My husband jokingly gives me a hard time about my Amazon shopping habit, but he would be the first to admit we had some real household home runs with Amazon finds this summer. A few highlights from my order history these past few months:
1. Magnetic blocks
Mom friends are the original influencers! My friend Shelly had virtually every parent at Cisco Brewers ordering these magnetic blocks after they kept our group of nine kids (!) under the age of five (!!) happily entertained for close to an hour (!!!). They’re more easily transported and less likely to topple over than Magnatiles (they come in a drawstring pouch that you can easily toss in a bag) and a great way to keep kids entertained building towers or spelling out letters when you’re out at a restaurant.
2. Water table + water table cover
Our boys have loved their water table for several summers now, but we let it get so dirty that even my beloved pressure washer couldn’t get it looking completely fresh again. The replacement water table I ordered isn’t a thing of beauty in and of itself, but the striped and scalloped water table cover? Adorable and extremely practical for keeping the water from getting gross if you leave it filled overnight.
3. Striped matching set
I didn’t have great expectations for this $36 matching set, but when I tell you I wore these pieces together or separately at least once a week all summer, I am probably underestimating. It’s definitely not a luxury fabric, but it doesn’t wrinkle much and it dries quickly, making it perfect for throwing on over a swimsuit. I have the blue and the green but I love the bright pink too! I also wore the shirt constantly with my favorite white denim shorts (not Amazon but under $100 and often on sale if you’re interested).
4. Bogg bag
I had seen lots of cute moms with these kinds of rubber tote bags and decided to see what all the fuss was about. I still prefer the look of an L.L. Bean tote, but I have to say this is the easiest bag for the beach, pool, playground — anywhere you’re lugging lots of sunscreen, snacks, towels, toys. We would rinse it off in the outdoor shower if it ever got icky at the beach and after months of use it still looks good as new!
5. Wonderfold stroller wagon
I feel like I was the last person to know about the concept of a wagon stroller but the moment our friends showed up to the Bronx Zoo with a stroller that could fit their two kids and two of ours, I was sold. The amount of storage is outstanding, the sun canopy is a dream, and it’s much more fun for preschool age kids than a regular stroller. We used it a ton on Nantucket this summer for daily walks to the coffee shop and playground — if you have multiple kids close in age, you will wonder how you ever lived without this!
6. Sunscreen applicator
Getting sunscreen on three kids was my version of the summer Olympics until I ordered this handy little sunscreen applicator. Now I fill it with this pump sunscreen we keep by the door and apply it with less mess and less drama — toddler moms rejoice!
7. Kids’ picnic table
We set this outdoor picnic table up in my parents’ backyard on Nantucket and not only is it the cutest little picnic table set-up you’ve ever seen complete with its own striped umbrella, but I swear our kids sat still longer and ate better than we’re wrangling them around a regular table.
8. Wicker utensil caddy
The easiest way to set the table with a toddler on your hip at all times 🙂 and cute enough to leave on the table while you eat.
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