On the Seventh Day of Christmas, My Daughter Gave to me… A Big Smile Having a Mini Me. I’m so Grateful my eight year old still loves dressing alike, especially around the holidays.
All the best,
Tanya
On the Sixth Day of Christmas, My Daughter Gave to me… A Fun and Memorable Picture with Santa. Last year, was the first time in six years that Quinn did not get a picture with Santa. It wasn’t because she didn’t want to, but the Covid restrictions prevented it.
So this year, she was very excited to see Santa in person and to bring along her little brother and furry best friend, Zack. We both were surprised at how well he did. I was probably just as excited as Quinn to see Santa and take a picture once more.
There’s something magical and memorable about interacting with him and hearing his jolly voice in person. I’m so glad we were able to continue one of our Christmas traditions this year.
All the best,
Tanya
On the Fifth Day of Christmas, My Daughter Gave to me… Joy Reminiscing About Christmas Memories. Christmas, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year,” is what the song says, and I totally agree and always felt this way since I was a little girl. Not just because of receiving gifts, but family togetherness and doing activities together during our winter break.
I love to decorate the house and display Christmas pictures from the past, and Quinn loves looking at them and talking about those moments. Rarely is it about the toy or doll she received. It’s more about the time we spent together having fun.
It’s hard to believe that my baby will be nine in about five months, so I’m so grateful for the moments we have together and the ability to reminisce about them through pictures or even entries from my blog.
All the best,
Tanya
On the Fourth Day of Christmas, My Daughter Gave to me… Excitement in Finding Lola the Elf on the Shelf. Lola has been visiting our home for the past few years now, and Quinn always looks forward to it. She even told me a few days before December that Lola would be returning soon and that she couldn’t wait to find her.
She was so excited and asked to take a picture before opening it. Little did I know, Quinn was collecting the small packets of Reese’s pieces and gave me six today to help me get through grading that last stack of research papers. They tasted even sweeter than I hoped.
So far, Lola has found a few cool places to hide and loves having wardrobe changes too. I wish I had an Elf come check on me from Santa’s Workshop in the North Pole when I was younger.
All the best,
Tanya
On the Third Day of Christmas, My Daughter Gave to me… Appreciation for Sharing Holiday Countdown Candy. I’ve always loved Reese’s candy, whether they’re pieces or cups. So when I came across this candy countdown calendar at Hershey Park, I had to have it as a special treat to myself.
However, when December 1st came, my eight year old said, “I wish I a had one because I love Reese’s too!” Even though she had the chance to get her own when we were there and I was really looking forward to having a sweet treat each day to help get me through grading papers, I decided to give my candy to her.
She was so excited and asked to take a picture before opening it. Little did I know, Quinn was collecting the small packets of Reese’s pieces and gave me six today to help me get through grading that last stack of research papers. They tasted even sweeter than I hoped.
All the best,
Tanya
On the Second Day of Christmas, My Daughter Gave to me…a new candy theme for our Christmas tree. For the past few years, our Christmas tree theme has been including pink, purple and blue. But this year, my eight year old and I decided to do something new while still incorporating some of our existing ornaments.
We both gave it some thought, and while at Hershey Park with my sister and niece having fun at their holiday events, we simultaneously thought of doing a sweet treat theme. Many of our new ornaments actually came from Hershey Park’s Christmas store, and they all looked so delectable as we put them in the treat.
Quinn was excited to hang up the cookies, cupcakes, cotton candy and ice cream cones. “Imagine if these were all real!” she exclaimed as she hung the oversized gum drop. I really love our new theme and do kind of wish some of the treats were real.
All the best,
Tanya
When I saw my eight year old daughter and one and a half year old dog walking together, I couldn’t help but snap their picture and take a little video of them both running towards me. Yes, Quinn has walked Zack by the leash before, but lately, she’s shown a greater interest in helping out with him, and he most certainly enjoys his big sis.
These two are peas in a pod and love each other, but sometimes they squabble like siblings when Quinn sits in his bed or Zack tries to steal her blanket or leftover crumbs from the table after breakfast or dinner.
But something else I see is how they both can bring out the best in each other. Zack is protective over Quinn and is always happy to see her. Quinn has matured more each day and regularly helps to take care of her little bro. Seeing these two grow up together really puts a smile on my face.
All the best,
Tanya
On the first day of Christmas, my daughter gave to me…the gift of picking out our Christmas tree! This is one Christmas tradition with both love. This year, we did, however, break tradition. My family decided to vote. My husband wanted a less fluffy tree, and my eight year old wanted a shorter, less fluffy tree. Even though I prefer getting the tallest tree possible that almost scrapes our ceiling, seeing Quinn’s eyes light up when she found the tree she wanted made me feel merry.
All the best,
Tanya
Yesterday, my daughter and I had a great holiday adventure at Six Flags with friends and had a terrific time. Though there was a chill in the air, it wasn’t extremely cold and didn’t stop Quinn and her friend from getting on rides high in the sky embracing all of that open air.
Though Christmas is still twenty days away, taking pictures, seeing all of the twinkling lights in the night’s sky, enjoying each other’s company, hearing the girls laugh and happily run to the different rides while my friend and I sipped on hot cocoa definitely put us all in the holiday spirit. It’s moments like this that make the great adventure of parent hood magical and memorable.
All the best,
Tanya
At Quinn’s last wellness appointment this past May, she was delighted when the doctor told her, “No shots this time around.” But this past Friday, she was excited and counting down the days. The week prior she even reported that one of her classmates already got his and that she couldn’t wait to get hers. The day before getting her shot, she asked her dad and me how ours felt. We both said it was like a pinch. So she was ready to take it like a champ.
When the day finally arrived, I picked her up from school, and we drive to the vaccination site about twenty minutes away. It was cold outside, so I had the heat on full-blast not realizing that I was “roasting” Quinn. When we were a few minutes away, she started taking off her jacket and telling me she was hot. Upon arriving and having the nurse take her temperature from the car, Quinn had a 100.7 degree temperature, and I was beside myself wondering if she wouldn’t be permitted to get vaccinated.
Both Quinn and I a looked at each other with nervousness, and me with disappointment. Could we make it this far with Quinn being well and then turned away? Luckily, the nurse could feel the extra warmth coming from the car and suggested that Quinn walk around outside for a few minutes before retaking her temperature. For the second reading it was right at 97.6 degrees, and I was bubbling over with joy inside.
Quinn had a little grimace as she got her shot but reported that it was just a little pinch like we said. Then she told me, “I don’t know why, but I feel so happy getting my Covid vaccine shot!” When I asked her what the shot means to her, she said getting back to normal, no masks and getting to have more fun with my family and friends. Then she said, “I guess that’s why I’m happy.” She couldn’t wait to show off her sticker and Tweety Bird bandage to her dad when we got home. No side effects except a little arm soreness, and she’s already talking about the second dose.
Why does seeing my daughter get vaccinated make me even happier and excited than when I did? She’s the future, and I look forward to her having a normal childhood where she can enjoy her family and friends with limited restrictions.
All the best,
Tanya
Mommy's Baby Steps 