Monthly Archives: March 2017

Can’t Be Late for an Important Date: Easter Fun at the Mad Hatter Event

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Last year, I took my daughter to the Mad Hatter event celebrating Alice in Wonderland and the different characters at our local mall, and we had such a wonderful time. So when I received an email to RSVP for it this year, I wasted no time adding us to the list.  I just love when I stumble across something that both my daughter and I can enjoy, and I love it even more when it’s free! Alice and the Queen of Hearts made appearances, there were coloring, crafts, tasty treats and the Easter Bunny was there too. I initially stood off to the side as Quinn went to meet him, and she then turned towards me, signaled with her hand saying, “Come on, Mommy! You can be in the picture too!”

Though her smile was not as big as mine, she said, “I was so excited Mommy! The Easter Bunny gave me a high five and a fist bump!” This weekend, I actually had three stacks of papers to grade and was tempted to not attend the event since we had a play date scheduled for later, but boy am I glad that I did. Seeing how excited my little girl was made it all worth with it.

All the best,

Tanya

P.S. If you live near Willow Grove Mall, there are two more free Mad Hatter events on April 5th and April 9th. Click here for more information.

Excited for Spring with My Little Girl

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Our Snowman Has Melted
Decorating for Easter
Having fun with Decorations

“Do you know that today is the first day of spring?” my little girl asked with excitement. I responded, “Yes, I do!” “Now that it’s spring, the flowers will start to bloom, the grass will start to grow, and I’ll be able to ride my bike outside and go to the park more!” she exclaimed. “Yes, you’re right again,” I told her. This conversation took place today as we were driving home from her preschool to our partially snow covered yard with melted snow water flowing down the sidewalk and street.

Today, we spent a little time outside reminiscing about our snowman we built last week who has sadly melted away. On the bright side, we put up Easter and spring decorations knowing that sunny, warm spring days are ahead.

We both look forward to each season together. It’s such a blessing to observe Quinn grow and reach milestones while enjoying nature and all the fun that each season encompasses with my little girl. Here’s to kite flying, bike riding, nature walks, trips to the zoo and just spending time with each other. Here’s to “springing” into more outdoor fun!

All the best,

Tanya

Proud Parents, Praise and Positive Reinforcement

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“Are you so proud of me for putting my clothes on all by myself?” My little girl inquires with a smile on her face and my reflection in her brown eyes. If she displays a unbecoming behavior, she may ask, “Are you disappointed in me?” I remember when I was younger and how I lived for the praise of my parents and was so disappointed in myself if I disappointed them. I was such a sensitive child and wanted nothing more than to please my parents and can see that same sensitivity and desire to please when I look at my daughter and listen to the inflection in her voice.

There’s such a thin line between overly doting over a child and giving him or her the praise necessary to thrive, feel loved, reinforce positive behaviors and be successful. With this in mind, I often wonder if I’m on target with my daughter and if she knows how proud I am of her. Even as an adult, I often look for the approval of my parents, and while I seldom receive that phrase, “I’m proud of you!” from my father, I’m blessed that my mother has always demonstrated it because her praise and support has helped to shape me into who I am today.

Gratefully, Quinn has a father and mother who acknowledge her efforts and offer her positive reinforcement. Though there may be times when she may do something that upsets us or that we do not agree with, I hope she always knows how proud of her we are and how much we love her. I pray that as she gets older she will also be proud of herself and who she becomes in life.

All the best,

Tanya

Snowy Day with My Little Girl

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“Let’s have fun on this snowy day just like Peter,” my daughter insisted as she started to lie down in the snow to make a snow angel. The snowfall this year has been minimal, and she would ask me quite frequently, “When it it going to snow, Mommy?” So my daughter and I were both excited to have enough snow to play in even if it is supposed to be spring next week.

Quinn wanted to make everything from foot prints in the snow to a snow angel, to snow balls to a snow man, just like we read in Ezra Jack Keats’ book Snowy Day. I think it’s wonderful that the book inspired her, well inspired us both. Yes, shoveling the heavy snow for a path way and digging out my car may not be much fun, but at least it’s good exercise and leads up to me playing with my soon-to-be four year old in the snow.

To top it off, we came in the house and and enjoyed some tasty hot cocoa. Then Quinn said, “Thank you Mommy for playing with me on this snowy day!” his really put a smile on my face, and I hope his will be a lasting memory for her like it was for me. I’m so happy we got the snowy day we’ve both been longing for, which was a terrific way to close out the winter.

All the best,

Tanya

 

Can’t Get Enough of Dr. Seuss!

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2017-03-01-09-01-32“The Cat in the Hat is coming to my school tomorrow! Right, Mommy?” my little girl excitedly says. “That’s right,” I say with a bit of a raspy voice. I’ve been a bit under the weather all this week, but I couldn’t let the weekend come and go without acknowledging how much Dr. Seuss has impacted not just my daughter’s life but mine too. Quinn was so excited to wear her special cat in the hat outfit this past Wednesday and was eager to tell me about meeting the Cat in the Hat and all of the fun Dr. Seuss activities they did and books they read at her school. “Cat in the Hat! That rhymes, Mommy!” my three year old informs me. Then she insisted on coming up with her own rhymes just like Dr. Seuss, who was born on March 2, 1904, over 100 years before my little girl was born. It’s amazing how his gift lives on and still brings joy to so many children and adults alike. I still love Green Eggs and Ham and How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and my daughter does too. Here’s to igniting that love of reading within my daughter while reading more and more books from the Dr. Seuss collection and beyond.

All the best,

Tanya

All the best