Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Pool People

In about 2 weeks we're about to become pool people.  If you're looking for us in the mornings or afer dinner, we're probably at the pool.  Our routine in the summer typically looks like morning play, pool from 10 - 12 or so and then home for naps.  Every mama's favorite part of the pool???  The after-swimming nap. :)  In the afternoon we play, craft, etc. and then we like to eat dinner at the pool or go for an after dinner swim (it's a great incentive for good dinnertime behavior).

I love seeing my kids have a blast in the water, and I love that I get to catch up with their mamas while they do it.  We've been meeting at the pool since 2009.  

Exhibit A - Kensington and Luke in July of 2009 :)



In 2010 we were all about the snacks.  (PS - Look at how much he grew between 2009 and 2010!!!)



Summer of 2011 Mason arrived and premiered his baby Speedo :) 



 



2012 Mason preferred to hang out in the stroller.


And Luke (and our buddies!) were ALL about the kiddie pool!




Summer of 2013 Griffin was 2 months old and she preferred to skinny dip. :)





And then last summer I had three crazies in the "big pool".


So, yeah - that's a lot of babies.


Last summer Luke became super confident and conquered the diving board.


And we all enjoyed treats :)


Especially Mason who flirted his way into crushed and shaved ice at the pool bar every day. :)


   

With school wrapping up, we're looking forward to lots of time in the water and I've gradually been picking up suits and such to get my crew ready.

You KNOW I love some little girl suits!  I'm typically a one-piece girl ,but the ruffles and print on THIS SUIT won me over.  Can you tell she hates it??? #justkidding



She's wearing a 2/3 and it fits her with plenty of room.  I definitely think she'll get two summers of wear out of it.


And here are a few other suits that I have on my radar for Griffin.

'Pretty' One-Piece Swimsuit (Toddler Girls, Little Girls & Big Girls) Ruffle One-Piece Swimsuit (Toddler Girls, Little Girls & Big Girls)

So, now on to me.

I am super picky when it comes to bathing suits.  I always have been.  I know what I like/want and I have a really hard time settling.

But before we dive into my swimsuit picks, let's all take a moment and soak in my amazing 1992 keyhole suit.  So many things to say :)
 

When looking for a suit, I like coverage.  I'm not at the pool to lay out, relax and/or impress anyone.  I'm there to hang out, chase my kids and change swim diapers.  So when I'm looking for a suit, I want to make sure that I can do all of those things comfortably and modestly.  

In my search for a great suit last year I came across Albion Fit and instantly felt a connection.  The suits were modest and fun and not overly "mom".  I ordered the midnight dip swimsuit and fell in LOVE.  I'm not going to lie - I was hesitant at first because of the price and because I couldn't try it on.  But when the suit arrived I was more than impressed with the quality and their customer service is great as well.  I actually exchanged my suit for a different size and it took only a few days.  I wore it all the time last summer and plan on wearing it all the time again this year.



I wanted something fun to kind of mix it up this summer and I picked this Antigua Peplum Top with the high waist striped bottoms.  I am a total fan of pattern mixing, and in my head I think this will look really cute.  The pieces were backordered, so the jury is still out, but I'll keep you guys posted!


All swimsuits are on sale this week on Amazon with the code FUN20SUN and I picked up this cute blue blouson top to pair with the striped bottoms for a different look.



If you're a loyal Nordstrom shopper because of the returns, free shipping, etc. then check out these three.  I don't have any of them, but they were on my short list.  If the ones I ordered don't work out, these will be headed my way ASAP.


Rugby Stripe One-Piece Swimsuit 'Boyleg' One-Piece SwimsuitRuffle Front Maillot

Now, let's have an honest moment.  Swimsuit shopping (and wearing) is not my favorite thing to do.  But having a great time with my kids IS my favorite thing and, as vain as it sounds, when I feel good about the suit I'm wearing, I feel more confident and have a better attitude about the whole pool experience.  I know that confidence comes from within and not from what you're wearing - but that's often easier said than done when you're in a bathing suit.  And yes, I am so aware that that sounds ridiculous :)  

I see how Griffin looks at herself in the mirror and I NEVER want that to change. I want her to be confident and comfortable and happy with how she looks and I want to set a great example for her in the body image department.


One last thing, I haven't forgotten about boys suits - they're just not nearly as fun :)  I ordered 2 pairs of board shorts for each of the boys from GAP and called it a day.

So, are y'all pool people?  Are you swimming multiply times a week? Once or twice a summer?  Do you have a great place to find awesome suits I should know about?  Lots of questions - spill!

PS - This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on a link and purchase an item I may receive a small commission.  THANK YOU!!!

56 comments :

  1. Awww my Jaw hurts from all the baby pics!!!! Baby Luke and Kensington especially :) ... Look forward to living vicariously through you'll for the next months while we go through winter down here haha!
    P.S G's suit is just adorable and I love how happy she looks wearing it.

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    1. Right?!?! It's crazy how much they've grown up!!! and I hope she ALWAYS looks that happy in a suit!

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  2. Andrea-can you please explain how the affiliate links work? I've seen a lot of chatter about them and I'm confused. If I click on a link, say to Amazon, do cookies rain on my phone/computer? So could you potentially receive a commission for my Christmas purchases months from now?
    I'm not debating the use of them. I'm just curious. Thanks in advance! Have a great day.

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    1. I am definitely not an expert - but for me - the only commissions I see on my reports are for items that I've actually linked to (there's a list that has the item/link and then a column for commission earned). I hope that answers your question! :)

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  3. Hollywood called, they are looking for the new Shirley Temple. No one else needs to apply, the #1 choice is Griffin! So adorable!!

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  4. Griffin in that swimsuit is the cutest thing ever!! love!! :)

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  5. I love, love, love that we're pool people!! And goodness, look how much our babies have grown Andrea???? Where did those little kids go????

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    1. I miss the arm rolls!!! And do you remember how they would scream at each other over the pool toys? hahaha I love that our summers are full of time with y'all!

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  6. I totally relate to your comment about how beauty comes from within is easier said than done when wearing a bathing suit. I have a better pool experience also when I feel more comfortable with what I am wearing. LOVE that picture of Griffin in the mirror :)

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    1. Thanks, Rachel! I'm glad you understood what I was trying to say :) hahaha

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  7. Yes yes yes YES! Pool time is easy - bathing suits are hard. Love all those pics of the kiddos - so many fun memories to make. Loving that boyleg halter from Nordstrom's - you may have found my new suit for the year!

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    1. If you search for SeaFolly boyleg there are lots of other cute patterns in that same suit - just not at Nordstrom. Anthropologie has an awesome floral one!

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  8. Our pool has been open since may 1 and we have pretty much been there every day. And we will continue that all summer long. I love getting my boys suits from gap and old navy. Olivia is "tough" on her suits, so I isually grab a few from target. They are inexpensive, super cute, andast is throughout the summer. Enjoy your pool days!!!

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    1. WOW! That's great that it's open that early! I think ours open this weekend, but are only open on the weekend until June 1. I'll have to check out Target for G. Thanks for the tip!

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  9. YES!!!!!! POOL PEOPLE! Who is that blonde headed baby trying to beg for snacks from Luke. WHAT? THAT'S MY KID? I forgot he was soooo blonde! Can't wait to spend this summer at the pool with y'all!!!!

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    1. Right?!?!?! How stinkin' adorable are they!!! I still think that one of my favorite summers was the summer when Luke was two and Carter was about to be two and it was just me and you and the boys at the pool all the time! I remember staying FOREVER and taking turns pressing that dang shower button. :)

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  10. I can't wait to see you in that floral and those stripes. So cute!!! And...we'll see you at the pool almost every day!! Can't wait!!

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    1. I hope it's as cute on as is it in my head :) hahaha and YES! Lots of Slaughters in our summer!!!

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  11. Loved this post... makes me even more excited for summer!

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  12. The last group pic of the kids....I'm DYING at the kiddo behind Mason in that life jacket😂😂😂😂😂😂

    Love the bathing suit suggestions

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  13. That suit on Griffin is just adorable...there are no words!
    I agree...clothes don't make you confident but when you feel good, it certainly helps! Especially in the swim suit department!

    You look fabulous in whatever you wear!
    Enjoy the summer at the pool! When my kids were little, we did the same thing..LOVE! and yes, the after pool nap is THE BEST!!!!
    Jan Fisher

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  14. Great post....I am pretty sure I had that exact same keyhole swimsuit as a kid.....Oh the memories!!!!

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    1. I think that anyone born between like 1982 and 1992 had a similar one :) I think we should totally bring them back. hahaha

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  15. We are definitely pool people! I also have loved buying swim suits for my little girl throughout the years! They are just too cute. Love your style of swim suit also. I find Target is hit or miss in the ladies swim wear but when it's good it's good. :)

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    1. I'll have to check Target out soon - I found several I liked a few years ago, but none of them really held up well. MAybe I'll have better luck this year!

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  16. Ohmygoodness. The 2-piece rash guard is the cuuuuuutest swimsuit ever! I may be contemplating passing Wells off as a girl at the pool this summer just so I have a reason to buy it! ...J/K...kind of.

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    1. I have a better solution - buy the suit and cross your fingers you get a girl some day :) hahaha Did you ever read about the nightgown I hoarded for 5+ years "just in case" I had a girl??? I bought this little nightgown one time and hoarded it forever and ever. When I pulled it out and Griffin got to wear it was amazing. Maybe the suit can be your nightgown :)

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  17. I love the past pool pictures! Kiddos change so fast don't they? I am seriously obsessed with your suit from last year - way too cute!

    My parents have a pool and they live at the lake so we spend a lot of time there in the summer. We live in the same town as the largest public pool in Oklahoma so Jack always wants to go there but public pools are not my thing. So many people. So much dirty. haha.

    Oh and my new favorite swimsuit place is Rey Swimwear. They have a fun vintage feel but their slogan is something along the lines of it doesn't have to be itty bitty. I love how modest they are.

    Have a great week!!

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    1. Please don't knock public pools.... Not everyone can afford their own backyard pool or country club membership! Thank goodness for pools open to the dirty "public" so my kids can go swimming!!

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    2. I did not mean to offend you - I was not calling the people there dirty and I am very sorry that it came across like that. We are not above going to the public pool, last year we were there quite often because my dad took on a second job in the summer to help run it.

      I was simply referring to the germs. I am not a germ freak until it is summertime and I am surrounded by a million people I don't know running around barefoot. I have the same anxiety when going to a water park.

      Again, sorry it offended you - that was not my intention at all.

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  18. Luke and Mason looked so much alike when they were littles. And I pray Griffin never loses her confidence either! Girlfriend has some spunk ;)

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    1. Yes she does! We're going to work hard to preserve that confidence :)

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  19. I have found for "fun" suits Target and my favorite, Land's End have the best selection, prices and quality. My daughter swims competitively and has $200 suits to race in so we typically stay in the $20-$40 range for play suits. Can you believe $200 for a little piece of material that is so tight it leaves red marks on her shoulders and legs?! Crazy sport!

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    1. $200?!?!?! That's crazy!!! But great for her for being so competitive in her sport! That's awesome!

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  20. I am sure you can rock the floral top and stripe bottoms look fantastic! We live in FL and school is out for the summer and we just got home from swimming with our best friends (who are moving to TX in a few short weeks! :( ) But my youngest 3 are currently enjoying a glorious post-swim nap!

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    1. the "still smell like sunscreen, crazy pool hair, shirtless naps" are the best naps my kids take :)

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  22. Great post! Makes me excited for summer. I love to see how much the kids have changed. Check out Lime Ricki Swimwear. The quality is great and my suits have lasted many seasons.

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    1. Oooooh! I just added them to my list to check out. Thanks!

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  23. Love all your posts! i look forawrd to them with my morning coffee while all is still quiet ;) Just wondering you said you exchanged sizes in your suit. Did you find they ran big? small? I've got one in my cart but can't commit to a size. Can't wait for it to get nicer here in Sunny Alberta for a pool to open!

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    1. I tend to "upsize" unnecessarily (I always have.... it's weird) and so I ended up exchanging for a smaller size. I think they run true to size, I just ordered wrong in the first place :)

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  24. Living in Miami, we are definitely "water" people. We are either at the pool or beach all the time. Each one of my kids has a drawer full of swimsuits from everywhere, GAP, Old Navy, Target, Walmart, Speedo. They need them!! On other hand, I only have 2 and really need a new one. I love the navy front ruffle one!!

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    1. They totally need a drawer full!!! EACH! And you need the ruffle suit :)

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  25. Boys swim suits just aren't as fun, huh? :) Aidan will be wearing the surfboard one we bought from you this summer & I picked up one for Dominick from Marshalls.

    I'll definitely have to check out the one's you recommended for us mom's! I prefer modest myself! :)

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    1. Tell you what, I'll post about boys suits tomorrow :) I did find a few cute ones that I'll share JUST for you. hahaha

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    2. Oh Andrea, your too kind! haha :)

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  26. How funny, I ordered the "Strawberry Daiquiri" from Albion Fit a couple of weeks ago!! It already came in and I love it!! It is my first adult one-piece and I cannot wait to wear it. I have definitely found my new swim suit shop!

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    1. OOOH! Is that the one with the bow on the back??? SO CUTE!!! Aren't their suits the best?

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  27. Your daughter, such a ham in that mirror. I get the biggest kick out of her expressions everytime I read your posts and she is in them. Looks like a great neighorhood pool to be part of. Great memories.

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  28. You seem like a mother who is doing a great job-your kids appear to have great confidence at a young age, and you seem so involved! I think its really kind of you to often to reply to your readers comments:)

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  29. I die over Mason killing it at the pool bar. It looks like he's got those ladies wrapped around his little finger! And is this a rec center pool or a country club pool? It's so great you can all meet up there. Wish we had something like that out here!

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