Tag Archives: Fun

Go Fly A Kite! Beach Fun with My Daughter šŸŖ

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The phrase, ā€œGo fly a kite” is an idiom that is used as a way of telling someone to go away or to leave you alone,ā€ yet thereā€™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 donā€™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, ā€œWhy donā€™t you just go fly a kite,ā€ maybe you ought to consider it. Thereā€™s certainly something magical about the experience.

I hope itā€™s one my daughter remembers as she gets older.

All the best,

Tanya

Cousins Unite for a Nature Hike

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ā€œTweenageā€ years are an interesting time. Some look like children yet behave like teens and ā€œadults,ā€ 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 ā€œnatureā€ takes its course and hope she never asks me to ā€œtake a hike,ā€ 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

It Took Twelve Years to Formally Meet Mister Softee! šŸ¤—

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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. Softeeā€™s window as other children and adults began to make their way over. Though Quinnā€™s ice cream treat was a whopping eight dollars, creating this memory for us both to share was worth it!

All the best,

Tanya

A Dozen Years of Birthdays with Many More to Come

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Though most consider becoming a teenager a milestone, I think turning twelve is just as significant. Itā€™s the last year of being a tween and many changes are coming or already happening.

Iā€™m so happy to celebrate my daughterā€™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.

Hereā€™s to many more birthdays to come because each one is special.

All the best,

Tanya

Fun Seeing How the Body Works

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Imagine getting an opportunity to see whatā€™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 familyā€™s experience at The Franklin Instituteā€™s Body Worldā€™s exhibition today. (In accordance with the guidelines, I wonā€™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 Iā€™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 Iā€™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

Bowled Over with Super Memories! Fly Eagles, Fly! šŸ¤—šŸ’ššŸ¦…

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Today, my daughter and I created a wonderful memory with countless of Philadelphia Eagles fans! After celebrating their Super Bowl win this past Sunday, we cheered, chanted and sung the Eagles fight song as we attended the Eagles parade!

Initially, I was a bit concerned about the overwhelming crowds, but that anxious feeling disappeared as the positive energy of fans far and wide filled the atmosphere. No one cared about your political views or the color of your skin, as long as you were an Eagles fan šŸ’š. Iā€™m so glad we decided to go rather than watch on television. Itā€™s a memory that will stay with us always.

E-A-G-L-E-S Eagles! Go Birds! Hoping we can celebrate like this again very soon.

All the best,

Tanya

Christmas ā€œPresentsā€ of 2024

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Something I look forward to on Christmas is the smile on Quinnā€™s face and joy in her voice as she excitedly opens her gifts. While sheā€™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 doesnā€™t stop us from enjoying each otherā€™s company. Seeing Quinn with her cousins is a wonderful present money canā€™t buy.

All the best,

Tanya

The Twelfth Day of Christmas: 2024

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Since Quinn was a toddler, we would make gingerbread houses together, so it was only fitting that we would visit Peddlerā€™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 weā€™ll enter the contest next year!

All the best,

Tanya

The Ninth Day of Christmas: 2024

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12 Days of Christmas: Day 9 The Philadelphia Zooā€™s Luminature event is one we always look forward to around this time of the year.

Though the cousins werenā€™t able to join us, my mom did and my husband (Quinnā€™s dad) did for the first time. This, along with the wondrous lights, hot cocoa and sā€™moreā€™s, made it a memorable experience. šŸ„°

All the best,

Tanya