Going to see Santa is one of our favorite Christmas activities. This year, we excitedly came donning our Santa hats along with our toy poodle Zack. Santa was so impressed with how well-behaved and patient Zack was. These are memoriesI will always cherish.
After attending the Philadelphia Zoo’s Luninature and seeing their gorgeous tree displays, my daughter and I (along with our toy poodle) were eager to get started on our tree.
Big T Money is all decked out with delectable sweet treats like cupcakes, cookies, lollipops, cotton candy, ice cream, etc. If only it was all edible 😋. Perhaps it’s good that it’s not because our treats just might be gone by Christmas.
Something my family looks forward to is getting a Christmas tree, but what made this year a little different was the hike in price! It went from $80 to $120! 😳 My daughter and I have the tradition of naming our tree and settled on Big T Money this year because of the price!
As an English professor, the end of the semester is such a busy time for me, but I’m glad I took a break from paper grading to enjoy the play “Cinderella” with my favorite girl, Quinn. ☺️🥰
Yesterday, my daughter, mother, sister in-law, nieces and I arrived at the Philadelphia Zoo in the evening ready for some amazing sights. While the animals slumbered, the beautiful lights and decorations lit the night’s sky at their annual Luminature event. There was a huge light-up penguin show, a big flamingo tree, shimmer just about everywhere we turned, a sea display and gorgeous Christmas trees, and we were enamored by it all!
What made this evening extra special was watching my daughter and niece’s faces light up as they walked and even raced to the next light display letting out joyous giggles. I’m so grateful for these moments and am glad Quinn expressed interest in going for a third time.
My family is everything to me, and I’m so happy and thankful for a how giving they are. My daughter and husband have both added so much to my life for which I’m grateful. Here’s to another happy Thanksgiving!
Most people associate triple A with vehicle troubles, but I learned this past Friday that that’s not always the case. My fourth grader came home excited to share with me that she was the first of the school year to earn the triple A: All Achievement Award for classroom focus, effort, and desire to learn.
Though I am proud of Quinn, I’m not at all surprised. She loves school and learning so much. But even still, I don’t take her focus, efforts and desire to learn for granted, especially as I struggle to keep many of the college students I teach motivated and encouraged to learn.
I can only hope that she continues to have the intrinsic motivation to learn and put forth her best efforts as a student and person well into adulthood.
While I love autumn and the beautiful colors of the leaves, they eventually find their way on the ground, yard and sidewalk. The nostalgia of jumping in the leaves as a kid and watching my daughter play in the leaves giggling and tossing them everywhere is fleeting.
But there’s new moments which may not be as fun but are memorable. While most nine year olds are glued to their devices and have to be cajoled and pried off the couch to do chores, especially yard work, my nine year old volunteered even without the incentive of earning an allowance. So of course, I decided to give her a little something for working hard and expecting nothing but just wanting to help me. 🥰
Here’s to hoping that she keeps this work ethic well into teenage years. ☺️🤞🏽
I’m glad my daughter loves this time of year and Halloween fun just as much as I do. The Franklin Fright at the Franklin Institute is one of our favorite places to go. It’s even better when our cousins join us.
While her hair and body dangled upside down, there were no screams nor cries. My nine year not only put on a brave but happy face as she got on the twister, a crazy, intense ride for some, at Six Flags Great Adventure.
Would I’ve been fearless enough to get on by myself at Quinn’s age next to all of the teens and adults? I think I would have chickened out without a riding buddy. This makes me so proud of her as I believe this is an indicator of how brave she is and will continue to be in life. Even is she has to go it alone, she is fearless and will let nothing stop her!