It's July which means soon we'll be saying where did summer go? Soon it'll be goodbye to freedom outside, online and with friends. Easing back into a routine can be challenging... one of my big pieces of of advice is "make it an event!". Below find more creative ways to make it easier to get back to the old routine and back-to-school!

• Roll-back Screen Time: Kids are on mobile devices more than ever. There are new tools making it easier for kids to transition to less play time online. The app Finny breaks up constant screen time allowing parents to balance their child's mobile experience between fun and education.
• Cherish "What I did on my Summer Vacation": Overwhelmed by art/projects your kids made at home or camp with all that free time? Plumprint.com turns messy piles into books of style. They’re beautiful! For Vacation Photos: Turn your fave shots into customized photo wrapping paper. Use for future events and holiday gifts- for sure to be more memorable than that traditional family Christmas card you send out.

Throw a Goodbye Beach Bash: Kids get excited when you make anything 'an event'. Take that inflatable pool and fill it with sand. Create your own beach, fire up the grill and have a blast bidding your official farewell to summer.

Finally.. try not to cry when you watch them go:

Adora's first day of PreSchool