Is this the summer of Dorney Park?

Two years ago my family & I had season passes to Dorney Park.  However, the "DP" atmosphere was a bit "tired", the rides needed a good scrub, not to mention a paint job and the overall feeling was just "blah".  So, we decided to take the following summer off and visit the community pool instead.

 As we began to discuss plans for the summer of 2012, we tossed around the idea of getting season passes again.   What to do, what to do...

Ok, ok, so we decided to go for it and get the season passes this summer...AND I was pleasantly surprised by what I found when we made our first trip there in the beginning of June.

Camp Snoopy is now Planet Snoopy.  I remember hearing about the Planet Snoopy change on the radio last summer...  WOW!  What a difference!  

There were new rides and it was clean...CLEAN!  The rides were painted and everything looked fresh.  They took down the tired looking play gym area with the sand - THANK GOODNESS!  I can't be the only Mom out there who used to cringe when her kids would ask to play in the sand.

 (inside the Family Care Center)

A new thing that I found, is the Family Care Center, located in Planet Snoopy.  What a great idea!  They have restrooms inside, a refrigerator for Moms packing formula or other refrigerated goods and a play area for lost children. 

The one thing they did not have was a band aid, which bummed me out.   Come on...anyone with little ones knows that having first aid supplies is essential.  And yes, I'm THAT Mom who didn't bring first aid stuff with me.

Nudge, nudge Dorney Park...please add a first aid kit to the Family Care Center.

This air conditioned area has got to a HUGE help for Moms & Dads who visit with little ones.  How nice being able to stop in, nurse or feed your baby in a cool, quiet place and just being able to take a break from the heat.  I remember lugging around that bulky diaper bag in 100 degree weather....  And the sweat pouring down my face while I pushed that stroller up the park hill. 

I also highly disliked taking my kids to public toilets during the potty training stage.  But the Family Care Center has their own bathrooms with baby changing facilities.  And again, they are CLEAN!

Parents, if you haven't all ready found this gem within the park, please plan to check this out on your next visit to Dorney.  In my mind, the Family Care Center is a little piece of heaven!

Well, we had a great time on our first visit to Dorney Park.  I expect to be a "Regular" there this summer and plan to check out the Water Park & the new "Dinosaur Exhibit" in the near future.  So, more to come from this "Lehigh Valley Family Fun" Mom!

**I was not paid for this review and all opinions are my own**

Consignment, Consignment, Consignment!

The Kid's Clothesline - May 3 - 6, 2012

Let me first start out by saying that I really enjoy being a Mom.  The hugs, the kisses, the yelling the screaming...OOPS!  I think I said too much.  Seriously though...being a Mom has had more rewards than I can count.

But there is one thing that gets under my skin...all the clothing that we go through.  I literally blink my eyes and the pants that we just bought for my 5 year old are now capris.  That's fine for spring but for the winter?  Not so much...  And that trendy sweatshirt that my 8 year old "just had to have" is now too small.  But what is a Mom to do???

As I have said in the past, one of the many benefits of running my own business (http://www.lehighvalleyfamilyfun.com/) is meeting new people.   And I was recently introduced to Amanda D'Ambrosio, Owner of The Kids Clothesline. 

The Kids Clothesline or "Consignment Extravaganza" as I like to call it, offers families a place to sell their children's outgrown items and to buy new and gently used items at up to 90% off retail. 

The next Kids Clothesline Event will take place May 3rd - 6th, 2012.  

In 2004, when Amanda's kids were in Preschool she developed that entrepreneurial "bug".  Not sure which direction to go, Amanda met a woman who had a children's consignment event in the south.  After that meeting she knew what her next step would be...CONSIGNMENT! 

"So many people benefit from the sale"  says Amanda.  "Any time I think of giving it up I meet someone really wonderful who tells me how much they appreciate it!"

With over 2,500 Shoppers at the last event and filling approximately 250 Volunteer Shifts and 375 Consignee Spots, the growth of the sale has been tremendous.  For Spring of 2012, they will move to Ag Hall, which can fill 550-600 Consignee Spots.  "I think this has always been my goal (moving to Ag Hall)" says Amanda.  "So I'm happy that we've finally done it!"

Mom to 4 kids, Amanda is a busy WAHM (Work-At-Home-Mom).  "I think a lot of people think the sale is 2 weeks of work, twice a year. That is so far from the truth."  In reality, Amanda begins preparing for each consignment event approximately 12 weeks prior to the Sale.  " I am usually at my desk any spare moment I can find and a lot of times into the night. When it's not sale season I am still working part time coming up with new ideas..."

I wanted to find out more about this amazing Mom...so I asked her what life messages she has for her kids.  "It's important to me that my kids be kind to others and that they are honest," says Amanda.  "We are very open minded and do not judge others, I guess it's just the only thing they have every known, it's just how we live."

I also wanted to know what tips she would give new parents of things she wished she knew before being a parent.  "Patience is so important and enjoy every second...it goes so fast.  It is so cliche but SO true!" 

The Kids Clothesline is dedicated to bringing families excellent quality items at a fraction of the price.  TKC is a selling and shopping experience not to be missed!

The Kids Clothesline will hold its next event May 3rd - 6th 2012.