Author Archives: Tanya H. Franklin

Easter Egg Cookie Decorating Fun

By

Since my daughter was a toddler, we’ve been dyeing eggs for Easter. But this year, my soon-to-be ten year old decided that she wanted to do something different: Easter egg cookie decorating!

We stumbled across a kit at Target that actually had her name, “Quinn” on the box, which was perfect. Though I did miss dyeing eggs this year, this was a fun activity that we both enjoyed.

All the best,

Tanya

Sixers Spring Break Surprise!

By

Finally, I was able to reveal the spring break surprise that I’ve been holding onto for month! 😅 We’re taking Quinn and her bestie to their first Sixers game! 🏀⛹🏽‍♂️ They’re both excited and ready wearing their specially made shirts from the talented Bridgette Durham( photo credit too 😉)Thanks so much! 🥰 Excited for tons of game pics and videos and a victory against the Miami Heat! 🤞🏽🤗

A Happy First Day of Spring with Rita’s Water Ice

By

Though it was sunny, the low this morning was 27 degrees Fahrenheit which felt nothing like the first day of spring! Eventually it got a bit warmer, which meant the line at Rita’s for a free water ice would seem never ending, and it was!

There was still a chill in the air with at least 40 to 50 people ahead of us. If it weren’t for my daughter being so excited, I probably would have left. So after a little over a half hour of waiting, we earned our first day of spring rewards. Quinn got Swedish Fish, and I got lemon as a surprise for my husband.

Happy first day of spring! Now if only we can have some consistent spring weather.

All the best,

Tanya

There’s Value in Brain Games! My Daughter’s Estimation Proves It!

By

As technology and artificial intelligence becomes more prevalent, it seems that people feel the need to use their brains less. Why use critical thinking when you can ask Alexa or Siri? Why compose an essay or your own original thoughts when ChatGPT can do it for you?

There’s something rewarding about using and exercising your brain, and clearly my daughter’s school knows this! Yesterday, they had a fun-filled evening of brain games for kindergartners up to fourth grade and encouraged parents and guardians to participate as well. I was so excited to see 24: one of the math games I loved playing as a child.

Quinn initially made a beeline for the estimation station where there were jars of different items, and the children were to guess how many were inside. Today, she found out that she was the winner with her guess on the amount of lollipops in a jar. When I asked how close she was with her estimation, she said, “I was exact!” I then followed up with how she came up with the number, and she told me, “I had a strategy,” which she proceeded to explain.

I told her how proud I was of her for using her brain and strategizing and how cool I think the event was, and she agreed.

Here’s to hoping the future generations will continue to embrace brain games, critical thinking and strategizing.

All the best,

Tanya

The Big Reveal! Appreciating My Daughter’s Art

By

A couple of weeks ago, I received a letter from my daughter’s art teacher that her work was among the selected few from her school to be on display at the Cheltenham Center for the Arts, our local community art school.

Today was the big reveal, and we were all so excited to see my fourth grader’s work of art. Then, we quickly found ourselves admiring and appreciating the art in many mediums of the other artists ranging from kindergarten up to eighth grade.

We were so impressed, and it was wonderful to see so many proud family and friends excited to celebrate their children’s masterpieces.

All the best,

Tanya

Life Lessons From Playing Bingo

By

This past Friday, my daughter and I attended bingo night at her school. It’s been quite some time since I played bingo, and it was all new to Quinn, but she quickly got the hang of it.

When B12 was called, Quinn shook her head and said, “Why couldn’t they call B13?!” One of her friends at our table was “lucky” enough to win. After a few more rounds, another friend at our table won shouting out “Bingo!”

Quinn just knew she would be next when we got to the last and tenth bingo card. But that didn’t happen. 🥺 Even still, she learned and I was reminded as we heard a person shouting out “Bingo” from a neighboring distance that sometimes you can be so close to “winning,” just one space away, and have someone win ahead of you. Sometimes it’s pure luck, sometimes it’s just in the cards, but either way, the excitement of playing and possibly winning was enough to eventually put a smile on Quinn’s face.

All the best,

Tanya