Summertime
I love summertime, especially in California. This summer there were plenty of nice days to take Ness out to play at the beach, park, playground, camping, zoo, and around the neighborhood. When I proclaimed “Let’s Go!” to Ness and mom, these things popped into my dad brain: cold milk, water, sunblock, and hat.
Bring a cooler, insulated bag, insulated Hydro Flask with the cold milk, and ice packs to keep it cold cold. You will have a bad day when you take the milk out of the bag only to find it not cold. Instead of getting an expensive one-off insulated baby bottle with limited utility, store the milk in a Hydro Flask and pour into baby bottle when needed. If you don’t already have something like a Hydro Flask already, you’ll probably want one for yourself to carry in your backpack or diaper bag anyways.
Nothing special to really note about bringing water, apart from having a tried and trusty sippy cup. The unanimous go-to is this Munchkin Miracle 360 Trainer Cup. Try to get some wild or unpopular colors (avoid green or blue) or mismatch the tops and bottom color, or be prepared to label, cuz every baby has it.
If you got a good hat that means less sunblock, less mess, less clothing, and less stress. So I actually spent extra time researching which hat to get especially as we were preparing Ness for hikes and camping trip. I landed on getting the Sunday Afternoons Kids Play Hat. I actually got myself one too. It provides lots of cover including neck, shoulders, and face. Its machine washable, waterproof, folds flat, and 50+ SPF. The kids version has a breakaway chin strap to keep the hat on his head, but also releases if it snags (like on a tree branch).
As a parent I knew it was important to put sunblock on, considering Ness and I have pale white complexion. I personally hate sunblock, the way it feels, smells, gets on everything, and that you have to apply it over and over again. I recommend something good for not just us, but the planet, like the All Good Sun Butter Stick. It’s 50+ SPF, coral reef friendly, and stick makes for a less messy application (one hand to hold squirming toddler and the other to apply).
