Happy First Day! New School, New Grade, New Experiences!

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How is it that my daughter is starting a new school and seventh grade when I vividly remember her starting kindergarten as though it was moments ago? 😅

I asked my twelve year old how she was feeling this morning, and she said a combination of excited and nervous, but more excited about the school year. I too am excited for her as this is her last stop before she enters high school! 😳 Wow! High school!

But before she gets there, I’m grateful that she is entering middle school with the opportunity to continue her educational journey by not only continuing with the core disciplines like math and English but learning a foreign language, financial literacy, cooking skills along with countless extracurricular activities to further establish what she’s good at, enjoys and may even want to pursue when it’s time for high school.

Here’s to a wonderful semester for my tween who continues to make me proud to be her mom.

All the best,

Tanya

“Summing” up “Summer” with Just One Word: Memorable! 🤗

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Many people have uttered the phrase, “time just flew by,” especially when it comes to summer. Even still, if I had to sum up my summer meet with one word, it would be “memorable!”

As days fly by, so do weeks and years, so I’m grateful that my 12 year old preferred to spend her summertime doing activities and just hanging out with me.

Whether it was amusement parks, water parks, the beach, the movies, playing board games or just walking and talking, the memories will remain with me.

While next week around this time, she’ll be back to work, and I’ll be back to work, I don’t find myself longing for a longer summer break because the moments we had together were just perfect.

All the best,

Tanya

Hoping to Capture Cherished Moments in a Bottle

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Upon arriving in Wildwood, NJ to have some fun with our cousins and aunt for a couple days, I took a selfie with my 12 year old to let my husband know we made it there safely. When I looked at the picture and observed how Quinn looked at me, I was filled with joy and hope. Hope that she will always look at me with love, happiness and towards me for guidance as needed.

I knew becoming a mom would change my life, but I didn’t realize how much it would change me into a more confident and assertive person. Perhaps this is what I am becoming because I know this is what she needs and what my hope is for her as she blossoms into an adult, which may seem light years away, but it’s really not. 😅😳🫣

All the best,

Tanya

Go Fly A Kite! Beach Fun with My Daughter 🪁

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The phrase, “Go fly a kite” is an idiom that is used as a way of telling someone to go away or to leave you alone,” yet there’s pleasure that comes from flying a kite and watching the wind carry it up into the sky as you direct it.

As we enjoy the usual family activities at the beach, my 12 year old and I decided to fly a kite together. Since we don’t fly kites often, it was a wonderful opportunity for her to relearn how to get started and to exercise patience as we waited on the wind.

If ever someone should tell you, “Why don’t you just go fly a kite,” maybe you ought to consider it. There’s certainly something magical about the experience.

I hope it’s one my daughter remembers as she gets older.

All the best,

Tanya

At Last: A School Chapter Ends

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I remember being nervous about my daughter leaving her elementary school and starting her new school as a fifth grader. Now, we are somewhat back where we first started, but this time she’s closing her sixth grade chapter and will be officially transitioning to middle school.

Though it was only two years, I know they made an impact on her as she met new friends, teachers and experienced a little of what’s to come as a seventh grader.

I’m so proud of the progress she’s made and look forward to having a wonderful summer with Quinn as we count down til the first day of middle school.

I All the best,

Tanya

Cousins Unite for a Nature Hike

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“Tweenage” years are an interesting time. Some look like children yet behave like teens and “adults,” some look like teens or mini adults yet behave like kids.

While some want nothing to do with adults nor their parents, others still enjoy their company and look forward to interacting.

Regardless, as a parent of a tween, I hope my twelve year old knows that I will love her as “nature” takes its course and hope she never asks me to “take a hike,” except for a fun outdoor adventure with our cousins.

Quinn, our cousins and their furry brothers had a wonderful time today just hiking, feeding the geese and ducks and enjoying each others company.

All the best,

Tanya

It Took Twelve Years to Formally Meet Mister Softee! 🤗

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As a kid growing up in the inner city, Mister Softee, Helado de Coco and the shaved ice guy were staples of the community. The neighborhood kids, including me, would scrape up their money or beg a parent or friend to spot them a dollar or two get get an ice cream cone or popsicle.

Living in a suburb right outside of Philadelphia, my daughter has had limited opportunities to beg for money to get a treat from the ice cream truck and certainly not Mr. Softee.

So when I heard that magical tune in the distance as we relaxed on a bench after our bike ride, I was probably more excited than she was to get her first treat at 12 years old. We were the first to arrive at Mr. Softee’s window as other children and adults began to make their way over. Though Quinn’s ice cream treat was a whopping eight dollars, creating this memory for us both to share was worth it!

All the best,

Tanya

Cue the Violins: First of Last!

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While in the first row and first chair, my daughter was focused and played intently, This will be the last time she performs with the school orchestra as a sixth grader.

I’m so proud of her. In knowing that she has decided to continue playing violin at her next school for seventh and eighth grade, I hope she continues to thrive and has a wonderful experience ahead of her.

All the best,

Tanya

Celebrating My 13th Mommyversary!

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As I celebrate my thirteenth “mommyversary,” I’m feeling luckier than ever to have a daughter like Quinn. While I will miss her as my little girl, I welcome her last year as a tween and how much of a positive influence she’s had on my life even as a child.

I’ve become more assertive as I advocate not just on her behalf but my own. I’ve become even more conscientious about my health to lead by example and to be around and active with Quinn.

Somehow, holding her in my arms as a baby simultaneously seems like it was yesterday and light years away, but the feeling of being a mother and loving my daughter unconditionally continues to grow and evolve into something beyond measure.

All the best,

Tanya