You guys, IT’S OFFICIALLY SUMMER OVER HERE!!!!
Oh my word, we are oh so excited!
Yesterday, we wrapped up the last day of school, had a fun family dinner with the littles (the bigs had plans) and now, we’re officially in summer mode. The kids’ alarms aren’t set, there are no lunchboxes to fill and nary a folder to sign. We are oh so excited.
Here’s the deal blog world, this summer is going to look *different* than last summer. Last summer was amazing (our first full summer on Nantucket), but due to schedules/other fun things, it’s not going to look exactly the same. Needless to say, if you’re curious about what we’re up to this summer (a lot!), make sure you stop by each day as it will vary from one to the next. Lots of Shull summer fun comin’ up!
Okay, as always, I’m linking up with my friends Andrea and Erika and sharing this week’s FAVORITE THINGS!
Eeeeeks! It’s SUMMER!!!!!!
I mean, how quickly we went from this…
to this…
…you guys, where has the time gone?!
This school year has definitely been one of my favorites. Yes, yes, yes, there have been many tears, stressful moments, crazy schedules, lots of late nights, a few poor choices and some stressed out test takers…BUT when I look back, I’m always going to remember this year fondly.
It was our first year with a high school student (we all loved it!), it was so much fun watching Smith and his buddies rule the middle school (that is a VERY boy heavy class of kiddos…they’re a hot fun mess for sure!), and I loved seeing Ashby do all “the big kid things” at school while Madeley really hit her stride in the third grade. Ashby wrapped up her six years of elementary school with TEN surgeries and yet not a single one in the 5th grade. #praise We are all so excited to see her move up to middle school and Smith move up to high school. Madeley is THRILLED to be the only elementary kid for the next two years (lots of one on one walks to and from school with mommy, lunches with dad and an independence she hasn’t had before). So many sweet days behind us with many more ahead.
Thursday mornings are my day to carpool the high school girls, so I got to be the one to drop them off on the last day. We stopped at Starbucks bright and early to grab them drinks…
…and watch how these four super confident almost sophomores got out to grab their mobile orders. These sweet girls have all come SUCH a long way from those shy freshman I dropped off in August.
After I returned back home, it was time to take Ashby outside to see…
…her yard posters 🙂 .
I started this tradition when Kensington was in the 5th grade and couldn’t finish the year because of COVID (I was trying to make the day seem special)…
…and apparently, it’s what we do every time we have a kiddo graduate from elementary school…
…after this we headed up for…
…the actual 5th Grade Graduation.
I mean, look at these two…
…Erika Slaughter, where did these two go…
…oh my heart!! The SWEETEST!!!
After we had the graduation, they did their final walk through the elementary school before boarding a bus and heading to “beach bash”. It was a wonderful way to say goodbye on the last day.
Whew, okay, I do have a few other Faves today 😉 .
Thank you, thank you, thank you to blog reader Addy R. for suggesting I listen to…
…Peter Attia being interviewed on Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard!
You guys, I promise you that I will not make Dr. Attia a “fave” every single week, buuuuuuut everything he says about health, wellness, and longevity is SO GOOD! This episode here where he’s being interviewed (instead of his podcast where he is primarily in the driver’s seat) was FABULOUS! This is basically two hours of getting in deep with why he practices medicine, why he stopped being a surgeon, why mental health is so important to him personally, a great breakdown of “the four horseman” plus so much more.
If you’re tired of me rattling on about you reading Outlive because you’re never going to do it, then please listen to this episode instead 🙂 .
You guys know I love me some LMNT for hydration AND I love me a sparkling water. Well looky here…
…I’ve already been through my first case!
Yes!! The perfect marriage. You can find it on THEIR WEBSITE.
It’s DELICIOUS!!!!
Life lately has been very busy, and I want to document all the favorite fun…
…last Friday was Field Day! Here we are walking home after school tired, wet, very dirty and oh so happy.
Life pretty much revolves around Charlie Nobadeer. We love our newest pup!!
He’s walking with the other dogs like a PRO! He loves when we go out each morning…
…but he especially loves when I take him by himself in the afternoons to pick up the girls from school.
Let’s be real, they love it too 🙂 .
We’ve been leaning into the beautiful weather and have been enjoying lots of family time on our square. Though not pictured, the whole gang was there. I love spending time with my peeps!
Want to know what else I love…
…my Laundry Sauce.
You guys, I was doing my 400th load this week and snapped a pic because for the love if you haven’t tried Laundry Sauce (I love their subscription service!) you should. We are clearly fans.
I know I’ve shared this before, but I certainly don’t share it enough, since I’ve been using Laundry Sauce for the last 18 months, they have generously given my readers an on going promo code. If you use code MIXANDMATCHMAMA at check out, you get 15% off your order!
We’ve tried and loved all of the scents, but our #1 favorite is Siberian Pine. You can see the other options and all of their scent profiles on their site!
What did I wear all week on my feet?
My $25 Target sandals, of course!
If you missed my SUMMER CLOSET STAPLES post this week, here are a few of my finds for this upcoming season…
THIS TOP is super cute (and you know I love my WEDGES!).
This SWEATER DRESS is so cute! I have other dress options for summer ON THE POST!
I also include workout wear (TANK, RUNNING SHORTS, SPORTS BRA) plus swim, tennis skirts, shorts, tops and more! It’s all HERE!
Finally, if you’re looking for a little red, white and blue to add to your weekend…
…make sure you check out my RED, WHITE, & BLUE BUNDT CAKE! It can even be made gluten-free!
I hope you all have a wonderful, wonderful weekend…
…I also hope that we all take time to really and truly stop and remember why we have this long weekend. It’s not for the parties or BBQs, it’s not about sleeping in or going to the lake, it’s about remembering the men and women who have served our country and paid the ultimate sacrifice. I know there are many of you out there that will be specifically remembering your father, daughter, husband…your person. I say this from the very bottom of my heart, thank you, thank you, thank you for your family’s service to our country. There are not words to fully express my gratitude. I’m praying for all of you this weekend and for those who are active military now or love someone who is. Thank you.
I’ll see you Tuesday, friends. xx
Elspeth says
Happy summer and end of the school year!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Dana P says
So many good things here, but I have to say that LAUNDRY SAUCE IS AMAZING!!!! Also, how crazy is it that Kensington was only in 5th grade in 2020 and look how much she’s grown up! Maybe it’s because the pandemic was so weird and oddly feels like yesterday in some ways, but it’s crazy how much older she seems in such a relatively short amount of time. It’s true that they really do grow up so fast!
Mix and Match Mama says
YES!!! I completely agree with you about the pandemic. It feels so recent and yet time has continued to keep moving.
Natalie Lyles says
Ok I may have to try the laundry sauce. I just ordered that diva glamorous and I’m not crazy abt it. It smells like an old musky attic lol
Natalie Lyles says
Dang never mind. I see it’s pod’s only . My machine is one that washes and drys. It like automatically dispenses depending on weight 🙁
Addy Robinson says
awww yes! love my shout out!! ❤️
I bought Outlive for all my parents this week…so worth the money if it gives them strength in their advancing years!
Mix and Match Mama says
Andrew is not grateful for you. I must have quoted that one podcast episode 10 times this week. Bahahaha! It was SO good!!!
Addy Robinson says
bahahhh!! me to my husband at least 1x a day: “Peter Attia says…”
Dana P says
What laundry sauce products do you use though? All of them?
Mix and Match Mama says
My subscription is for the pods and dryer sheets to come each monthly and then, as needed, I buy their scent booster too. I keep it all Siberian Pine just for consistency. I love it!!
Katrina Goodman says
I bought Outline in January. Listening to the pod cast now too! I read a book yesterday that you may like.. Listen for the Lie.
Erin says
I have this for walking all the dogs, less tangling!
https://www.amazon.com/Reflective-Suitable-Multiple-Comfortable-Support/dp/B0C2HKK73V/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=1YG9AANZ45JE7&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.YklFec0oogT1dZjYx_mIfbv_BkPUk-mvFthITRrLtOqyhzM0II7wP-evkWs5wkz2agfjyrO79uVqjgrhKe_-QjGvn8LCKXoRY75x49It2fBJZXEtMrx72YpIYF-78Y0SdgJSHBlvKDhM66tGieAoGgYD5INI8FCnaCHwl8pn0jtg8nFj31PaFiQKlzkryaTvZPmx1RbeZasywn19qOwEUK7TO_TCLUXoWRGEy8HRqtavAoE9Ogt5Jop1Vgc-X30Yl2cvSl7Zr-74cY8rqck61SSrNL0nqxYpX2cAg81wKXw.lPcUUlwQ1_LZmrlQuHqlf7mE4dp5yXDnTdFMSL_2JvE&dib_tag=se&keywords=freewheel+four+dog+leash&qid=1716558360&sprefix=freewheel+four+dog+lease%2Caps%2C150&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1
Kelley Sluder says
Is there a link
To the podcast ? I can’t find it
Mix and Match Mama says
I googled it to see when it aired (on the screenshot, it shows August 10, 2023) and then I just scrolled through the Armchair Expert podcast on my app until I found it.
Melissa says
Thanks! I was having a hard time finding it too!
Mix and Match Mama says
Here it is! https://armchairexpertpod.com/pods/peter-attia
Debbie Alsip says
I love the grapefruit and chocolate LMNT. I like the idea of a sparkling grapefruit LMNT, but not sure I’m ready for a case of it!🤣
Katie B says
Love seeing how much your kids grow throughout the school year! Interesting to see how tall they get on the door! Enjoy your summer!
sandi says
So many random things in this post!
The growth spurt for boys between 8th and 10th grades is absolutely insane. Our oldest who is 21 now, grew about 7 inches between those school years. His younger sister was taller for several years and we kept assuring him that his growth spurt would come… the number of pants he outgrew was crazy. (Like you and Andrew, my husband is 6’5″ and I am 5’2″ I am clearly the shorty in all of our pictures since our kids are between 5’8″ and 6’1″)
Never heard of Laundry Sauce but I mean when a company describes its product as “an elevated, sexy, scentual, fun and playful approach to laundry” you just have to try it. Right?
And lastly, Memorial Day rememberances. My grandfather served in the Navy and was in Iwo Jima when the flag was raised in 1945. We have a nephew who is a submariner in Guam, a neice in the Air Force and one of our daughters is dating a young man on a full Navy ROTC scholarship. Living a few miles from the largest naval air station in the world, we hear the sounds of jets overhead frequently. #ilovejetnoise Enjoy your Memorial Day weekend!
Mix and Match Mama says
Wow! Sending so much gratitude and love to your family today and always. I am so blessed by all of that service.
Claire says
You must be in Norfolk! We were in Virginia Beach last week and the only thing to rival the sound of the ocean waves was watching some jets screaming by! 🛩️ My grandfather was a surgeon in the Navy medical corps, stationed in Norfolk, and went to Vietnam; his service made a tremendous impact on him and his family and, even though I didn’t know him, I feel tremendously grateful for the sacrifice he made. I’m sure if I could ask him, he would give all the credit to the young men he treated all the miles away from their homes and families. Thank you to your family members for their service as well. 🇺🇸
Toni:0) says
Cheers to summer! Can’t believe how much your kids have skyrocketed in height, what are you feeding them over there?! 🤣 Also, just generally curious (no snark intended at all) why y’all only use leashes on the dog’s collars vs a harness with the leash? It really saves the leash from pulling on their little necks. We were taught that by our neighbor when we first got our dog and I never knew that and I even grew up with a dog and never had that for them. It makes such a difference. Anyhoo, enjoy the long weekend. 🎈🥳
Mix and Match Mama says
We use puppy harnesses until they learn to walk on a lead (since Charlie is older, it didn’t take him long to learn) and then we use normal leads as we don’t allow them to walk ahead of us (they walk beside us) so there’s no pulling. Puppy harnesses are great though (but comical to wrestle them into!).
Toni :0) says
Ahhh gotcha! Oh I can imagine how funny it must be to wrangle the puppy into a harness. 🤣 They sure are all cute. So many happy tails wagging in your house. My doggie crossed the rainbow bridge the day after my birthday on March 14th and I miss her with every fiber of my being. Snuggle and love them all up as they are so precious. 🐾💝
Gina says
We love LMNT in our house too! We were recently sent a case of the Sparkling…..I LOVED IT!
Patty says
As someone was an insane heart history who has to watch sodium daily, the 1000mg of sodium in your LMNT about gave me a heart attack just thinking of it! That’s almost my total daily allowance. I shudder to think of what that much sodium can do to you over the long haul. Please be careful.
LOVE seeing how your kiddos have grown in just one school year! Fun times ahead for all of you. Enjoy your summer. Bet it will move at the speed of light and we’ll be seeing fall school pictures in no time.
Sarah Shaneyfelt says
I can’t wait to listen to that podcast! I coudln’t find it on Apple podcasts, so I may just have to go to the website. Have a great weekend!!
MeetTheShaneyfelts
Amy says
The Target sandals are 30% off right now! Wahoo!
Stephc777 says
Happy Summer to the Shull Family! Looks like you are off to a great start!
Brenda says
Random thoughts! I had to stop and physically do a count back… why does the math from 2020/5th grade to now/the end of Kensington’s freshman year seem like so many more years than it actually is?! I’ve been wondering what your summer will look like with the kids in these busier years with high school, so looking forward to following along and thank you as always for sharing! I cannot get over the pictures of Ashby and Erika’s son (not sure if I should post other’s names in your blog) from then to now! The sweetest!
I am the daughter of a Navy sailor, the granddaughter of a WWII vet, a niece of uncles who served in the Navy and Air Force, my sister was in the Air Force, my nephew is in the Army and have cousins’ children currently serving. Ever thankful for their service and for all they have given us with that. Absolutely love the flag on your home. Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!
Mix and Match Mama says
Lockdown and the pandemic plays with my mind. It feels like yesterday sometimes, but then other times, it feels very distant.
Kim Carberry says
How exciting! Have a fab summer!
The kids are growing up fast but it sounds like they are doing well and are making you proud. I love the 5th grade sign.
Those sandals are so cute and I love that sweater dress.