Sue M says
Congratulations! It goes so fast.
Unrelated — I have been looking for a new floor lamp and the one in the photo with your pup is perfect. Where did you find it?
Mix and Match Mama says
That’s from Pottery Barn!
Faith says
I love back to school pics. I have three girls and we had three different schools one year as well. They are now 22, 20, 18!!!! We move our youngest into her dorm later this month and I am unwell!!! All the emotions! 🥹
Michele Key says
Loved all the pictures…beautiful kids…but, the picture of Smith and his little sisters melted my heart! I hope they all have an amazing school year!
Deena says
It’s always fun to see the back to school pics! Everyone’s grown so much since Kindergarten! I really enjoyed seeing your summer in Nantucket although I was a bit jealous of your weather there. Trying to figure out how we could be somewhere cooler for a part of the summer at least.
Sara says
Where are K’s pants from? My sophomore daughter needs some cute khaki pants for her school uniform!
Mix and Match Mama says
Zara!
Alison says
Coach Big Fella. Lol. How adorably funny that she calls Andrew that as her VB coach. Love it! Wishing your crew a fantastic first week back to school!
Charlene Cunningham says
Fun fact: a friend of mine is an artist in McKinney- Kim Guthrie Art. I believe her studio/gallery is around the square or downtown. (Near the Nationwide office that burned) She’s very talented and becoming well known there after having relocated a few years ago.
She’s very sweet. (Possibly teaches lessons)
Mix and Match Mama says
That’s a very fun fact!!
Patrice says
Oh Shay!
HIGH SCHOOL!! I can still see that kindergarten party you and the girls had for the kids going to kindergarten!! How cool it would be to see you all recreate that picture!
I hope the day and year goes smoothly!
Thank you for the fun memories and of course recipes!!
Debbie K. says
“Coach Big Fella”…. where’s the tissue? I love that!!
Debra says
Happy first day back for your gang! Bittersweet indeed. Would you mind sharing where you got your silver/gold “coin” looking necklace?
Mix and Match Mama says
The brand is Lola. I bought it at a store on Nantucket called Love Shack 🙂 .
Courtney says
I love all the pictures!! I am struggling over here with all the feelings because my oldest son starts Kindergarten in a week and I am due with baby boy #3 in a month! Seeing your pictures really shows how fast time flies. They are all beautiful and have grown so much!
Mix and Match Mama says
Enjoy every little minute!!
Kim Nations says
I’m going to cry!! Ha!! I just know how fast time flies when they go to high school. Love this post. I have watched your kids grow up. Keep them close and live them all they will let you.
Paula says
Coach Big Fella! That made me chuckle out loud! Back to school on this end, too!
Kacy M says
Coach Big Fella is the cutest nickname for Andrew/dad!! 😂 Can’t believe how big everyone is! I’ve been following you and the family since you were just a family of four.
Mix and Match Mama says
Thank YOU so much for following along! xx
Nia says
Wow early starts! What time do they all start school? We’re in the UK and my two are stil in primary school which starts at 9am – we leave the house at 8.50! Next September my daughter will start secondary school and will have to catch the bus at 8.15 and I’m already dreading the earlier start!
Mix and Match Mama says
In McKinney, high school starts at 7:30 (but if you play certain sports like cheer, you have to be there earlier…like 6:30). Elementary starts at 8:00 and middle school starts at 8:45. They have these staggered start and end times for the buses to be able to be able to serve all three.