Discovery Pants

Rain.  Rain.  Rain.  On the third rainy day in a row, home doesn't feel quite as cozy.

 

When cabin fever strikes, there are children's indoor play places around town.  Ugh, but they are so crowded and chaotic on rainy days.  And during the cold and flu season, frequenting such spots during the crowds is like a germy game of Russian roulette; I fear the toddler runny nose that will mean more isolation.  No, what I'm really longing for is the outdoors.

Eli's rain boots, jacket, and hat worked fine for a short walk in a soft rain, but even a few minutes of normal play soaked his pants and made him chilly.  Then one of my mama friends told me about L.L. Bean's Discovery Pants.  Woo hoo!  (Thanks so much, Molly!)  

These waterproof pants are adjustable at the waist and ankles, so they work well over bulky but warm sweatpants and also fit over the tops of boots.  At the same time, they are thin enough to be flexible and comfy.

With Eli's discovery pants (and Mama's new pink floral rain boots), we are now free to play even if the rain is pattering down.  Sloshing through puddles, sitting on wet swings, and going down a soaked slide at the park are all just fine.  Best of all, Eli gets to explore the wet world -- watching wiggling worms, smelling the fresh damp, and helping Mama make leaf boats.  I no longer dread the third rainy day in a row.  Lots of baby/tot products come and go, but these pants have made a big difference to our happiness this winter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I keep Eli's discovery pants in the car so I have them at a moment's notice.  Play structures damp with the night's dew, sand soggy from yesterday's rain, or even the water table in the back yard are fine for Eli this winter.  It took a little trial and error to get the dressing part to work well.  If it is pouring rain, I find putting Eli in his discovery pants and rain jacket before we leave home is easiest.  I just turn the air down in the car a little so he doesn't get hot on the way to the park.  Then I add hat and boots when we arrive.  After we're done playing, I slide off his rain gear as I help him back into the car seat and drop them into a plastic bag.  And, yes, the discovery pants do fine in the washer and dryer.  Eli's still look like new.

 Eli is a little on the tall side, so we bought 3T rather than 2T.  Perfect!  And as soon as they start getting too small, we'll be buying our next pair!

(And now Eli's rain hat is getting too small.  Anybody know a good brand of foldable, wide-brim rain hats for toddlers?)

Comments

[Norma McCoy]

Love the post and pictures. Have not been able to be online for several days therefore I have some catching up to do. :o)