Friends, today is our FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!
Well, for half of my kiddos it is the first day of school. For the other half, we still have two more “first days” left this month.
If you would have told me two years ago that I would end up with four kids at four different schools with four different commutes and allllllll the things that go along with it, I would have said you were crazy. Turns out, I am the crazy one because that’s exactly what we’re doing 😉 .
Today is Smith and Ashby’s first day of school. Wait what? How do those two have the same first day of school?
Well, last year…
…this girl fell hard for those Lovejoy Leopards too 🙂 .
Since Lovejoy’s middle school starts in the 7th grade, we decided to make the switch now so that she could start middle school new with all of the other 7th graders and meet/get to know the kids who all go on to Lovejoy High School as well. This school district has applications for “out of district transfers”, so when it came time to re-apply for Smith, we applied for Ashby as well and she was also accepted.
SHE IS SO PUMPED!
We are thrilled to have another Leopard in the family.
So, my two middles start school today while my bookends still have a few more days left of summer before their respective start dates.
What does this do to all of our BACK TO SCHOOL TRADITIONS? Complicates them. Ha!
Now that we have two kids in school, this feels like the “official” start to our school year, so this morning, I made my traditional breakfast fare, this afternoon, we will have our favorite first day cookies and tonight is our traditional back to school dinner…but I promised the other two girls that I would rinse and repeat on their first days as well (we will be full of lasagna by the end of August!).
What’s better than one first day of school? Apparently three.
I am saving my own personal favorite tradition of dropping them off on their first day and then going to Hobby Lobby to take in all the fall glory for that last “first” day. This mama will be very anxious for that first minute of quiet , coffee, and pumpkin gazing.
I am taking the rest of the day off to enjoy the remaining two and savor this first day. Should you be curious about our favorite FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL MENU, I have it below. This menu is tried and true, y’all.
After this year, I only have ONE MORE YEAR of First Day of School Shull family traditions until…
…the birds start leaving the nest…
Needless to say, being able to do this “first day” thing three times isn’t making my mama heart sad…it’s just giving me extra extra goodness to hold on to right now.
Have the best (first!) day! Check out my yummy menu below…
Curious what we eat on the first day of school every year?
Here you go…
Maple Sausage Balls are a MUST at our house!! Once you make these, you’ll want to make them again and again! We make these year around, but they’re especially delicious on the first day of school.
Another savory breakfast option for your family…my Brown Sugar Bacon Wrapped Pigs in a Blanket!!
Years and years ago, my kids requested my green pancakes (which we typically make on St. Paddy’s Day!) for their first day of school breakfast and well, it stuck! We now make these every single year on the first day!
If green pancakes aren’t your thing…
…then you should try my Apple Bacon Pancakes instead! They are AMAZING!!
We always, always have my Butterscotch Maple No Bake Cookies after school on the first day. It’s such a special tradition!!
You can also always make these Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies too or…
...these Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich Cookies!
For dinner, our tradition is lasagna 🙂 . You can make either my delicious g-free version or…
…my Provolone Lasagna. Both are winning first day of school recipes!
These foods are always such sweet ways to celebrate a new school year for our family. I hope you find a recipe or two to enjoy as well!
Happy first day!! xx
Elspeth Mizner says
Happy first day! Hope it’s a great year!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Diane Moore says
Enjoy your day!! I admire that you always notice what’s unique, special, and worth celebrating!
Alison says
Good luck to Ashby and Smith!! Have a wonderful day with your other 2! The days go by so quickly! I pray they all have a wonderful year! 🙂
K.K. says
How? How, Shay, are your birds close to leaving the nest?!
I realize that it’ll be a very cool new chapter for y’all though!! Knowing you – you’re planning out some new cool traditions. Can’t wait to watch!
Katie Compton says
Happy first of the “first days”!! I went back to work yesterday and welcome my new batch of 2nd graders in a week. Then a week after that, we take our one and only to college!! A FB memory popped up today from 11 years ago where we were cuddling and she asked if she could “be homeschooled for college”. Oh my heart! I think I’ll go ahead and offer it up… just in case she’s still interested. ❤️
Mix and Match Mama says
Oh goodness, this is a HUGE year for your sweet family. Sending you so much love, Katie! xx
Katie Compton says
Thank you, Shay! Our girl is SO excited about her next chapter in life so that makes it a little easier for us. 💕
Laci says
Happy first day Ashby and Smith!
Valerie Allen says
Savor it all, Shay. My youngest is about to start college and my oldest is moving into her first off campus apartment in a week. Everything is different on this side of high school. It’s all a bit bittersweet.
Natalie Whitehead says
I have read your blog for years and years but never noticed until today how much Kensington looks like your mom! That smile in her cheer pic is your mom’s smile! Beautiful!
stacy says
What a testament to the love and care you’ve poured into them. Wishing you a peaceful heart and a joyful start to this next chapter!
Amy Heinl says
Hope Ashby and Smith have a great first day and a wonderful school year
SS says
Wow!!! How fun!!! Glad they have all found their “spot”!!!
Schools up here don’t start for at least another week or 2 (perhaps it’s because some don’t have air conditioning).
Happy first day for your center kiddos!!!
Laura Holmes says
How is another school year starting up already?! Here’s to a fantastic year for all the kiddos and enough coffee for all the moms to get through it! 😂
Libby says
They start today!? Yikes! I thought mine started early next Thursday. May all of y’alls transitions go smoothly.
Nicole says
Yay for pumpkins and fall soon!! I’m *thinking* about trying Botox for the very first time and I’m curious how often you get it done and what you typically do? Thanks.
Mix and Match Mama says
We have a Bestie Breakdown podcast episode called Breaking Down Botox! You should listen! I get it done every four months (forehead, crows feet and glabella).
Faith says
Yes, savor each moment! Glad you are not thinking too far and getting sad already. People miss the now when they think too much about the past or the future. Having one get married and moving 7 hours away this summer and now another getting ready to go back to school thankfully only 2 hours away is HARD! I do not like it 🫣😭 Thankful the oldest one is living at home while she is in grad school. I need a blog on this stage of life. 🥹
Alyssa J says
Ashby is so brave!! Starting middle school is an adventure, but starting middle school in a different school district is on another level! I’m sure she’ll make a ton of new friends on her first day!
KK says
How time flies and your kids have grown up so beautifully! I started reading your blog after I had my first baby because I needed something to help keep me awake during her late night nursing sessions. Now that baby is going to be a freshman in high school. I almost can’t believe my own words!
Erika Slaughter says
Happy FIRST Day! Praying it’s a great one!
Donna C says
Over the last couple of weeks I have tried to pin several of your recipes but I keep getting the message something went wrong…the url is wrong and to check it and try again. I have tried multiple things and keep getting the same message. Have you been having any issues with Pinterest that could be causing this?
Mix and Match Mama says
I think it might be your “pin it” button on your computer. I just pinned mine and didn’t have any issues. I wonder if you need to install a new one??
Elizabeth McLenna says
I can’t even believe this! I started following your family when they were babies!!! And only 2.
Mix and Match Mama says
Thank YOU so very much! I am just so grateful! xx
Deb says
Happy first day to Ashby and Smith! Enjoy your extra time with Kensington and Madeley!
Allie says
Awee… Such sweet traditions…. I have one starting Kindergarten and one starting Pre-K this year… this momma is all in her feels….
Been reading your blog for years and also loved your podcast!
Mix and Match Mama says
Thank you so so much! Make all the traditions, do all the things, enjoy every minute of this back to school time. It’s not forever. xx
Julie says
I absolutely love everything about this post! My guys are 31 and 34 so it’s been a long time since we had a first day of school. It was great to read about your traditions!
Jaren says
Y’all have a wonderful school year!!! I had 2 of my 4 at two different high schools last year! Gotta do what you gotta do! Now my oldest is starting college!! That went by fast!
Jeanne says
My goodness Ashby is so pretty! Hoping your kiddos have a great year at school!
Jaime says
Hi, Is Ashby’s new school district have similar policies for her Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome?
Mix and Match Mama says
Yes, yes!
Sheaffer says
Don’t start talking about kids leaving the nest. It’s too early for me to get in a fetal position. That throwback picture got me!!!
Leslie Jackson says
That is so exciting you will have 2 Lovejoy Leopards this year! I will have to look for you at the football games. Our son is helping the team again this year!
Mix and Match Mama says
I hope you do!!!!
kristen says
Hope all your kiddos have great years at their respective schools!! And what this post really tells me is that I’ve been reading your blog a long time – I remember when Kensington went to kindergarten! Wish I could slow down time and I’m sure you agree!
Mix and Match Mama says
THANK YOU!! I am so very grateful for women like you that have been here for so long. xx