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.
“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.
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!
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.
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.
Though most consider becoming a teenager a milestone, I think turning twelve is just as significant. It’s the last year of being a tween and many changes are coming or already happening.
I’m so happy to celebrate my daughter’s 12th birthday as she continues to grow into a lovely young lady. She truly deserves a dozen roses for being such a great kid and person.
Here’s to many more birthdays to come because each one is special.
For the first time, my eleven year old daughter and I traveled abroad for her spring break. We chose the Dominican Republic, the same resort where I married her father, and had an amazing time.
While the pool, food and experiences, especially swimming with the dolphins, were memorable, our heart to heart mother daughter talks added an extra special element.
I’m so grateful for our bond and having extra time together and hope this is the beginning of a new tradition.
Yesterday, my daughter was overjoyed as we entered the dental office because she was getting something she’s wanted for the past two years: braces! For the most part, her teeth are straight with a minor cross bite and under bite on one side, but it was enough to warrant braces. I still recall when I got braces at 13, which was two years older than Quinn.
My teeth were in dire need of braces, but I was still a bit resistant to wearing them because of the taunting and name calling I endured from my sister and a few classmates 😩. Quinn, on the other hand, welcomed getting braces and had a big smile before and after. She spent the last week leading up to getting braces doing thorough research regarding what she’s permitted to eat and how to take care of them, which definitely impressed her orthodontist and me.
I have a feeling that braces will do more than just straighten Quinn’s teeth, but they will give her an opportunity to exercise self-control and discipline as she must resist food and treats she enjoys and responsibility when it comes to maintaining and brushing her teeth.
Here’s to a new milestone as I keep taking baby steps into motherhood.
Yesterday, I witnessed a wonderful display of integrity in action. My eleven year old and I pulled up to the local supermarket to do a little shopping, and she spotted a wallet near our parking spot. Without me saying a word, she immediately said, “Mommy, I found a wallet. We should take it in the store and give it to customer service.”
Upon handing me the wallet, I looked through it for an ID to track down the owner, but there was none: just a good amount of cash and some insurance cards. Quinn, who’s such a great critical thinker, suggested that we see if a name or address is on one of the insurance cards. Lo and behold, there was!
We saw that the address was nearby, so we decided to take the wallet to the person. Unfortunately, no one was home, and we were concerned about leaving the wallet in plain sight since there was no screen door or mail slot, so we hid it under a decorative rock with children’s handprints.
Once we got home, I was just concerned that the person never locate the hidden wallet. Then Quinn suggested that I call the insurance company to see if they could call the owner since I took a picture of the information. When I called, the representative said that she actually knows the person personally and would let them know.
The person called me back and expressed their gratitude and how wonderful it is that there are people who still go out of their way to be kind. I quickly let them know that it was my daughter who not only found the wallet but came up with ways to get it back to them.
Though most would hope to get a reward, Quinn never asked about one and was just happy to hear how grateful the person was. I simply was glad to witness how much integrity and kindness my daughter has. It’s a priceless quality.
Imagine getting an opportunity to see what’s at work beneath the surface as it pertains to humans. Not just skeletons, but organs ranging from hearts, lungs, livers and everything else found in a human body. This was my family’s experience at The Franklin Institute’s Body World’s exhibition today. (In accordance with the guidelines, I won’t post any pictures of the actual body exhibit, just posters)
Years ago, I attended a similar event, but observing the wonder and intrigue of my daughter and her best friend who accompany us allowed me to fully embrace the exhibition from a new perspective.
While I’m by no means perfect, I do try my best to take care of my body in knowing this is the only place I will always live while I’m living. As Quinn asked questions and made observations about preserved organs that may have been impacted by disease, ailments and just the process of aging, I thought about what else I could be doing to help my body, including all of its organs to live a long and healthy life.
There were many informational posters, some containing quotes, and what most of them had in common is the idea that while exercise and proper nutrition are essential, so is happiness. As an adult, I understand this concept and truly hope that Quinn embraces it now and for years to come.
Mommy's Baby Steps 