Author Archives: Tanya H. Franklin

The Most Colorful…Happiest…Kid-Friendly Bedroom Ever! Troll Style!!!

By

“You’re the best Mommy ever! My new bedroom is troll everything!” My daughter shrieked as she wrapped her arms around me with joy. Just a little over a month ago, Quinn turned five years old, and one of her wishes was for a big girl room. She bounced around some ideas for a while but eventually decided on a Trolls as her theme. When I asked her why to make sure it was what she really wanted, her response was that she loves the movie “Trolls” and wants a happy, colorful and fun space just like they have. I thought that was an awesome reason, and was eager to get to work.

We established the wall colors and accent items using Poppy as our inspiration: pink, aqua and sea green. After searching for the perfect twin bed to replace Quinn’s toddler bed, I found the perfect one fit for a princess at Target and was able to order the comforter and sheets through Target as well as a Bed Bath and Beyond. We were able to bring some of Quinn’s Troll toys into her bedroom to display, and I purchased a few more as a special surprise. While at Walmart, I stumbled upon a sea green bean bag that matches perfectly with her room and took the time to paint a night stand that was originally white to match the decor of her room.

To promote reading, I got some Trolls books that my daughter loves reading as part of her bedtime story or when she’s simply relaxing in her bed waiting for the day to start. Target, my main go-to store, had a lamp that doubles as a night light that Quinn uses every night and day as she reads at night.

I wanted some wall art with Troll characters, but couldn’t find what I was looking for, so with my graphic design background, I designed and had canvases printed up with the different characters.

When Quinn or anyone who has come to visit comes into her bedroom, they can’t help but feel happy because it’s such a colorful and inviting place. This truly was a fun project for me, and seeing how happy and appreciative Quinn was when her room was unveiled filled me with so much joy.

All the best,

Tanya

It’s My Fifth Mommyversary!

By
My Mom, My Daughter and Me
My Mom, My Daughter and Me

Last week, I celebrated my daughter’s fifth birthday. Today, I celebrate my fifth anniversary as a mother. Wow, I cannot believe that I’ve been a mother for five years. I’ve learned so much along the way from my mother, family, friends, other mothers and especially my daughter. Creating this blog, “Mommy’s Baby Steps” and posting about my journey as a mother has been a wonderful experience too. I’ve learned that my journey as a mother is full of many destinations and sights to see. Some places I will love, embrace and want to stay forever, and there will be some that I am eager to leave, but they are essential and a part of motherhood. All in all, I am grateful so blessed to be a mother. My daughter has played an integral role in helping me evolve and grow, and I couldn’t imagine my life without her.

Happy mother’s day to you and yours.

All the best,

Tanya

High Fives All Around! Happy Birthday to My Little Girl!

By

1825 days ago….260 weeks ago…60 months ago…five years ago, my daughter made her entrance into the world. Not a moment, week or day goes by that I don’t think about how blessed I am to have her in my life. She’s such a sweet, caring and generous person. Not to mention, she’s intelligent, a real problem solver, creative and outgoing. Quinn may only be five years old, but she’s taught me so much from day one. She brings out the best in me and helps me to be a better version of myself with each passing day.

When I celebrate her birth, I am celebrating my birth as a mom. I am celebrating my ability to be more assertive, to always exercise kindness and positivity and to just enjoy life and all that it has to offer. As I type this post, I shed a few tears of joy knowing how much she has added to my life and the lives of all of those people with whom she comes in contact.

Happy birthday to me sweet girl who deserves all of the “double” high fives she wants!

All the best,

Tanya

Never Too Young for “Old School” Toys: Slinky Fun!

By

“Mommy, what’s this called again?” my soon to be five year old asked as she played with one of my favorite old school toys. “A slinky, I told her.” She then followed up asking, “How does it work?” I was so eager to tell her, and once I showed her once, Quinn was hooked. It wasn’t a tablet or electronic device that made a lot of sounds. It wasn’t a video game nor something that would interact with her. It was just a basic slinky, and it consumed her for at least half hour or more as she strategically held on to the slinky trying to get it in the perfect position to reach her goal: get it to “walk” down an entire flight of stairs.

When her dad arrived home from work, she couldn’t wait to show him how she mastered the slinky. I too was excited for her to show him her new skill. Oftentimes, people say that kids these days only want the latest gadget or handheld device, I say that just isn’t totally true. Sometimes an “old school” toy can keep their attention and give them fun for hours. It was a nostalgic moment for me, and it felt so good teaching my daughter how to use and have fun with a slinky.

All the best,

Tanya

 

 

Making a Wish with My Little Girl

By

“There’s one right there, Mommy!” my daughter excitedly told me. “Where?” I asked. “Right there!” she said as she hopped out of her wagon to pick what I’ve always called a “wishy flower” or simply a “wish.”  There’s always been something magical about that “flower” some may refer to as just a weed. I remember being filled with joy as I blew away those seed heads of the dandelion.

When I watched my daughter perform the same action, I was taken back to my childhood. I remember closing my eyes and silently making my wish right before I blew all the seeds away. Even now, when I come across one, it’s difficult to resist the temptation to pick it and make a wish. Finding hope in a weed and seeing its beauty is something not just children but adults should embrace. I wish that my daughter and all people will remain hopeful and cherish the moment of having hope just like being compelled to blow a wishy flower.

All the best,

Tanya

Cooking Up Something Special with My Little Girl: Never Too Young to Become a Chef

By

Since my daughter was barely two, she’s loved helping me cook and bake. She enjoys the entire process from gathering the ingredients, measuring them, mixing everything together and cooking or baking to get to the finished product. So when we were invited to a cooking birthday party at the the local Giant in their Cooking School, I knew my soon to be five year old would be elated. When we arrived, she immediately knew to wash her hands and eagerly put on her chef’s hat. As she eyeballed the pan of dough in front of where she was seated, she pondered about what she and the other children would be making. “I think it might be bread or maybe pizza,” she said.

When the children all got settled and the chef said, “Today you’re all going to make your own pizza,” a big smile came on her face. “I was right!” she told her father and me. I was very impressed with how most of the children were able to follow the instructions, including Quinn. I was so inspired by the experience that I’m looking forward to more “mommy and me” cooking and baking opportunities in the kitchen. It’s such a fun way to bond.

All the best,

Tanya

A Happy Easter Weekend with My Little Girl

By

 

This Easter weekend flew by so quickly, but I couldn’t let the day go by without acknowledging and celebrating the fun moments I had with my daughter. We spent time with our family, something we both look forward to doing. We went on an Easter egg hunt yesterday, dyed eggs, and at Quinn’s request, we made rice crispy treats. She woke up excited to see what she received in her basket and immediately wanted to divide up her treats with her father and me so that we’d have some Easter treats too. I’m so grateful for such a sweet and thoughtful daughter. Happy Easter to you and yours.

All the best,

Tanya

Mother and Daughter Twins: Flattery from my Little Girl

By

“Mommy, do you think we can dress alike or wear the same colors for the performance tonight?” My daughter asked. “Sure, honey. Why do you like dressing alike?” I inquired. To which Quinn exclaimed, “I love when we’re twins! Then I’m just like you! Do you like being me twin?” I smiled and said, “Of course, I do.”

Since my daughter was a baby, I’d often dress us alike or in color coordinated. Now that she’s almost five, it melts my heart that she wants to dress alike and will request that we do. Though, in my opinion, she resembles her father more than she resembles me, I am so flattered that she wants to be just like me. We do have similar mannerisms and personality traits. Many people often tell me that I am a caring and thoughtful person. These are attributes I clearly see in her.

Of course, I would never intentionally try to make my daughter a carbon copy of me. I simply want her to learn from me and always put forth her best effort. It am, however, flattered that my sweet girl looks up to me and wants to be my twin.

All the best,

Tanya

Score! My Preschooler Wants to do Chores!

By

“Mommy, can I help you clean? What chores do you think I can do?” my four and a half year old asked me. I asked, “What chores do “you” think you can do?” My daughter quickly responded, “I can dust, clean tables, rinse out my dishes. I can do anything you need me to do, Mommy!” Since my daughter was a little over a year, she’s express interest in helping out around the house and doing chores. She would grab her little broom to help sweep, and at three she was asking to help with the dishes.

“I want chores to do too, Mommy,” Quinn says quite frequently as she sees me folding the laundry, vacuuming or doing any other household chores. Though I want her to enjoy her childhood and have fun playing, I am so impressed with my little girl. At a young age, she understands the importance of contributing towards our household, not to earn an allowance or treat but because she sincerely wants to help. My fingers are crossed that she continues on this path and is eager to do chores even when they are not so fun.

All the best,

Tanya

A Glimpse of My Little Girl’s Preschool World

By

“Mommy, are you coming to my school this week?” My little girl asked me with a big smile and eagerness in her voice. “Not this week, but I’ll be coming in next week. “Next week, we’ll be learning about the human body. Maybe we can find a book about it,” she suggested. At least once a month, I have the opportunity to come to my daughter’s four year old preschool classroom to read a story, participate with Shabbat (though we are not Jewish, we both enjoy the service and what it represents) and snack time. The last time I came, Quinn and her classmates were learning about the solar system, so she suggested that I bring in Dr. Seuss’s There’s No Place Like Space. It was a big hit with the children, and they were all eager to help out and identify the different planets. Little did I know, my daughter’s teacher was taking my picture as I read to the children.

I remember when I was younger, and my mother would occasionally come to my class. It was a wonderful feeling having her there. Now that I’m a mom, it feels awesome being able to go to my daughter’s classroom. After each classroom visit, Quinn gives me a big hug and kiss and then thanks me for coming to her school. I hope as she gets older I’ll be able to continue to be a part of her world at school.

All the best,

Tanya