The cooler temps have finally arrived and it’s time for fall festivals and pumpkin patch visits to kick into high gear. This time of the year is my favorite. The weather is perfect to get outside with the littles and there’s almost guaranteed to be an event or festival of some kind every weekend.
Our family’s first fall outing this year is to a nearby apple orchard. I’m excited to introduce my littles to the “farm” experience…complete with hayrides, pony rides and the world’s best apple cider doughnuts (so I’m told). I MAY be most excited about trying the doughnuts more so than anything else. Just saying.
Being out and about with my kiddos this time of year is so much fun but it also means three things for us on-the-go moms:
1. You keep those designer diaper bags well-stocked. Nothing can ruin a fun family outing faster than running out of wipes or not having extra clothes on-hand…because you know how quickly the littles can find that ONE mud puddle and somehow cover themselves from head to toe before you realize they’ve even left your side. I have experience here, if you can’t tell.
I also keep my stroller and extra blankets in the car at all times, and a quick grab bag of snacks in the pantry for those spontaneous, “Let’s get out of the house moments.” Just make a couple extras during your weekly meal/snack prep and set them aside. I promise you, they’ll save you once or twice…a week!
2. You ALWAYS keep your cameras handy. You know that I’m an admitted photo snob and tend to be a momma-razzi. There’s no shame in my game. My kids will have a well documented childhood, to say the least.
This is the absolute best time of year to get candid photos of the kids and great family pics, so take full advantage of those top notch photo ops!
Just don’t forget to put the camera down long enough to enjoy the experience with your littles. Being present with them through each of these outings is just as important as capturing the memories.
3. Layers, layers, layers. They’re a mom’s BFF. Kids have one speed and that’s full throttle. Keeping them cool and comfy during the day is essential but you also want to make sure that they stay warm if you’re out later in the cool evening air.
A friendly word of advice though, try to be proactive in helping them shed these layers if they’re going to be running around and playing or else you’ll never see those pieces of clothing again. Apparently no one believes in a Lost & Found any longer and the techies have yet to figure out a tracking device for kids clothing. Apple, are you listening? But back to layering…
I break out those staple pieces that I bought for my kids during the Tanger end of summer deals at Gap, Forever 21, H&M and Carter’s, and just add a pullover, leggings or light jacket.
Forever 21
Gap Factory Store
Viola! Cute and comfy kids ready to take on new adventures!
Deal Alert: Gap Factory is offering an extra 15% off through the end of the month so it you haven’t replenished their closets for the fall, there’s still time to rack up the savings!
Now get out there and enjoy those festivals, mommas! And share your fave fall event photos with me on Facebook and Instagram using #TangerMom, #TangerOnTheGo and tagging @TangerOutlets.
I’ll report back on those apple cider doughnuts soon! Happy Fall, Y’all.