A quick note: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through a link, at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. School has started. You've bought the supplies. You've figured out the morning routine. And now you're beginning to see where the friction actually is. The kids bring home a crumpled paper that needs to be signed—or forget to give it to you until the morning it's due.

Is summer officially over? Depending on where you live, back-to-school season can feel like the unofficial beginning of fall. Here in Northern California, though, we're still hitting the upper 90s in August, so pulling out the pumpkins while the air conditioner is running can feel a little ridiculous. And yet... Halloween is already starting. The candy is appearing. Costumes are being talked about. Pumpkins are slowly making their way into stores and homes. What once felt lik