For four years before my daughter’s birth, I’ve been hosting a holiday party for my family and friends. Each year, the guest list increases a little, there’s a few more treats, and my twelve year old contributes a bit more.
While we’ve made cookies together in the past, Quinn baked the chocolate chip and Christmas M & M cookies from start to finish, and they were deliciously made with love and a festive spirit.
All the best,
Tanya
What a beautiful coincidence that today is the 13th of December and the thirteenth day of celebrating Christmas with my daughter. Though she jokingly calls me “Nostalgia” from the Inside Out movie for often talking about previous years, I love reminiscing about memories including her, especially the Christmas past.
All the best,
Tanya
Something I look forward to on Christmas is the smile on Quinn’s face and joy in her voice as she excitedly opens her gifts. While she’s not perfect, she is a great student, respectful, and a caring person deserving of a few gifts.
I love the presence of family on Christmas way more than the gifts. Our core unit is relatively small, but that doesn’t stop us from enjoying each other’s company. Seeing Quinn with her cousins is a wonderful present money can’t buy.
All the best,
Tanya
Since Quinn was a toddler, we would make gingerbread houses together, so it was only fitting that we would visit Peddler’s Village for their Gingerbread competition and display.
There were traditional gingerbread houses, 3-dimensional ones and even reproductions of movies and TV shows.
There was something for everyone, and it was a wonderful way to spend part of our Christmas Eve.
Who knows! Maybe we’ll enter the contest next year!
All the best,
Tanya
12 Days of Christmas: Day 11: Santa was happy to be greeted by both Quinn and our toy poodle Zack for furry friends Monday at Willow Grove Mall.
Though Quinn’s getting older, she still happily chatted with Santa and agreed to take a family picture.
Of course, I’m always eager and happy to see Santa and the smiles on both Quinn and Zack’s faces.
All the best,
Tanya
12 Days of Christmas: Day 10: Decorating our outdoor exterior is something I look forward to each year. Upon taking Quinn’s suggestion to enhance our sweet treat them for our Christmas tree, I decided why not do it for outdoors too.
We have quite a few new additions this year, including seven foot nutcrackers, a nine foot pastel tree adorned with lollipops, cupcakes and donuts, giant cupcakes.
I even made giant lollipops and ring pops and my own archway with giant gumdrops, candy garlands and lights.
It brings joy during the day and night, and what makes it even sweeter is people stopping by and sharing how much they love the decorations. 😋🍩🍪🧁🎄
All the best,
Tanya
12 Days of Christmas: Day 9 The Philadelphia Zoo’s Luminature event is one we always look forward to around this time of the year.
Though the cousins weren’t able to join us, my mom did and my husband (Quinn’s dad) did for the first time. This, along with the wondrous lights, hot cocoa and s’more’s, made it a memorable experience. 🥰
All the best,
Tanya
12 Days of Christmas: Day 8: Lola, our Elf on the Shelf, first visited our home a decade ago.
She wasn’t quite sure if Quinn looked forward to her visits until on December 1st Quinn brought to my attention that she didn’t see Lola anywhere.
Even though some traditions may fade as Quinn ages, Lola feels special knowing she had more time to spread Christmas cheer! 🤗🎄🥰
All the best,
Tanya
12 Days of Christmas: Day 7: No school and no work are perks of winter break 🤗.
But I was excited to come to Quinn’s school yesterday to celebrate her and other award winners for their hard work at a cocoa cafe event. What a wonderful way to not only acknowledge the hard work of the students but to kick off winter break.
All the best,
Tanya
12 Days of Christmas: Day 6: For the past seven years, one of our holiday traditions is seeing a okay at Walnut Street Theatre.
This year, it was Elf the Musical. Not only did Quinn and I both thoroughly enjoy the play but we had a wonderful dinner with great conversation afterwards ☺️.
I hope this is a tradition we keep for many years to come.
All the best,
Tany
Mommy's Baby Steps 