Ready to explore?Come along on our next adventure!

A New Dawnn

Where Every Day is a New Adventure

Parenting

Traveling with a Newly Potty Trained Toddler

Traveling with a Newly Potty Trained Toddler

When it comes to potty training, I thought the second time around would be a breeze. When I potty trained my son, it was simple. Based on the recommendation of a friend, I tried that 3-day method and it was so simple! He potty trained just like that and we never looked back. Thinking potty training number 2 would be easy was my first mistake. I thought I’d breeze through it a second time with the 3-day method and bam! No more diapers. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Potty training a headstrong toddler was something I wasn’t prepared for. At all. Once we finally had it down, it was  time to travel with this new found freedom. That was something else I needed to prepare myself for. [Read more…] about Traveling with a Newly Potty Trained Toddler

Make it Game Day Every Day – Tips to Host an Epic Game Day

Thank you Goliath Games for sponsoring this post. Pick up your favorite game today to enjoy the holiday season and beyond!

Make it Game Day Every Day - Tips to Host an Epic Game Day

My kids love a good game night. In fact, they love it so much we try to have one at least once a week. Sometimes hectic schedules get in the way and we miss a week or two but we easily make up for it the next weekend. Game nights are even better when they’re shared with friends. The laughs and giggles that ensue throughout the night make it all worthwhile. The last few months have been really busy and it’s been a little while since we had our last game night. So I knew we were way overdue and I wanted to fix that – stat. So I invited some friends over, put together a little menu perfect for gamers big and small and grabbed some games from Goliath Games and Pressman Toys for an epic game night. [Read more…] about Make it Game Day Every Day – Tips to Host an Epic Game Day

10 Ideas to Get the Whole Family Involved for Family Volunteer Day

This is a sponsored post in partnership with Disney and GenerationOn.

10 Family Volunteer Day Ideas

Kids learn by example and one of my jobs as a parent is to model good behavior for them to follow. As parents, we are our kids first role models. I see it with my toddler on a daily basis and even still with my tween. They follow our example and our lead on just about everything. One thing I wanted to instill in both my kids from an early age was giving back. We’re very fortunate but there are so many others who are not, and I want my kids to  experience first hand the benefits of service to others. Getting the kids involved on Family Volunteer Day is a great way to teach kids the importance of giving back. [Read more…] about 10 Ideas to Get the Whole Family Involved for Family Volunteer Day

5 Tips To Be The Best Sideline Parent Ever

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #SaveSnackScore #CollectiveBias

5 Tips to Be the Best Sideline parent Ever

My son has been playing sports since he turned 5. So for the last 8 years I’ve been a sideline parent for his baseball, soccer, track and whatever other sport he decided to play. With most years seeing him play a few different sports a year, that’s given me about plenty of time to practice and hone the skill of being the best sideline parent ever! Whether this is your first year as a sideline parent or your tenth, I’m sharing some of the tips that have helped me over the years.  [Read more…] about 5 Tips To Be The Best Sideline Parent Ever

Tips for Choosing the Right Baby Bottle

This is a sponsored post with Philips Avent

Tips for Choosing the Right Baby Bottle

With baby number two, I thought I knew what to expect and when to expect it. Having done this parenting thing once already, I felt more confident in my abilities as a mom the second time around. I was sure I was going to do this and that and she’d be an easy baby just like her brother. What I wasn’t prepared for was the fact that I was going to be wrong. Wrong on just about everything. While she is an amazing toddler and was an amazing baby, everything she’s done has been on her own terms. Not her brothers or even mine. Even when it comes down to little things like her bottle. While she’s this close to giving up her bottle for good, she still needs her “ba-ba wit che-che” (that’s her bottle with leche for anyone who doesn’t speak toddler) at nap time. Honestly it’s not worth the fight since she won’t nap without it. She’s feisty just like her mama and I know she’ll do things on her on terms when she’s ready.  [Read more…] about Tips for Choosing the Right Baby Bottle

Make This Holiday “One Big Happy Wonderland”

This post is sponsored by Gymboree. 

Make This Holiday Season "One Big Happy Wonderland"

The holidays are my favorite time of year.  I look forward to decorating, Christmas shopping, our annual cookie baking party and so much more.  This year the holidays are even more special since it’s the first year my little one is really excited for Christmas. When she sees the holiday lights throughout the neighborhood she squeals with delight. Last weekend we put our Christmas tree up and she was so excited and happy to see it all light up. One of our holiday traditions is to decorate the tree together the day after Thanksgiving and every year, the kids get their own holiday ornament that represents something that they did or they experienced that year.  My oldest waits for his new ornament every year and this year, even my little one couldn’t wait to hang hers on the tree. Watching the excitement through Evie’s eyes brings a whole new meaning to the holidays. This year, we’re excited to make this holiday one big happy wonderland and create even more fun, family traditions. [Read more…] about Make This Holiday “One Big Happy Wonderland”

  • Have you ever given a trip as a holiday gift? I’m big on gifting the kids experiences and trips over too many toys. One trip, they’re asking for (and who am I kidding. I’M ASKING FOR) is a trip to Disney! 🎄 Now Disney has made it even easier to gift the trip of a lifetime with GiveDisneyWorldMagic.com 🎄 You can gift a trip, park tickets, gift ideas and so much more. Check out my latest post (click the link in my bio) to learn more about it and enter an AMAZING DISNEY GIVEAWAY! 🎄 • • • • • • #disney #flurryoffun #verymerry #disneyhosted #disneyworld #disneygiveaway #disneygiveaways #givedisneyworldmagic #disneysmmc #anewdawnntravels #disneyworld #mickeymouse #mvmcp #disneylife #disneyphotography #travel #traveltuesday #wanderlust #wanderlusting #familytravel #traveldiaries #traveldiary #travelblogger #mytravelgram #mytripmyadventure #disneylife #disneygram #igdisney #disneyig #disneyside #disneymom
  • #ad I love to bake and create in the kitchen. Especially during the holidays. Growing up, I remember my mom and aunts always being in the kitchen whipping up something delicious at every party and family get together. Now it’s my turn. I’m the one in the kitchen whipping up delicious treats while my kids are running in to help or help sample the desserts. One treat I look forward to this time of year is a delicious glass of Coquito. If you’ve never had it or heard of it, it’s a Puerto Rican Coconut Nog. Think of it like an eggnog type drink without eggs and made with coconut and NESTLÉ® LA LECHERA® Sweetened Condensed Milk instead). It’s delicious but with the addition of rum, it’s not something the littles can enjoy. So I make it without the rum so everyone can enjoy it. But I also love to use La Lechera in other recipes, like these Spice Cupcakes with Coquito Whipped Cream. Y’all this is SO good! When I first made these, everyone devoured them in minutes. Now it’s one of my most requested holiday recipes! La Lechera is the perfect ingredient when I want to get creative in the kitchen and whip up special treats like this Coquito Whipped Cream. Truthfully, this time of year, I’m using the homemade Coquito Whipped Cream on everything! It’s amazing on a class of NESTLÉ® ABUELITA Hot Chocolate too! After a cold day, this might be my favorite way to warm up! All you need is 1 pint of heavy whipping cream, 1/2 cup of Coquito made with La Lechera Sweetened Condensed milk (grab the recipe on my blog) and 3/4 confectioners sugar. Chill your bowl in the fridge for 15-30 minutes before you start making your whipped cream. Once it’s chilled, add in whipping cream, Coquito and using the whipping attachment on your mixer, mix on high for 3-5 minutes. Once it starts to thicken, add in confectioners sugar and beat on high another 3-5 minutes or until stiff peaks form. Spoon whipped cream into a pipping bag and pipe on top of hot chocolate, cupcakes, use it to frost a cake or eat it right from a spoon! Sprinkle with cinnamon and serve! You can find everything you need, including the @lalecherausa right at your local @Walmart! • • • • • #baking #homemade #recipes
  • Who else looks forward to the annual Santa photos? For me, once we get our picture with Santa and experience HGTV’s #SantaHQ the holidays officially kick off! 🎅 Gone are the days of waiting in boring lines. Now you can book your appointment with Santa online at http://bit.ly/2yGawV8. When you arrive you an array of activities await at the HGTV Santa HQ including Elf Academy, the Naughty or Nice Meter and so much more! 🎅 My kids look forward to it every year! [ad] Learn more here: https://anewdawnn.com • • • • • • #santahq #hgtv #hgtvsantahq #santa #holiday #santaphotos #christmas #christmas2018 #holidaymemories #santaletter #picturewithsanta
  • How is your holiday shopping coming along? I’m (ad) almost done and I’m in love with these two gifts that just arrived from Amazon Handmade. I actually want to order a set for me now, they’re just so cute. This “Wanderlust” necklace and “Oh the places you’ll go” bracelet make the perfect gift for the travel lover on your shopping list. After the year I had, I’m definitely adding these two to my holiday wish list! * If you’re looking for the perfect gift for someone special on your list, the handcrafted and unique gifts from Amazon Handmade are a great choice. You can find a unique gift all while supporting small businesses at the same time. * Amazon Handmade brings you everything you love about Amazon including Prime 2-day shipping to the world of handmade gifts. * Through December 31st, Amazon will have certain items on promotions for Prime Members at. 20% off! Happy Shopping!! #AmazonHandmade #IC http://goic.io/qbz4dR • • • • • • #travelgifts #wanderlust #ohtheplacesyoullgo #wander #gifts #giftsforher #holidayshopping #christmasshopping #shopsmall #handmadejewelry #handmadegifts
  • After the warm weather the last few days, I wasn’t ready for this COLD!! At least I have my new @landsend jacket to keep me warm all winter long! 🎁 Not sure what to get that hard to shop for person on your holiday list? These jackets are the PERFECT gift! 🎁 • • • • • • #landsend #mylandsend #landsendpartner #landsendkids #landsendheritagetour #fashion #fallfashion #fallfashiontrends #fashionlookbook #winter #wintercoat #holidayshopping #christmasshopping #jacket #winterjacket #winterjackets
  • #ad After a busy day, there’s nothing I want more than to sit down to a relaxing dinner with the family. The reality is that I don’t always want to cook that meal. That’s why I make sure to stock my freezer full of @michel_angelos frozen meals from @Walmart. The premium, slow crafted authentic Italian meals are made with ingredients I can pronounce and find right in my own kitchen. The homemade taste means it’s a dinner my whole family will love and less time cooking in the kitchen means I can focus on creating memories with the ones who mean the most. The authentic Italian-style recipes and kitchen-crafted meals made with wholesome, simple ingredients specially selected and cooked to bring out their full flavor. Michael Angelo's doesn't make any compromises, and they don't use artificial preservatives, flavors or colors for full, vibrant, homemade tastes in every bite. These easy, family-favorite and single-serve meals are ready in minutes. They pair perfectly with a fresh salad and some homemade garlic bread. Grab a loaf of bread, some butter and fresh garlic. Spread onto bread and place under broiler for 3-5 minutes. Find these Michael Angelo's Meals in the freezer section of Walmart and take the stress out of dinner time so you can relax and enjoy the moments that matter most. #KitchenCraftedItalian
  • Have you ever stayed at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa? This was our first time staying here and OMG I’ve been missing out all these years. Not only was this resort stunning, but the food was superb, the location on Bay Lake makes it a great spot for fishing and it’s on the Monorail. I’ve been spoiled and I don’t know how I’ll stay anywhere else when visiting Disney now! • • • • • • #disneyhosted #WDWResorts #disneysmmc #verymerry #disneyholidays #grandfloridian #anewdawnntravels #disneydream #travel #wanderlust #wanderlusting #familytravel #traveldiaries #traveldiary #travelblogger #bahamas #mytravelgram #mytripmyadventure #disneylife #disneygram #igdisney #disneyig #disneysea #disneyside #disneymom
  • We’ve traveled to so many new and fabulous places this year but there’s just something about Disney that feels like home. I can’t think of a better place to wind down an amazing year of travel than our trip to @waltdisneyworld Disney at the holidays might just be my new favorite tradition. What’s your favorite time of year to visit Disney? • • • • • • #DisneyHolidays #VeryMerry #flurryoffun #disneyhosted #disneysmmc #anewdawnntravels #disneyworld #mickeymouse #mvmcp #disneylife #disneyphotography #travel #traveltuesday #wanderlust #wanderlusting #familytravel #traveldiaries #traveldiary #travelblogger #mytravelgram #mytripmyadventure #disneylife #disneygram #igdisney #disneyig #disneyside #disneymom