Before we start a new chapter of 2026, it’s time to review my Life Lately since June. I cannot believe the end of summer snuck up on me so fast. I didn’t realize summer vacation was actually over next Thursday until TODAY. I think our late Cape Cod vacation had me all sorts of dizzy!
How Is Summer Already Over?
Am I sad it’s over? Yes and no. Despite working three days a week, our summer was still full of adventure and family time. Did I get to do everything I wanted to do—like eat a lobster roll once a week? No. But lobster rolls can be enjoyed year-round, so I suppose I’ll survive.
In addition to a long weekend visiting family in Ohio, four days at Basin Harbor, and a sisters’ family lake trip, I spent a lot of time doing things that made me happy. I went to tons of hot yoga classes and added Tone & Tighten to my repertoire (which has been SO incredibly beneficial for muscle tone). When I wasn’t at work, yoga, or the pool, I was reading (so many books) or watching my daughters at private dance lessons/workshops.
The truly sad part about summer ending is simply that: summer is over. Our routine is about to change, and the sisters have spent so much time together that I know they’re going to be feeling all the feels when school starts.
I’m also starting to feel the weight of everything coming next. A new school year, our trip to Italy, and a huge work event at the beginning of October are already looming over me like one giant To Do List Monster.
All of those things are exciting. But apparently my brain has decided they should also feel like a countdown clock.
Ailey Is TEN
Ailey turned TEN YEARS OLD on Saturday and I am still in disbelief. How do I have two children in double digits?!
We celebrated with cake and gifts on the Cape, followed by Neil’s donuts, a trip to Christo’s, and more presents when we got home. And the celebrations aren’t over yet—we’re hosting a Carnival-Themed 10th Birthday Party this weekend!
One of my favorite things about Ailey turning ten is that she’s really embracing being TEN without launching straight into an “I’m a TWEEN now” era. She’s still just being Ailey. Case in point: she is currently carrying around three stuffed dogs in a dog carrier because she can’t actually have a real dog.
Her birthday celebrations aren’t officially over yet, so maybe the reality of my second child starting a new decade hasn’t fully hit me.
Or maybe I’m just avoiding the feelings?
Considering I just wrote an entire essay about my tendency to do exactly that… let’s go with the birthday party excuse for now.
Loving Lately
Wearing: The A&F Shelf Bra Tank! It’s SO soft, and who doesn’t love a bra-free top that doesn’t show what a bra should be hiding? I bought a few different colors as staples for Italy and have been wearing them nonstop.
Reading + Listening: I’m currently reading When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker and listening to Rain of Shadows and Endings by Melissa Roehrich. Apparently I’m fully committed to escaping reality through fantasy right now. Some books I read this summer: “Just for the Summer” by Abby Jimenez, “Starside” by Alex Aster, “Lightlark” by Alex Aster series, and “Every Summer After” by Carley Fortune.
Watching: I’m currently watching Sterling Point for the SECOND time because I’m absolutely obsessed with the storyline, cast, acting—the everything. If it isn’t renewed for Season 2, I will be very unhappy.
You already know I loved Off Campus, but Elle was adorable and I’m really hoping for a Season 2. Voicemails for Isabelle was insanely good, broke my heart, and then somehow mended it.
As for the rest? Every Year After had good intentions but the acting was kind of bad. I haven’t finished Five Star Weekend despite everyone LOVING it—the book already told me all the secrets and the show is just meh for me. And My Life with the Walter Boys Season 3? Lame.
Italy Is ONE MONTH AWAY!
I feel like I’ve been thinking about our trip to Italy for a year and a half… because I actually HAVE. We’ve been talking about this wedding since the beginning of 2025 when Brandon’s best friend got engaged, and somehow we are now only one month away. Holy smokes.
We’re going for ten days with one wild five-day wedding celebration in Tuscany, plus three days in Rome and two days in Florence. Flights, trains and tours are booked. Most of the clothing necessary for all of our events and adventures has been purchased and approved.
Aside from shoes. Oh, and ANY AND ALL WEDDING EVENT DRESSES I WILL NEED.
I currently have four dresses arriving in the mail any day now and I’m wishing on every star that they all fit. The seamstress taking in Ailey’s flower girl dress casually informed me that I don’t have a lot of time left for alterations.
I mean… it’s only a month away. It can’t take that long to shorten or take in a couple of dresses, right?…Who am I kidding? I should have made a decision months ago, but I couldn’t commit!
So while Italy is mostly planned, apparently what I’ll actually be wearing in Italy is still TBD. At least my daughters have their flower girl dresses.
Back to School
In natural Caitlin fashion, my head is currently in the sand and I don’t want to think about everything I have to do to get my girls ready for school.
The big girls find out their teachers today, meet them next Wednesday, and start school Thursday. I have NO idea how my 10–11am-sleeping teen Annabelle is going to manage waking up at 6:15am again for 7th grade. Ailey is currently stressing over her first-day-of-school outfit, which we are shopping for today.
And Arbor doesn’t actually go back until September 8th, so there’s that.
Basically, we’re easing into back-to-school whether I like it or not.
Looking Ahead…
School? New schedules? Adjusting our entire family routine again? I’m not exactly pumped about it.
Last year was tough. I started my new job the same day Arbor started her first day of preschool, and our entire family dynamic and schedule were shaken up like a bottle full of glitter and trinkets.
Everything landed in a different place, covered in glitter, and nothing really settled until December.
This year I at least know what to expect, but between school starting, dance schedules, work, Italy and everything waiting for us when we come home, I can already feel that giant To Do List Monster I mentioned earlier creeping closer.
So maybe that’s where life lately leaves me: a little sad summer is ending, a little overwhelmed by what’s coming next, but also really grateful for everything we squeezed into these last few months.
Summer was different this year, but it was still really, really good.
And before I let myself get too caught up in everything that’s coming next, I’m going to try to enjoy these last few days while they’re still here.
Leave a Reply