Happy Wednesday, friends!
Yesterday, we officially had our last FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL for 2025 🙂 .
We have four kiddos at four different schools and this year, that meant we had three different “start” dates.
By the time yesterday rolled around, Madeley was SO VERY READY to get back to school. Summer break is fun and all, but when your three older siblings are back in school and enjoying all of the “newness” of a fresh school year, it really makes you want to go too.
They’re all back, and other than the very very early mornings, so far, so good this school year.
Here’s a little look at our first day(s)…
I can hardly believe it! How did we get to 11th, 10th, 7th, and 5th grades?!
It happened in a blink, friends.
Of course, no back to school season is complete without…
…me drinking coffee from a festive mug.
It’s also not complete without…
I have now made three big batches of GREEN PANCAKES this school year (one each day) as well as one big batch of MAPLE SAUSAGE BALLS (I made these once and then froze the remainder so that we could just pull out what we needed and reheat on subsequent “first days”).
We had all the lunches prepped and ready to go…
…just as a reminder, one of my favorite blog reader tips EVER is to fill your kid’s thermos with boiling water and let it sit for 10 minutes before pouring it out and filling it with their hot food. My kids swear it stays piping hot all day.
As I was driving Ashby to her new school for the first day…
…she spotted a hot air balloon which was a nice bonus for the first day!
I have made SO MANY…
…peanut butter recipes this school month! We have thoroughly enjoyed the extra back to school days as it means more yummy treats in the afternoon. My BUTTERSCOTCH MAPLE NO BAKE COOKIES were certainly in rotation!
And…
…of course, our traditional LASAGNA has been a staple this month too.
On Kensington’s first day of school…
…I met Sheaffer and Erika for brunch in downtown McKinney. Delish!
On Madeley’s first day of school…
…we saw another hot air balloon 🙂 .
Fifth grade, here she comes!
Lululemon sacks are for sure the coolest lunchbox in town 😉 .
I found myself yesterday at Hobby Lobby looking at pumpkins and then…
…with a Starbucks in the little gift shop at my neighborhood grocery store..
…it’s certainly looking like fall y’all!
And now, I’m here working by myself. It’s the first time I’ve had a quiet house in three solid months. I am so excited about this school year and everything that’s ahead for my kids, but man, I miss them. Raising these four will forever be the greatest joy in my life. I just wish I could do it forever.
Okay, I better go before I start to cry.
Sending all of you ladies so much love as you send your kiddos and grandkids back to school. It’s such a bittersweet time.
I’m sharing my WORKOUTS IN A WEEK today too if you want to check it out.
I’ll see you all tomorrow. xx
Elspeth Mizner says
I love your back to school traditions! Have a great year!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Katie Compton says
It’s been so fun seeing your beautiful children grow over the years! It is such a bittersweet time. Currently on the way to move our baby girl into college… like what?!? We spent the evening enjoying her favorite takeout, and then met her sweet friends for ice cream so she could say her goodbyes once more. She and my husband had packed and loaded everything before I got home from work so that was such a gift!
We will miss her but… today we’re focusing on this amazing person we’ve raised, the excitement she has for this next chapter, and all the love she has surrounding her from our amazing family and friends!! I’m so optimistic today I wore mascara!! lol. And we will be down to visit in 3 weeks for a football game, GO HOKIES!
Mix and Match Mama says
Goodness, I hope she has the BEST freshman year. Sending both you and your husband so much love as you start this next chapter. So much love. xx
Katie Compton says
Thank you, Shay! I always love when you respond with your well wishes. It was a long day physically and emotionally… not everything got “done” before we had to leave which was hard for my momma heart. But when we talked to her later she was so happy and having fun setting up with her roomie. Classes don’t start until Monday and the school has so many fun things planned! My husband and I stopped at Buc-ee’s on the way home and had our first date as empty-nesters, ha! 💕
Mix and Match Mama says
I certainly hope you got a brisket sandwich 🙂 . I’m so happy to hear she’s off to a great start. Just so much love to you. xx
Katie Compton says
We most certainly did get a brisket sandwich and loved every bit of it! 😉
sandi says
She must be at VA Tech! Our kids have several friends there and they all love it. Not sure what her interests are but the CRU group there is really good. Hope she has a great first year!
SS says
What great pix. We start next week!!! Today we will tie dye with a family member like we do every year and next week traditional PB& J bars for lunch (half day of school).
Have a great year Shull kiddos!!
Bren says
Happy new school year season to you, Shay. Hope it’s a wonderful year ahead for them, and you and Andrew!
I’m starting a new season here too…after 21 years of having someone in school from preschool to graduate school, all of ours are done and are starting their working adults lives! They have been “out of the nest” for a few years now, but there’s something special about knowing they are all out there as working adults now. I love this stage of life and seeing where life has and will take them! But I miss the years of the crazy chaos of kids at home and activities too. So, in closing my long message, you tugged at my heart strings with your statement above of wishing you could raise them forever. You will – they’ll always be visits home and calls, facetimes and texts…but I am so thankful for the memories we made here at home as they grew, am feeling overly sentimental and appreciated what you shared. Have a wonderful day!
Mix and Match Mama says
Sending you so much love, Bren. Thank you for the sweet words of encouragement. xx
Allison says
Beautiful pictures!!
Jessica says
Feeling all the feels with you, Shay! I’m a teacher, so with summers off my little 6 year old and I have spent a lot of time adventuring together, checking things off our bucket list daily. What a treat for me! I recognize how lucky I am as I start to think about both of our years “starting” up again…I’m not crying, you’re crying! Ha
Karleigh Johnson says
I hope they have the best year ahead! This is my oldest’s last year before kindergarten. I am sad for him but excited for him. I know he’s going to do BIG things! I also can’t wait to start our back to school traditions 🙂
Sarah DeWald says
Happy First Day to everyone! 🙂 And thank you for putting into words what I couldn’t – raising my kiddo is the greatest joy of my life and I wish I could do this with him forever. xoxo
Paula Hobbs says
Prayers for an amazing year for everyone!! It’s so true…don’t blink because #babiesdontkeep!!! xoxo
Amber says
I have the same Swig mug with the books on it. So cute! My boys went back to school today. I have a senior and a sophomore. I can’t believe how fast time has flown by. I hope ya’ll have a great school year!
Andrea says
Empty Nester here. If I could do it all over again I would in a heartbeat. Enjoy every second with your kids at home folks. Make the most of the time they are with you. The time they are with you is a precious gift.
Lauren G says
Aw, happy first days to them all! Hope they have a great year. Just curious, what do your kiddos normally take to school for lunch? Mine start next week and I need ideas other than our usual PB&J sandwiches and chicken nuggets.
Mix and Match Mama says
Tomorrow’s post has a little bit about this! 🙂
sandi says
The caboose of our family started her senior year of high school today. Who gave her permission to grow up? We also have a junior at Liberty University who started on Monday and a senior at Christopher Newport University who will start next Monday. The oldest graduated in May and a few weeks ago started his first adult job. It was nice to contact our health insurance and remove him from the payroll so to speak! I’m not old enough to have kids this age!!
I think I have been reading your blog since Kensington was in first or second grade… that’s really crazy! Hope the Shull kids have a great school year!
Amy Rae D. says
I hope all of your kids have great school years! 🙂
Laura Holmes says
Here’s to a fantastic school year! We just dropped my baby off for her freshman year of college. I’m so happy she’s ready and excited! Time is a thief! Cherish them while they’re all right with us at home. It just goes much too fast.
Mix and Match Mama says
Oh goodness! Sending you so so much love! xx
Darcy says
Thank you for sharing all these good back to school vibes. I’m thankful that my kids are not back to school quite yet, so enjoying summer routines for a bit longer. It has been on my mind to get another dog and I know you have shared before, but please share again where you order your dog beds from? Our 29 lb labradoodle has a little couch like bed that she has loved, but I would like to get one of these pouf like beds that you have for another room in our house (and potentially for when we get another dog too!).
Mix and Match Mama says
Another dog is always a good idea 🙂 . My favorite dog beds are from Wayfair: https://shopstyle.it/l/ctPt6
Darcy Wise says
Thank you! Yes, I’m trying to convince my husband of that on the dog front!!!
Carol says
Kensington being in 11th grade?? and Madeley already in 5th?? What? How can this be?? Been reading your blog since they were all babies. Prayers for all of them to have a great and prosperous year.
I have been making the No Bake Butterscotch Cookies every year since you first posted them. Making them this year was bittersweet as it is my youngest son’s last year of college and my oldest son just moved 20 plus hours away. Yes, this Mama is a big time mess right now. Time goes way to fast. Cherish each and every minute with them while they are home.
Mix and Match Mama says
Oh goodness, you have all the new chapters happening in your family. Sending you so so much love during this new season. xx
Merilynn says
I cannot believe time has flown so fast and your two little ones are not so little anymore! Cherish these days; you will blink and they will be in college!
Katie Stewart says
My girls started their 5th, 4th grades, and pre-k year yesterday. My 9th year in education yesterday, too.
I was quickly reminded though, that my oldest will be 16 when my baby starts kindergarten in 6 years! 😐😆
Mix and Match Mama says
Thank YOU for being in education! What a blessing you must be for so many students. It goes by so so fast. xx
Tamara R says
I hope all four of your kiddos have the BEST year. Next week we have our “Last First Day” with H. I am already an emotional mess. I need time to slow down! But you are so right, these are the best years and no doubt raising them has been my greatest joy too. It’s nice to have friends like you to share this stage of life with.😘 Good thing the Starbucks PSL is here to help us through this emotional time of year! 😉
Mix and Match Mama says
You will need an EXTRA PSL this year, friend! It’s going to be such a BIG BIG year in your house!!
Sarah M says
It’s pure curiosity, but why do your big’s go to different high schools? I understand the middle and elementary schools are different, but maybe you could do a blog post on this? I’m super curious as to the thought process, having kids myself.
Mix and Match Mama says
I don’t have one post on the topic, but I have blogged about it a few times throughout different posts. Smith started asking to look at different options in middle school. He really fell in love with his current high school, and we applied. Ashby fell in love with it too which is why she left the McKinney school system and then honestly, we realized our local elementary school was not the best fit for Mades, so she left too. Kensington is having a great time where she’s planted. She wouldn’t want to leave, so in a nutshell, that’s where we are now.