What We're Doing

I had a couple friends ask me about the “wet bags” I was using at the pool over Memorial Day weekend and they’ve been a staple in my pool bag for the last few years.  So, I’m sharing some of the things that currently fill my giant-size pool bag with easy links below.  Am I the only one who feels like I’m lugging enough stuff to survive for days with three screaming children trailing behind me when they go to the pool?  Sweating.  And grumpy.  Anyone?  Regardless, these are some of my favorite pool bag stuffers – with a couple newbies that I’m trying out this summer.

1. Pool Bag / 2. Sunglasses / 3. Goggles / 4. Wipes / 5. Sunscreen / 6. Powder Sunscreen / 7. Pouch / 8. Towel / 9. Puddle Jumper Cover / 10. Sunhat / 11. Wet Bag / 12. Rambler

1)  I have used a Scout Bag most summers and I love them. So if you want a tried and true, head to the Scout website and pick out your favorite – I like the Deano style or the 4 Boys Bag (the name makes me chuckle given my all-boy house, but it’s massive so be sure you check the size before you buy).  This year, I’m *patiently* awaiting the arrival of a new waterproof bag from Logan and Lenora that looks SO cute.  I got the extra-large tote in Painterly which is back ordered, but all of the others look so so cute too – I had a really hard time deciding against Spots – SO fun!!

2)  I love my Diff sunglasses. I got the Charlie style this year (and last!) but there are SO many cute ones to choose from.  They’re a good price point when I want a little more than my usual Target glasses, but I also know that I’m going to the pool with 3 boys and don’t want to pay an arm and a leg for something that might get crushed.  They sell them at Nordstrom if you want to try on in-store or you can usually find a coupon for 20% off their website if you up for their emails.

3) These “raptor” goggles are so cute! I’ve been jealous of all of the fun goggle options I’ve seen for girls lately so I love that these give a little whimsy for the boys too!  They’re selling on Amazon here, or Cecil & Lou here (where you can choose from three different colorways).

4) These Johnson & Johnson Hand and Face wipes are a STAPLE in my pool bag, diaper bag, car, etc. None of my kids have been sensitive to them, they smell really good, and they don’t leave any sticky residue like I feel like baby wipes can have.  I use them on my kids’ hands and faces all the time – and you know that popsicle at the pool will melt All. Over. The. Place.  Seriously, I barely leave home without a pack of these suckers.

5) Sunscreen staple!! I’ve posted a lot about my love for Supergoop sunscreen. It’s relatively thin, goes on easily, doesn’t smell awful, and none of my kids seem to be sensitive to it – so Supergoop for the win!

6) I use this Brush On Block sunscreen for myself and the kids. It’s a mineral block sunscreen and I use it as a setting powder after I’ve applied my face sunscreen and I like the use it to set the kids’ face sunscreen too if they’re about to jump right in the water (it helps the base sunscreen from running in their eyes). I also like to use it as a touch-up on their faces, necks, etc. when we’re at the park.  I know I sound like a sunscreen fanatic but I’m terrified of letting my kids get a sunburn and we’re all pale, so protective mama sunscreen bear comes out.

7) I keep my sunscreen, bug spray, gum, loose change (for the popsicle stand), etc. in a clear zippered bag so I can easily swap it from our sports bags to our pool bag to my diaper bag. I have a pouch that isn’t available anymore but this one looks cute and fun for the summer– and one of my friends loves these from Container Store.

8) I love the Pottery Barn Kids Beach Wraps. For some reason my boys love hooded towels and I find it actually makes life a lot easier with littles because they are (at least mine) too uncoordinated to keep towels on very well – especially if they’re carrying anything else – so hanging the hood on their head helps.  The PBK towels are on sale this week for $17 so go stock up now!!

9) There are puddle jumper covers now! And they can be monogrammed!  This was a frivolous purchase that my husband totally rolled his eyes at but I love it so much for my last sweet little baby.  Sayonara lime green puddle jumper; hello adorable monogrammed seersucker! I’m loving the boat monogram that’s in the picture above – it’s what I ordered for my little guy.

10) I always have a floppy hat in my bag for myself – I love the foldable sun hats that can be crushed beneath all of the other junk in my bag and still survive the summer.  I’ve had this hat for a couple years and it’s outlived the bottom of the bag and the wet pool.  But I’m always searching for cute ones – the hat in the picture above can be found here and there’s a cute Anthropologie option here.

11) Ok, finally to the wet bag that started this whole post! I love these Itzy Ritzy wet bags.  I always pack my boys’ dry outfits in these bags so that their clothes stay dry in the chaos of pool life and then I stuff their wet swimsuits back into the bags to cart everything home.  At this point, I have one for each of my kiddos so that their clothes can stay separated and are easy to pass out when it’s time to get dressed.

12) I’m not one of those people who carts a drink around with them everywhere – I just don’t have enough free hands at this point in my life. But for the pool, I love to have my Yeti Rambler to keep my drink cold when I’m dying of heat (can you tell how much I like the warm Texas weather?). And if you already have an older Yeti, there are new lids (that you can buy separately here) that have retractable closures that makes it spill-proof — and keeps out the splashes from the pool!  Some days I feel like lid this is a full-on necessity when I happen to have an adult beverage in my Yeti – ha.  My favorite drink for such an occasion is currently Frose (frozen Rose) whose recipe can be found here!  You’re welcome in advance 😉

Let me know what’s in your summer bag and what you have found here that’s new to you!

XOXO,

Anne