8 years, 10 months.

Dear Holly,

Last week Mommy traveled to California to spend some time with Grandma in Sacramento. Apparently, it is customary that because you are still a little girl, you definitely are still entitled to a souvenir every time she leaves the state of Alabama.

Even though you already had 8 other Warmies (microwaveable stuffed animals that smell like lavender when you heat them up), you needed another: This time, a hamster.

Before you left for school yesterday morning, you made sure your new hamster was all set up for the day: He watched TV and ate popcorn until you got home.

It is not uncommon for me to discover your Warmies throughout the house; staged like real life animals and/or babies.

I love being your dad.

Love,

Daddy