So long, Summer

So they’re saying Summer is over.

People are moaning about how it never began. And yes, the weather (that most British of topics) has been a little bit on the crazy side – with random sun, showers, thunder, wind, droughts and floods.

We go out whatever the weather, and we don’t mind the rain – we like puddlejumping, we like umbrellas, and we like singing ‘its raining, its pouring, the old man is snoring (what’s that all about, anyway?).

But when we do go out, what do we take with us? Inevitably I always forget my own raincoat, but I do like to try and make sure the kids are covered for every eventuality.

So this is our ‘make sure you’re covered, but don’t capsize the pushchair’ list…

1. All over puddlesuit for Bubby D

This means if I forget the raincover, Bubby D is still fairly waterproof. Equally, it means she can crawl around in the damp playground if she wants. And it looks like a ladybird – that’s always a bonus.

2. Snoozeshade Plus

Blocks out the blazing sun to allow Bubby D and the Wee Man to have a little snooze in darkness even if one of those elusive sunny spells does make an appearance. It also blocks out harmful sun rays, and doubles as a handy peepo implement if the sun isn’t shining – Bubby D loves to hide behind it, then fling it up and grin at unsuspecting passers by.

3. Munchkin insulated click lock flip straw cup

Holds enough water for hot days, and the insulation keeps it fresh and cool. Nice bright colours brighten up rainy grey days – we all love bright things. And if it does happen to rain and Bubby D is gaily waving her cup around in her nice, dry, raincovered pushchair then I know she is going to stay dry thanks to the leak-proof guarantee!

4. Bundlebean

Been on a picnic lately, sat down and got a damp bum? Thanks to the on-off rain and sun, it’s quite often been baking hot outside but the rain shower from just hours previously has left the ground still a little bit on the wet side. With a Bundlebean around this is one thing I don’t worry about, as its a great waterproof picnic mat. Equally, if your lovely sunny picnic is disturbed by a sudden freak rainshower, the Bundlebean is easily adapted into a waterproof child cover – whether they be in the baby carrier or the buggy. Massively versatile but takes up very little space – genius! (Now, where is the giant Bundlebean for mummies option, that’s what I want to know…)

5. Melobaby All-In-One Nappy Wallet and Change Mat

The name says it all really. For something so small, it manages to hold a lot of stuff – a great change mat that can be altered to fit either a small baby or a wiggly preschooler thanks to a few well placed magnets, enough pockets to fit four nappies, wipes, some nappy bags, a tube of teething gel and a change of clothes – but all in one little bag that slots neatly in alongside all the stuff in points 1-4 up above ^.

6. Babasling Lite

20% lighter than the original Babasling and lovely and breathable for the summer, this folds down small but allows me to easily carry Bubby D (or even the Wee Man, since it can take up to 15kg and he’s still not quite there yet…) in sunny weather without getting massively hot, sticky and uncomfortable. Should Bubby D be happily sitting in it in her rainsuit and we are hit by another random drizzle shower, there is the added benefit that it dries quickly too.

And talking of getting dry, that brings me to the things that we don’t take out, but we generally need when we get home – towels!

We might be drenched from the rain, or drenched in sweat from the sun; covered in mud from some puddlejumping or covered in dust from a day happily crawling around in sunbaked playground – whatever the reason, the kids are never clean when the day draws to a close and so lovely snuggly towels are a big necessity.

So of course, my number 7 is Cuddledry towels. Soft, absorbent, and they are still lovely and snuggly despite having had many, many trips through the washing machine. I can get the Wee Man to use one too, thanks to the fact that it makes him look like a cow. (A cow that loves chasing the Other Half while screeching loudly before launching at him giggling hysterically. Not usual cow behaviour as far as I’m aware).

Should you want your own bathtime crazy cow (or dinosaur, or giraffe, or even a crazy bunny…worrying Monty Python images are coming to mind there…) then you are in luck – you can currently get one 20% cheaper! Just click here, select your crazy toddler of choice, and then enter the code PRESCHOOL.

So long Summer, roll on Autumn, we say. Time for some jumping up and down in crunchy, scrunchy leaves!