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
I love spending time with my daughter, and we both love watching certain shows on Netflix, so checking out the Netflix House in King of Prussia Mall during her Thanksgiving break was the perfect outing to celebrate her perfect streak of earning straight A’s since first grade.
We had such a fun time playing nine holes of miniature golf featuring Is It Cake, Squid Games and Stranger Things, just to name a few. We’re definitely considering going back for their virtual reality series.
All the best,
Tanya
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
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
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
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
“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
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
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.
All the best,
Tanya
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.
All the best,
Tanya
Mommy's Baby Steps 