Stearns Puddle Jumpers

We found these Stearns Puddle Jumper Life Jackets last year at Academy, and now we don't head to the lake or pool without them. They are a must have for anyone with toddlers. The safety devices are approved at the Broken Arrow municipal pools, while regular floaties are banned since they can slip off unexpectedly.

When Connor was two last summer, he was jumping off the diving board in his Puddle Jumper with no fear, and Kenzie has now finally come around this summer and has the same confidence as her younger brother. They'll be ready to swim without them in no time, but meanwhile, the life jackets sure add peace of mind when I take them to the pool by myself toting Cooper. It is not humanly possible to keep my eyes on all three every second, but now I don't panic the first instant I lose sight of Kenzie or Connor. (The Nienhuis Park pool has gates around the toddler play areas that keep the kids contained, which also adds peace of mind.) Puddle Jumpers also make our kids stand out, making it easier to locate them in a crowd.

This summer we bought one for Brien's best friend's daughter at Academy for $11, and Brien also found them online at Wal-Mart for $15 and Target for $17.99. These make great gifts that will be sure to get lots of use.