The presence of a dad or a father figure is so important in a child’s life. Oftentimes, the bond and love, especially between a father and daughter are not only crucial but immeasurable.
I’m grateful for the relationship Quinn’s dad has with her, even with their “inside jokes” sometimes at my expense. He treats her like a Queen and has been wrapped around her finger since day one.
Happy Father’s Day to all of the dads and father figures who make a positive difference in the lives of the children of the future who may one day be parents themselves.
Hershey park is somewhere my daughter and I have been going since she was a toddler, but for the very first time, we got to have fun with our distant cousins who traveled from Pittsburgh to spend time with us.
My cousin’s sons are much younger, but Quinn and my niece, who’s officially a young adult, had a wonderful time being their “roller coaster ride buddies.” It warmed my heart to see the smiles on all of their faces. When my youngest cousin reached out for my hand to hold, it reminded me of when my now thirteen year old daughter was that young, and it was truly a nostalgia moment.
Having my mom their was the icing on the cake because sadly, my cousin loss her mother about her year ago, and she was my mom’s younger sister. I’m grateful for family and moments such as these. Quinn even suggested making it an annual outing, and I totally agree!
It’s the first weekend of my daughter summer break, and we kicked it off with a nighttime race. Unlike the Rocky Run that we did with my best friend, this was more like a celebratory festival with DJ’s, music pumping, lights flashing and people dancing.
In addition to it feeling like a party, this event supported the Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) charity, “a groundbreaking initiative created to accelerate innovative cancer research.” I was so happy that my 13 year old was so excited to participate with my best friend and me.
There’s only a handful of people and things that I stay up way past my bedtime for, and this event with my mini me and bestie was one of them.
Many milestones, achievements and activities happened in this school year. My daughter started middle school, was on student council, continued with playing the violin in orchestra, was inducted into the national juniors honors society and ran track and hurdles for the first time.
I’m so grateful that Quinn had a wonderful experience through academics, the arts, athletics and just building new relationships with classmates and teachers.
I’m so proud of the progress she’s made and look forward to having a wonderful summer with Quinn as we count down til the first day of eighth grade
Though the official the last day of the school year isn’t until Friday, my daughter’s track team had an end of the season celebration at Urban Air. Part of the celebration was acknowledging some of the track members for their accomplishments.
Maybe it’s a good thing that I wasn’t in attendance because I would have been cheering and clapping loudly and probably embarrassed Quinn as she was recognized as a scholar athlete with a 4.0 GPA. I’m so grateful that she understands the importance of working hard not just with athletics but academics too.
I’m also appreciative of her coaches who celebrated this achievement and emphasized the importance of being a well-rounded student.
This week has been super busy. My daughter had two track meets, was inducted into the National Juniors Honors Society, and I attended my college’s commencement ceremony as a faculty member along with several other tasks. I know, cue the violins for my “sob story,” but all of these tasks are anything but that and filled me with joy.
Wrapping up the week by attending the spring orchestra concert at my daughter’s school was a welcomed activity, and seeing her play the violin alongside others put a huge smile on my face. She and the other students on the orchestra have been working hard, and at many times, I had to remind myself that they are just seventh graders.
I guess you can say “cue the violins” as my eyes welled up with tears of joy as I applauded Quinn and the entire orchestra.
This evening, my seventh grader was inducted into the National Juniors Honors Society, and I’m absolutely elated! While this is a prestigious honor requiring a high GPA, which is one of the core pillars of membership, to be considered, it’s the other requirements that Quinn met which are all reflections of her character.
Regarding Service, Quinn was excited to serve on student council and to volunteer in our community. With leadership, her teachers often share with me how resourceful she is and that she’s a natural problem solver. Though I can take partial credit for molding her character, she has always leaned towards honesty, respect and integrity. One time, she came across a wallet and was eager to go out of her way to get it back to the owner which made me feel so proud. I’m also amazed at how she understands the importance of civic engagement and respecting rules.
Maybe so had a little something to do with her achieving these core pillars, but she is officially a teen and certainly at the age where she may face challenges and even dilemmas with living up to them all.
This is more than an achievement; it’s adding to the solid foundation of her future for which I am grateful.
I need to take a few moments to appreciate all of the baby steps and milestones that brought me to my 14th “mommyversary.” My little girl is officially a teen, and I’m gearing up for more milestones snd memorable moments.
Motherhood is not always easy, but I always try my best to be physically, emotionally and mentally present for Quinn. I’m blessed to be a mother to her and to have my mother there to offer advice.
I’m grateful for motherhood and all that it has taught me about life.
Alas! Another major milestone has occurred. Born in 2013, by “baby girl” is officially 13: a teenager. While I’m grateful for every moment from Quinn being placed in my arms minutes after her birth to taking her first steps and saying her first words, I need time to slow down a little because this mommy still feels like she’s taking baby steps.
Though every year is special, similar to when she became a toddler, these years tend to have so many changes in development and at such a rapid pace, and I’m just hoping that I can keep up with her needs and be who and what she needs me to be when she needs me to be it.
Some family and friends have asked what it feels like to now have a teenager, and if I could only use one word it would be “overwhelming,” not because of my daughter but because I know that she’s now closer to adulthood than childhood, or at least that is how she will be recognized by society in just short five years. But even still, she will always be my sweet girl who deserves the world and for all of her birthday wishes to come true.
For a little over a month, my seventh grader has been diligent, consistent and even confident as she tried out for her school’s track team.
Today was her first track meet, and I was probably more excited than she was! Her Nana (my mom) and Auntie (my sister) even came out to support her. The weather was perfect, and I was bursting inside trying my best not to be that obnoxious mom in the stand yelling out my daughter’s name from the tops of my lungs.
I’m so proud of her and her track team. She’s such a natural athlete, and participated in four events. 😅 I’m eager to see where her track journey takes her.
Mommy's Baby Steps 