get outside! all winter long!

in an effort to practice what i preach, i’m trying to get outside with the kids more in the wintertime. it’s not easy in this area some days (but, i apologize to those readers i have up in canada where temps have gotten down to -40!!! comparatively, i have nothing to complain about.). last monday was single digits and guys, i hated every second of it. we went into boston for the RV show and even waiting in the lobby area for the shuttle where automatic doors were opening and closing, allowing gusty arctic wind blasts in over and over again, was miserable. and i had layers upon layers on! temps in the teens, i can do. temps in the 30s? even better. those single digits are killer. but what is an absolute must is the right clothing. i used to begrudge all the clothing that winter necessitated… it’s expensive! but i do think you get what you pay for, generally speaking. and let’s face it, it sucks to be outside and just be cold. that’ll put a quick stop to the dreamy ‘we’re getting outside every day!’ notions.

last year i got the boys these one piece snow suits. one year later, i’m still really happy i did. i ordered them a bit roomy so that i knew i’d get more than one year out of them. they can easily put them on themselves, and there’s no fear of gaps allowing cold air or snow in. i love watching them plop down for snow angels and knowing that there’s no place for the snow to enter. downside: they do need another jacket for the rest of the time. i love this one that parker has (seen here; i like the colors he picked!–600 fill (i recommend a high fill number for cold winters! and a company that sources them responsibly).

they both have these balaclavas and they are great. the neck part is long enough to tuck into their snow suit. and i love that it can cover most of their face too. add ski goggles, and there’s literally no skin showing! you also have the option to push down the face part, so it’s just the hood and the neck cover. highly, highly recommend.

these snow gloves are made well, and are long enough to tuck their whole sleeves into, then be cinched tight at the top. both boys have them. bonus–the ones for the older kids (and adults–i have them too), have a zippered part where you can stick these into. i bought those hot hands last year for outdoor winter activities like ice skating, sledding, and it was one of those “you’re such a genius!” moments when i pull them out of my pocket and dole them out.

my above ski jacket is this one by volcom (color is copper; looks like it’s available some places online, but i think they’ve updated the colors since i bought it last year). the pants are these ones and i looove them. so comfortable and insulated. all i wear is leggings underneath.

as far as snow boots, we basically all have sorels. i don’t know for sure that they’re actually the best there is (as in, my feet still get cold if i’m out for several hours in cold weather), but they’re everywhere. parker has these ones–his third year in a row with them (maybe his cheap mother bought them waaaay too big because his feet have gotten so much bigger in the last 3 years that i’m shocked they still fit. just decrease the thickness of their socks over time, ha.). and i have these. i scored mine at a tj maxx like 12 years ago and they still look the same as the day i got them.

base layers are of course fantastic too. parker has these, and anders still has this merino wool turtleneck from polarn o pyret. you could go crazy with all the stuff, but at some point, you gotta call it good. i think this is a very good start!