Author Archives: Tanya H. Franklin

Learning to Jump with My Daughter’s Help

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One of my favorite activities is strength training and boot camp style sessions.

Today, my trainer Joey had me 200 jumping jacks, 100 pushups, 100 jumping lunges, 100 squats, four timed intervals of 30lb ball slams and bicycles, then four timed intervals of box jumps & prisoner squats, jabs, uppercuts & hooks on the heavy bag & closing with alternating double toe taps. The toughest part that jumps out is the box 😅.

Joey started me at 24 inches which I managed, but I should’ve known that when my nine year old jumped at the chance to join me for the 7:30am session that she’d make jumping 30 inches look easy! 🤗 Both Joey and Quinn agreed that “I” would be doing a 30 inch box jump for the next three intervals. 😩

At first I whined and even whimpered a little as my heart raced, but Quinn insisted that I try. “You can do it! Don’t be afraid,” she said. I slipped, I fell, I pulled Joe trying to maintain my balance, but…I eventually got it! I’m so glad I had two passionate people, one of those being my daughter, who believed in me from the jump! ☺️🙌🏽💪🏽

All the best,

Tanya

Always Cheering for My Daughter!

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Yesterday, my fourth grader’s hard work and extra practices with her school’s cheer team paid off! Thirty of them from first to fourth grade, including Quinn, paid homage to the art of cheer and the contribution from HBCU’s for Black history month.

Though it was hard to spot her since she was in the back as a fourth grader and one of the taller children, that didn’t stop me from cheering for her. It takes a lot of courage to get up on a stage with several spectators watching, so I am very proud of her. 🤗

All the best,

Tanya

Eagles Super Bowl Excitement with My Mini Me

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This it it! The day has finally arrived! In a few hours, we’ll be cheering on our home team, the Eagles, as they play in the Super Bowl! My nine year old is so excited. She knows way more than I do about the players and their positions and is lucky enough to witness the Eagles make it twice in her lifetime. I’m just amazed at how much she’s grown in that time as well.

We’re both hoping to see the Eagles win it all again! 💚😊🦅

All the best,

Tanya

I Have a Clue That This New Year is Gonna Be Golden Girl!

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I’m so happy I spent part of the first day of the new year playing games with my daughter. We’ve played Clue in the past, but this was our first time playing “The Golden Girls” version, and we both thought it was fun.

I was so impressed that Quinn knew who the characters were and developed a strategy to figure out who “stole the slice of cheesecake.”

Even though I did win, discovering that it was Rose with a feather slipper in the bathroom, Quinn was a good sport and quickly learned about keeping a “poker face.”

We may not have a total “clue” on what 2023 will bring, but if it’s anything like today, it will be fun-filled and memorable.

All the best,

Tanya

On the Eleventh Day of Christmas 2022: Reflecting on Christmas Future

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Fourth Grade

No toys, no dolls, no games. My nine year old just wants clothes, lotions, skincare items and gift cards for Christmas. 😩 In the very near future, I see the list dwindling down to maybe one big ticket item and gift cards. Though some parents may get excited about this knowing that the long nights of building toys and unscrewing lids to insert batteries is just about over, I will miss these moments.

The childlike festivities of Christmas that I’ve looked forward to so much with Quinn are diminishing. 🥹 While I’m content with the pace in which she’s maturing, I’m already missing my little girl and the toys and gifts under the tree. But even still, I look forward to simply spending time with her and my family for years to come.

All the best,

Tanya

All the best,

Tanya