Happy happy Friday, friends!
It’s Homecoming Week x TWO around here which means things are crazy busy and crazy fun.
Not only do we have big HOCO plans for the weekend but…
…this baby turns SIXTEEN!
I’m going to need a minute.
You guys, 16 is hitting me HARD!!
I just cannot believe how quickly this is all going. I just need time to slow down.
Sheaffer’s son is 5 days older than Kensington…
…and we have been mourning/reminiscing/reflecting together all week.
Those babies don’t keep, y’all.
Sigh.
Okay, as always, I’m linking up with my friends Andrea and Erika and sharing this week’s FAVORITE THINGS!
I apologize to you guys about my newsletters this week! We had technical difficulties on Wednesday and Thursday, but hopefully, the kinks are worked out now. Thank you for your patience!!
Okay, sending you so much love! xx
A very sweet blog reader named Carrie emailed me and asked me if I’d tried the newest REPLICA fragrance Afternoon Delight. I had not, but I went to the store, tried it and IMMEDIATELY purchased.
Just by reading the description on the bottle, I should have known this scent was for me…
…yes please!
If you like smoky warm fragrances like I do (like my beloved By the Fireplace) then this one is for you. I adore it for fall and winter!
It’s HOCO week which means on Wednesday night, we had Bronco Fest!
Along with food trucks and games, McKinney Boyd High had a parade too!
We love our Boyd cheerleaders!
After the parade, the community all filed into the gym…
…to get ready for the glow in the dark pep rally.
This is always one of our FAVORITE homecoming events each year!
The pep rally was amazing from beginning to end. We loved every detail but especially the cheerleaders…
…such a fun night! Believe it or not, I’m off to another pep rally this morning too 🙂 . ‘Tis homecoming week, y’all!
I’m sorry, I know I’m being an obnoxious mother, but my 8th child is just my very favorite…
…ugggggg, I just love me some Charlie!
The whole family voted and it was 7 to 1 that Charlie is the best dog (Poppy voted for herself).
He is just the easiest, happiest, sweetest dog.
Andrew mentioned that my fourth child is the easiest and my fourth dog is the easiest and he can’t wait to one day meet my easy fourth husband. 😉
Charlie was VERY interested in the Dallas Cowboys game which made Andrew very happy!
Speaking of Andrew…
…he read last week’s blog post and heard you.
Ladies, he HEARD you and brought me home…
…two more bags of Dot’s to try 🙂 .
Two big thumbs up for both Parmesan Garlic and Southwest Seasoned. They are both DELICIOUS!!
‘Tis sweater weather in the morning this week and shorts in the afternoon, so I did a combo on Wednesday…
…how cute is MY SWEATER?! It comes in two other neutral colors, but this brown just screamed “Fall Girl” to me.
THIS SWEATER is so soft and runs TTS. I bought it in an xs. I love me some sweater (ish!) weather!
If you saw on Stories this week, I also wore is THIS CAP SLEEVE SWEATER which I LOVE! It comes in many other colors too!
I bought THIS PACK of Apple Watch Bands in May of 2023, and it’s still on of my favorites. For only $14, you get six different bands including this one.
I think it’s perfect for fall!
And finally…
…if you’re wanting to be in the fall mood this weekend, whip up a batch of my FALL SPICE MUFFINS! They’re simple, can be made gluten-free, and will make your home smell like fall. They’re the perfect treat for your weekend.
That wraps up this Friday! I will see you back here tomorrow for our bonus Saturday post. Have a great day! xx
Becky says
I love love love that this gives me all the fall vibes!! Where is your phone case from in the sweater/shorts pic under #5? Love the colour, do you know if it’s shock proof if you drop it etc? Thanks!
Mix and Match Mama says
I always buy this phone case in different colors for the different seasons. I’ve purchased so many over the years because they’re super inexpensive and are really durable. I drop my phone about 15 times a day, and it’s never cracked. https://shopstyle.it/l/cfQnA
Diane Moore says
What a big week you’re having with Madeley’s gotcha day and 2 homecomings! Thanks for bringing us along AND keeping up with all your recipes and other content.
Have fun today!!
Diane Moore says
And I failed to mention Happy Kensington’s birthday!!
16 is a milestone 💖
Elspeth says
So much fall fun! Have a great weekend!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Jess says
Have you ever purchased a replica refill? I never knew they had it! There is a savings – $50ish dollars. Not sure how to refill but nice to know! My summer scents need refilling for next year so hopefully a sale takes place for me to restock!
Also, always in a moment of shock when I see Andrew in the Boston shirt! 🤣🤣🤣
Mix and Match Mama says
I have not?! This is news to me!!! And yes, much to Andrew’s chagrin, McKinney Boyd uses the Boston B 😉 .
Sarah Shaneyfelt says
Happy birthday to Kensington! I cannot believe she’s 16! Enjoy your pep rally this morning!
MeetTheShaneyfelts
Erika Slaughter says
HOW is she 16?!? Time is FLYING! And that Broncofest pep rally is always a favorite!
Eliza says
I love Andrew’s pep rally tshirt! 🙂 🙂
Peyton Cline says
You MUST try the cinnamon sugar Dots!!! THE BEST!!!!
Sheaffer says
I cannot stop laughing at that picture of K and C. He’s a NEWBORN, but he somehow looks like he’s a 94 year old grumpy old man with a double chin and some sort of eye condition! I’m DEAD. Hahahaha!
Mix and Match Mama says
It is like my favorite picture ever of the two of them! 😉
Amy T says
His scowl cracked me up!
Lisa K. says
Poppy voted for herself! 😂🤣 Thank you for the chuckle this morning.
K.K. says
Ha ha! Fun post!! Happy birthday to Kensington! Happy HOCO! Happy day, Charlie!
Natalie Alvarado says
Happy 16th Kensington! 🩷 I have an 18 and 20 year old. And the 14 year old baby too. Sixteen is like the top of the roller coaster and then whoosh, you blink and they have graduated and are adults. Enjoy every precious moment!
Dana P says
This is so true about the roller coaster beginning at 16!! Speaking of, our oldest (now 22!) had some little baby outfits from the same colors/collection as Kensington. 🙂 Also, I didn’t know about that new Replica fragrance and it sounds so good! My family bought me By the Fireplace some time back and I still absolutely love it. Sometimes I mix it with Burberry Brit, too. I think we really like the same fragrances so I’m excited to smell the new one!
Faith says
What a week of celebrations in the Shull family!! I wish homecoming was more celebrated/exciting here. I chuckled at how much you love Charlie since you said no at first 😆 but he’s so adorable! I can see why you love him!
Kelly says
How do your big kiddos adjust to the early starts for school/sports and the changes in schedule from year to year? Seems like your schools have a wide shift in start and end times between grade levels like ours – any tips?
My older daughter went to the elementary a block from our house which didn’t start til 9 so for years we didn’t have to get out the door super early. Then last year for 6th grade she had to leave by 8 to catch the bus, and then 7th and 8th grade start another hour earlier so this year she has to be out the door by 6:55. She and I are not naturally early risers so we have been on the struggle bus so far!
She’s wanting to stay in bed til the last possible moment in the mornings and then has a lot of time to fill in the afternoons (even with activities) getting out so early, so she’s having trouble getting to bed early but it seems like we’re both always tired during the week. It’s only the second week of school for us so hopefully we’ll get in a groove with the new schedule!
Mix and Match Mama says
These schedule are just all over the place. I would say that it’s easier for Kensington and Smith to be motivated to get up in the morning because they’re going straight to football/cheer where the coaches have HIGH expectations for being on time. Thankfully, I don’t have to do much to get them motivated in the morning as they do not want to be in trouble with their coaches. Because they get up so early, it’s also pretty easy for them to go to sleep at night. Their schedules are actually my favorite. Ashby’s schedule is my least favorite. Since she doesn’t have to be at school until 8:45, she sleeps in the longest which kind of makes it harder to get her up and going and then after school (4:00), we have to hit the ground RUNNING. Between sports/therapies/etc, she goes straight to something which is a hard transition. Annnnd because she gets to sleep in, she wants to stay up later but if the rest of us are in bed, we prefer she go to bed too. That schedule is tricky. I would say we’re a work in progress over here. We just make it work, but it’s not necessarily always easy.
Debbie says
Happy Birthday to Kensington! My daughter turned 17 this summer. When she turned 16, my sister told me life would never be the same. Once she could drive, we no longer spent time together shuttling between activities and school. Time together is so much more precious now.
Brittany says
We are thinking of putting a tv on our back deck! Did you buy one specifically made for outside? Just a regular tv? In a protective box? I would love the details of yours if you don’t mind sharing!
Mix and Match Mama says
Ours is not specifically for outdoors. It’s just a normal TV!
Bethany Nelson says
We have a regular tv in our outdoor pavilion & it’s inside an outdoor protective shell. It survives Ohio winters no problem and is pretty exposed to the elements.
Laci says
My daughter turned 16 on Sept 1 and I cried for entire week. The emotions were WILD and unexpected.
lee ann vicary says
Since training a new husband at this point in your life would be soooo tiresome (much less training several to get to number 4). Plus you really are getting so close to having this one just where you want him (except the Yankee thing, of course). I vote on your #4 grandchild being the best.
Kelly says
Love Homecoming time!!!
Lauren says
Thanks for the watchband recommendation! I purchased them last year and have worn them continuously! My faves!
Michelle P. says
Happy Birthday to Kensington and did I see Andrew in a Red Sox shirt? Did you finally turn him?
Christina says
Shay, did you read Greenlights? I am trying to find your review and I can’t find it. Can you point me in the right direction. I am getting ready to start it and was curious about what you thought.
Mix and Match Mama says
I have not read that one yet. I’m not exactly sure why?
Jennibell says
I have heard that this is one you need to LISTEN too 🙂
I bought it awhile back but haven’t gotten to it yet. Would be interested in your review!
Elizabeth S says
Certain birthday for me and my children just hit me harder than others. I don’t think it hits guys as hard. They’re like, oh its just another day. ;~(
Mary Arredondo says
Happy birthday to K and enjoy homecoming!
Alyssa says
“Poppy voted for herself” LOL that got me good this morning 😉 Happy Homecoming!!
Michelle Etheridge says
Happy birthday to Kensington!
Marisa Patel says
I cannot wait to try the muffins, I am a muffin girl so I get super excited for new recipes! I love that Boyd does so many spirit activities, I do not know that North does that but it could be that my teenager doesn’t want me to know hahahaha
Kristin says
I snorted out loud at the 4th husband crack. Happy birthday to Kensington and happy double HOCO week to all of you!
Elisabeth Hogue says
For those of us that are GF – the Dot’s Cheese Curls are pretty amazing!
Jill says
Poppy voted for herself haha!
Cathy Perez says
Love all the fall sweaters!
Lizzie says
Happy birthday, Kensington! Enjoy your day!
Does anyone know if the Dot’s cinnamon sugar have MSG in them like all the other flavors? Trying to avoid MSG.
Janet Teeter says
Why is Andrew wearing a Boston shirt? Did he lose a bet? I’m a Red Sox fan, but am concerned for this turn of events🤔
Mix and Match Mama says
Boyd’s baseball team uses the Boston “B”. He’s never looked better, right? 😉
Jodi says
It’s interesting how different parts of America do high school so differently. My son’s high school in California does not have a football team and I also attended a a school with no football team. Seems huge there.
Mix and Match Mama says
It’s huge in Texas!
Heather says
Happy Happy Sweet Sixteen to Sweet Kensington!
Jennifer says
Hi Shay! I’ve followed you since summer of 2015. These Friday Faves are always the best. I bought the watch bands this time! 🤪 Have a great weekend!
Melissa says
The glow in the dark pep rally looks so fun!
Kim Carberry says
Aww! Happy birthday to your daughter!
What a fantastic parade for homecoming, it looks like a lot of fun! The cheerleaders look amazing!