Happy Tuesday, friends!
Today, I have A {TRAVEL} DAY IN THE LIFE!
I snapped some pics on Sunday of our trip from Nantucket to McKinney and thought I’d share. I love reading random travel posts like this, so hopefully you will too 🙂 .
Andrew stayed to close up our house on Nantucket and then flew back to Texas yesterday, and Kensington had to come back a little earlier for cheer which means it was one mom, three kids and two dogs on this return. Needless to say, I tried to do my best capturing our day in snaps, but I also had to keep counting our carry on luggage to make sure we didn’t leave anything or anyone behind. #momlife
Here we go…
I woke up Sunday morning and enjoyed my last coffee, my last cuddle with Yankee and my last Bible time on Nantucket for the summer season.
After that…
…I made an early morning four mile loop around town. I walked and walked and just tried to soak it all up.
After getting back home, I showered and got ready for my flight. We had the luggage out and ready for the car…
…and I looked down the stairs and saw that Yankee was ready to go. Bahahaha! Bless her sweet heart. She saw those travel bags and knew it meant “go time”.
Andrew drove us to the airport and had breakfast with us before our flight…
…Cross Winds is this year around diner located in the airport (it’s literally the only thing to eat or drink in the small airport). It is a quintessential diner, and we always love going to get something to eat. It feels very “local” and the food is delicious.
So cute and “diner-y”.
After we had more coffee and a bite to eat, it was time to…
…grab the dogs and the bags and get going…
…see you next time, Nantucket!
On this day, we flew from Nantucket to Washington DC’s Reagan Airport for a quick layover. On this flight, I read a little and…
…blogged a little.
We landed in DC…
…which I always think has the prettiest terminal.
If you missed my post on getting to Nantucket, as it varies depending on when you go, make sure you check that out too!
We had about an hour between flights, so…
…we grabbed lunch. Please note, my son ordered three entrees and ate every bite.
After lunch, the gang headed to our connecting flight…
…I’m in the back counting bags and dogs and kids and confirming we have not left anyone behind.
We never mind a travel day 🙂 .
Alrighty, last leg! Time to head to Dallas!
We flew back to Dallas, grabbed our luggage, hopped in the car and drove to McKinney. The SWEETEST thing was when we pulled on our street…
…Ashby’s neighborhood friends were in the front yard jumping up and down screaming and hollering for her. I pulled over and she jumped right out. How precious is that? After two months of being gone, the neighborhood gang was back together.
The rest of the night was a bit of a blur…we Door Dashed Chipotle, those neighborhood friends stayed to swim in our backyard, and Smith invited two buddies to spend the night.
By the time I…
…turned on The Office and got into my bathtub, I was tired and happy.
It’s always sad to leave our favorite place, but it’s always nice to be home.
Okay, don’t forget, I have my TRAVEL WITH DOGS post too!
If you want a few more random travel posts for your Tuesday, don’t forget, I also have TIPS FOR KIDS CARRYING ON, TIPS FOR MOTION SICKNESS, FIRST TIMER’S GUIDE TO CRUISING, MY KEYS TO MANAGING JET LAG and SO many more travel posts HERE! You can also reach out to my TRAVEL AGENCY HERE 🙂 .
I hope you all have the best, best day! I’ll see you tomorrow! xx
Polly Pover says
Summer ends early for you all! Nantucket must be like the rest of New England tourists spots where “summer” lasts until after Labor Day? When we used to leave our cherished island home, I would literally say as we pulled out of the driveway, “Good bye house, we’ll be back!” And, focus on that, which would always make me smile!
Mix and Match Mama says
The Nantucket kids get out of school the third week of June and go back after Labor Day. I’m super jealous of that schedule right about now.
Elspeth Mizner says
I love reading travel posts too! Thanks for sharing!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Josie says
How do you feel about your kids (and maybe your teen visitors this summer) flying as unaccompanied minors given the travel logistics getting to/from Nantucket? Are you worried they’ll get stranded due to weather at a random airport?
Mix and Match Mama says
I don’t worry about things for the most part. So far, we haven’t had any issues. We always have game plans should anything go wrong, but thankfully, we haven’t had to use them.
Kristy says
I wondered about that too! This was our first summer for our teens to do some flights alone. They loved it!
Welcome back!
Paula Hobbs says
Welcome Home!!!!!! I can only imagine how bittersweet it is, but it looks like you guys had a great journey back. I hope you and the kiddos have a great back to school week!!
Sarah DeWald says
It must feel nice to be back home again. Even though I’m sure you’re missing summer. So happy you had a great summer!
Leslie says
Completely off topic, but just had to say….you were right! I finally got the dyson vacuum you have been recommending for years. I’m obsessed! And now every time I use it I am thinking to myself…why, oh why did I not listen to Shay sooner????
Mix and Match Mama says
ISN’T IT AMAZING?! I must pull that thing out 15 times a day. It is such a game changer!!
Nichole says
I would love a “closing up the house/travel day” blog from Andrew!! What he did to close it up, his travel experience, etc!
Mix and Match Mama says
Jotting that down!!
Erika Slaughter says
AWWW!! The sweetest neighborhood girls!
Irene Kelly says
What is the name of the Hotel you stayed at before you got your house on Nantucket ? Tks for responding
Mix and Match Mama says
The Nantucket Hotel and Resort 🙂
Kristin Lyngaas says
That’s so so sweet about Ashby’s friends waiting for her 🩷 I work in middle school and to see them come back to school and regroup is just the best. Some friend groups change 🥴 but it’s still sweet. Hope you all have a great rest of your summer break!
Alexis Pursley says
I always enjoy reading your posts! Thanks for sharing what a travel day looks like and how you navigate it all. I just flew with my 20mo and that was an adventure. 😉
Beth Valenta says
Well, welcome home and I am now ready for some fun back to school posts to get me in the mood. I start this week as well.
Maryann Keller says
I love day in the life posts, and a travel themed one is even better! I always feel the same when leaving our happy place. Sad to be leaving, but a warm comfortable feeling arriving home. That’s how I know my heart can be in two places <3. Love the quilted cream colored bag the girls are carrying! Can you provide details?
Mix and Match Mama says
It’s a great bag! It’s here: https://shopstyle.it/l/cthem
Nades says
How does Ashby feel missing those friends all summer? It must be hard on her to be isolated and away from her friends for so long-summer is a time hang out with friends, you know?
Mix and Match Mama says
No one has more friends on Nantucket than Ashby, so instead of missing out, she gets double the friendships 🙂 .
Emy says
💙 Awww! No such thing as too many friends! 🩷
Kristy Moore says
I was counting the plates on that table trying to figure out who the extra guest was! LOL Gotta love teenage boys and their never ending appetites!
Mix and Match Mama says
Never ending!
Kennedy says
I just don’t understand having a house on Nantucket when you live in Texas. I live in Mass and we still have a month of summer here. Closing up the house the first week of August is crazy. You’re missing out on one of the best parts of the season by having to leave early.
Mix and Match Mama says
I wish our summers were longer. My kiddos start back to school August 7th. We had two full months there which was glorious (they get out of school in May), but we certainly could have stayed longer.
Jessica says
I have loved this past few blogs, what sweet love letters to Nantucket and your sweet family. And I totally laughed out loud about continuously counting bags, dogs and kids. All us moms have totally been there and will be there again soon 🙂
Alli Paige says
What’s it like letting the dogs go to the potty at the airports? I always wonder about that when I see pets. (I’ve also seen some doggy accidents in terminals as well). Curious how you handle the food, water, and potty breaks.
Mix and Match Mama says
I have a blog post on this! You can read it here: https://mixandmatchmama.com/2025/07/traveling-with-dogs/ We haven’t had an accident in the airport, but we come prepared with supplies just in case it should happen.
Heather says
I want your energy! 😂❤️
Even when traveling, you get so much accomplished in one day. 🥰
When did you wake up and go to bed that day?
Mix and Match Mama says
I should have mentioned that! I woke up at 5:00 AM (EST) and then went to bed around 10:30 (CST)…so a very full day.
Heather says
Definitely full, but I love that you are so productive and start your morning off in the word. 🙂
Elizabeth says
I love day in the life posts, and its especially fun to see how you guys do travel days! I’d love to hear about closing up the house, and then how often you go back during the “off season” to check on things, etc.
Jess says
What did you do with your other dogs while in ACK? We are traveling and can bring the pups but not sure if we want to bring all three. How were they being separated? Makes me nervous to leave one or two behind and what guilt may ensue.
Mix and Match Mama says
Andrew’s parents kept our oldest dog and the other three came with us. They all did great this summer!
Sheaffer says
I saw the question above about if you get nervous about kids flying on their own, and you said that you don’t really get nervous about it. I know how I could make you nervous….. I could fly to Nantucket BY MYSELF. I bet you’d be nervous then. Hahahahahahaha! You would have to have some serious contingency plans in place.
Mix and Match Mama says
If you flew by yourself anywhere, I would be a nervous wreck. Actually, I would buy a ticket too just to be there should you need me. 😉
Dana J says
Nothing like a teenage boy appetite! Brought back memories from when my son was that age!! What a great summer on Nantucket!
Welcome back to Texas!
Karen in Virginia says
Hi Shay! I knew the second I saw that airport it had to be Reagan National. I live in the DC area and that’s the only airport in the country with that type of architecture. I’m glad you mentioned it in your post! I’ve been following your blog for over 10 years. Such a nice part of my day!
Mix and Match Mama says
That airport is just gorgeous! DC is gorgeous! Thank YOU for being here! xx
Mandy says
Were you able to take the dogs in the restaurants at the airports with you for breakfast and lunch or how does that work with getting food?
Mix and Match Mama says
They are allowed in their carriers. So they napped in their carriers on the floor next to us while we ate.
Erin says
I love travel posts! And I’m with you on the constant counting of things. When just the husband and I travel, I always feel like we have left something!
Hilary says
I would love a little advice… I have 3 kids similar ages (13, 11, 9), and we are involved in many club sports. I know that your kids must be missing sports things over the summer in TX, whether it be practices or “voluntary” camps/training weeks, etc. How do you let that go and not worry that it will affect their actual seasons and making teams? I am forever in a state of trying to let this go, as we prioritize travel, yet it feels like we are ALWAYS missing sports things. Thank you!!
Mix and Match Mama says
I honestly think it’s harder when kids are younger. When they’re older, the school is regulating everything and those coaches and teachers want summers too. Kensington had a few things for cheer over the summer, and she was back and attended all of those things, but other than that, we were free. Football didn’t practice (the first one was this morning!) over the summer. I think most high school athletes that are super focused and want to excel spend their free time training and working out (I know my kids and my kids’ friends do), so my older two just did that from Nantucket (went to the gym, worked on their sports, etc). Ashby’s soccer season ended in May and doesn’t start back up again until after Labor Day and Mades is doing recreational cheer and taking tumbling lessons, so really, it’s not an issue. Certain sports are “summer” sports, but my kids aren’t currently participating in those. One time a mom with older kiddos reminded me that when they’re little and you’re paying for all of the sports, you are the “paying customer” and they are your kids, so don’t ever forget that. You get to decide what’s in your family’s best interest. As long as you’re always leaning that way, you’ll always make the right decision.