BEACH LIST for summer trips with your Busy Baby Bees

Daddy, Sonny & Zadie's Bathing Suits all in a row

My husband and his family have been vacationing in the same beach town since he was born. When they decided to continue the tradition this summer, I felt like we had to be a part of it, especially since we now have twins to share the fun. So once we committed, excitement was overrun by something much more pressing: the anxiety related to having to pack for three people!

One of the keys to preparing - probably the most important key of all - was creating LISTS. Lots, and lots of LISTS. Not only did it help keep track of what we needed, it also made sure we didn't forget ANYTHING. {Side-note - I did forget to bring one thing, the camera for the monitor. OOPS! Yup, we ended up buying a monitor at the nearest store but that was the only thing that we forgot. Oh well, at least I brought half of it!} I even made a separate list the night before and stuck it on the back door so we wouldn't forget anything on our way out in the morning. 

Months out, I created a "TRAVEL LIST" on my iPhone notepad (isn't technology awesome?) so I had it wherever I went. This helped me prep for an earlier trip - our first family plane trip to Florida - and I edited and altered it to prepare for the beach trip versus a pool trip. 

These lists are for two babies (specifically, we have twins). They were about six-months-old when we went to Florida and eight-months-old when we went to the beach. 

Beach List:

- Bathing suits: 3 for each baby

- Sunscreen: talk to your doctor about preference

- Bucket hats: 2 with velcro straps (helps stay on in the wind)

- Sunglasses: 2 pairs each from She La La (link) 

- Swimmy diapers 
- Scented plastic bags for dirty diapers

- Towels: 2 beach towels for each baby

- Toys: washable & toys that didn't let sand in 

- Diaper Tote: Size 2 & Size 3 diapers; wipes; triple paste (new favorite paste!)

- Sippy cups: 1 per baby

- Milk/formula bottles: 3 per baby (I love Dr. Brown's)

- Small cooler for lunch with spoons: yogurt; fruits; veggies

- Cover ups/terry cloth robes - 1-2 per baby

- 1 large tent

- 1 outdoor washable blanket 

- 1 beach cart - we have the Nantucket Buggy (link)

- 2 beach umbrellas (Our tent ended up breaking so we used 2 umbrellas)

Night Time List: 

- Sleepers: 2 for each since we were able to do laundry

- Onesies: 4/5 for each baby

- Pacifiers: As many as I could find!
- Pacifier attachments: 2 per baby 

- 4 Bebahs: (The comfy toys that are attached to small blankets that they snuggle with at night)

- A box fan  (we all sleep with sound)

- 2 Pac N Plays

- 2 Pac N Play Mattresses (we found this best simulated a crib environment)

- 2 Pac N Play mattress sheets

- 4 hooded towels + wash cloths

- Monitor: don't forget the camera, cords & monitor screen

Toiletries:

- Baby Soap (we love the brand Baby Magic)

- Baby Q tips 

- Tylenol

- Baby Nail Clippers

- Aquafor 

- Extra mini sunscreen

- Extra Triple Paste AF* (recently discovered this gem for bad diaper rashes - works great)

Daytime List:

- Stroller: We decided to bring our City Mini based on what we would be doing with the babies (walks, etc)

- Diaper Bag: I brought two. One, I kept in our bedroom, and the other I kept in the main room where the play-mat was set up

- Dr. Brown bottles

- Formula

- Food: jarred veggies, fruit; Yo baby yogurt; puffs
- 2x Bumbos for easy feeding

- Outfits

- Baby spoons (2x for each)

- Multiple bibs: some for food & others for bottles & drool

- Play Mat: with dangle toys

- Blanket to lay next to play-mat because we are ROLLING

- Books: KINDLE full of children's books + charging cord

- Toys: squishy blocks; crunchy fabric books; tiny beach balls 

- 2x Ergo Baby Carriers {we have 2 & used them everyday to carry the babies to & from the beach}

In the infinite expanse of the internet, I was surprised and frustrated when I couldn't find a cohesive vacation packing list for a new mom heading to the beach with babies. Hopefully, my list helps you and your Busy Beach Babies!

Friendly Day

Book Review: Friendly Day

By Mij Kelly & Charles Fuge

As a special education teacher and new mom of two, I think everyday should be friendly day. However, I guess that it's the type of person I am, hence the desire to be a teacher and a mom. I want every day to be friendly day. This book reminds us that being friendly makes other want to be around us. The more friends we have, the more happy moments and memories we can create. As a new mom, I want everyone to be nice to my children especially when we venture out into this crazy big world. This is a great book to use in a lesson on being friendly and to remind us that happiness is easy to achieve. The adorable animal illustrations help the young reader/listener visualize what acts of kindness look like.

Make everyday friendly day here!

Russell the sheep

Book Review: Russell the sheep

By Rob Scotton

This sweet little guy has no idea how to get to sleep. He tries a few different strategies that turn out to be a fun adventure to be on with him.  The calming colors in the illustrations paired with the story line makes this a great before nap or bedtime book.  

To learn more about Rob & Russell click here!

When You Are HAPPY

Book Review: When You Are HAPPY
By Eileen Spinelli

I'm a big believer in the importance of raising happy children. I think it is necessary to talk to children about happiness and other feelings they have. As I recently became a mother of 2 I try to think of as many appropriate weekly activities to keep all of us entertained, learning and happy. We recently took our first library trip and found this gem. With amazing illustrations and array of vocabulary that I wouldn't necessarily use on a daily basis, its a pleasure to read.  From happiness to feeling grumpy, the mother depicted in the illustrations narrates to her child what she would do depending on how her little Busy Bee felt.

Buy it here!