I’m so excited for today’s post…it’s one of my favorites every year! I love the opportunity to share these cute faces in collaboration with one of my most-loved brands, and document another year, too. This blog also serves as our own personal scrapbook, and I often look back over the years at how much they’ve grown and the memories we’ve created.
It’s equal parts precious and bittersweet. How is it possible to love them so much, and still let them go? To want them to grow and flourish and find their own way, but also desperately keep them close!? Especially with it being our son’s senior year, every day feels like a countdown, and that pesky lump in my throat appears more often than not.
I’m trying to savor this season of our lives, and I know so much joy lies ahead, but my goodness this is hard on my mama heart!
Overall Dress | Puffer Vest | Striped Tee
But I am comforted knowing they are good humans, with kind hearts full of compassion and empathy. So regardless of what they do in life, they carry the most important characteristics. And having a front row seat to their lives is such an honor. And my gosh they’re cute!! Am I right?!
Striped Tee | Khaki Shorts | Striped Hoodie | Pink Tee | White Jeans
Their styles have evolved over the years, and it’s fun seeing how they express themselves with clothes. J.Crew Factory offers good quality pieces at great prices that fit their styles. My son relies on them for jeans, pants and shorts specifically because of the wide range of waist sizes and inseams. (He wears a 28×32, which is almost impossible to find elsewhere!)
Striped Tee | Khaki Shorts | Hat
Little Miss is petite for her age, and also very sensitive to fabrics…so she loves J.Crew Factory’s soft cottons and tagless styles. Many of the items have a slim fit and cut, making them a good fit for her.
Sugarplum Shopping Tip: J.Crew Factory offers an additional 15% discount to teachers and students!
Cat Striped Hoodie | Pink Tee | White Jeans | Sunglasses
Overall Dress | Puffer Vest | Striped Tee | Locket Necklace
White Tee | Jeans | Gray Hoodie
I feel like I say this every year, but this is my favorite age! They are both so fun and funny! But so big!! Where’d my babies go?!
For you mamas with young kids…I know it feels like you’re in the trenches some days, but I promise the work you’re doing will pay off! And as cliche as it is, the years really are short. Terribly, heartbreakingly, gut-wrenchingly short!
But to those mamas with older kids…how am I going to get through this next year, and him moving away?! Please tell me this feeling of dread goes away!
[Shop Her Back-to-School Styles]
[Shop His Back-to-School Styles]
*Photos by the darling Audrie Dollins. This post is created in collaboration with J.Crew Factory, but all styling, opinions and fragile mama heart is my own. Thank you for supporting Hi Sugarplum sponsors.*
Your family is adorable! I love that they’re both wearing stripes 🙂
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This post actually brought tears to my eyes. As a Mama to young children (2&4) I really do sometimes feel like I’m in the trenches. And it’s so lovely to be reminded to look at the bigger picture and enjoy the now. ❤️
You’re family is gorgeous.
Dang the kids are cute. And Little Miss looking up adoringly at her big brother is absolutely PRECIOUS. It gives ME a lump!!!! Whahhhhhhh!!!!
Such cutie pies! It is so hard to “let them go” – that first year when my daughter went to college was so tough – the house was SO quiet and I was lost! I will say that with each year, it gets a bit easier. She is now 25 and in her last year of law school – she calls every day and that makes this momma happy!
Lovely family pics! Great classic looks! Mr. SP jr. is ready for GQ magazine!
All u mom’s out there-those endless packed lunches pay off! When your kids are out chasing their dreams, it’s a great feeling. From high school on, they live such interesting lives, and you stand back and watch in awe. : )
I love seeing your darling family and watching your kids grow along with you. It *is* gut-wrenching, but there’s a brand new awe that comes when you get to see your kids as adults. My older son just got married this summer (#cuetheuglytears #happilyeveralthouse) and my younger son is “living the dream” in DC with his girlfriend. Seeing them treat their partners with respect, joy, and so much love shows me that we did what we were supposed to do… teach them well and give them wings. My best advise is to enjoy each stage with them… you’ll love seeing what amazing adults they become! You’ve got this! XO
They sure are the cutest and the sweetest-just like their mom! You and your husband are raising phenomenal human beings. You have instilled in each of them all the best qualities, so enjoy the fruits of your labor of love!!
Thank you so much!
Love the photo shoot. And I love Miss Sugarplum’s style with her white high tops! They both look adorable.
I am right there with you. Our oldest is a senior this year (also a boy) and this is going to be a tough year. But I’m planning to savor every moment I can! As I get closer, my empathy level for friends sending their kids off this year has definitely increased. We had to write letters to our kids for their senior retreat this week, and I cried and cried composing it in my head and actually writing it. Gotta love it the next day at work when everyone says you look “tired.” So then when I tried to explain why I look tired, I started crying again. But I read in a blog that they are good tears – tears you cry because life has given us such a gift! And that is so true! Enjoying this time and crying with you in Houston!
Yes!! So unbelievably grateful to be their mom!!!
Super cute! My son wears a 28×34. Talk about hard to find!!! Lululemon is about the only place I can routinely find pants for him. He graduated last year and has been gallivanting in Europe for a gap year. I understand totally about wanting to let go but also keep them close. It’s bittersweet, for sure. But, I’ve seen him flourish through trials over there and handle himself so well. We can prepare them, let them know we’ve got their back, and let them know how loved they are, and I think that makes all the difference in the world.
My ‘baby’ will be 22 soon and is headed off to Europe to do some traveling now that he has graduated from college.
I immediately thought of your blog’s travel section as a good source of information for him!
Thank you!!
http://style4lessvegas.com
How fun!! I hope my posts are helpful!
Darling family. I remember the post when you first brought Maggie home, how small your kids were – that sure changed!!
Is it wrong to want that cat hoodie for myself?! I’m right there with LM; I need soft comfy fabrics, no tags and nothing remotely scratchy!
LOL, I’ve bought my share of XL girls clothes! 😉
I know this season is tough, but great things are ahead! My eldest turns 34 today! How is that possible??? (Especially when we go out to eat and people think I’m my husbands daughter:) It’s so wonderful to see them evolve into wonderful caring adults, making equally wonderful friends in college! Just yesterday I was talking to a friend (who was so thankful for her college son’s friends) and mentioned when my son was a college sophomore he was diagnosed with Testicular cancer. He missed 4 days of classes (mid-term week). Those friends were there for him, turning in papers, checking on him, making sure he was eating, taking him to Church….They completely blessed this Mom’s heart!
Please everyone, talk to your son’s about testicular exams, early detection is key. Our son only required surgery because it was caught early.
I’m so happy to hear he’s okay and recovered…and thank you for the PSA!! Certainly not something we think about with our young guys!
The feeling of dread does not go away but try and enjoy his senior year and savor those moments! It will FLY. I’m weeks away from sending my ‘baby’ to her freshman year of college ABROAD!! Deep breaths!!! Having one out of college already does not make it any easier but I know I can (and you will) get through it. xo
Love this, styles my teen will wear. My son is a 28×34 – the struggle! Even if we upsize the waist to a 30″ it’s still difficult to find a 34″.
Adorable sweet babies! My son wears a 32 x 38…yep impossible to find those too. Hang on Momma…I promise there are still many, many more sweet times ahead!
32×38!!?? That’s a tall drink of water! 😉
My oldest daughter graduated a year ago and as been working and studying while living at home. We just dropped her off on Monday for her first year living away. It has been rough. Lots of anxiety and tears. Hoping things improve soon. My second daughter is also a senior in high school this year. I am in total denial that she too will most likely be leaving for college at the end of the school year. Where does the time go?
I was so worried when my daughter went off to school thinking she wouldn’t really need me any more…. if anything we have gotten so much closer !! Plus all the wonderful things that have happened since …she got married and had a baby boy 😉 !!!!!! You gave so many wonderful things ahead to look forward to sharing with your children ❤️
Oh I love this!!! It does make me excited to think about what lies ahead!
It looks as though you have had some great family time and those will be memories you will cherish forever. Having them leave for college can be bitter sweet. Especially when you have to leave them in another State and move to Texas for your husbands work, I did enjoy not having to worry about what everybody liked and would eat for dinner and the small amount laundry. Unfortunately my son was only able to enjoy his freshman year as he was diagnosed with cancer and only survived 8 months. So cherish each day you have, because it is a gift from God. I live by my sons favorite verse “I can do all things through Christ who strengths me” Philipians 4:13 enjoy his senior year and continue to make memories and remember that verse next fall when he leaves for college.
Ohmyword, Kim….my deepest deepest sympathies to you and your family. What a devastating loss, and I can’t imagine the grief that comes with that. You will be on my heart and in my prayers. Much love to you. xoxox
I would just encourage you to savor every moment. It truly flies by! Our kids have been gone for several years now — two of the three are married and now we’re blessed with grandbabies. You have so much to look forward to! It’s so much fun to see your children grow into adults and then you get to date your husband all over again! We’re having a blast! Enjoy!!
Great styles (the heart sunglasses are especially cute on her). I must admit it’s quite fascinating knowing that in the US, most kids move to other cities and even entire states away from home to go to University!!! This is just not a Canadian thing at all. I mean sure, some kids will go to Ivy league Universities in the country but they’re all pretty close to each other (most universities here are really good and most of the “big” ones are in Major cities like Montreal and Toronto). But generally speaking, if you go to university here…..you go to your local one. My husband was born and bread in the Capital (Ottawa) and went to Ottawa U, my mom was born and raised in Montreal and went to the fancy financial branch of the University of Quebec in Montreal (UQAM) and my grand dad was born in Quebec city and did his schooling there before joining the merchant Navy. Personally, I wasn’t into university. Took me years to finally decide to obtain a Bachelor’s degree part time which I’m starting next month O_O. And it’ll be online so I don’t have to go anywhere. Anyway, good luck for that (he seems like a good kid and I’m sure he’ll do well and make you proud). As for me, I still have the cutesy 5 and 7 year olds. I’ll enjoy that while I can 😉
The feeling of dread does not go away. But the good news is you get used to them being out of the home and it makes visits and calls and texts all the sweeter.