Though we’ve been experiencing some warm and even hot days for the past couple of months, the start of summer just occurred a couple of days ago, and my daughter and I are both excited to have some fun in the sun. Whether it’s going to the park, the zoo, Sesame Place or just playing in the front yard, the long summer days seem to enhance the level of fun we’re having. This summer is especially special because it is the last one that Quinn will be home with her father and me full-time as she starts school this fall. I’m truly enjoying these moments with my little girl and don’t know what I’d do without them. As the cliche’ phrases go, “She’s only a child once” or “Childhood is fleeting,” so I want to not only have fun with my little girl this summer but to make memories that we’ll both cherish and reminisce about as she gets older. Here’s to a wonderful summer with my little girl!
All the best,
Tanya
It’s official! My daughter and I attended our last parent and child class at the Little Gym last week. Now that she’s three, my big girl will be in class all by herself this upcoming Monday. I remember starting class with her when she was just six months old and just crawling around, giggling and babbling. Now she’s jumping, running and climbing and able to verbalize how she feels and what she’s thinking.
When I asked her what type of class she would like to do for the summer, she excitedly said, “I want to do a dance class, Mommy!” While my little girl loves to dance around the house, makes up her own little fancy moves and is very eager to wear her little tap and ballet shoes, I’m not too sure if she understands that I will not be in the class with her tomorrow. It does, however, it please me to know that she is already familiar with the teacher and really enjoys going to The Little Gym.
“Straps go on the outside!”my three year old exclaims as she reassures herself that she’s putting her sneakers on the correct feet. Those velcro straps come in handy with helping her remember which one goes on which foot. Her Crocs, however, are a different story. She loves wearing them around the house; nevertheless, more times than not, they’re on the wrong feet. Her father or I will tell her, “You need to swap your shoes and put them on the right feet.” To which she typically responds, “They feel fine to me! I love them this way.” She’s even asked, “If they are on the wrong feet, how come I can still walk in them?” Sometimes, I just let her keep them on the wrong feet as long as she’s not tripping around, but it got me thinking about how everyone has their own shoes to fill, even my three year old. Sometimes what everyone knows to be correct may not feel right to her, and what is considered the standard way may not be “the way” for her, especially as she gets older and continues to become her own person. Perhaps this is an example of her ability to “march” to her own tune or even lead the metaphorical marching band rather than follow. I know she will eventually master her right shoe from her left. But the true challenge will be her ability to master right from wrong as she goes through life even if the majority of her friends are headed down the wrong path. Though there is no way of knowing what path she will choose, it gives me comfort knowing that her father and I will be there along the way offering guidance and providing her with some footsteps in which to follow.
Yesterday, my husband, daughter and I stopped my BJ’s Wholesale to pick up some fruit. (They actually have a nice organic selection). While I headed to the fruit section, my husband and three year old cruised up and down the aisles just looking around. After waiting a few minutes in the fruit section and realizing that they weren’t coming, I started searching for them in locations where I thought they’d be, such as the toy and candy section. To my surprise and pleasure, I found them in the book section. Quinn didn’t even notice me for a minute or so as she leafed through pages and begged, “Daddy, can I get this book please!” So I snapped a quick picture of her then said, “There you are are! I was looking for you two.” I composed a couple of blog entries on her love of books and reading, so it truly does please me that even when I’m not present and suggesting that she look at books that she will insist on going to the book section (then of course toys too) on her own, as my husband informed me she did. Here’s to a continued love of books and reading. That’s one item I can’t see myself saying no to my daughter about even if it wasn’t on the original shopping list.
According to 
Mommy's Baby Steps 