15 great reasons to embrace the fact that summer is (almost) over

There is no denying it anymore. Summer 2017 is on its last legs. But instead of mourning the end of sunny days and summer holidays, why not embrace all this lovely things about the season ahead? Here are our absolute favourite things about autumn: 1. Kids are back in school No really; think about it. Kids. Are. Back. In. School. No more desperately trying to figure out activities that both entertain, educate and keep them from scratching each others eyes out from cabin fever. You get to drink your morning coffee while it is still hot. You get to spend some time away from them so that you actually miss them again. All good. 2. You can spend evenings in (without feeling guilty over it) During the summer months it almost feels a little lame to admit that you are not going to the neighbor's barbeque/Longtitude/beergarden with the girls, but would rather curl up with a box-set and a glass of vino. Roll on autumn, however, and this becomes perfectly acceptable again. 3. Pumpkin spiced lattes A hug in cup, pretty much 4. The shops are full of gorgeous new clothes No better time than a new season to make some long over-due updates to your wardrobe. Think cozy knits, cashmere and gorgeous coats. 5. Wearing more clothes Ah, to snuggle up in more than one layer of clothing. As if you needed an excuse for some new knitwear... 6. Your favourite TV shows return Admit it, one of the worst things about summer is how dull the TV programmes are. 7. Bikini season is over Finally, no more trying to breathe while also holding our tummies in. 8. The gorgeous colours Get yourself to a local park and enjoy autumn in all its glorious autumnal beauty. 9. Join a gym No time like the present - gyms will be less crowded now then they are in January, when everyone once again gets in a panic about summer. As days get shorter, a trip to the gym in your lunch break or after the kids are in bed will give you a much-needed energy boost. 10. Light a fire No explanation needed. Who doesn't love a good log fire?! 11. Better hair Summer can play havoc with our locks, and sun, sea and sand (should you have been so lucky as to have been exposed to this during the summer) can, in combination with higher humidity, make for proper hair horror. 12. Halloween Admit it, you love the trick-or-treating almost as much as your kids does? And let's not forget about the beauty that is November 1st - or National Eat Your Kids' Leftover Sweets Day as we like to call it. 13. Summer students go home Every summer, students from all over Europe travel to our shores to (officially) learn the language, but unofficially just fill up the luas, Grafton Street and every footpath in the land, where they seem to be doing little else than shouting at each other in a volume designed to drown out every other city sound. They move painfully slow, as a strict cohesive unit, so now they have all departed for their respective homelands, go out and enjoy it. 14. You can teach the kids to play conkers Ah, the nostalgia... 15. Crisp, misty mornings Ah, those autumn mornings, when the air is so fresh it feels like toothpaste and the footpaths are gleaming with almost frost and fallen leaves. Breathe in and just enjoy! What are YOUR favourite things about autumn? Let us know in the comments or tweet us at @herfamilydotie