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”

  • Mickey Bars have a way of bringing out the smile in anyone. Only in Disney is ice cream for breakfast acceptable!! * Check out my latest post on the blog today where I’m sharing 7 Reasons Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort is PERFECT for preschoolers! * I’m also glad I found the smaller but just as delicious Mickey Ice Cream Bars at @shopritestores so we can enjoy a little of that Disney magic at home! • • • • • • • #disneyside #disneyhosted #disneyworld #waltdisneyworld #grandfloridian #disneylife #disneysgrandfloridian #buzzlightyear #toystory #toystory4 #disneysmmc #disneymom #disneyfamilia #disneychristmas #disneyholidays #disneyparks #disneybound #disneystyle #disneypixar #disneygram #disneymagic #disneycharacters #pixar #toystoryparty #disneypixar #anewdawnnxdisney
  • Is it just me or is this week zooming by? We’re supposed to get some snow tomorrow but we’ll see what happens there lol! Instead, I’ll just be here pretending I’m back in my happy place at Disney World!! Side note... who else is excited for #ToyStory4 later this year?! • • • • • • #disneyworld #disneyhosted #disneylife #disneyside #hollywoodstudios #buzzlightyear #toystory #toystory4 #disneysmmc #disneymom #disneyfamilia #disneychristmas #disneyholidays #disneyparks #disneybound #disneystyle #disneypixar #disneygram #disneymagic #disneycharacters #pixar #toystoryparty #disneypixar #anewdawnnxdisney
  • Breakfast for dinner? Yes, please but only if it’s this delicious Blueberry Cream Cheese Stuffed French Toast. I’ve partnered with @thomasbreakfast to show you how easy it is to think outside the box and create a delicious meal that you can enjoy anytime of day. No plain butter here! * My kids love this dish and it’s super simple to make too! For the blueberry filling, I mix a cup of blueberries, 2 tbsp. of sugar and 3 tbsp. of water in pan until sugar is dissolved. In another bowl, mix 1 package of cream cheese, 1 tbsp. Vanilla and a dash of milk. Spread cream cheese mixture onto Thomas’ Cinnamon Swirl bread and top with another piece. Dip into egg and cook3-5 minutes on each side. Serve up with syrup, butter and some fresh blueberries for a delicious meal anytime of day! #thomasswirlbread • • • • • • #anewdawnneats #recipes #dinner #lunch #yummy #breakfast #lunch #frenchtoast #feedfeed #foodstagram #foodgawker #buzzfeedfood #hungry #momentsofmotherhood
  • Have you ever thought about going on an Alaskan Cruise? Our trip on @disneycruiseline to Alaska exceeded my expectations and changed how I want to travel. We saw and did so many amazing things, it was almost like a dream. My latest post on the blog, I’m sharing 9 do’s and don’ts for your Disney Alaska Cruise! Click the link in my profile to check it out! • • • • • • • #disneywonder #disneycruise #disneyhosted #anewdawnnxdisney #dclalaska #anewdawnntravels #disneyalaskancruise #disney #disneysmmc #liarsville #liarsvillealaska #disneyside #disneylife #MagicalPlace #MagicalPlaces #ExploreTheWorld #exploreaholic #ExploreEverything #ExploreNation #ExploreOutdoors #ExploreNature #TravelersNote #TravelTales #ExploreOurEarth #travel2018 #TravelFun #TravelDay #TravelPost #travelpreneur
  • OREO & Valentine’s Day? (ad) Yes please!! @oreo really made it easy to bring a little joy to someone’s face this Valentine’s Day with the Oreo Valentine’s Day Kit! * Everything you need, from the treats to the boxes to gift them in are included! Check out my latest post on the blog to learn more and order one for yourself! * Who would you surprise with these delicious treats? #OREO #OREOVDayExchange @oreo
  • Who else was outside enjoying that glorious weather today!? I think we reached 62° today and for February in New Jersey, that’s almost unheard of! Who else is counting down the day til spring?! * Boots: @hunterboots Shirts: @landsend Jeans: @target * * * * * #momentsofmotherhood #twinning #targetstyle #hunterboots #fashiondiaries #motherhood #motherdaughter #motherhoodunplugged
  • Snap out of the same old boring breakfast routine and wake up to what’s possible! I’ve partnered with @thomasbreakfast to show you just how toppable Thomas’s Bagels are for breakfast or anytime of day. Grab your favorite veggies and make a delicious veggie pizza with Thomas’s Bagel Thins. I topped mine with spinach, peppers, tomatoes and cheese for a delicious meal any time of day. These bagels are crispy on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside. There’s a variety of flavors for whatever you might be craving or wanting to create! Enjoy them plain, with butter, an egg, or even an avocado sandwich. The sky is the limit! Thomas’ Bagels bring out the very best flavors in all of your toppings. #thomasbagels
  • My first @fabfitfun box did NOT disappoint! #FabFitFunPartner My Winter Editor’s Box was stuffed with some amazing full size products from the best brands. I loved my GLAMGLOW masks and my @thrivecausemetic eye brightener! Did you know you can now customize some of the items in your box? Sign up now to customize yours fo your favorite products. * FabFitFun is more than just a box! As a member, it’s not only a great gift to yourself but you also get exclusive access to things like members-only flash sales where you can add amazing products at discounted rates to your box & on-demand fitness & cooking videos from FabFitFunTV. * The Winter Editor’s Box is supporting The Kindness Factory which promotes and encourages acts of kindness in the community Use coupon code DN to get 40% off your first box!! Yup, 40% - this is the biggest sale EVER - they never do this! Visit www.fabfitfun.com to order #FabFitFun * Tag someone who needs this box!