My Daughter Always Amazing Me through Her Strengths

Every day I’m amazed by the person my daughter is becoming. Though she’s only twelve, she’s developed an interest in fitness and joins me at the gym every Sunday. I love our bonding time and am amazed at how quickly she has grown and caught on.

I would like to think that she’s gotten her strength partly from me, but she’s gotten her drive to challenge herself from deep within. I’m so proud of the person she’s becoming.

All the best,

Tanya

Rocky Run 5K Done! She Went the Distance!

One of the reasons I post about my fitness journey is to hopefully inspire others, but today, it was my mini me who left me feeling inspired. Quinn, a 12 year old, boldly ran in the Rocky Run 5K a race with over 30,000 people, predominantly adults 😅. Think I might’ve felt a bit intimidated at her age, but she smiled, was in the zone and had a great time the entire way.

Not only was she determined to cross the finish line, but she maintained the pace she set for herself and demonstrated what hard work, commitment and dedication is all about! 

This is not the first time that Quinn has left me in awe and certainly will not be the last, but today she was definitely my inspiration! She went the distance!

Best,

Tanya

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

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! 🤗

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

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 🪁

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

Cousins Unite for a Nature Hike

“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