Back to School, Back to Busy: Why Shoe Inserts Are Coming Along for the Ride

There’s something about the turn of September 1st, that makes me realize just how quickly summer disappears. One minute we’re sleeping in, spending lazy days outside and pretending we have nowhere to be and suddenly I’m staring at a calendar filled with school drop-offs, practices, games, rehearsals, appointments, meetings and approximately 7,000 things that need to happen before dinner.

Back to school season is officially here, and our family is getting ready to jump right back into the swing of things.

For us, that means busy.

I’m a sports mom. I’m a theater mom. I’m a chauffeur, snack coordinator, costume finder, homework reminder, water-bottle filler and professional “Did you remember your shoes?” person. 😂

And while my kids are getting their backpacks and school supplies ready, I’m thinking about something else: my feet are going to be doing some serious work, too.

The Back-to-School Routine Is No Joke

Getting back into a school routine always takes a little adjustment. The early mornings come back, schedules get packed and suddenly everyone has somewhere to be at the exact same time.

Even the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends getting kids back onto a consistent sleep schedule before school begins, which is something I’m trying to remember while also squeezing approximately a million other things into the last few weeks of summer. 

And then there are the activities.

One daughter has sports. The other has her own activities. Add theater into the mix, and there are days when it feels like I spend more time in the car than I do in my own kitchen.

Which brings me to Ralph.

Ralph Has Been Telling Me About His Insoles Forever

Ralph is the hard-working dad in our house—the kind of person who is constantly on the go and somehow manages to keep moving even when he should probably sit down for five minutes.

He has been a huge fan of shoe inserts whenever he can use them, and he absolutely swears by having the right support in his shoes.

Of course, I’ve listened to him talk about them approximately 500 times.

And now that our fall schedule is about to get crazy, I finally decided it might be time for me to take the hint.

I’ve been checking out running shoe inserts designed for everyday activity and running⁠, because if I’m going to spend my days running from school to sports to theater and everywhere in between, I want my shoes to feel as comfortable and supportive as possible.

I’m not exactly training for a marathon but some days, getting through my family’s schedule feels like its own endurance event.

A Busy Mom Needs Shoes That Can Keep Up

There’s a funny thing about being a mom: you don’t necessarily think about how much walking and standing you do until your feet start reminding you.

Standing on the sidelines.

Walking around school.

Running into the grocery store between activities.

Carrying bags.

Waiting through rehearsals.

Walking across parking lots.

Chasing down a child who forgot something they absolutely needed five minutes ago.

You get the idea.

And when you’re constantly moving, little things like comfortable shoes can make a surprisingly big difference in how you feel at the end of the day.

For me, the goal isn’t glamorous. I just want to make it through the day without feeling like my feet have officially resigned from the family business.

My Fall Mom Uniform

I already know what my fall wardrobe is going to look like.

Leggings? Probably.

A sweatshirt? Absolutely.

Sneakers? Every chance I get.

And my shoe inserts? Coming with me.

Because when you know you’re going to spend your day running around, it makes sense to pay attention to the things that are literally carrying you through it.

Ralph has always been the practical one when it comes to this stuff. He tends to find something that works for him and sticks with it.

I’m usually the one who needs convincing.

But this time, I think he may have won.

Here We Go, Fall!

There is always a little chaos that comes with the beginning of a new school year. New teachers, new schedules, new activities, new routines—and inevitably at least one morning where someone can’t find the other sneaker.

But there’s also something exciting about it.

A fresh start.

New goals.

New experiences.

Watching our kids grow into themselves and get excited about the things they love.

So here’s to packed calendars, early mornings, sports bags, theater rehearsals, school projects, carpool lines and all the beautiful chaos that comes with being a busy family. You all have to check out the skylight calendar Here!

And here’s to comfortable sneakers and shoe inserts whenever you can because this mom has places to be.

Lots and lots of places.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a school supply list to find, a sports schedule to check and approximately three water bottles to locate.

Fall, we’re ready for you. ❤️ Don’t forget to study with the mouse! 

Summer in New England: Our Sweet Season of Sun, Sand & Slow Days ☀️⚓️

 There’s just something about summer in New England.

The salty air. The hydrangeas in full bloom. Barefoot afternoons, backyard dinners that stretch well past sunset, and the sound of the girls laughing somewhere in the distance. It’s the kind of summer that feels wonderfully ordinary while you’re living it—and somehow, you already know you’ll miss it when it’s gone.

This summer was all about Sophia and Arabella soaking up every bit of it.

We spent plenty of days down in Onset, where summer feels exactly how it should: sunshine sparkling on the water, beach days, little seaside strolls, and that unmistakable Cape Cod feeling. There’s something about a New England coastal town in the summer that never gets old—especially when you’re watching your girls make memories of their own.

Back home, our backyard became its own little summer retreat. We had backyard BBQs, friends stopping by, long evenings outside, and plenty of reasons to keep the grill going. The girls spent their days running around, playing with friends, and enjoying the freedom that comes with those long summer days when bedtime somehow keeps getting pushed later and later.

And, of course, there were the golf cart rides.

Something about cruising around the neighborhood in the golf cart with the girls makes even an ordinary evening feel like a vacation. Windows down, summer breeze, nowhere to be and nowhere we needed to go. Just the kind of simple moments that end up becoming some of your favorites.

There was also plenty of time on the golf course with Uncle Ryan, where the girls got to spend some quality time with him while enjoying a little friendly competition. Family, sunshine, golf, and a beautiful New England summer day—does it get much better?

And then there was theater camp for Arabella, who is officially living out her theater dreams one stage at a time. Sophia did her first ever play too! Watching Arabella discover something she loves so much has been one of the sweetest parts of this season. From rehearsals and new friendships to all the excitement that comes with performing, she’s definitely caught the theater bug. 🎭 Sophia had the experience but she’d rather watch her sister than be in one. 

Sophia had her own summer adventures, too, filling her days with friends, activities, and plenty of time enjoying being a kid. Watching the girls grow into their own little people—with their own interests, friendships, personalities, and passions—is such a bittersweet part of motherhood.

And because no summer is complete without a little adventure, we squeezed in a trip to Great Wolf Lodge. A little change of scenery, lots of laughter, and the kind of fun that leaves everyone completely exhausted by the end of the day.

There were no shortage of picture-perfect moments this summer, but honestly, it wasn’t the big things that made it special.

It was the little things.

The golf cart rides.

The backyard BBQs.

The afternoons with friends.

The Cape Cod air.

The golf outings with Uncle Ryan.

The theater camp excitement.

The spontaneous plans.

The sandy feet.

The late summer evenings.

The girls laughing together.

Living in the moment instead of rushing through it.

New England summers have a way of reminding you to slow down and appreciate what’s right in front of you. Maybe it’s the charm of the Cape, the familiar streets of home, or an evening spent outside with family and friends. Whatever it is, there’s a certain magic here that makes summer feel a little more nostalgic, a little more classic, and a whole lot sweeter.

Red, white & blue. Lobster rolls & lemonade. Hydrangeas & beach days. Golf carts & backyard BBQs. Family, friends, and two girls growing up way too fast.

That was our summer.

And if I could bottle up one season and keep it forever, I think it might look a lot like this one. 🤍

Here’s to the last golden days of summer—and to all the memories we’ll carry with us long after the beach towels are packed away and the school bags come back out.