August 21, 2017 by Bailey

HumBird Wool Interlock Soaker {Review}

I love wool. My husband is wool obsessed. Together, we think wool is the cat’s meow. We dress ourselves in wool and our babies! Wool helps us stay cool in the summer, and warm in the winter. That’s the magic of wool. Wool is not only a great option for clothing but a great option for diapering. Typically, I use wool at night time to keep the sheet dry and protect from any leaks. However, on hot days like last week, I also use wool as a breathable diaper cover for my kids which is why you spotted Little Miss rocking out in her HumBird Wool Interlock Soaker earlier this month.

I received this product in exchange for my review. As always, my reviews are real and honest about my personal opinion. This post does contain affiliate links which provide me with a commission.

Last week we talked HumBird I shared my review of the HumBird Stretchy Hemp Flats. If you don’t remember, I raved about them! I love them underneath our HumBird Wool Interlock covers.

HumBird creates out of Germany, but fast, prompt, and low-cost shipping costs will have you thinking you ordered it from around the corner. Dawn, an American, now in Germany, is a dedicated work-at-home-mama churning out beautifully crafted reusable cloth products from diapers, to wool and everything in between.

HumBird Wool Interlock

I might be a wool connoisseur; I’m far it a wool expert. So, we’ll just give you the basics, and then I’ll tell you everything I love (and don’t). HumBird Wool Interlock Cover is 95% merino wool and 5% spandex. This combo gives it a nice stretch, without being itchy. If you think wool is itchy it’s because you’ve never really tried wool. Itchy wool tends to be synthetic. The 5% spandex gives the wool the stretch to pull on and off, to fit around the legs, and to give a nice gentle hug around the belly.

Inside the cover, you’ll find crisp serged seams. Seams are neat and tidy for a great overall fit. Check out the sizing chart, or make a request for the perfect size for your little one.

LOVE LOVE LOVE

I love interlock because less prone to snags. This wool cover is my first piece of interlock wool, and I love it more than any of my knits. On more than one occasion I have caught my Snappi, Pin, Toys, etcetera in the knit of a wool cover and created a messy snag; not with interlock. Interlock gives me less anxiety about playing and being in wool with kids.
Keeps the Wet In! I also love interlock wool diaper covers because I think it holds back the moisture better than comparable wool knits. She wore this for many days before I washed it. I usually wash and lano wool when the wet starts to escape, I washed the wool because I felt like it, not because it needed to.
Quality Design & Build: You can feel the immense quality behind this HumBird Wool Interlock cover. If the craftsmanship Dawn puts into this piece is the same across her wool line up, then I want it all.
Sizing & Fit: I am so very pleased with the fit of this Medium HumBird Wool Interlock Cover. I’m not sure what else to say besides it’s just awesome. A little snug to pull on, but stretches and gives just right to stay up. The legs and tummy are soft and breathable. That’s exactly what I want for my chunky babies.
Washed & Durable: With wear, the HumBird Wool Interlock Cover is standing the test of time. While Little Miss isn’t moving yet, I still expect some stretching and wear from constant diaper changes and the kicking of little legs. Over the course of many days wear, this cover still held its shape. I washed it and lano’d it twice, and it still looks like news.
Price Point: HumBird Interlock Wool is an entirely reasonable price point for WAHM wool pants.

And one thing I don’t love.

The only possible complaint I have about the HumBird Wool Interlock diaper cover is that it’s not great for everyday wear with clothing. If you are a diehard lover of diaper shirts /onsies and traditional pants, wool might not be the answer for you. This wool interlock diaper cover does look dashing under a dress, paired with a top, or just on its own. 😉

Time for some HumBird Interlock Wool

The shorts are perfect for the summer, but I have my eyes on the long pants for this winter. I’m waiting for a growth spurt, and then I’ll order some to keep her cosy this winter. Wool is my go-to solution for night-time diapering and warmth. Check out the complete selection of wool products at HumBird.eu.

To stay up to date with HumBird you can follow the company on Instagram or Facebook.

August 20, 2017 by Bailey

5 Reasons for Cloth Training Pants

I am fully immersed in the process of potty training my toddler. It’s been two months since he expressed keen interest in using the toilet and we’re still puttering around in the world of in between. I know my toddler. He’s fiercely independent and stubborn, just like his mama. I dare not force potty training, and I dare not force diapers. So, with that, we enter the world of cloth training underwear, or cloth trainers, or learning pants, or whatever term you wish to call these underwear-like pieces of clothing with absorbency.

I’m just a mom potty training her first child. By no way am I an expert in the matter of potty training. I am an expert in me, my child, and the dynamics of our family. I’m sharing with you what is currently working for me.

5 Reasons for Cloth Training Pants

Bridging the Space for Underwear: Cloth Training Pants help fill the space from cloth diapers to underwear. He will have to wear underwear, and learn to use underwear is an invaluable skill. I will not be pulling down his underwear for the rest of his life. Cloth Training Pants help my toddler learn how to pull clothing on and off.
Ease of Use: Cloth Training Pants are so much easier to use than toddler underwear. I purchased toddler underwear, but the tight elastics and fit are challenging for mom hands, let alone toddler’s hands. Trainers are often built with a toddler in mind and are easy for little hands to manage.
Absorbency Protection: I like to keep my couch free of toddler pee, and I like to have twenty minutes to make dinner. Cloth Training Pants keep my couch dry, and mom happy. Small amounts of absorbency in the training pant quickly absorb pee and reduce the mess. They aren’t nearly as absorbant as diapers, but less mess means a calmer mom.
Quality & Comfort: Cloth Training pants are not cheap, but neither are pull ups. An investment in cloth training pants results in a quality product you can hand down from child to child. Not only are cloth training pants built with quality in mind, but with the toddler. Most training pants feature gentle elastics, quality cotton, and products free of tags and annoying seam.
Environmental: We all have a choice to use cloth or disposable products with our child, and disposable pull ups are an option you can consider. You can also choose to use Cloth training pants to reduce your environmental impact. Don’t worry about the laundry, if you can wash a wet bed, or peed in pants, you can wash cloth trainers.

Talk to me about your potty training? What went well? What didn’t? Were you able to transition to underwear? Or did you rely on cloth training pants?

Every week we are reviewing cloth training pants. Check back often to see whats new or follow me on social media: Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest & Email.

August 19, 2017 by Bailey

Back to School with Grammarly

I’m going back to school! Recently, I decided I needed more in my life, and I wasn’t entirely sure what that meant. Since graduating from the University of Northern British Columbia in 2015 with my Bachelors of Arts (Major: Environmental Studies), I knew I needed more education to get anywhere. Three years later, I’m pursuing the course calendars at BCIT and Ryerson.

With my credit card in hand and a nod of approval, I registered at Ryerson to begin my Certificate in Public Relations starting this September. I can’t believe it; it’s terrifying. But you know what, I’m not so scared because I have Grammarly to help me rock this school year and put my best writing out there.

If you’re a long time reader of my blog, and social media you know my grammar skills are less than impressive. Despite 6-7 years of post secondary education, my writing could use some improvement. And while practice makes perfect, I need some help getting there, and that is where Grammarly comes in.

I’m not sure where I discovered Grammarly… Honestly, I probably googled “grammar check programs” and found the link there. But, since downloading the free program, I’ve been hooked. I quickly signed up for a premium service, and I’m head over heels with the experience. And I’m telling you all about it because if you click some of these links and decide it’s awesome, I can earn affiliate dollars. It’s not cost to you, but it helps this wanna-be blogging student.

3 Reasons you need Grammarly

Software Spell Check sucks.
Grammarly goes where you go.
Grammarly teaches you.

I have a MacBook with Microsoft word and pages installed. Microsoft Word has the better spell check software, but it tends to crash all the time for me. I don’t use it. I use PAges. But the spell check function in pages doesn’t provide a good review of my grammar. So, even tho I push the handy little button, I still end up getting feedback about how I could improve my writing both in the SEO box of my WordPress and from fellow bloggers who are much better copy editors. When I use Grammarly, Grammarly catches almost * everything!

It didn’t catch that time I used too many “I’s” in my post about HumBird Stretchy Flats. Thanks to Mama Loups Den for helping me out there.

Grammarly is both a software and a plug in. I can use Grammarly at the cabin, and I can use Grammarly at home. I just type in the software on my computer and check as I go. What I love more, is Grammarly is present on my web browser to give me feedback when I’m writing an email, in WordPress, or even on Facebook.

Most importantly, I love using Grammarly because Grammarly explains how I can improve. Instead of just correcting my problems, Grammarly talks me thru it. Now I feel like I’m learning and becoming a better writer. Even the past two weeks of using Grammarly, I make fewer comma errors and have mastered some of my frequently misspelt words.

Maybe one day I won’t need Grammarly?

Hahahahaha. Unlikely, I’m not that awesome. In the meanwhile, it’s cheaper than paying for an English course and trying to remember all the weird English grammar rules.

So, with another school year around the corner, I’m feeling more confident than ever. Not only am I mastering the grammar and writing skills here on my blog, but I’m going to crush it this year with my school assignments. And I’m going to make sure I’m never plagiarizing with Grammarly plagiarise tools.

The one thing I don’t like about Grammarly is… you loose fancy formatting when you copy and paste into the Grammarly software.

August 18, 2017 by Bailey

Folding Flat Cloth Diapers: Kite Fold

When I gave up my AIO cloth diapers for simplicity some months ago, I opted to embrace Flat Cloth Diapers and Prefold Cloth Diapers. And while I typically, padfold my cloth diapers, there is a time and place for a folded cloth diapers. One of my favourite folds for littlest is the Kite Fold.

This fold evenly distributes the bulk of the diaper towards the centre without being TOO bulky. It’s fairly simple to remember and use. Depending on the size of your flat diaper, the completed fold will change. However, the size is easily adjusted based on how far up you fold the top or bottom of the diaper.

Using my HumBird flats I got the perfect size for Little Miss. However, these particular flats were too small for Little Man. Typically, I use a large receiving blanket with him and it’s just perfect size.

Kite Fold for Flat Diapers

Note: Steps 2 & 3 are interchangeable. I prefer to do it this way as it gives fewer folds for poop mix up.

Lay Out Flat, and fold sides to create a “kite shape.”
Fold up the long skinny bottom. Depending on how far you fold this up changes the overall rise of this diaper. If you fold it less for more bigger babies and more for smaller babies (or try a mini kite fold)
Fold down the Top triangle.
Roll in the sides of the diaper. I find it helpful to roll up the sides before folding onto baby, but it can also be done when folding onto baby
Fold onto Baby and secure with either a diaper pin, boingo, or snapppi.

This diaper fold is EVER SO SWEET on Little Miss in her HumBird Flat Diapers. Check out my review later this week. In the meanwhile admire her cuteness below with a Kite Fold Flat Diaper.

August 17, 2017 by Bailey

Nicki’s Diapers Training Pants Review

Ordering cloth diapers from the United States is a little bit of a pain for Canadian parents like myself. Not all retailers will ship to Canada, and if they do shipping costs are high, and there is a potential for duties and taxes. Usually, the costs don’t outweigh the benefits. So when a pair of Nicki’s Diapers Training Pants showed up on my local Cloth Diaper swap, they had to be mine. Better yet, they were a print I love: toolin’ around.

Nicki’s Diapers Training Pants

Nicki’s Diapers Training Pants is an underwear style cloth training pant. Again I say this because not all training pants look like underwear. In a classic underwear shape, the Nicki’s Training Pants features stretchy sides and an absorbent middle core. Gentle elastic along the legs and waist help keep accidents in a while offering the freedom for easy on and off.

The inside of the Nicki’s Diapers Training Pant is a cotton flannel lining. Under this is the absorbent core consisting of microfibre and an exterior shell of waterproof PUL. Nicki’s Diapers Training Pant PUL features many of Nicki’s Diapers regular and limited edition prints.

Training Pants are available in 4 sizes ranging from 16 to 45 pounds. We have a size medium, rated 22-30lbs. I would have ordered a Large (30-38 lbs), but the Medium was my option.

Favourite Features

Sizing: The sizing on the Nicki’s Diapers Training Pants is generous and roomy. I bought the Medium on the whim and surprised they fit. I tend to like my Training Pants bigger than smaller, but these fit my toddler excellent.
Sizing Options: I love that the training pant sizing options go up to 45lbs +. This sizing availability is perfect for little toilet training toddlers and preschoolers of all shapes and sizes.
Underwear Like Shape: Because we are adventuring into potty learning, I love how the Nicki’s Diapers Training Pants help us transition to learning how to use underwear. They are easy to pull on and off, and give a classic underwear appearance and feel for my tyke.
Absorbency: These have been well worth the absorbency holding in our moderate pees and keeping our pants dry in the meanwhile.
PUL lined: So far, I favour a PUL barrier in my cloth training pants. I like how it gives me extra protection from wet seats.
Price Point: At only USD 10, the Nicki’s Training Pant is a stellar price point.

Not in Love…

I don’t really love how the Nicki’s Diapers Training Pant absorbency consists of microfibre, but I have come to learn synthetics have a place in this cloth diaper mom’s life. As a Canadian, I don’t love that I have to import these from the states, but if you’re stateside, this point won’t matter to you.

My toolin’ around print is quite simply to die for; however, I do seldom reach for my Nicki’s Diapers Training Pants, and mostly I attribute that to size and comfort. While these do fit, they just fit. Other trainers, like our Blueberry Trainers and Rumparooz Lil Learnerz, are a bigger fit and even easier to pull on and off. If I had the right size for his weight class, I would probably love these more and reach for them all the time.

Recommendation

For a budget-friendly, underwear-like training pant, the Nicki’s Diapers Training Pants is a keeper. These will help keep your couch dry, catch little day time accidents, and help you rock your potty training adventure.

August 16, 2017 by Bailey

Explore BC – GoodSir Nature Park, Prince George

I’ve lived in Prince George for almost five years, and I’m still checking off the boxes on places I want to visit. Over the BC Day Long Weekend, I finally made the trek to GoodSir Nature Park on Old Summit Road. This privately built and operated nature reserve has been on my radar for some time, but the recent visit by mutual friends reminded me to check it out.

GoodSir Nature Park

Ignore the one bad review on TripAdvisor of GoodSir Nature Park. That person obviously had different expectations. My only expectation of GoodSirt Nature Park is to experience the local landscape at its finest, and that is exactly what GoodSir Nature Park has to offer.

Located at 22825 Old Summit Lake Rd, Prince George, BC, GoodSir Nature Park is a short distance North of the City of Prince George. Take a left after the bridge in Salmon Valley, and follow along. It’ll appear on your left after the tracks. There’s not much for parking, but find a spot, and ready to go.

This botanical garden located on is a plant lovers paradise. GoodSir Nature Park consists of well-groomed trails, cabins, campsites, and signs galore; there’s something for everyone at GoodSir Nature Park

Our Visit with Toddlers

The trail is well groomed. Toddler’s feet handled it like a pro; however, in the heat of the day in the middle of the summer, everyone was tuckered out when we got to the small cabin 1/2 way. At the cabin, you can take one of two options: a longer loop, or a short 1/2 hour loop back to the parking lot. We had a snack, and opted to take the quicker return.

Strollers will find the trail manageable, and I would recommend something all terrain. The trail at GoodSir Nature Park is narrow at times, prone to roots (it is a trail, after all). While much of the trail is shaded, there were open areas of direct sun. The trail loops up to Beaver Creek where access to the river is available. Be careful of little feet.

Few Other Fun Facts

Cell Service is spotty.
Dogs welcome.
SIGNS AND LABELS EVERYWHERE
There’s a museum with tiny little replicas. I wish I didn’t have children to wrangle and could have looked around.
Bring a picnic and make a day of it.
- Better yet, it would be fun to make a camping trip of it.
- Not sure I would stay in the cabin because it did not look toddler-friendly, and a little more set-up than I would prefer (I just need a bed).
He hosts open house weekends on the holiday weekends in the summer! Go drop in!
Don’t forget to leave a donation. This is a privately owned and operated park.

We had a blast and I will totally go again, maybe even make it a Hike it Baby Prince George event! I think this space is just perfect for toddlers, preschoolers and young families because there is so much to explore and take in.

GoodSir Nature Park | Prince George, BC | Explore BC | With Kids | Things to do in British Columbia | Things to do in Northern BC | Family Explore | Prince George Parks | Family | City of PG | Northern BC | Canada | Toddler Friendly |Babywearing | Mom of 2 | 2 under 2 | SSC | Lenny Lamb

Someone got too hot and took off his own shirt. I didn’t know how long the trail would be or that the heat would break him. I didn’t bring a second SSC and piggy backed him out of the woods like this.

Have you been? Drop your experience below. I’d love to know how you enjoyed (or didn’t) GoodSir Nature Park.

August 15, 2017 by Bailey

Flat Cloth Diapers: HumBird Stretchy Hemp Flats

Let’s be honest; flat cloth diapers are just boring. Who cares about flat cloth diapers when there’s a world of exciting new print releases around EVERY CORNER? Well I do. I’m a little obsessed with flat diapers and I’m here to tell you flat diapers are UNDER RATED, and the HumBird Stretchy Hemp flats are like nothing I’ve tried before.

Before we get going, I’m going to disclose that I received this product in exchange for my review and this post contains affiliate links. Purcahsing from my affiliate links is no extra cost at you.

You’re reading this going “come on Bailey; you use receiving blankets and t-shirts for diapers, why are you crossing over to WAHM flat diapers?” I know, I do, and I probably won’t ever be using receiving blankets and t-shirts again (okay, I will, but if I could, I wouldn’t). HumBird Stretchy Hemp flats are AMAZING because I every time I change her diaper I think “is she dehydrated, or is this flat THAT absorbent?” The flat is that absorbent. I’m not kidding. And for that reason, along with the silky soft stretchy goodness, I’m crossing over to the world of WAHM flat diapers.

HumBird Stretchy Flat Cloth Diapers

Available in a variety of different sizes ranges, HumBird Stretchy Hemp Flats are made from a hemp blend consisting of 47% hemp, 38% organic cotton, and 15% stretch terry cloth fabric for a total of 310gsm. It is a true flat cloth diaper in that it is a SINGLE layer of material with a serged edge. One side is smooth, and one side is terry cloth (loopy).

It’s pretty much the softest luscious square of fabric ever. That’s what you need to know.

To use any Flat Cloth Diaper, including the HumBird Stretchy Hemp Flats there are two main strategies.

Just pad fold and use in your favourite cloth diaper cover or pocket diaper.
Fold onto your baby using any of your favourite fold (Kit Folds, Happy Anteater, and more) and secure with a Snappi/Boingo/Diaper Pin and use a cover.

You can use a typical PUL cover, OR you could use one of HumBird’s Wool Diaper covers. Wool is AMAZING and we’ll talk about in an upcoming post. #wooladdict

What I Love

I love HumBird Stretchy Hemp Flats for all the reasons I love flats: simple to use, simple to wash, trim bums, absorbent and customizable.

Absorbency: These flats blow it out of the park for daytime absorbency. We would go 2-3 hours, and the outside of the diaper was barely damp. I don’t consider her a heavy wetter, but she’s no fairy princess.
- A single HumBird Stretchy Hemp Flat didn’t hold up overnight, but 12 hours of pee requires a double duty of anything.
- I used TWO HumBird Stretchy Hemp Flat Cloth Diapers in a fold for girls, and we woke up just right without the bulk.
Sizing: It looks and feels small, but it is the perfect size folded onto Little Miss at 17lbs.
- I attempted to fold it onto my toddler, but he’s in potty training mode and would much rather do anything else but sit still for me and let me pin on a flat diaper.
Made in Germany: You have to add all the extra love for handmade products and HumBird Stretchy Hemp Flats are handmade in Germany and ship with speed.
- If you’re Canadian, you know Canada Post is SLOW. I’m tempted to believe HumBird would arrive before something ordered across the country. #justmyopinion #notactualfact
Wash & Dry: I’m impressed with how the HumBird Stretchy Hemp Flat cloth diapers wash up and dry. It shrunk marginally, but still held its shape (no rectangles here). The first couple of times in the dryer it produced lint like crazy, but now it’s calmed down. I like to put things in the dryer (keep it simple), but these would dry up quickly on the line too!

What I Don’t Love

Pad fold Bulk: I find HumBird Stretchy Hemp Flats too bulky when folded into my staple pad fold (in half, half, and then thirds) for Little Miss compared to her prefold diapers. HOWEVER, I was able to fold it into a super trim pad fold for Little Man using a different fold strategy (more on that later), but that fold was too long for Little Miss.

My Recommendation

Buy more than one Hemp Flat and BUY ALL the HumBird Stretchy Hemp Flats. Flat cloth diapers are already awesome, and if you have the budget to splurge on something more than Flour Sack Towels and Receiving Blankets DO IT. Splurging on these WAHM flat cloth diapers is worth it, and these HumBird Stretchy Hemp Flats aren’t going anywhere. I can’t seem to wash them enough, and defnitely be considering buying MORE.

Love these Flats? You can buy them here at HumBird. Don’t be scared of the European address because shipping is WORLDWIDE and reasonable. Follow her for all the newest and greatest products on Facebook.

August 14, 2017 by Bailey

Mom Friends: Just Keep Showing Up

Making adult friends is one of the hardest things to do. Making mom friends is slightly easier. Mom friends are easier to find compared to finding non-work related adult friends. I’m not even sure where non-mom people go to make friends because before I had kids, I only had work friends and school friends. Now, I have mom friends, and I’m going to share my secret to making mom friends and finding my village.

The first step to finding mom friends is to connect with other moms in your community. You can find moms on the Internet, at the library, and almost anywhere they offer programming directed and infants and children’s.

Don’t think there are any programs for moms in your community? Look again. Connect on Facebook, and if all else fails, build the space.

It’s not just as easy as showing up to a playmate, making mom friends is a little harder than that. You might be able to attest to this as you’ve stumbled upon this blog post in desperation of figuring out the secret.

My secret to making mom friends is to keep showing up.

Keep Showing Up.

You might make friends at the first get together. Honestly, you probably won’t. Chances are you’ll be shy, awkward, and unsure of yourself. As a mother, we are already in a place of self-doubt, and constant internal judgment that the first get together with strangers is a terrifying thing ever.

Okay, maybe it’s no big deal. The first time is the awkward dance of talking about the weather and apologizing for your child’s behaviour. I always leave the first encounter feeling like an ass, and feeling even more alone and defeated.

If you can make it again and again, then you’ll build the connections you need to make mom friends. Even if the mom you connect with the second time turns out to be a complete dud, perhaps she’ll be the door to someone who is completely your jive.

Keep showing up to play dates, mom’s night out, walks, and fitness classes.

Every time you show up gives someone else the chance to remember you, to ask you something, and to build the very foundation you need.

As an introverted extrovert making mom friends aren’t my forte. I might organize my local Hike it Baby chapter, being an active participant in my local online mom’s group, and a regular face at the breastfeeding groups in town, but the first meeting is intimidating, scary, and rarely an instant connection. However, the more we see each other’s faces, children, and do things together, the more we have an opportunity to build our relationship. Don’t be discouraged if you leave the first play date without an instant connection. Give it time and keep showing up.

BONUS TIP: Be your true self. Meeting mom friends is hard, but don’t fake it. Be your true self. It’s okay if that means we don’t jive at the end of the day. Just keep trying.

August 12, 2017 by Bailey

Barkerville Historic Site with 2 under 2

Taking young children to a historic site is always a gamble. Sometimes it plays out, and sometimes it’s a nightmare. It’s hard to tell, and while you can often gage your children temperament before heading out on the road, it’s not unusual for their behaviour to change wildly while at the historic site. I’m not sure why I’m starting off this particular experience with such a preamble because our recent visit this past July to the Barkerville Historic site with 2 under 2 was a positive experience.

Before you go to Barkerville Historic Site

Before you go to any historic site give up any and all expectations of accomplishing anything. Visiting a historic site with 2 under 2 is nothing like visiting a historic site without children. If like me, you’ve been visiting historical sites as a single adult for year’s prior, give up any expectation of taking the tour, watching the performance, or lingering in porcelain filled rooms of grandeur. You don’t run the show, the kid’s do, and you’ve got two of them; even if you visit Barkerville Historic Site.

Other things you might consider… Pack enough diapers (I opted to bring a stash of prefold diapers, different covers, my Planet wise wet/dry bag, and my Buttons Hanging Bag for the van) and snacks. We opted to have lunch at Barkerville Historic Site and just brought water, fruit pouches and a never-ending supply of crackers. I also like to consider a stash of bribing candy in my pack for keeping toddlers quiet.

Don’t forget to check out the Barkerville Historic Site website to find out a) hours and rates b) any special events and c) anything else you think you might need to know. That was really helpful advice 😉 . We went on a Saturday, but with the current wildfire situation in British Columbia, tourism in the Cariboo is on the quiet-side (just perfect for me. I might like to travel, but I hate crowds – Why do you think we went to Rome in January!).

Barkerville Historic Site

Remember how I told you to give up your expectations for the day? Perfect. Just go with that.

We embraced our visit to the Barkerville Historic Site with 2 under 2 as a toddler-led adventure. Both my husband and I have been to the site before, and just enjoyed a slow moving visit at the lead of our toddler.

For the most part, the toddler was interested in playing in the dirt, collecting rocks, jumping off the boardwalks, and occasionally watching the blacksmith. He was fascinated when the horses came by and enjoyed running up and down the stairs to the heritage buildings. However, after what happened at the Ksan Heritage Village tour, I was not interested in doing a guided tour.

As much as we wanted to do the school house thing we knew it wouldn’t fit. The Richfield courthouse isn’t recommended for kids under 5. We thought about doing the cemetery tour, but my husband wasn’t feeling well enough to carry a cranky toddler. If your toddler sits and listen, you might have success with the theatre performance. However, knowing our children, we knew it was not an ideal event for them.

We arrived at the Barkerville Historic Site at 11 am (as did everyone else) and spent 2 hours walking to the end of China Town and back. I’ve been dreaming of visiting Richfield, but adult energy levels were at an all time low in the heat of the day. It’s a 1.6km walk to Richfield.

We didn’t leave Barkerville Historic Site without a few souvenirs. Earlier in the day, I bought the toddler an all-day liquorice to chew. This gave us some quiet to shop and browse for a bit. We also picked up a spinning top, which gave us peace while waiting for lunch!

And don’t forget the gold! While we didn’t feel up for braving many of the scheduled activities at Barkerville Historic Site with our rambunctious toddler, we couldn’t leave without panning for gold. Little Man isn’t quite ready for the skilled precision of gold panning, but my husband did a stellar job at panning out three flecks of gold at the Gold Panning place.

Next Time

Next time we go to Barkerville Historic Site, I would opt to stay in the region. There are many hiking trails and sites to visit in and around Barkerville and Wells.

It’s hard to squeeze in a toddler nap during a day of fun at a historic site. The baby is easy. She just napped in the stroller or on my chest. But the toddler doesn’t want to nap during walks. We pushed him until 2:30, and he snoozed on the drive home. It would be nice to have been able to return to Wells to enjoy dinner and follow up with a visit to the Barkerville cemetery, or any of the surrounding trails.

I would also love to stay in the B&B on the Barkerville Historic Site.

Have you been to Barkerville Historic Site? Tell me about your experience visiting Historic Sites with 2 under 2 or small children?

Not all children are the same, and some do much better at participating in guided tours and the like.

August 10, 2017 by Bailey

Blueberry Trainers

Each week is a new set of challenges in my adventures of potty training. This potty learning approach is a test of patience with this mama. I’m trying my best to be positive, encouraging and supportive of his desire to learn. However, this week I’m feeling challenged by his independence and lack of progression in potty training. It is in this that I am forever thankful for trainers! This week we are talking about Blueberry trainers. They were a great hit at the cabin earlier this week.

I did some great deal shopping for this post and picked up a size medium and large Blueberry trainers from the BST. This post is not sponsored but does contain affiliate links. Purchases from these links continue to support this blogs effort to talk all things cloth diaper and family adventuring.

Blueberry trainers are touted as one of the go-to choices for training pants. They seemed to be highly coveted amongst online chatter and known for keeping in the poop.

Blueberry Trainer Design

Similar to the Rumparooz Lil Learnerz, the Blueberry Trainer is a pull on cloth training pant similiar to underwear. I mention the underwear part because not all cloth trainers look like underwear.

Blueberry Trainers come in an array of prints and solids exclusive to Blueberry Diapers. The Llama print I have was an exclusive with Bohemian Baby, while Bugs is a recent regular line up print from 2016. You can find Blueberry Trainers in a wide array of fun and exciting prints.

On the outside, you’ll find soft, stretchy bands around the legs and waist. This band is a gentle elastic much like underwear and less like elastic.

Inside the diaper is white cotton velour for next to the skin. Between the exterior print and the velour is micro terry and PUL. Blueberry trainers are only partially waterproof and aimed at catching small accidents.

Training Pant Features to Love

Sizing: I love the fit of the Large trainer on my little toddler because I like a roomier fit with my training pants for easy use. This size is aimed at 32lb – 45lb child, with precise measurements available at Blueberry.
Keep the Poop In: Blueberry trainers did impress at the cabin last week with containing a poopy mess. Sometimes accidents happen and it is nice to know the elastics, fit, and sizing can help keep a poop in.
Absorbency: If your trying to stay on top of mini accidents during the day, the Blueberry trainer is just right. With about 1/2cup to 3/4 cup of initial absorbency, this training pant is likely to keep the couch dry and encourage a trip to the potty.
Underwear Look & Feel: Made of cotton, Blueberry trainers will be a great transition to underpants for little toddlers. They look and feel just like underwear (well with added bulk) and provide a great transition from diapers.

Room for Improvement

Poopy Messes: While it is nice to use a pull on training pant for potty learning, it is not so nice when you have to deal with the poop. Pulling off a poopy Blueberry training pant was a careful endeavour and resulted in a lot of mess. Maybe snaps?
Limited Sizing: My toddler is in the biggest available size for a Blueberry Trainer. It is disappointing that Blueberry trainers do not go up further in size. Many children may opt to toilet train at 2-3-4 years old, and Blueberry trainers may not be able to fit them if they are past the 40-45lb mark.
Room for Leaks: If you’re trying to battle big gushes of urine, Blueberry trainers might not be for you. This trainer is not super absorbent and prone to leaking/wicking around the cotton elastic legs and waist.

My Recommendation

I would recommend Blueberry trainers as a cloth training pant for the potty training/potty learning experience. These fit true to size, but I much prefer to size up for comfort and ease of use. Ideal for day time, these training pants can help any toddler transition out of diapers.

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