FALL-ing In Love. Get It?

I love fall.

There are many reasons why I love fall:

The list goes on and on.

But the one thing I love about fall now that I am an adult and own a home is decorating. Those who know me best know that it is very hard for me to not start decorating for fall until it gets cool outside. (I have been known to start fall decor when it is still shorts and tank top weather outside).

This year, however, I waited until the last week of summer and I am proud of myself. I really loved summer this year, I think in part to Ella being a little more “fun” in terms of wanting to play outside and knowing her boundaries and also because, for the first time in years, we went on a family vacation. Something about starting the summer off with a vacation makes summer feel more like, well, summer.

I made sure we were outside every single day of summer vacation even if it was raining; I made lemonade weekly; we bought a baby pool for the patio and used it even when the kids weren’t around; we roasted marshmallows in the fire pit; we grilled out three times a week minimum; I laid out to get a tan with Annie; ate fair food; went to the park weekly; went to the big beach (Lake Michigan) more than once and we ate outside every chance we got.

Essentially we enjoyed summer to the fullest on a small budget. So I decided that I wasn’t going to end summer so abruptly this year by decorating the first day in September.

Yes, I waited until September 20th.

It was hard but I did it.

Our mantel decked out for fall.