The must-have items that have saved our summer

Clearly, this has been a summer like no other. Our typical travels have been curtailed significantly, and while I feel my feet itching, I also have a solid respect for this pandemic, so our travels have been close to home, outdoors and limited. 

I am very grateful for a few must-have summer items that have helped save our mostly stay-at-home, sometimes-venturing-to-a-close-by-outside-activity, few months. There’s still plenty of time to grab these things as we soak up what’s left of the sun and time before school starts – no matter what it looks like.

Above Ground Pool

Hands down, the best must-have summer item for us has been a new above ground pool. Luckily, for some reason, fairly early on in this lockdown period, I had the foresight to think about getting one. My day job is in the life sciences, so even in March, I was hearing data that did not make me hopeful that hitting our club pool was going to be in the cards this summer. So, we got in on the pool craze early enough to actually get one (after my husband was sent on a mission to three different stores to find one in stock!). It’s my lightning-quick keyboarding skills that I usually use to score cheap airfares to Europe that I have to thank.

Pools, trampolines and playsets have been hot sellers and hard to find this summer, so I am grateful that we took the plunge early.

I actually did some research on pools, and even though I couldn’t find my top few choices in stock, the less expensive PolyGroup Summer Waves pool has been perfect. It is an “Active Frame Pool” which means that it is fairly easy for non-handy people to set up (trust me, if we can do it, you can, too). It has a frame system with a vinyl liner. You can take it down when you’re finished using it, and then set it back up again the next summer. It’s 16ft. round by 4 ft high, which actually is a great size for 10- and 12-year old boys. Plenty of room for floats, and actually all four of us fit with no problem and space to play.

Plus, I decided it would be a way to ensure my kids were getting outside, getting some exercise, getting off electronics, and forced to play together. Check, check, check, and check!  

Let’s just say that the pool has exceeded our expectations, despite a somewhat rocky beginning We had to move it three times to flatter ground; I had to call an electrician to ensure that our outdoor plug was safe; and we set it up in some of the hottest weather of the summer. My kids love it – and have been in it almost every day for at least an hour. My husband, who had lovingly referred to it as the “[Expletive] Pool” in its early days, has changed his tune. I’ve taken more than one dip and dream of taking a summer read in a float with a fruity drink (hasn’t happened yet, but playing with the boys has been great).

We originally thought it’d be a one-and-done thing and that we’d toss it at the end of the summer. But I plan on keeping it for next year. In fact, I’m already looking at better filters/pumps. And, you might consider putting in an order now for one now to use next spring/summer, just in case. 

Some considerations:

• Be sure you have a flat and even plot of land to put it on. Ours is about an ⅛ of an inch from being level. Bonus – we have a deep end and shallow end! 
• Make sure you have an GFCI electrical outlet nearby to plug in your pump. 
• Do some research on pool chemicals and ideal water Ph, alkalinity and acidity so that your little one’s skin stays safe and yucky stuff doesn’t grow in your pool. 
• Cleaning it daily is important to keep the water clear and enjoyable. 
• Check your neighborhood ordinances and covenants to make sure pools are allowed on your property.

Supergoop! Sunscreen

With a backyard pool and a few hours outdoors every day for the last few months, I wanted to up my sunscreen game this summer. The social media gods must have read my mind (and maybe they did!) because before I knew it a video about Supergoop! Sunscreen popped up in my Instagram feed and intrigued me. My advanced age makes me a prime target for anti-wrinkle creams, make-up that erases lines and other lotions and potions.

I already knew a couple of friends who were fans of Supergoop! Products, so my research was already based on some positive first-hand reviews. I have one son who has some sensory issues and hates the fine mist sprays (I don’t care for them either as they aren’t good for the environment and are not easy to wash off). Lathering him up with lotion takes forever, and I always miss a spot. So, when I saw the Supergoop! Glow Oil with an SPF50, I knew I had to give it a try. 

The oil is life changing if your kid has sensory issues – and it’s just good stuff anyway. It’s in a spray pump, so it’s not like the more aerosol types. A little goes a long way, and it is easier to spread evenly than lotions. It’s not greasy at all and soaks in like a dream in minutes. They also have a deodorant type stick that’s perfect for smaller spots like your face or ears and it gives you the bonus of a lovely glow. It’s my new favorite product. My boys have gorgeous golden skin, but as my 10-year old says, I am “pastey white” and burn easily. Not so with the Supergoop! We are burn-free so far. 

We’ve used it nearly every day for a month and only about ¼ of it is gone. I would’ve already used at least two bottles of spray or lotions of traditional sunscreen products, so even though it seems like a hefty price, it’s really about the same as many of the in-store products, and in my opinion, a far better product. 

There are a bunch of other Supergoop! products that I have in my cart, waiting for me to press “buy”, including a moisturizing serum with SPF 30 and Glow Screen with SPF 40 that also has hyaluronic acid and vitamin B.  Many are reef-safe and “chemical clean” and they are cruelty-free.

Putty Buddies Ear Plugs

Another If you have a kid prone to get Swimmer’s Ear, and you’ve just installed a pool, you’ll quickly figure out that you need some tight ear plugs to keep the water out. My younger son has tiny, tiny ear canals – ear buds don’t work for him either. So, even though he is 10, I started researching ear plugs for toddlers. Lo and behold, thanks to the magic that is a slew of 5 star reviews (200+) on Amazon, I found Putty Buddies moldable ear plugs. We have tried at least three other types of ear plugs, and they don’t hold an (ear) candle to these game changers.

They were developed by an Ear, Nose and Throat physician and are made from a silicon product that’s soft and tacky, kind of like Play-Doh. 

There are two to each container, but you might turn those into four depending on how big your kid’s outer ear is as you can pinch one into two pieces. They’re easy to form into the outer ears (not for sticking in the ear canal), locking out the water. We’re at day 45 or so of water play, and so far, no issues! I recommend getting a pack with several containers as we’ve had several bite the dust from dropping them on the ground or just being lost in the shuffle of sunscreen, goggles and all other outdoor pool stuff.

And even though these are marketed for kids, I think they’d work great for adults who need to keep water out of their ears.

Kavu sling bag

I’ve been a fan of sling bags for a while, particularly Kavu’s Paxton Pack. I like being hands-free while traveling, especially through busy airports, museums, and city sidewalks so that I can hold hands with my boys and not worry about my purse slipping down my arm or having to hold onto it. 

I was really hoping to give my newest one some mileage in Greece for spring break, but instead it’s seen Indiana State Parks, and some other “roam close to home” destinations. It’s actually perfect for short hikes as it has enough room for sunscreen, bug spray, a water bottle, hand sanitizer, wipes, face masks, and a bunch of other stuff (I even stuffed a small sweatshirt in one after a hike got too hot)..There are several zippered compartments which are perfect for keys or other items that you don’t want to lose (and for remembering where you put them). Kavu’s bags are super sturdy, yet washable (a major coffee spill forced a machine washing in one of mine and it came out good as new). They come in tons of fabric patterns – bold and fun or more neutral.

Kavu moms are an unofficial affiliate group. Almost every time I see another mom carrying one, we kind of give each other the “Kavu nod” and then acknowledge to each other how much we love our bags. “Don’t you just love these bags?” was a recent comment to a fellow Kavu-er. My first Kavu sling didn’t have an outside spot for a water bottle, but then I saw another Kavu mom with a bag that had one, and knew that was a must-have. So, I’ve recently added one of those to my Kavu collection.

They are super affordable – the most expensive version is about $65. While I use mine as a daypack/travel bag most of the time, it also works as a purse, diaper bag and even carried a small picnic lunch for three – one bag with lots of utilities. And, while I’m getting a ton of use out of mine as a summer must-have item, I’ve used Kavu bags in every season. Hands-free, people! It’s the best! You can buy the from the Kavu website and many other on-line retailers.

I am not a paid endorser of this or any of these goodies (oohhh – Dear product marketing teams, I would love to be!!).  I’m just a mom trying to pass along some must-have summer products that have really saved us from June to August, and it looks like a few more weeks to come.  

While our summer certainly has not looked or felt the same as others, we’ve made the most out of it. Swimming, hiking, exploring parks, playing footgolf, and visiting drive-up restaurants are filling our days with memories we will never forget.