Lake Trip: Toddler Edition
I was totally expecting our trip to the Lake to be pretty awful but loved the idea of getting out for Memorial Day weekend. It turns out, I am so glad we did! I was worried it would be a huge hassle with me being 34 weeks pregnant, chasing a toddler around a massive body of water but it ended up being a very relaxing and enjoyable trip!
Some of the things that really helped was timing it all out. It makes a huge difference when you plan ahead. Plan around nap times, meals, snacks, second breakfast (if you maybe have a hobbit like we do), etc…
We made sure to get breakfast done and hit the road during naptime giving her plenty of rest before we got to the lake. We packed plenty of lake-friendly snacks. Think fruit, goldfish, granola bars, pb&j’s, and chips. Being out in the heat and the water can definitely make you hungry. Especially a toddler who is already always hungry. 😉
We spent the day floating in the water. I can’t believe how much Isla loved it! We brought our awesome SwimWays Spring Float. It’s perfect for letting little ones lounge and there is even a sun shade with it. The gentle waves of the lake must have been super calming because she didn’t want out. We spent hours out in the lake only to come in for some snacks, extra sunscreen, and if the boats were making the water too wavy.
We finished the day with some dinner and a sunset boat ride. If you could guess, that boat ride put her to sleep in minutes. 🙂 We ended up deciding to stay the night to keep her on her schedule and to avoid any meltdowns. I really think scheduling is huge but so is flexibility. This trip was one of the most relaxing trips we have had and I am so glad we did it before baby #2 makes his arrival!
Some of my major takeaways would be to pack everything you think you may need. We packed Pack N Play thinking we may end up staying the night, plenty of snacks and meal items, milk/lemonade/water, SUNSCREEN, bug spray for late nights by the water, life jacket, towels, swimsuits, and B.B. Littles swim diapers.
Don’t let a trip to the lake scare you! It can be fun. Just be prepared to take breaks if needed, stay hydrated, and keep a close eye on your little one with the water. If I can chase a toddler (a very fast one at that!) around at 34 weeks pregnant, you can totally do it! Enjoy your lake visit and happy swimming! <3
XOXO,
Ashley
