Staying Hydrated With Great Flavor On The Go #DASANIdrops

Welcome back for the last day of our 12 days of Easter desserts! I hope you have enjoyed all we have had to offer. Today’s treat comes from Naomi at This Roller Coaster Called Life and can be made as either an Easter breakfast treat or as a more sweetened version for a tasty Easter dessert. Make sure to head over to This Roller Coaster Called Life to see how this yummy Lemon Strawberry Shortcake Trifle is made!
If you have missed any of the previous treats, make sure to check them out in the list below!

There are many reasons why some parents cannot stay at home with their children. In these cases you need to know what to look for when choosing a daycare provider..this can be a daunting task! Let me share with you a few things that I learned over the course of 7 years at accredited centers as well as being a mom to children at the center. You need to know the right questions to ask and what to look for when searching for that perfect provider!
Every state is different, find out your state ratios (Texas for infants is 1/4 or 2/8, but the kicker is 2 can also have 10) I used to work in the infant room and found myself with 10 babies more often that they would have you believe…It can be a bit overwhelming for the teachers and the infants…but if they are good teachers they will get through it with poise and minimal crying from all…So the point is to know the max number and find out from the other parents (if you have the chance to) or the regular teachers what the typical ratio in the room is.
When touring look into the rooms and look for hand washing signs…did the teacher wash her/his hands before serving food, after a diaper, when entering the room? Did they wash the baby’s hands after a diaper, before or after eating or when entering the room from playing outside (yes they go outside..but that’s a whole other topic)
Do they know how to properly store, heat and handle Breastmilk? In my daycare, we were required to wear gloves when handling a breastmilk bottle. Bottles must be labeled and put in a labeled separate container in the fridge. Warmed in a crockpot or bottle warmer.
These are standards created by national groups. Accreditation standards are most often higher than licensing regulations. Child care programs can voluntarily become accredited; it is not mandated by state law. Therefore, accredited child care programs have gone beyond the minimum licensing standards to assist them in providing quality care.
Family child care homes
Group child care homes
Child care centers
Kindergarten classrooms
School Age
Type of childcare – Family child care homes
What are the main standards addressed?
Relationships
Environment
Activities
Developmental Learning Goals
Safety and Health
Professional Business Practice
Where can I get more information? Visit their website: www.nafcc.org or call 1-800-359-3817
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
Type of child care – Child care centers, Kindergartens, public school preschools
What are the main standards addressed?
Relationships
Curriculum
Teaching
Assessment of Child Progress
Health
Teachers
Families
Community Relationships
Physical Environment
Leadership & Management
Where can I get more information? Visit their website: www.naeyc.org or call 1-800-424-2460
Just because it may show to be accredited doesn’t mean that the teachers will follow through…they are told when they are getting “visitors” and always act appropriately when they are there…when your are touring, this gives you the chance to pop in and see how the teachers really interact…are they on the floor with the little ones? or are the kids left to wonder the room on their own? Now if it is a room where there are diapers know that the teacher will be changing diapers and can’t always “drop” that kid to interact with the others..use your common sense in these cases…Now when I worked in the infant room, I would sit on the floor to feed a bottle so I could interact with my mobile babies at the same time…no it wasn’t the most comfortable, the kids were happy and engaged…
Most daycares have a late pickup fee, or if you’re late too many time you may get kicked out of the program! Nobody wants this!
Do they lock down the center? Call parents right away or wait till they are at the evacuation location? How do they transport to the evacuation location?
You’re probably confused…an evacuation location is typically a local church, country club, elementary..that your daycare will evacuate to in case of a fire, bomb threat, gas leak etc.
Pretty self-explanatory, most of your high dollar daycares or “learning centers” will require that their lead teachers have a degree in child development.
While having a degree or initial training is great, laws change, new developmental techniques are found…do they offer continuing education to their teachers? In my daycares I was required to have 20+ continuing education hours a year…most of which were provided by the company on “staffing days”.
Now it may not be one of the most important questions for under 3, but remember 50% of what kids learn they learn before they are 5! So those first 3 years are very important…Interaction is tops, but right behind is curriculum, what will they work on…the curriculum needs to mold with your child, not leave them behind or confused.
Make sure that the daycare is on board with how you choose to introduce solids, whether it be BLW or puree, they need to be able to follow YOUR routine bcuz they only have your child for a few hours, you have them the rest of the time.
Do they allow your child to decide when it is nap time or do they make them nap on a schedule? Do they allow the children to CIO?
Some daycares have a waiting list…you want to get in the best ones, you need to start looking early…don’t wait till your ready to go back to work, you will be stuck in a daycare your not happy with.
pretty self-explanatory…do the teachers know what to do if heaven forbid your baby starts choking…or fell and hit their head? It’s hard to think about something happening when your not their, that’s why its important for the teachers to be up to date on how to handle these situations

Camping with wine can be cumbersome. But glamping with wine? Now that’s nothing short of luxurious. Described as “the art of camping with five-star amenities,” glamping provides a great opportunity to get out of town and get back to nature without leaving your favorite Tuscan blends (or running water) at home.
So in the spirit of vacationing in style, we’ve paired 5 of our favorite U.S.-based glamping destinations with 5 first-class wines fit for a five-star resort:
The glampsite: Ranch at Rock Creek in Philipsburg, Montana
The wine: Masciarelli Villa Gemma Bianco IGT (SRP $18)
This 6,600-acre luxury guest ranch can be found in Montana’s breathtaking Big Sky country. Whether you spend your days hiking in the mountains or soaking in the spa, rest assured you’ll come home to happiness in a bottle by way of Mascirelli’s Villa Gemma Bianco — a flowery blend of Trebbiano and Chardonnay offering fresh notes of apple and jasmine.
The glampsite: Mustang Monument in Wells, Nevada
The wine: Luce Lucente (SRP $29)
This eco-ranch is home to a handful of 300-square-foot tipis adorned with plush leather chairs, hardwood floors, and custom-made beds. The only way to make this glamping experience more luxurious is with a bottle of Luce’s Lucente — a superb blend of Merlot and Sangiovese known for its velvety palate, sweet spices, and supple fruits.
About Lucente:
Lucente 2013 displays a vibrant purple-red colour. Its rich, intense bouquet releases black cherry and wild berry, enriched with fascinating notes of pungent spice. The palate is smooth, with fi ne-grained tannins and an underlying impression of crisp balsam. Overall, this wine is complex, forceful, and elegant.
The glampsite: Autocamp in Santa Barbara, California
The wine: Frescobaldi Ammiraglia Vermentino (SRP $18)
No five-star campground would be complete without a vintage airstream trailer, handcrafted Adirondack chairs, and pastel-colored beach cruisers. Cap off your leisurely Santa Barbara bike ride with a bottle of Frescobaldi Vermentino — a crisp and refreshing white wine with soothing notes of citrus, pear, honey, and almond.
The glampsite: The Lodge & Spa at Brush Creek Ranch in Saratoga, Wyoming
The wine: Avignonesi Rosso di Montepulciano DOC (SRP $19)
Embody what it truly means to get back to nature with a weekend stay at this glamping resort & spa located at the base of the spectacular Sierras. Get cozy around the outdoor fire pit as you share adventure stories over a bottle of Avignonesi’s Rosso di Montepulciano — a biodynamically produced Sangiovese bursting with bright aromas of strawberry, raspberry, and pomegranate.
The glampsite: TreeHouse Point in Issaquah, Washington
The wine: Attems Cupra Ramato Pinot Grigio (SRP $19)
Glamp amongst towering trees, lush plants, and babbling brooks in this enchanting adult treehouse. Soak in the mountain views as you toast to the joys of summer with a glass of Attems Pinot Grigio — a distinctive copper-colored wine marked by a floral and fruity bouquet.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

This post may contain affiliate links which fund the My Sparkling Life blog.
Even though I’ve had three other kids, potty training parties were never a thing…so I was excited to get together with Pampers to bring you this post on How To Throw A Potty Training Party! I had so much fun planning this party for my little guy and his friends! Pampers sent over some goodies to help me get started, including goodie bags for my guests, decorations and matching paper goods for snacks. I couldn’t wait to get planning!
How To Throw A Potty Training Party
1. Pick A Theme: I like color schemes when it comes to parties…and pampers has a bright a fun one! I didn’t go with a character theme for this one, I stuck with the Pampers colors because I would have both boys and girls at my party so it was easier than doing Thomas & Friends® and Dora the Explorer® themed products…plus the kids really won’t notice the “absence” of a cartoon character at their potty training party.
2. Make Goodie Bags: This doesn’t have to be difficult, it can be a lot of fun for a potty training party! Toss in some Pampers Easy Ups, Hand Soap, Potty Training Book, Potty Training Progress Chart & A little something for Mom! In my bags I included some nail polish (theme colored) and some soap that Mom will enjoy as well, because lets face it..we get a little nasty during potty training too!
3. Pick Out Snacks: Toddlers can be picky, but there’s a few things you can set out that you know they will enjoy. I put out some granola bars, fruit bars, yogurt pouches, and Capri suns! It doesn’t have to be a whole lot, they have small tummies and it’s only a snack..not a meal.
4. Have Something Fun To Do: A photo booth is always a hit at any party. And with toddlers, they love to dress up and take pictures of themselves (as long as you show them when it’s taken). Here you can download a copy of my speech bubbles…just cut them out, laminate or use contact paper to laminate then cut that out and put on a popsicle stick or dowel. Since our potty book was about a superhero, we included plenty of superhero capes to choose from for pictures!
Potty training is an amazing milestone for toddlers and parents alike, but it can also be stressful. Spring is the time many families kick-off potty training so they are ready for summer fun and then for the start of preschool. Potty training can feel like an overwhelming process, and when minor leaks or accidents occur, it can be a disappointment. Pampers Easy Ups helps makes this journey a little easier by providing better leak protection than the leading competitor.
We all want potty training to be a positive experience for our toddlers, but leaks, accidents, and switching from training pants to diapers overnight can feel like setbacks. This is why Pampers want to empower our little ones to overcome these obstacles to achieve and celebrate potty training success. Pampers Easy Ups support the diaper-to-underwear transition for toddlers as they have a more underwear-like look and feel while still helping to keep messes off clothing, bedding and other surfaces no matter where accidents happen: at home, on-the-go or overnight.
PAMPERS EASY UPS PRODUCT FEATURES
Fun Thomas & Friends® designs for boys and Dora the Explorer® designs for girls
A more underwear-like design for growing toddlers
Graphics that fade when wet to help little ones learn
Super-stretchy sides to make them easy to pull up and down when using the potty
Available for Boys and Girls sizes 2T/3T through 4T/5T
Pampers Easy Ups work during the day AND night, enabling toddlers and moms to confidently and completely transition from diapers to underwear!
Pampers Easy Ups Potty Training Tips by L. Jana, MD
1. Promote potty learning. Learning how to use the potty takes plenty of time and patience. It’s more than just training; it is a learning opportunity for toddlers and parents alike that should be enjoyable. After all, mastering this concept of “potty learning” with your little one is a big accomplishment and milestone.
2. Team Spirit. It is important to keep in mind that “teamwork makes the dream work,” especially in the case of potty training. You are not only your child’s biggest fan, you are also their potty training coach. Remember to stay calm in the face of potty accidents and encourage your little one to not worry and try again!
3. Be Prepared. Potty training is an unpredictable adventure that you can best prepare for by ensuring you have all practical supplies on hand. These supplies will help you through any obstacle and can help foster your child’s interest and independence – from a step stool (to improve access to the toilet) or potty seat to training pants. That’s why I’m happy to partner with Pampers, whose Easy Ups training pants are designed to help the diaper-to-underwear transition by allowing potty-training toddlers to set aside their diapers and wear something with a more underwear-like look and feel that still helps contain accidental messes no matter wherever they happen: at home, on-the-go or overnight.
4. Celebrate every win. As with any learning experience, young children can learn a lot from both their potty successes and their setbacks. While potty accidents are an inevitable (and admittedly inconvenient) aspect of potty learning, they shouldn’t dominate your day-to-day discussions. Instead, simply help your child learn to cope with and clean up any messes, and focus your attention on celebrating your child’s efforts and successes with plenty of hugs and words of encouragement.
5. Watch for signs of readiness. Just about all children give subtle (and some not-so subtle) signs that they are ready for potty training. These signs of readiness typically include using their words to express themselves, toddling their own way to the bathroom, pulling down their own pants, saying they want to use the “big potty,” and being aware of the sensation of peeing or pooping, characteristically noticeable when young children suddenly stop what they’re doing as they feel themselves start to go. It is also helpful and increases the likelihood of potty training interest when children start to be bothered by their messy diapers, as that can serve as a good motivation for using the potty instead!
6. Start making connections. There’s a lot that you can do to help your child be well-prepared to successfully use the potty long before he or she actually starts doing it. Making up a fun song or reading engaging children’s books about potty training, such as You and Me Against the Pee! (which I co-authored) can go a long way towards making the idea of potty training a more welcome and eagerly anticipated activity. You can take this familiarity a step further by letting your toddler accompany you in to the bathroom when you need to go so that he both becomes familiar with the routine and comfortable with the idea of using the toilet, rather than being afraid of or intimidated by it!
As you can see, throwing a Potty Training Party can be a lot of fun for both child and parent! It really is a great way to kick off potty training! Have you hosted a Potty Training Party? What are your must haves?
Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a “sponsored post.” The company who sponsored it compensated me via a cash payment, gift, or something else of value to write it. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”