Happy What’s Up Wednesday!
It’s HALLOWEEN EVE!!!
Holy cow.
I feel like I should step away from my desk right now and go look at a pumpkin.
While watching Hocus Pocus.
And drinking a #psl.
Agh!
There is just SO MUCH goodness happening right now!
Tonight, Andrew and I are hosting a few couples for a Halloween Happy Hour which we’re super excited about.
Okay, clearly, I have things to do and things to celebrate today. As always, on the last Wednesday of every month, Sheaffer and I host this little linky party where we share what’s going on with us right now. It’s a little food, a little family, a little what we’re wearing, a little what we’re doing, a little what we’re watching and a little bit of everything else all in one post.
Here we go…
Well, not us, but this is what Smith is eating…
…so many of you liked when I shared Smith’s lunches at the beginning of the school year. I shared his CHICKEN & RICE lunch option HERE in this post, but now, Andrew also makes this version with ground beef as a second option. Here are the details as I know many of you have started making the chicken version too and you might also want another lunch idea.
Andrew says that this makes 10 lunches for Smith (of course, you could portion yours out to make more or less).
Using Andrew’s measurements, these 10 lunches each have 60 grams of protein and 140 carbs.
It’s 12 pounds of 96/4 ground beef browned up in a little extra virgin olive oil along with a nice pinch of Montreal Steak Seasoning.
Andrew also heats up 20 bags of Ben’s Ready Rice (so each day, Smith gets two bags).
He makes the ground beef and then portions it between his 10 freezer bags along with adding two Ready Rice into each one to give him…
…10 lunches. Once they come to room temp, we freeze them until the morning he’s ready to head to school. At that time, we let the individual bag thaw a bit (while we drink our coffee/do our quiet time) and then pour the contents into a microwavable bowl to heat through. We take the super hot food and add it to the pre-heated Yeti (see below) and off he goes to school.
HOW DO YOU MAKE YOUR YETI HOT? WELL, HERE’S A FABULOUS BLOG READER TIP FROM YEARS AGO WAS THIS: Fill a thermos with boiling hot water and let it sit about 10 minutes or so before dumping out the water and then filling it with your hot food. This keeps food hotter much longer in a thermos. I’ve shared this tip for YEARS because it works LIKE A CHARM!!!! My kids like taking hot food to school on occasion and this always, always keeps it hot.
All the Octobers past.
You guys, I would go back in a heartbeat and do this all over again. Every single moment…
They tell you the days are long but the years are short…I just didn’t believe it until now.
Thanks to a blog reader, I can retire my jack-o-lanterns after tomorrow because I bought myself…
…CHRISTMAS SLIPPERS!! (You can find my SWEATSHIRT and JOGGERS too!)
You’re obsessed too, right?! They come in other Christmas-y prints as well!
They are JOY on my feet.
I told you about my Old Navy order last week, well it came and pairs perfectly with said slippers.
Just look…
…how cute is MY FLEECE?!
Every single Old Navy item today is ON SALE and comes in MULTIPLE COLOR OPTIONS. I bought all of these tops in an xs as a reference.
I love a SHERPA QUARTER ZIP!
This was yesterday’s #OOTD! HALF-ZIP PULLOVER + JEANS + SLIPPERS
And of course, because you know me…
…nothing brings me more joy than holiday pjs! There are so many different styles and prints to choose from, but I bought THIS TOP and THESE PANTS with a SWEATER KNIT BEANIE too!
If it’s festive, we’re there!
We loved going to McKinney Boyd High’s Trunk or Treat on Monday night. Who doesn’t need MORE CANDY this week?!
‘Tis almost gift wrapping season.
As you know, I struggle with this…
Literally everything. I am excited about LITERALLY EVERYTHING!
Speaking of the holiday season, this year…
…instead of purchasing an Advent Bible Study, I bought this devotional book to read along with my morning Bible Recap. Whether you always do something to recognize Advent each holiday season or this is your first time, you will not regret it!
Don’t forget, if you’re going to read along with our Book Club in November…
…we are reading Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout. This book is a part of a larger series but CAN be read as a stand alone book. I have not read any of her other books and am not missing a thing reading this one. My full OCTOBER BOOK REVIEW will be out soon, but in the meantime, we’d love for you to read this one along with us next month!!
Literally right now as I type this sentence 🙂 .
Also, literally as I type this sentence, I’m wearing…
…my CARDIGAN again!
It’s this outfit…
…on repeat over here!
TANK + CARDIGAN + JEANS + BOOTIES
I also wore THIS SWEATSHIRT to the gym/to and from taking my kiddos to school this week. It comes in so many different colors too!
Just easy to wear and comfy too!
Yes ma’am!
And that wraps up this month’s What’s Up Wednesday!
If you blogged WUW along with us too, please make sure you link up below!
I hope you all have a WONDERFUL Halloween Eve!! I will see you back here tomorrow for the BIG day!! Happy happy Wednesday! xx
Elspeth says
Have a wonderful Halloween Eve!! Also, curious what Apple Watch you currently have and if you will do a review on it? Looking to upgrade mine this year!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Mix and Match Mama says
I had to look it up to see, and it appears I have the 10. I didn’t review this one as it seems very, very similar to my other ones. I had the previous one the longest (2.5 years), and I purchased this one last December. I LOVE my Apple Watches!!
Elspeth says
Yay!!! Thank you! Looking to upgrade and love and trust your reviews!
Erika Slaughter says
Love the Christmas pjs!!
Stacy says
Wow just WOW what teenage boys can eat 🙂 Thanks for Sharing and Happy Halloween Eve!!
Susan Jeffries says
We put our tree up a couple of weeks ago because our daughter will be working in another state over the holiday season. We wanted her to be able to enjoy her home tree before she leaves. I love the lights and the peaceful feeling the tree brings to our home. Enjoy your kiddos for trick or treat. I also love those amazon slippers. We have them for every holiday!
Mix and Match Mama says
I could NOT love this more! xx
Kristy says
That is so sweet. And so fun.
I bought the slippers for me and my girls!
Sheaffer says
Those Christmas pjs are too cute on you! And I LOVED the walk down memory lane with the ids in all of their costumes!
~B~ says
Feeling overly sentimental myself, looking at your Halloween pics and remembering how long I’ve been enjoying following along with your family. With that…Shay, I have this deep hope that someday, hopefully many years from now when I have moved onto heaven that we will have a beautiful way to see or relive those moments. That I can hold my babies again, that I can see those every-day beautiful, silly toddler moments, the pre-teen who would be so excited to tell me about their day, the teen who I was watching become independent…this list is never-ending. Whenever I think this, I feel like that is God reminding me to slow down and be sure to enjoy those moments NOW. To be present, to let the busy step aside and really soak in those moments now, in the living. I’ve always appreciated when you share about how you strive to be here in the present also, when life is so busy. Whew! The sentimentalism has really taken over this morning! 🙂 As always, thank you for sharing, Shay.
Mix and Match Mama says
Well this is just beautiful. Thank you for your words today. They are lovely. xx
Angela says
Beautiful words and a sweet reminder to enjoy the present❤️ Thank you for sharing!
Laci says
I love the walk down memory lane of kids and costumes! Man it goes fast!
Angela says
Thank you for sharing Smith’s latest high protein meal. Our sons will definitely LOVE this!
I listen to the Steve Tyrell Pandora station that you recommend and really enjoy it! But I did venture out and found another one that I like, too. You should try… Vince Guaraldi radio. He’s the Peanuts/ Charlie Brown musician. It’s jazzy and uplifting and reminds me of watching those Peanuts holiday shows as I’m working around the house definitely… brings all the warm fuzzies!
Maddie Giamello says
Happy Happy Halloween Eve!! I loved your post yesterday about things we do to be squared away and agreed with SO many of them! I meant to comment yesterday and got distracted. Andrew mentioned cold plunging. Did y’all get a cold plunge at your house?! We’ve been thinking about getting one so if you did, would love a post on what y’all think about it, where you put it, etc. Hope you have the best HH tonight and halloween tomorrow!!
Mix and Match Mama says
We do have one! I’ll jot that note down for a post!
Anneka says
The yearly Halloween pictures kill me. We do themed costumes each year and this time of year I’ll scroll through them for anyone who will look. 😂 This year they wanted a Christmas theme. We have a Christmas tree (complete with color changing lights), the Grinch, Blitzen, and Santa. Grammy is Rudolph and Grandpa a nutcracker. My husband and I will wear Christmas tees.
Donna Mason says
Happy ALL THE HOLIDAYS season to you Shay. You remind me so much of how I used to be during the holiday season. STILL love it all but certain people have since passed away that made these holidays just so extra extra special.
In the shirts from Old Navy do you do petite XS or regular?
Enjoy every beautiful moment of the all the upcoming holidays Shay!
XO
lee ann vicary says
Since Andrew is still recovering from back surgery – have you lined up a local college kid to be your helper? How will you ever get it all done in a day without Andrew who already knows where everything goes? Good luck.
Mix and Match Mama says
Awwwww…well, I’m so excited because sweet Braiden (who I posted a picture of on Monday) is going to come and help me. She might be an adult now with a grown up engineering job, but she said she wanted to come help me put up my trees. I am SO blessed by that!
Jaime says
Such a fun post! I’m a little confused, Do kensington and Smith go to different high schools? Did you choose to send them to different schools?
Mix and Match Mama says
They do go to different high schools. Smith wanted to try something new, and he’s loving it! K is quite happy where she is, so it’s a win/win.
K.K. says
I can’t believe we are almost to November either!! I love Christmas time more than any other time, but this fall went lightning fast. Like, where did September and October go???
Erin H says
I may already have my tree up. Ha! I ordered a new one and I wanted to make sure it worked/wasn’t too big. And once it was up it seemed silly to take it down only to bring it back upstairs a few weeks later. It’s not decorated, but just turning it on makes me so happy!
Melanie M says
It seems like just yesterday that Madeley was Moana. She was adorable as Moana!
Samantha Robbinson says
I couldn’t be caught dead in Old Navy (too much judgement where i live lol) but you make it look cute!
SS says
Aw, I love Old Navy!
Have a fun Halloween, all.
MelanieL says
Awe, I ordered the Christmas slippers for me and daughter for her (20th!) birthday trip to Chicago this weekend!! Our weekend is Christmas themed because Macy’s State Street begins their holiday windows and The Walnut room puts up their giant tree. Now I’m extra excited to surprise her with matching slippers for the hotel room! 🙂
Mix and Match Mama says
Awwwww! I love this so much!!
Nikkie F. says
Allllll the Halloween pictures!!! 🥺
Why do kids have to grow up on us so fast like that!? Can’t wait for my book to come in, thanks for sharing!
Jami Romano says
Love this! My oldest just got her first college acceptance letter & I can not stop looking at her as a baby flower. The feels are real! Happy Halloween 🙂
Mix and Match Mama says
Wow!!! Congratulations to her!!
Keisha Dawson says
Thank you for the advent recommendation. For the first time ever, I have ordered it, and I’ll be prepared to actually start at the right time.
Robin says
So much goodness here! Happy Halloween Eve!
joanna says
You can never go wrong with Old Navy PJs…they are the best! Happy Halloween Eve!!
Ellen says
OMG, a pound + of beef! Boys! How big is he? I have a teen boy who is 6’3″, and he eats a LOT,but not like that!
Kerry says
I’m curious about Andrew’s rationale for 60g of protein for Smith…I totally understand trying to bulk him up, but I listened to an interview with Peter Attia and he mentioned that the research he’s seeing says that after ~45grams of protein in a meal, the body can’t really absorb any more protein and it’s wasted. (Would mean more meals throughout the day if you’re trying to hit a super high protein target). Wondering if there’s different guidance for growing teenagers or if this is standard protocol for trying to bulk boys up for football?
Also, hopefully this isn’t too obnoxious, but I have a background in environmental toxicology and a few things come to mind for me – rice is known to be high in arsenic, particularly inexpensive non-organic rice. They often find people who switch to GF but still consume a lot of processed GF substitute foods (which often use low equality rice flour) ended up with elevated/toxic levels of arsenic in their bloodstream. Also, heating food in plastic of any kind releases toxins into the food and eating high amounts of food cooked in plastic can quickly elevate toxin exposure. Given the bulk prep and quantity of rice being consumed, it might be worth considering switching to organic rice grown in the US (research shows less/minimal arsenic in US grown rice b/c of soil composition here) and cooked in a rice cooker/instant pot in bulk. I’d imagine it’d take the same time to cook as cooking the meat.
Mix and Match Mama says
This is an Andrew question and not for me, but I would say that the main reason he makes so much is that Smith is just a super hungry, growing guy.
Marisa Patel says
I love Diana Krall. I will have to get the slippers since I already have the Old Navy PJs! Have fun with your happy hour party!
Kim says
So you put the food into a yeti water bottle? Do you send them with a big spoon? Love the teen boy food recommendations. What do you feed him for breakfast and dinner?
Mix and Match Mama says
I used to send him with a big spoon, but now, he just uses the plasticware there from his school. He eats whatever I make for dinner (last night was lasagna) and for breakfast, he goes through phases. He was on a breakfast taco phase for about two months and now, he’s making protein shakes.
Heather says
Happy Halloween Eve! Love getting a look back at the Shull 6 as y’all have grown through the years.
Sara says
Thank you for sharing this, it’s so helpful as a mom to a same-age teenage boy;) I’d love to buy the yeti through your link and am wondering if Smith pours the rice/meat onto a plate during lunch? Or does he just eat straight from the tall thermos? Lol sorry to ask! Thanks again and happy Halloween! I remember all those pics from over the years and it makes me nostalgic too! 🙂
Mix and Match Mama says
That’s a great question! He just sticks a fork right on in there and eats from the Yeti.
Nicole says
Did you get a new phone case and pop socket yet for Christmas?! I always order what you share! 🥰
Mix and Match Mama says
YES!! I will post the deets!!
Lynn T says
I love reading your blog every day and keeping up to date on the things going on in your family and following the links to so many of the items you share. Thank you!
Lauren Priddle says
I’ve been a blog reader for years, and I loved seeing the Halloween pics through the years! My little boy is 18 months old and those pics just reminded me to soak in this time with him! It’s so special!
Mix and Match Mama says
Enjoy every minute of this season with your little guy. It’s going to go by much faster than you think.
D Jackson says
Love the walk down memory lane Halloween pics…oh how I love doing the same with my kiddos pics who are now adults!! Next year I will have a new little pumpkin to enjoy as my daughter is pregnant with her first baby and my first grandchild!! So very excited!
Also I have that advent devotional and love it!! Hope it brings you joy!
Rachel says
Wow, it’s crazy seeing those old photos of the kids when they were so little. I’ve been following your blog for over 10 years now. I cannot believe how fast time goes.
I have a three and five year old and as much as I truly appreciate and love mums of older kids telling us mums of younger kids to soak it all in, it makes me so sad thinking I’m going to look back on this time one day and wish I could go back in time.
I truly love every moment of being with my sweet little girls and never take a moment with them for granted however, I’m so worried that I’m living the best time of my life right now.
Thinking of them growing up makes me so sad. I don’t want these days with them this little to end 😭
Mix and Match Mama says
You know, I miss those days so very much, but I also remind myself that one day, I’m going to look back on these current days and miss them too. I think the blessing is that there are many wonderful seasons in life to enjoy and remember…that’s a gift.
Melissa says
I love the idea of the lunches! I might need to do something like that for work.
Lisa says
Kiddos grow up way too fast. My “little guy” is now in his 30’s… how did that happen?