Osprey Poco Plus Kid Carrier *Gear Review*

As a family, we have had the opportunity to check out a number of different kid carriers.  We have had kids only a few months old up to kids over 3 years old in them.  Wearers have ranged in size and shape and conditions on the trail have varied from rocky terrain to easy paths to back country ski slopes.  While testing continues on our end, we have definitely put a few of them through the ringer.

Loading up the Poco with Kid + Gear for our Packraft Adventure

Previously, we reviewed both the Deuter Kid Carrier III and the 2012 Kelty Pathfinder 3.0 and then compared them side to side on our blog.  Both are excellent packs and come highly recommended by us.  Please note that we recommend trying on any kid carrier before purchasing to test for comfort to your own body.  It’s a pretty personal decision!  However, thanks to Osprey’s new Poco line just released this spring, our family has a new favorite.

The Osprey Poco comes in three different models – the Poco, the Poco Plus and the Poco Premium.  Osprey seldom disappoints with their packs and this is no exception.  Engineered to work for younger children AND older children and with a variety of different sized wearers, it’s an ideal all-around-pack.  Features we thought were missing on the Deuter and Kelty all seem to come together fairly well with the Poco.  The market for kid carriers is definitely becoming more competitive and companies are rising to the need of active families.

We tested the Poco Plus so this review is based on that pack.  However, I try have pointed out features on the Plus that are different on the other models so you can easily see the differences.

What we love:

- Integrated Sunshade (which works for rain and sticks to an extent too!) **The Poco does not come with a Sunshade, but can be purchased separately.**

- Stirrups for bigger kid comfort (A HUGE plus for taller/older kids)

- Incredible Torso Length Adjustment (15.5” – 21.5”) that is easy to change from wearer to wearer. Grandma is just under 5 feet tall and about 100 pounds and comfortable wearing the Poco.

- Wide range of size for the hip belt (26” - 48”) which is SO crucial because that is where most of the load is supported.  Also, the padded part of the hipbelt itself extends in length for greater comfort for bigger hips.

- Easy to adjust to different heights for children in the pack.  The shoulder straps are adjusted at their shoulder (instead of near their crotch or sternum like the Deuter Kid Comfort III) which makes getting kids in much easier (especially when they are bundled up!)

- Mesh back panel for the wearer leaves room for air and plenty of comfort.

- Removable droll pad (our kids dirty this up pretty quick when eating snacks on the trail.)

- Vertical hydration sleeve means better placement for the wearer and better functionality of the hydration bladder.

- Rail-based adjustments on the wearers’ sternum strap mean easy movement.

Slow Down and Throw Some Rocks in the River

We are busy.  So is the rest of the United States.  It's how we roll.

I like being busy and enjoy challenging myself through many different avenues.  However, sometimes it is absolutely CRUCIAL for us (and you) to take an hour (or two or three or an entire day) and just stop.

Don't hurry to the next event.
Don't worry about dinner being late.
Don't worry about making it to the end of the trail.
Don't rush the kids.
Don't tell them not to get dirty or they have just "5 minutes more."

*Guest Post* 4 Ways to Turn an Everyday Walk Into a Grand Adventure

I am so pleased to welcome Debi to the blog today.  She is a wonderful example of the fact that nature-lovers don't JUST live in the mountains.  Her blog is chock-full of inspiration, stories and pictures and is definitely a worthwhile read!  As always, please feel free to leave her comments on this post (and answer the question she poses!) and check out the link to her blog and a little bio at the end!

I live in Los Angeles, where the nearest neighborhood park is about a mile away. The closest trails, rivers, creeks, city or state parks are at least 20 minutes away – by car. So when we’re short on time but hankering for some outdoor exploring, we head out the front door and take a walk around the neighborhood.

You’d think after about the 100^th walk, our kids – ages 7 and 3.5 – would hate it. But we don’t often get complaints. 

So what’s the secret to our success? Turning our everyday walks into grand adventures. Here are a few ways my hubby and I do just that.

Create your own scavenger hunt.

Even in our very urban neighborhood, there’s nature all around us. Sometimes, you just need to slow down and look for it. Scavenger hunts are a good way to help kids focus the senses on certain items. 

We’ve taken color walks, flower walks, leaf walks – we’ve even looked for letters in nature. We’ve created scavenger hunts for each of the four seasons, a bird watching scavenger hunt and more. Sometimes we create a list ahead of time; on other occasions we just make it up as we go. You’re limited only by your own imagination.

*Guest Post* First Ski Tour With Mama

I am pleased to welcome Katie to the blog today.  After emailing me a few months back and mentioning she lives in a cabin in the mountains with her husband and young daughter, I knew she would have some good stories!  I was thrilled when she finally agreed to share one with us all.  As always, please feel free to leave her some love in the comments!

It snowed.  Finally.  I can’t believe it’s taken until February for the snow conditions to be good enough to take our baby for a ski tour.  We’ve had more wind, rain and ice crusts this year than snow.  Typically by now, I would have been out skiing a good 30+ days; even last year, when I was pregnant.  But this winter is different for another reason; we now have a sweet 7 month old, S. 

It was a beautiful day for a ski tour, at least at first.  We typically like to get an early start, but after figuring out what gear we needed and how to fit it all into the kid carrier (we attached a separate bag), making breakfast and packing lunch, feeding and changing S again, getting the skis ready, and putting her pacifier on belay, we finally headed out at the crack of 11:30.  We were familiar with dressing her in the cold:  long sleeved Capilene onsie with pants, baby leg warmers to keep her legs warm while changing her outdoors, knitted socks, booties, wool mittens, a thick fleece one piece suit with handwarmers in the hands and feet, a little hat with a felted wool earflap hat over top, sunglasses to protect her eyes and a bit of sunscreen on her exposed face, all under a toasty down outfit.  We planned to be outside for up to 5-6 hours and wanted to be prepared for anything.   We’d done plenty of cross country skiing and snowshoeing with S on our backs or in her ski trailer, and a little skinning uphill before our local resort opens in the morning.  We like to take her on an outside adventure at least 5 days a week.  But this was the first backcountry ski tour that I skinned up and skied down with S.  I wanted to carry her so I knew I could do it, even though my husband usually carries the heavier backpack.  Note: we are both experienced skiers and have excellent backcountry travel skills.  We completely avoid avalanche terrain while traveling with S. 

*Guest Post* Year-Round Playgroups

I have a special spot in my heart for todays guest, Lia from Skedaddle.  Having grown up in Alaska myself and often wistful for the winter snow and skiing, her blog helps me live a little vicariously closer to home through her Year-Round Playgroup.  As always, please feel free to leave her comments (and make sure you check out her bio at the end!) 

I could not imagine starting an outdoor playgroup in Arizona.  How would you manage through the summer?  Is it safe for kids to play outside when it 80 degrees?   I wouldn’t even begin to know how to dress them - should they wear long sleeves to keep off the sun or would they overheat?  If you live in a warm climate, you might think I am a naive homebody who never lets my children run barefoot in the grass.

I live in Alaska with my sons and run an outdoor playgroup that meets year round.  I am a pro at getting my children into rain suits, I always carry winter hats in the summer and can be out the door to play in -20 degrees within 20 minutes (most of the time).

Getting people to attend an all weather playgroup in this climate might seem like an insurmountable task, but it was amazingly simple.  I just asked people and word spread.  Veteran Alaskans understand the benefits of getting out (rather than holding up the white flag and giving into cabin fever) and seem enjoy the outdoors no matter the temperature.  Those new to Alaska realize the need for a set time to force themselves outside and learn the secrets of success from seasoned pros.  Our larger group, Alaskan Outdoor Family Network, has over 300 members who all want to get their children outside all year long.

 

A Week of SKI + Lucky Bums Ski Trainer Review

With very young kids, downhill skiing is nearly impossible, especially if you want to use the lifts at resorts AND ski with your spouse.  It's just a fact of life. :)  I look forward to the day when our whole family can ski together.   However, thanks to my lovely in-laws this past week, I was able to do both (in small increments of time, but skiing none-the-less!)  Unless you've been in the same position, there is no describing how wonderful just a few hours of a little freedom can be (as much as I love my kids!)

Not only did I get to ski with just the "older" family members we were with, I also got to join together with Mountain Papa one of the mornings to help J learn on his own skis.  It was great to get some time with just one kid AND help see him learn (because I can learn from that process too!)

We were fortunate enough to have a chance to test out a Lucky Bums Ski Trainer this week also.  If you have kids learning to ski, this is THE harness to have (in our humble opinion!)

Bad Outdoor Days just HAPPEN!

Sometimes things don't go entirely as planned....even in the small adventures at home.  It is frustrating, discouraging and definitely just life.  Someone please tell me I am not the only one who deals with mornings like the following:

I wake up in not the best mood (AKA downright grumpy) and tired from a sleepless night (think teething baby!)  I find myself taking it out on my kids within minutes.  I decide that for the good of all involved throughout the day, a morning run is something that HAS to happen.  Stat.  

Mtn Papa had to go into work early that morning, which means that any run will involve 3 of us plus the dog.  Not a huge deal, something I am pretty used to.

Kids fed.  Check.

Kids dressed and diapers changed.  Check.

Meltdown #1 handled (J wants to put music on and dance, I convince him he can dance in the Chariot with the iPod touch tunes.)  Check.

Teeth brushed.  Check.

Mama dressed.  Check.

Meltdown #2 handled (J wants more breakfast, I hand him a granola bar.)  Check.

J dressed in his snow gear.  17 degrees and windy.  Lots of layers required.  Check.

P is tired and begins to fuss (because we have now been awake almost 2 hours.)  Dress him in his warm gear anyway.  Check.

Mama's warm gear on.  Check.

All accounted for in the garage ready to load Chariot.  Check.

Chariot apparently needs repairs and I cannot get the running attachment on for the life of me (I will save you the details.)  P crying, J still wanting to dance, dog whining, biting my tongue.  Fail.

The "Indoor Recess" Kid

Across the country, recess (especially in the elementary school) is being threatened to be replaced by more classroom time.  I may be bold in saying so, but I honestly couldn't think of a better way to inhibit learning.  


As a teacher myself, I have seen all spectrums of recess play.  I have been tempted to take away the "privilege" of recess due to misbehavior for a kid that really may need it more than anyone else in the class.  I have bandaged up cuts and bruises and broken up "fights" and drama between kids (yes, even between those sweet 8 year olds!)  I have seen kids laugh and cry and take their coats off when it was 20 degrees outside (because they truly are hot from playing!) 


I have watched kids make up their own games and involve their entire class in their play.  Giant piles of snow have become incredible forts in less than 15 minutes.  Climbers are climbed and swings are swung.  


Growing up, I was definitely the kid that would do anything I could to avoid going outside to recess.  Crazy as it sounds now, I would offer to help the teacher, insist I had extra work to do (despite the fact that I was ahead in most of my classes) or "forget" my warm gear.  I was missing out. (And I am so glad I have learned better since then!)


My point is this:  Kids NEED to spend time outdoors.  Kids in public schools, kids in private schools and kids that are home-schooled.  There is NO exception for the need for recess on a daily basis (even though that may be indoor recess in the case of extreme weather.)

The National Wildlife Federation has a great article stating that "kids who spend time outside have fitter bodies, better eyesight, less stress, and better grades." They go on to list 10 reasons why kids need fresh air including longer attention spans and less hyperactivity depression (key components in helping kids learn in and outside of the classroom.)  

This Moment....

*No words necessary, just a precious moment!*

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Dressing Kids for Winter

I get a lot of questions about how we keep our boys warm in the winter when we are outside for hours at a time.  I was hoping to do a video, but I figured I would save you all from the whining and the reality that the video would be at least 20 minutes long (even if I sped it up to double time!) with labeled pictures instead.  This is what we are doing this winter and is what works for us and our kids!  As always, please feel free to add your comments or questions at the end of the post!