It’s arriving. You can feel it in the early morning air. Even as the heat still clings to the afternoons, there’s a shift happening. Schedules are filling. Backpacks are unearthed. We’re waving a slow goodbye to summer.
Next week, we officially begin school for my oldest, and it’s bittersweet. We got a little head start with her homeschool materials this past week. She was so excited to unpack them, to dive in and “finally start learning.” It was one of those moments that sticks with you forever.
Still, the heat lingers. It clings like that sticky spot of ice cream we never quite cleaned off the porch. Outdoor dinners have become nearly unbearable, so we’ve moved back inside, retreating to the blessed cool of air conditioning. Mornings have become the most important outdoor time and by 11 a.m., it’s too hot to enjoy much of anything outdoors without breaking into a sweat.
This summer has looked different than usual. Our town issued a swim advisory for the public waterways, which has kept us away from our favorite spot: the creek in the city park. In years past, we’ve spent hours wading and splashing, so it’s been a bit of a loss. But we’re adapting. The heat has only truly set in recently, so we’re still adjusting. Watermelon slices, cold popsicles, and a shady patch of grass go a long way.
Mary Poppins has become the soundtrack of our summer. The kids sing along — off-key and full-hearted. I may also know the album by heart and be sick of it, but their joy overrides any frustration I have that it is the only music we are listening to right now. We’ve worked hard to reduce screen time, and we’ve been doing pretty well, but we still make space for the classics. Our kids love a movie night, and honestly so do we. The quiet with just the beloved movie Mary Poppins on provides serenity our house needs.
We’re constantly shifting things, trying to find what works for our family. Last week, the kids went to camp every day, and I’ll be honest — it wiped me out. The rush out the door, the midday waiting around, skipped naps, disrupted rhythms… it was a lot. And of course, we ended the week with some mild colds, likely from the stress of it all. That week confirmed something I’d already knew: homeschooling is the right path for us right now. It may not be forever, but the flexibility brings so much peace to my mind.
To mark the end of summer, we’re planning a camping trip over Labor Day weekend. It feels like a fitting close to this season and a gentle welcome to the next. A chance to breathe before we settle into new routines.
As we think about packing up the swimsuits and reordering our days, I’ve been slowly gathering a few simple practices to help me land this transition with care. Nothing elaborate — just the kind of gentle shifts that make home feel like a home and a new season feel like an invitation. I’ll be sharing more of what’s helping in the weeks ahead, but for now, I’m letting myself move slowly. Still barefoot. Still savoring these last slow days of summer.
Before the day slips away, take a moment to end it with thankfulness. Not the big, sweeping kind — but a quiet pause. A sticky popsicle memory. The sound of laughter through an open window. The way the light looked just before dinner.
Join me and write down one small summer memory from today. Let it be the kind you want to tuck away and carry with you. Mine?
The laughter of my kids as they all played outside dumping gravel around in the shade. The giggles, the invitation of the two older ones to the youngest… oh my heart.
I’d love to hear your summer memories, if you’d like to share!
Your friend,
Annabelle