Tag Archives: Tanya Harris Franklin

What Would We Do Without Them Wednesday: Family

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2016-03-19 16.16.09

Quinn and Her Big Cousin

“We are family!” Sister Sledge released this song just a couple of years after my birth, and though it has a catchy beat and even says, “Everybody get up and dance,” there’s something touching about the theme of having family. While it was great when it was just my husband and me, becoming a family unit with our daughter, who will soon be three, has been a wonderful feeling and taken our relationship to the next level.

Another line in the song, “I’ve got all my sisters and me” makes me grateful to have my sister and appreciate the relationship that my daughter has with her big cousin, who is more like a sister than a cousin. Quinn’s little face lights up whenever she mentions her cousin’s name or knows she’s going to see her. They’re six years apart, and her big cousin is such a great role model for her. Sadly, I know there will come a time when her cousin will become a teen and may not be interested in hanging out with her little cousin, but until then, which may hopefully not come, I don’t know what I’d do without my sister or what Quinn would do without the close bond she has with her sister/cousin. It’s such a blessing having family.

All the best,

Tanya

Terrific Toy Tuesday: What a Colorful Puzzle!

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A little over a year ago, I posted a blog entry entitled  “50 shades The Complexities of Learning Colors Toddler Style “and how tricky it was teaching my daughter, who was not quite two, colors with the many different shades and combined hues. Now, a year later, she has mastered the many different shades and will even say, “This ball is a mix or blue and green” or “This shirt looks like red, but it’s a dark pink, right Mommy?!”

Though we’ve been going over colors since before she was two and even have a color of the week, I cannot take full credit for Quinn’s ability to distinguish colors. One of her favorite games has been an excellent teacher when Quinn wants to apply what she knows independently. I ordered Preschool Colors through Amazon.com, and it teaches more than colors. It helps Quinn problem solve and learn the names of different items. This is one toy we both really love, and I would recommend to any young child learning colors or who just likes doing puzzles.

All the best,

Tanya

Mommy’s Moments Monday: On the Run With My Little One

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Excited After a Stroller Jog
Relaxing after a Stroller Jog

Since my daughter was just under a month old, she’s been accompanying me a strolls, fast-paced walks and jogs throughout our neighborhood. We get fresh air, she takes in the many sights, observing her environment, and I do the same while getting my heart pumping with some good exercise. We haven’t been on as many stroller outings within the past few months because of the cold weather, but since March, we’ve been going out quite frequently.

It’s been great, and we often stop off to the park, but there’s a major change I noticed in Quinn during our stroller walks and jogs. Last year, Quinn was content with just looking at her surroundings and occasionally offering commentary on what she saw. Though I would have my headphones on with my music at a low decibel, I’d engage her in discussion, asking her, “Do you hear the birds chirping?” “Is that a squirrel I see over there?” “The light is red. That means we need to stop.”

Now, the tables have turned drastically. There’s no need to engage Quinn at all because  she has countless questions and observations for me. “Mommy, the light is green. That means we can go!” “Look, Mommy. That man is walking his doggie. Where are they good no?” “Let’s go faster, Mommy!” No more can I jog with music when I’m with my little girl because I’m too busy listening to the sweet sounds of her voice and amazed with how articulate and observant she’s become within such a short duration of time. It’s moments like this that make me look forward to the occasional run with my little one.

All the best,

Tanya

Spring Has Sprung, and So Has My Little One

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2016-03-18 16.51.14

Enjoying Some Time at the Park

Alas, it’s the first day of spring, and though it doesn’t feel like it here in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, I’m looking forward to this lovely season. The flowers are blooming, the weather is comfortable, and my daughter and I get to spend even more time having fun and doing activities outdoors. Since her birthday is in spring, just about a month and a half away, I’ve found myself reflecting on how much she has blossomed since last year. From her vocabulary expanding everyday, to her height and even how she expresses her emotions more effectively, it’s as though she has sprung up overnight. Here’s to a fun-filled season and watching my soon-to-be three year old continue to blossom into a beautiful, fun and caring little girl.

All the best,

Tanya

What Would We Do Without It Wednesday: All About the Freebies

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Mad Hatter Tea Party
Mad Hatter Tea Party
Mad Hatter Tea Party
Mad Hatter Tea Party
Mad Hatter Tea Party
Mad Hatter Tea Party

Popcorn, cookies, lollipops, juice, water, the Mad Hatter, coloring activities, photo props and the Easter Bunny too: today, my daughter and I enjoyed attending the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party at our local mall. This event was fantastic for my daughter but was totally awesome for me because it was all for free! That’s right, free! Anyone who is a parent or has cared for a child at one point or another knows that it can get quite expensive to provide children with the basic necessities, let alone special treats and outings from time to time.

When I was a little girl, I did not necessarily know the financial obstacles my mother, as a single parent, endured in raising me and my two siblings. One of the reasons may be that she would always find free or low-cost events and activities for us to attend, and I was not focused on the cost just the fun I was having. Though I am not a single parent and am doing okay financially, I still love finding a good bargain and saving money. It gives me such a good feeling knowing that I can put a smile on my daughter’s face and keep a little money in my pocket. What would we do without free events?

All the best,

Tanya

PS. If you are in the Montgomery County, PA area, the Mad Hatter Tea Party will be taking place this Saturday, March 19th as well.

Terrific Toy Tuesday: It’s About That Time!

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2016-03-07 10.01.33

Quinn with her Talking Clock (March 2016)

“Mommy, what time is it?” My little girl inquires as we start our day. Within the past few months, my soon-to-be three year old has become more and more fascinated with the concept of time. Perhaps it has something to do with her father and I setting time limits with different activities and making a conscious effort to maintain a consistent daily schedule. I did a post in June 2015 shortly after Quinn turned two  entitled, “Telling Time with a Toddler” discussing the technique I use to get Quinn to leave the park or wrap up an activity willingly.

Quinn Playing with the Clock at the Park

Quinn Playing with the Clock at the Park (June 2015)

Now, she will inform me, “Mommy, may I have seven more minutes to use the iPad?” or “Let’s get ready for bath in five minutes.”

Since she wants to know what time it is throughout the course of the day and will even estimate what time it is based on the activity we are doing, my sister purchased her Telly the Teaching Time Clock, which comes in either pink and primary colors, for Christmas. Though she still has some years to go before she masters telling time by using the short and long hands, I love how the toy clock will say what time it is as she repositions the clock hands. It has piqued her interest, and Quinn will ask me, “Can we make the clock say 12 o’clock? That means it’s time for lunch!” The clock comes with a digital display as well and even has a setting to quiz a child on the time which I’m sure my little girl will look forward to using as she gets a little older.

It’s great when a toy can be an educational resource and teach a necessary skill as well. There just might be some adults who could benefit from using this talking clock as too.

All the best,

Tanya

Mommy’s “Monday” Moment: She’s Daddy’s Little Girl

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Quinn and Her Daddy

Quinn and Her Daddy

From the first day my little girl was born most people, including my mother, have said, “She looks just like her daddy!” Every once in a while, someone will say that Quinn looks like a combination of the both of us. Either way, there’s no denying that she’s a “daddy’s girl.” I’m so happy that my soon-to-be three year old has such a close bond with her daddy. He even works from home two days a week to care for her on the days when I’m not working from home, which is wonderful. But the way in which she greets us is a clear indication that she is a “daddy’s girl.”

When I arrive home from work, she says, “Hi, Mommy,” gives me a quick hug and will then continue whatever she was doing. Every once in a while, she’ll display a heightened level of excitement to see me. For my husband, on the other hand, she will stop whatever she is doing and excitedly begin chanting, “Daddy, Daddy, Daddy! How was your day, Daddy!” Knowing that there are many children who do not have their fathers in their lives  and wish that they did makes me feel blessed knowing that Quinn has her dad in her life. I am also grateful that he plays such an integral role in her upbringing and has been a good role model. But if I am to be honest, I do occasionally have moments when I wish I had the same bond they have. Though we both can be “fun,” I tend to be the “enforcer” when Quinn is misbehaving or not listening. Is this just the way it is in most relationships where there is a mother and father or parents who automatically assume default roles such as the fun parent and disciplinarian? Some of my friends who have older children or even adult children say this does sometimes shift as children get older. These are just some thoughts I have from time to time. At the end of the day, I’m okay with Quinn being a daddy’s girl, and I am grateful for the bond we have as well, even if it is different than the one she has with her father.

All the best,

Tanya

So Much Fun With My Little One: Easter Bunny Hayride at Linvilla Orchards

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Yesterday’s weather was perfect to have some family fun outdoors, and with Easter a couple of weeks away my husband and I decided to take our little girl, along with my mother, to Linvilla Orchards to take a hayride to meet the Easter bunny. What’s great about Linvilla Orchards is that there is no fee to enter, and even if we did not do the hayride, we would have still had a lovely time.

The actual hayride price was nine dollars apiece, which is not too steep, but I must admit that I was a bit disappointed that all of the passengers, including us, simply remained on the hayride upon arriving at the Easter bunny’s house. Based on the advertisement, I assumed that the fee included walking around for a little while and being able to take pictures with the Easter Bunny in front of his house and to take pictures of the other Easter and spring decorations. Despite my minor disappointment, Quinn was very happy as the Easter bunny and his helpers stopped by to deliver a little goodie bag with some jelly beans, lollipops and other candies along with a high-five or bunny hug. Maybe I’m just a big kid, but I was hoping to get a little good bag too. As I said, it was a nine dollar fee for everyone. They did, however, give everybody the opportunity to snap a photo or two as the Easter bunny went around to visit the passengers, which was nice.

What really helped me to not fret to much over my absent goodie bag was being able to see the farm animals, such as chickens, roosters, goats and sheep, with my family. We actually spent a great deal of time feeding the goats and sheep carrots. Linvilla Orchards also has a fabulous park area for children of all ages. It was tough getting my soon-to-be three year old to leave. Even though it would be nice if we were able to get off go the hayride, overall, we had a great time and will certainly return to Linvilla Orchards for future activities.

All the best,

Tanya

What Would We Do Without it Wednesday: Enjoying the Outdoors with My Little Girl

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2016-03-08 16.54.55Both my daughter and I love spending time outdoors. Though it’s not quite spring, today was absolutely lovely. Of course, my soon-to-be- three year old  enjoys going to the park, but she also likes to explore nature. She wants to run up and down hills, which makes me a bit nervous at times. She points out the clouds, blue sky, squirrels she sees running around and even birds she hears chirping. “Are the birds chirping because they’re happy, Mommy?” she inquires. To which I respond, yes, they may be happy or talking to their friends and family. It’s nice to slow down some and enjoy the simple things and important that we do not take nature for granted. What would we both do without lovely days to explore and enjoy each other’s company?

All the best,

Tanya

Terrific Toy Tuesday: How About A Scoop or Two of Ice Cream?

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2016-01-22 10.09.37

Quinn figuring out which scoop to share and which to keep.

“May I have three scoops of ice cream, please?” I inquire. “Yes you may, here’s one, two, three,” my soon-to-be three year old responds. Ice cream can be more than just a tasty treat. I came to this realization after purchasing an educational toy  for my daughter.  She enjoys pretending to work at the ice cream shop…as long as the scoops of ice cream don’t fall to the floor.

This toy, Learning Resources Smart Snack Rainbow Color Cones, comes with two ice cream cones and ten different ice cream flavor scoops. What I like about the color cones is that it promotes imaginative play, and the interaction is never exactly the same. There are times when Quinn will ask, “What flavor would you like, Mommy?” To expand her vocabulary and cognitive development, I will often specify certain flavors she may not be familiar with, and I can see the wheels turning as she takes a moment to figure out which scoop to give me. “I’d like a scoop of strawberry ice cream,” I say. Quinn, without giving it a second thought, will give me a scoop of the pink ice cream. “May I have one more scoop of strawberry ice cream?” I request. “We’re all out of strawberry. How about some banana?” she suggests, reaching for the yellow scoop.

She also loves stacking the scoops of ice cream and then counting how many she has. Just recently she said, “You can have the ice cream cone with one, two, three, four five, six, seven scoops, and I’ll have the cone with three.”

Though we’re still working on her not getting so upset when an ice cream scoop or two fall to the floor after she’s stacked them high, this toy is a fantastic way for my little girl to learn about colors, counting, sharing and even how to deal with the occasional mishap.

All the best,

Tanya