Hershey Park Family Fun with Cousins

Hershey park is somewhere my daughter and I have been going since she was a toddler, but for the very first time, we got to have fun with our distant cousins who traveled from Pittsburgh to spend time with us.

My cousin’s sons are much younger, but Quinn and my niece, who’s officially a young adult, had a wonderful time being their “roller coaster ride buddies.” It warmed my heart to see the smiles on all of their faces. When my youngest cousin reached out for my hand to hold, it reminded me of when my now thirteen year old daughter was that young, and it was truly a nostalgia moment.

Having my mom their was the icing on the cake because sadly, my cousin loss her mother about her year ago, and she was my mom’s younger sister. I’m grateful for family and moments such as these. Quinn even suggested making it an annual outing, and I totally agree!

All the best,

Tanya

Starting off Summer Break Fun with the Night Nation Run

It’s the first weekend of my daughter summer break, and we kicked it off with a nighttime race. Unlike the Rocky Run that we did with my best friend, this was more like a celebratory festival with DJ’s, music pumping, lights flashing and people dancing.

In addition to it feeling like a party, this event supported the Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) charity, “a groundbreaking initiative created to accelerate innovative cancer research.” I was so happy that my 13 year old was so excited to participate with my best friend and me.

There’s only a handful of people and things that I stay up way past my bedtime for, and this event with my mini me and bestie was one of them.

All the best,

Tanya

Last Day: The First Chapter of Middle School Ends

Many milestones, achievements and activities happened in this school year. My daughter started middle school, was on student council, continued with playing the violin in orchestra, was inducted into the national juniors honors society and ran track and hurdles for the first time.

I’m so grateful that Quinn had a wonderful experience through academics, the arts, athletics and just building new relationships with classmates and teachers.

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 eighth grade

All the best,

Tanya

Twelve Days to Christmas: A Sweet Christmas Eve at Hersheypark

A wonderful way to celebrate the Eve of Christmas with family is at one of the sweetest places on earth: Hersheypark. With sunny skies, temperatures in the mid forties and a relatively crowd free park, we couldn’t ask for a better day!

We enjoyed our experience from start to finish, and I took on my usual duty as designated bag holder while my daughter Quinn, cousin Ellie and husband got on roller coaster rides. It’s already a merry Christmas with family.

All the best,

Tanya

The Eighth Day of Christmas: A Christmas Story the Musical

Since Quinn was four years old, one of our holiday traditions is going to Walnut Street Theatre to see a play for the holiday season. This year, it was A Christmas Story the Musical. Though my husband and I took my nephew to see it years ago when he was a little boy, it was like seeing it for the first time with my 12 year old daughter. We both loved how they brought the classic movie to the big stage with fun musical numbers. 

As a special treat after the show, I treated Quinn to dinner at Barra Rosa, a lovely Italian restaurant, and we had such a lovely time together talking and enjoying our food. ☺️ I’m so grateful for this tradition and the strengthening our our mother and daughter bond. 

All the best,

Tanya