When we were shopping at REI for “summer fun” we kind of had two categories of “family fun” we shopped for. The first was me and Anneliese and our bike… we got Nutcase bike helmets, a floor bike tire pump, an “I <3 my bike” bell (haven’t put it on yet), a Planet Bike tire patch kit, a kleen kanteen sport top for Anneliese (to use with her gDiaper kleen kanteen), and probably a couple other things I’m forgetting. Our shopping trip was so much fun, and Sean showed us all sorts of great things we could use to have fun together. Even after he finished showing us around, we were in the store for another hour making our decisions.
The other category of shopping was for my husband…all sorts of “fun” things… a REI Classic x-large duffle bag for him to pack for his deployment in, and some survival gear – a camelbak bladder to sew into his gear, and some other little things. It would be awesome if we could do family activities with all 3 (4 sort of) of us this summer, but that’ll have to wait a little while.
We did take a family bike ride with all 3 of us before my husband had to leave. He was behind the camera though, so I didn’t get any pictures of all of us. We just took a few pictures of me and the baby at the end.
I have to be totally honest… I haven’t been bike riding with Anneliese. I want to. I’ve thought about it. But queasy dizzy nauseated pregnancy-woman doesn’t feel comfortable trying to balance with a baby on a bike right now. So we’ve been walking. Hopefully my nausea/dizziness/queasiness will pass soon and I will feel safer on two wheels.
The other thing is, it’s probably a good idea for us to wait a bit longer so that Anneliese can grow a bit more. Her head was the exact measurement for the smallest size of kid’s helmet, but it still seems big to me (see how it slipped in the picture above? It’s on the tightest setting). So I feel like we should wait until her helmet fits properly anyway.
I’m definitely looking forward to some great bike rides with Anneliese when the pregnancy stuff lets up a bit, and continuing into the cooler weather this fall, now that REI completed our cycling gear so that we have everything we need.
Do you want to win $100 to REI?? (CLOSED)
What outdoor activity do you pledge to do with your family this summer and how would a $100 REI gift card help you get there? Take the REI Outdoor Pledge and submit your comment to be entered.
Hi! I'm Emily. I'm a Navy wife and stay at home mom of two beautiful children. I cook simple, delicious, grain-free recipes, do crafts, decorate my home on a budget, and keep a happy household. I tandem breastfeed, babywear, cloth diaper, practice elimination communication, homebirth, and co-sleep, but I'm not a hippie.
It’s inexpensive, fun and healthy! I pledge to take kids to hiking.
I pledge to take kids to hiking. I’d love to get hiking shoes at REI.
We love going camping. We are planning a camping trip this fall and supplies from REI would be great!!
I grew up as a die-hard camper, too. And we only took our kids camping for the first time last year. This year we had a baby, so we did “camp-at-home” and the baby and I got to sleep inside while everyone else slept out back in our tent. They had a great time!
I’d love to go camping with my family, but we’d need a new tent so that’s what I’d use the giftcard for. Also, based on this post, I’d probably need to get an air mattress.
I pledge to camp more with the family, even if it is just in our back yard. THis gift card could help us get a tent.
My husband and I would use it to buy a water filter for backpacking. We have a dream of hiking the Appalachian Trail and really only need a few more things before we can get started!
We love camping. We have 2 boys and have camped with them from the time they were about 3 months old. Love it. For a more comfortable nights rest get REI’s self-inflating pad to sleep on. Packs easily and is well worth the price. Besides you can’t beat REI’s guarantee.
I LOVE REI and am so excited to do some awesome camping and hiking. My fav hikes are ones that include breathtaking waterfalls. Can’t wait!
My family and I have camped many times, we are looking at buying an old trailer and a gift card would be great for some of the things I need for camping. Thank you so much!!!
we’d update our camping equipment so we could maybe take our two year old with us.
We love camping and could really use a canoe for our trips to the lake!
I might have to start in the backyard, but I’ll work my way to a camping site. I really want to do it. An REI gift card would help!
I would love to get my technologically inclined family out of the house and camping. It would be a great way to reconnect and detach from the hustle and bustle of our daily life.
We *were* a camping family until the kiddie. However as soon as the youngest is out of diapers (I really can’t imagine camping in the Florida sand and humidity with diapers.) we’ll get back out there!
Your post just gave me camping fever, but fortunately we have time off in a few weeks to take care of that. My favorite part: playing Mad Libs in our tiny two-person Kelty after dousing the fire.
We love camping and did some at Yosemite this summer. We need, though, more air mattresses for the boys.
$100 would go a long way to a new backpacking tent….need a new one bad:-)
I pledge to go for a bike ride with the family along our Highline Canal. Love REI!
Sounds like so much fun! I could use that REI gift card to take my college friends out on a camping trip
We love camping! Might get some durable/reusable cooking ware. Or a new sleeping bag for me!
We love to bike ride, and camp. The REI card would be a blessing.
I would pledge to buy running or biking gear and get outside on the beach – we live in Cali!
My family loooovvveess to camp! We can always use new equipment or supplies!
We went backpacking as a family when I was a child. The earlyist one I remember I was 8 that means my younger siblings (twins) were just 3 at the time. I don’t know how my parents did it. I do know that they paid someone to take our gear out so they didn’t have to carry gear and 4 small children down the mountain.
I tweeted!
http://twitter.com/FakeGradSchool/status/118542505544388608
Sorry, accidentally deleted the first tweet! Here’s the new one!
http://twitter.com/#!/FakeGradSchool/status/118542865625395200
We’ve pledged to do some hiking this summer!
tweeted! https://twitter.com/#!/DeeGee13/status/118539891830308864
I pledged to spend more time outdoors hiking. It’s inexpensive, fun and healthy! Definitely should be doing more of this!
WE WENT CAMPING THIS SUMMER WITH A BORROWED TENT, WOULD LOVE A TENT OF OUR OWN SO WE CAN GO EVERY YEAR
nannypanpan at gmail.com
My husband and I are avid hikers and campers. We could really use a $100 REI gift card toward some more hiking socks and a couple good rain jackets (since we’re in the Pacific Northwest!). Took the pledge!
We grab our stuff and our bikes and head across the street to the beach as often as possible. REI has clothes and supplies we could use for the beach.
We do have a small tent but, while it worked for my husband and I as newlyweds…it won’t quite work now that we are a family of 5! So, a gift card would be great!
My husband and I (and our dog!) love hiking and camping and we are fortunate to have a few places easily accessible. REI could help us get a new camp stove and some hiking socks, though!
My husband and I would LOVE to take our kids camping, especially now that the weather has cooled off some in our neck of the woods .