Author Archives: Tanya H. Franklin

On the Eighth Day of Christmas My Toddler Gave to Me…Christmas Fun with My Little One

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2015-12-10 14.07.58

Quinn is ready to get started!

On the eighth day of Christmas, my toddler gave to me joy selecting a Christmas tree,  memorable moments decorating, festive and fun goofing around, partying all night, excitement while visiting Santa Claus, counting down the days, happiness at Sesame Place and bonding time making our own tree! I’ve always loved doing special art projects in school, and though my two and a half year old is not in day school, I want to ensure that she has the experience of doing special art projects for the holiday. Since she loves the Christmas tree, having her make one herself was a perfect idea. I had a vision of what I wanted us to create together, and we were able to get most of the materials from Target: green tissue paper, green shredded paper, colorful pom pom balls in multiple sizes, puffy red garland and a gold bow. We already had the construction paper,  Modge Podge matte finish and scissors.

We used an 11 x 17 green construction paper. I folded it in half and cut the paper on an angle to make the triangular tree. I thin folded and cut up the tissue paper in rectangular pieces. Then, Quinn took over the project by applying Modge Podge to the tree a little at a time with her sponge then placing the tissue paper on top. To give the tree some texture, we added the shredded green paper with a little more Modge Podge Glue. After allowing the tree to dry, we then added the red garland with glue and taped the backs to make sure it was secure. Then, we added the pom pom balls as ornaments. Once everything was dry, we put the tree on red construction paper as a backing and then added the gold bow as the star. This was a fun project for us both, and now we have two trees for Christmas!

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Our work is displayed on Quinn’s special frame for all to see.

All the best,

Tanya

Here’s a slide show of our project below:

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On the Seventh Day of Christmas My Toddler Gave to Me…Christmas Fun with My Little One

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2015-12-19 14.27.45-1Selected and decorated the perfect tree, put up festive and fun decorations, partied, visited Santa: the count down has begun! While these are some of our favorite things about the holiday season, going on a special outing today with my daughter to see the special holiday shows, parade, and friends of Sesame Place put the “star” on top of the Christmas tree. This actually was our second time going because it just was extremely packed on Black Friday because it was 70 degrees, and we only saw the parade, but today it was in the low 40s but felt like the 30s at times. (I’m so happy we have a season pass and did not have to pay additional money for our second visit)  As we waited in line out in the cold for about twenty minutes, I thought to myself, “I’d rather not stay” and then tell Quinn, “Baby, it’s cold outside,” but she was just so excited, dancing around and saying, “We’re going to see the Elmo Christmas show, Mommy!” I sure was glad that show was indoors and happily put my two and half year old on my lap to warm up my frozen fingers.  If Quinn was cold, she  must have been so overcome with excitement that it did not bother her as she hugged Bert and Ernie and watched her favorite Sesame Street character, Grover, perform, “Run Rudolph.” Even after the parade, it took a lot of cajoling to get her to leave Sesame Place willingly. If I had to guess, I’d say one of my daughter’s Christmas wishes was fulfilled today, and that makes enduring the cold weather worth it!

All the best,

Tanya

 

 

On the Sixth Day of Christmas My Toddler Gave to Me…Christmas Fun with My Little One

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The tree’s up, the decorations are festive and fun, we partied, and paid a visit to Santa. Now, with just a week to go until Christmas, the feelings of excitement and anticipation are beginning to build for my little girl as well as me. Back in early November, I stumbled upon a Melissa and Doug count-down Christmas tree at Home Goods and just knew it would be perfect for the holiday on multiple levels. Initially, my two and a half year old wanted to put all of the ornaments on the wooden tree, but once I explained to her that we would be counting down the days until Christmas and adding an ornament to the tree once a day, she understood. Now, she eagerly reminds me every day that we need to put an ornament on the tree. I really love this educational Christmas tree because it reinforces the importance of counting, well actually counting down instead of up, which is a skill Quinn is doing quite well with. She is able to count down from ten to zero. It also helps Quinn to understand basic math. Though the days of the week are not present on the tree, she sometimes refers to it as her Christmas tree calendar, which I think is great. I wish I had something like this when I was younger because I was always so excited for Christmas to arrive. Actually, even as an adult, I am still excited for Christmas to arrive and am eager to see the joy on Quinn’s face when she sees the gifts Santa has left her under the “real” Christmas tree.

All the best,

Tanya

On the Fifth Day of Christmas My Toddler Gave to Me…Christmas Fun with My Little One

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Quinn and Santa

Quinn and Santa

This Christmas season has been full of fun. We selected a tree, decorated the house, had fun with decorations and partied with family.  An activity that my daughter definitely enjoyed was paying a visit to the one and only: Santa Claus. Last year, she was just becoming familiar with the jolly, old elf and feared him. It took three separate attempts at different locations to get her to sit next to him for a picture with me sitting with her, of course. But this year, she knows exactly who he is, and loves looking at picture books with Santa or watching a show involving Santa.

Surprisingly, when we went to greet him last week, there was no line, so we just walked right up, and my little two and a half year old was able to converse with Santa for about five minutes. She was so personable and said, “Happy holidays, Santa!” She eagerly answered his questions about whether or not she’s been a good girl and told him that she wants Lambie, Doc McStuffin’s friend for Christmas. Watching her interact with Santa and witnessing her eyes light up put a smile on my face. Quinn is such a big girl, and it is such a gift to her her in my life and to give her some great childhood Christmas memories.

All the best,

Tanya

On the Fourth Day of Christmas My Toddler Gave to Me…Christmas Fun with My Little One

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Quinn Having Fun with Her Cousins at the Christmas Party

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas with selecting the tree, decorating and having fun with decorations. Interestingly, my little girl looked at the festiveness of it all and asked, “Are we  having a party, Mommy?” When I said, “We sure are!” my little two and a half year old began running through the list of potential attendees asking me if they were coming. She was so excited about our holiday party, which was this past Saturday, and she refused to take her nap for fear of missing the party altogether. Then, she managed to stay up to nearly midnight snacking on treats, playing games, chatting with any and everybody and having fun with her cousins. Though she is still young, it pleases me that she is already grasping the importance of family togetherness, especially around the holidays. Seeing her interact with her cousins reminded me of the fun I use to have with my cousins as we all gathered at my grandmother’s home. I hope this is a tradition not just Quinn but all of them come to look forward to because I certainly do.

All the best,

Tanya

On the Third Day of Christmas My Toddler Gave to Me…Christmas Fun with My Little One

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Quinn Wearing the Decorative Boots She Claimed as Her Own

Garland, twinkling lights, sparkly reindeer, glittery candles, snow globes and Santa: this year, my little girl not only loved selecting and decorating the Christmas tree but everything that turns our home into a magical, winter wonderland. Though we’ve been experiencing unseasonably warm weather, one of Quinn’s favorite activities has been parading around in turquoise glittery boots that are actually meant for decoration. For the first week after decorating, she would remove them at least once a day from the dining room table and put her two and a half year old feet in them with a big smile on her face. “Look at my new boots, Mommy!” I’d tell her repeatedly, “These are for decoration, honey.” But in the back of my mind I thought they looked so cute on her and wished they were actual boots she could wear for the holiday. In that moment, she reminded me of when I was little girl and used to happily prance around with silver tinsel garland wrapped around my neck as though I was a movie star with my mom telling me it was for the tree, not me. My little one is adding a lot of fun and sparkle, and I am truly enjoying it.

All the best,

Tanya

On the Second Day of Christmas My Toddler Gave to Me…Christmas Fun with My Little One

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2015-12-14 08.10.27The Christmas season is full of wonderful activities to promote family togetherness that involve my two and a half year old. Yesterday, I posted an entry about her selecting our Christmas tree, so of course I need to post on the actual decorating of the Christmas tree. Last year, Quinn was more of an observer who occasionally tried to take an ornament or two off of the tree until I convinced her that it would hurt our tall, green friend. This year, she actually helped to put many of the ornaments on the tree while Christmas music played in the background. Though she had the tendency to put most of them in the same section, leaving parts of the tree bare, I beamed with excitement as Quinn bopped her head to the music while concentrating on putting the ornaments on the tree. “Look, Mommy! I put a blue one on the tree!” she eagerly informed me. The tree has been up for about two weeks now, and she enjoys stopping by to look at her handy work. “We decorated the tree and did a nice job. Right, mommy!” she says. “We sure did, Quinn!”  What a terrific way to celebrate the holiday with my little girl.

All the best,

Tanya

On the First Day of Christmas My Toddler Gave to Me…Christmas Fun with My Little One

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2015-11-27 11.40.16Christmas has always been one of my favorite holidays, but a few years ago the feeling of sugar plums dancing in my head began to fade. Then my daughter was born, causing me to think about my own childhood memories.  Just the other day she said, “I wish it was Christmas everyday, Mommy! I love Christmas!” A big smile came over my face as the child within me was brought back to life through her words. One of my favorite activities is selecting the Christmas tree, and this was the first year Quinn was able to pick out the one she wanted. The day after Thanksgiving, we went to select our tree.

As soon as we started looking, my little two and a half year old automatically went to the one she knew would be ours.  “I want this tree, Mommy! Can we get this tree, Daddy?” Though this is a simple activity, it is one I appreciate just as much as Quinn. It is more than just selecting a tree; it is about family togetherness and working together as team to pick what we believe is the “best” tree for our home. Also, it gives Quinn an opportunity to feel empowered by picking the tree for the family as she gets our approval. I’m looking forward to this being an annual tradition for our family.

All the best,

Tanya

My Little Girl: The Student (Part 5)

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2015-09-25 12.59.47

Quinn with Her Classmates

“What’s that, Mommy?” is one of my daughter’s favorite inquiries these days. She wants to know everything and wants to know it now! On occasion, after I tell her what something is for the second or third time, she’ll ask again just to be sure then say, “Okay, Mommy!” While my two and half year old may not be in school as yet, she is my little student and is just absorbing everything at such a rapid pace. Like a model student, she is so enthusiastic about learning and wants to impress me by showing me what she’s learned every chance she gets. “Look, Mommy! I’m dancing!” or “Watch me count, Mommy!” Then, there are times when she has yet to learn a skill but believes she is fully capable of doing it without my help and refuses my help causing an ongoing battle. This can be frustrating at times for us both, but it pleases be that she is such a “go-getter,” takes the initiative to learn new tasks on her own and is willing to take chances even when she is unsure of what to do. When the time comes for Quinn to be enrolled in school, I hope she holds on to these attributes. Interestingly, there are times when I feel like Quinn is the teacher, and I am the student because she has taught me so much. Here’s to my little girl the artist, doctor, zoologist and gymnast. May you always be  willing to be a student until you are ready to master all of your many talents.

All the best,

Tanya

My Little Girl: The Gymnast (Part 4)

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Quinn Executing the Perfect Landing

For the third or fourth time, my little girl admonishes me for hovering over her, “No, Mommy! Don’t hold me! I can do it by myself!” Though she only mastered walking about a year and eight months ago, this two and a half year old walks across the balance beam, which is a little over two feet off the floor, with poise and no fear. I’ve been taking Quinn to The Little Gym since she was nine months old, and though she has been shy at times when it comes to interacting with other children and adults, she rarely shies away from doing any of the skills of the day. Every Wednesday, she is eager to go so that she can run, jump, do some log rolls and forward rolls, walk across the balance beam, do some flips on the bars or swing on the rings. She often tells me that she loves to exercise and wants to practice at home, which can make me a little anxious at times as she decides to execute her “landing” from the sofa, her bed or off the stairs.

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Quinn is Ready to Swing in the Rings

It pleases me that Quinn is an active child and wants to go to the gym. It has now been well over a year and a half since we first started going, and she’s truly blossomed and blows me away each time we go. Even with the skills she hasn’t mastered, I am impressed that she does not give up and keeps on trying. Once she has it, she always looks to me with her hand outstretched to give me a high five saying, “I did it, Mommy! Did you see me?” My little girl does so much to put a smile on my face and wonderment in my mind of what she will become. Whether it be an artist, doctor, zoologist or gymnast, I will definitely be her biggest cheerleader!

All the best,

Tanya