{"id":2313,"date":"2020-08-16T23:00:58","date_gmt":"2020-08-16T23:00:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mapsmemoriesandmotherhood.com\/home\/?p=2313"},"modified":"2020-08-17T15:55:22","modified_gmt":"2020-08-17T15:55:22","slug":"the-must-have-items-that-have-saved-our-summer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mapsmemoriesandmotherhood.com\/home\/travel-with-kids\/the-must-have-items-that-have-saved-our-summer\/","title":{"rendered":"The must-have items that have saved our summer"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019s still plenty of time to grab these things as we soak up what\u2019s left of the sun and time before school starts – no matter what it looks like.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Above Ground Pool<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019s my lightning-quick keyboarding skills that I usually use to score cheap airfares to Europe that I have to thank.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

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Our new above ground pool has provided tons for fun this summer.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I actually did some research on pools, and even though I couldn\u2019t find my top few choices in stock, the less expensive PolyGroup Summer Waves pool has been perfect. It is an \u201cActive Frame Pool\u201d 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\u2019re finished using it, and then set it back up again the next summer. It\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Pretty easy to install – even by non-handy people!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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!  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s 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 \u201c[Expletive] Pool\u201d in its early days, has changed his tune. I\u2019ve taken more than one dip and dream of taking a summer read in a float with a fruity drink (hasn\u2019t happened yet, but playing with the boys has been great).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We originally thought it\u2019d be a one-and-done thing and that we\u2019d toss it at the end of the summer. But I plan on keeping it for next year. In fact, I\u2019m 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some considerations:<\/p>\n\n\n\n