Tag Archives: Tanya Harris Franklin

Mommy’s “Must Have” Monday (Spanish for Kids)

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2015-11-09 08.54.58

Quinn Watching the Spanish DVD

As a parent, I want the best for my daughter. I want her to be well-rounded and to have fun learning. I also want her to embrace diversity and be versatile as an adult. English is my first language, so I was looking for a resource to assist me with teaching my daughter Spanish when she was just about a year old, I purchased a Spanish for Kids: Early Language Learning System through Amazon. Though some people may scoff at the hefty price of $64.99, it comes with four DVD’s, a music CD, a book, flashcards, games and apps. When I first opened the package, I was expecting it to have a better presentation for the money, but once I got beyond judging it by its cover and began playing the DVD’s and following up with the flashcards with my little girl, we both were hooked. The DVD’s are entirely in Spanish, but Quinn knows what is going on from the context clues.

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Quinn Showing off Her Spanish Skills

Now, it is a year and a half later, and I am very impressed with my daughter’s Spanish vocabulary. While she does not always pronounce the words correctly, she can identify several animals, body parts, household items, colors and numbers and loves singing along with some of the songs, especially “Caminemos de puntitas.” I actually think this would be an excellent resource for a teenager or even an adult who wants to learn Spanish. This is definitely one of mommy’s must-haves!

All the best,

Tanya

Here’s a little video of Quinn displaying her skills:

 

Bounce with Me Big Girl!

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Two weeks ago, I posted a blog entry about how much fun my little girl has jumping on the bed. She’s full of energy, giggly, and whenever she’s in a “I’m two and a half and I’ll whine if I want to mood,” jumping around always puts a smile on her face. I ended the post saying, “One of the ways to counter a tough day or to get rid of some negative energy is to kick off our shoes, jump around, be silly and laugh.” Yesterday, we were able to do just that at my niece’s first birthday party at Bounce U.

Admittedly, I was just as excited if not more excited than Quinn as we bounced around together, climbed through obstacle courses, up ladders and slid down the huge sliding boards. I got a good sweat going, had a heart rate of 164 at one point, according to my Fitbit, which was actually a plus for me. I got to have fun with my daughter while working out. Now that’s an idea: a facility that has parent and child trampoline and bouncing workouts, not just for birthday parties. I’d love it if my little girl and I could do something like this once, twice or even three times a week. I think she would love it too because it was tough getting her to “bounce” on out of there when it was time to go home.

All the best,

Tanya

Snow Much Fun with My Little One

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2016-01-23 16.42.51I hate snow! I’m not stepping one foot outside of my house! What’s there to love about snow? I have to get out there and shovel! These are some of the comments I’ve seen from people on social media, and I couldn’t disagree more. While I don’t necessarily like the short fuses many people have over parking spaces and getting stuck behind that person who is afraid and doesn’t know how to navigate in the snow, I do enjoy having fun with my daughter and the exercise that I can get out in the snow.

About a week and a half ago, we had some flurries, and my two and a half year old’s eyes widened as she excitedly asked if we could go sledding outside. She was so disappointed when I told her there just wasn’t enough snow, so yesterday when we got our first real snowfall, two feet of snow (maybe a little more), Quinn could not wait to go outside and use her sled for the first time.  We both put on our snow gear, headed outside with her little sled and we both had a blast. She had fun slipping and sliding and giggling, and I got a little exercise pulling her up and down the block.

Now, we both are looking forward to the snow stiffening up some so that we can build a snowman together. I’m hoping this can be one of our activities this week. I could easily join the masses of people who hate snow, but the love and excitement my daughter has makes that difficult to do. I am so thankful that she brings out the child in me and lets me have fun in the snow, even when I’m shoveling it.

All the best,

Tanya

One Little Toddler Jumping on the Bed!

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Quinn Having A Blast Jumping on the Bed

Who doesn’t know about the five little monkeys jumping on the bed? If you grew up in the 90s, you probably got hype to the hit song “Jump” by Kriss Kross or “Jump Around” by House of Pain. There’s something fun and exhilarating about jumping, and my two and a half year old has known this even before she could walk. Almost every day she’ll ask, “Can we go to Mommy and Daddy’s room and jump on the bed?” On many occasions, she is more excited to do this than to play with her toys. Her laugh and smile are infectious, and whenever she’s having a rough day, jumping around, having fun and being silly immediately sends any frowns or tears on their way leaving a big smile on my face too.

I actually think companies are getting hip to this idea of the positive energy that comes from jumping around. More and more trampoline and bounce places are popping up, and more and more people are jumping at the chance to pay them a visit and have some fun. In many of my posts, I talk about how my little girl is constantly teaching me something new. In this instance, she has taught me that everything in life does not and should not be serious. One of the ways to counter a tough day or to get rid of some negative energy is to kick off our shoes, jump around, be silly and laugh.

All the best,

Tanya

Mommy’s Little Girl Is Not Too Little for Chores

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Quinn helping wash dishes
Quinn helping wash dishes
Quinn helping wash dishes
Quinn helping wash dishes
Quinn helping wash dishes

On October 17, 2014, when my little girl was just 17 months, I posted a blog entry entitled, “Not Too Little for Chores Baby!”  about how eager she was to help me sweep, so I got Quinn her very own broom and dust pan set. Now, my two and a half year old still loves it and will even run to get her broom if she sees crumbs on the floor.

Since she was two, she started displaying interests in helping me wash the dishes. At first, I was hesitant at allowing her to help because I just wanted to get the task done quickly and figured she’d just make more work for me. I could have easily had her help me put the dishes in the dishwasher, but when there’s just a few dishes, my husband or I just wash them in the sink which is what Quinn wanted to do.

Within the past couple of weeks, I decided to provide her with a little “dishpan” of her own and let her wash the fork and plate she uses for meals. She actually does a great job with her little sponge and wanted to keep washing the same fork and plate over and over again as I continue washing the main dishes.

It really pleases me that my little girl views what some kids and adults may consider “chores” or “work they dread doing” as fun activities. “Can I help wash dishes again?” she will eagerly ask as she sees me or her dad preparing the water in the sink. I truly do hope she will continue to be excited to help her mommy and daddy around the house and have fun doing it well into her teens.

All the best,

Tanya

Reflections on 2015 with My Little Girl

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Quinn Helping in the Snow
Quinn with Grover
Quinn Pointing at the Black Bear
Quinn Making Her Demands Known
Quinn Sneaking a Chip
Quinn Sorting Bowls

While it’s only natural to look forward to what 2016 has to offer, I’d like to reflect on some of the wonderful moments I’ve experienced with my little girl. It was just about two years ago that I started this blog to not only chronicle my moments as a new mother but her moments as she grows and discovers the world. In 2015, I surpassed my goal of posting one entry a week to highlight a mommy and daughter moment and did a total of 77. Of course, each post is near and dear to me, but some of my favorite posts from 2015 are as follows:

Mommy’s Little Snow Angel (Posted on February 1, 2015): This post allowed me to reflect on my own childhood memories as my little girl, who was 20 months at the time, enjoyed going out into the snow and even helped me shovel.

Blue is the New Red: Move Over Elmo! It’s Super Grover to the Rescue! (Posted on February 8, 2015): My little girl, even at 21 months, does not follow the crowd. As most children gravitate towards Elmo from Sesame Street, she absolutely adores Grover. It’s almost a year later, and that is still the case.

50 Shades: The Complexities of Learning Colors Toddler Style (Posted on March 1, 2015): At 22 months, my little girl was on her way to mastering colors, which can be tricky when it comes to the different shades of colors.  When I posted this entry, I was confident that she would be fine but was still looking for ways to help her progress. It appears that time was just the answer. Now, she knows all different shades and may hesitate a little when she sees a yellowish-green color wondering if it is yellow or green.

A Chip Out the Big Bowl: Toddlers, Parties and Healthy Foods Don’t Mix (Posted on March 22, 2015): This was one of my highest viewed posts of 2015, and it is probably because my family got a kick out of my little girl tossing aside her organic, healthy treats from some potato chips at my aunt’s 60th birthday party. In that moment, Quinn taught me that I cannot always be so rigid and have to loosen up occasionally with her eating habits.

Cooking Up Some Teachable Moments (Posted on May 24, 2015): My little girl had just turned two years old a few weeks prior to this post, and it is a memorable one for me because it reminds me of helping my mother in the kitchen when I was younger. Even today, Quinn knows the terminology and will see, we need the ingredients and measuring cups mommy. Where is the recipe? I am hopeful that she will continue to show interest in cooking and can learn from it too.

The No-Gotiator:  How to Get a Toddler to Compromise (Posted on July 5, 2015): It’s nearly a half year later since I posted this entry, and I find myself still fine-tuning some of my techniques as my little girl fine-tunes hers and becomes more strong-willed and determined to get what she wants. Even with the fine-tuning, I am confident that the time is near when my little “no-gotiator” becomes more willing to comply.

There are so many more posts that I thoroughly enjoyed composing, but I’d like to save some on which to reflect when my little girl turns three, which is in just four months.

When people say, “Where did the time go?” I definitely can relate to that statement, but having these blog entries is a wonderful way to reflect back on memorable times as a mommy with my little girl.

All the best,

Tanya

A Happy New Year with My Little Girl

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Countdown Until Noon at The Please Touch Museum
Countdown Until Noon at The Please Touch Museum
Quinn Bringing in the New Year

Yesterday, December 31st, my husband and I took our little girl and her big cousin to the Please Touch Museum to bring in the new year for their countdown until noon event. While this was an enjoyable family outing, we had differing opinions as we planned out bringing in the new year with his brother, sister-in-law and family. He was certain that our two and a half year old would be sleep by 11:00 pm or would grow cranky causing us to depart before “the ball dropped,” especially since she did not get her usual nap. I, on the other hand, had confidence that with her being one year older from last year, she would eagerly bring in the new year with her mommy, daddy and family.

Quinn proved that a lot can change within a year. Upon arriving at the home of my brother-in-law, it took her about a half hour to become comfortable with some of the new faces she saw, but once she did, she was up and ready to celebrate. Donning the party hat she selected and showing off her new horn blowing skill she had mastered hours earlier, my little girl cheerfully welcomed 2016. She even went around saying happy new year to everybody and even asked to call her Nana to say “Happy New Year!”

Yes, my daughter instantly fell asleep once she was in her car seat, but the glimmer in her eyes was not just a sign of hope but reminded me that anything is possible when you put your mind to it. When I think of how much she has grown since bringing in 2015 until now, I do wonder how much she will grow and evolve this year. I am so happy and blessed that I was able to bring in the new year with my husband, daughter and family. Here’s to a wonderful 2016!

All the best,

Tanya

Having a Happy Kwanzaa with My Little One: Umoja (Unity)

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2015-12-26 17.22.24b

Quinn Demonstrating Umoja by Becoming a Part of the Ceremonial Dance

Kwanzaa is a week long celebration which celebrates and honors African heritage in African American cultures, and it pleases me that this is the third year my two and a half year old has attended a Kwanzaa celebration. Though my daughter initially clung to my husband and me this evening, she was a shining example of Umoja the first day of Kwanzaa, which means unity.

Part of the evening involved gaining some historical knowledge about Kwanzaa along with different aspects of African heritage. One of the people offering insight also performed a ceremonial African dance with roots from Mali. My daughter was captivated by the woman’s movements, so when she extended her hand to Quinn, she surprisingly took it without hesitation, even with the huge crowd of onlookers. Perhaps she could feel her positive energy and knew she would not do her harm. Maybe she was just moved by the familial setting and togetherness of so many people.

The woman remarked on how brave Quinn was and how we can all learn from her. In knowing how shy my daughter can be, I was astonished at how she stepped out of her comfort zone to unite with someone she did not even know. My little one actually played a significant role in getting some of the adults out of their seats to actively participate in the celebration. Quinn reinforced the importance of how bravery is sometimes essential to establish unity among people. Sometimes extending a hand with a welcoming smile is enough to make a person want to unite. It worked for Quinn!

All the best,

Tanya H. Franklin

On the “Actual” Day of Christmas My Toddler Gave to Me…Christmas Fun with My Little One

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2015-12-25 07.28.02

Quinn Enjoying Her Christmas Present: Lambie from Doc McStuffins

On the “actual” day of Christmas, my toddler gave to me joy selecting a Christmas tree,  memorable moments decorating, festive and fun goofing around, partying all night, excitement while visiting Santa Claus, counting down the days, happiness at Sesame Place, bonding time making our own tree, befriending Santa’s elf on the shelf, creating a chocolate cookie candy train, receiving messages from the North Pole, baking cookies for Santa Claus and witnessing the happiness in my daughter’s eyes!

This Christmas day, my two and a half year old woke up at 6:37 am, which is around the time she usually wakes up, but today she knew it was Christmas and asked, “Did Santa come, Mommy?” I told her, “Let’s go see!” “Wow, look at all these presents, Mommy! How did Santa get them here? Where did he get them from? Did he go to the store?” My inquisitive little girl was full of questions. “May I open one please, Mommy?” With each gift she opened, the excitement continued to build, and when she finally got to the one gift she asked Santa for when she visited and took a picture with him, she was so happy. “Mommy, Santa got me Lambie! I asked for Lambie when I talked to Santa!”

What made me a proud mommy is that with each gift Quinn opened, she thanked her father and me and asked if she could thank Santa too. She also gave me the opportunity to be a big kid and play with some of her gifts with her. After a morning filled with fun and what felt like never-ending playtime, we both took a nap and then had a wonderful time with our relatives. Watching Quinn interact with her cousins was reminiscent of the fun times I had with my siblings and cousins.

Before she dozed off on the car ride home a little before 11:00 pm, my husband and I asked her how was her Christmas, and she said, “It was great! I got Lambie, saw family (she actually named everyone) and had a good day!” What a wonderful way to spend the Christmas holiday. Here’s to many years to come counting down the days of Christmas with my little girl!

Happy Holidays,

Tanya H. Franklin

On the Twelfth Day of Christmas My Toddler Gave to Me…Christmas Fun with My Little One

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2015-12-24 12.25.44

Quinn is Ready to Bake Cookies for Santa

On the twelfth day of Christmas, my toddler gave to me joy selecting a Christmas tree,  memorable moments decorating, festive and fun goofing around, partying all night, excitement while visiting Santa Claus, counting down the days, happiness at Sesame Place, bonding time making our own tree, befriending Santa’s elf on the shelf, creating a chocolate cookie candy train, receiving messages from the North Pole and baking cookies for Santa Claus!

One of my favorite Christmas activities since I was a young child is baking Christmas cookies for Santa with my siblings and mother. Now, it feels wonderful to continue that tradition with my two and a half year old daughter. Even though I do like preparing the cookies from scratch, sometimes Quinn loses interest when we are baking, so to ensure that it was a fun and quick activity for her, we used the pre-made Pillsbury sugar cookies and a cookie pan with the shapes already cut out.

To make baking cookies for Santa memorable for my little girl and to establish our own Christmas Eve tradition, we used a special plate just for Santa that Quinn’s auntie purchased for her, and I gave her a little red apron that says, “Santa’s Little Helper” to make her feel special and like a real baker.

Quinn’s favorite part, which was mine too when I was younger, is putting sprinkles on the cookies and, of course, having a cookie or two to make sure they are perfect for Santa.

Happy holidays,

Tanya H. Franklin

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Quinn Making Sure Santa’s Cookies Are Tasty