Dear Jack: Watching Your Sister’s Dance Recital

Dear Jack,

14 years, 7 months.

This past Saturday, our family attended your sister’s long-awaited dance recital. We knew going into it that it was going to be at least as long as a Star Wars movie- and that’s not counting the fact we arrived an hour and 20 minutes early, to ensure we got decent seats.

As you sat next to me the entire time, I recognized that you and I were sharing the same perception of reality:

To our surprise, we actually found it to be a bit of a relaxing, therapeutic experience.

It’s funny to think we spent so much time watching a bunch of other girls we didn’t know doing their dance routines for their families, yet we didn’t mind it.

We just felt the vibe and went with it.

Love,

Daddy

Dear Holly: Your Warmies are Taking Over!

9 years old.

Dear Holly,

Each night as I tuck you into bed, I can’t help but laugh at the absurdity of the way your Warmies are clearly taking over. The current count is 10 of them in your bed.

I crack up at the sight of 10 smiling faces looking at me, in addition to you next to them. And the fact that your 10 friends are all microwavable… it just makes the whole thing more hilarious.

Yesterday morning before you left for school, I noticed your Warmies baby Gracie decided to try to help Mommy get a head start for work.

You are my favorite 9 year-old girl!

Love,

Daddy

Dear Jack: 8th Grade Awards Day

14 years, 6 months.

Dear Jack,

During this last real week of the school year for you, we attended your school’s 8th Grade Awards Ceremony.

You received an award of Academic Excellence in English, a Special Recognition award in Science, and a Best Artistic Artist award for art.

And on top of that we were there to see your cousin, Calla, be awarded several awards as well.

I know you were definitely proud; especially knowing this was your first year at this school since we moved from Tennessee nearly a year ago.

And of course, I am so proud of you. It makes me wonder… did I have something to do with you turning out to be such an amazing kid?

Love,

Daddy

Dear Holly: Your Trip to Build-A-Bear for Your 9th Birthday

9 years old.

Dear Holly,

For your first birthday party since we moved to Alabama, I was certain you would choose to have it at Alice Circle; which is like the ideal place for 9 year-old girls.

But no- instead, you chose… to not have a birthday party?

I suppose you overheard Mommy and I talking about how much a birthday party would cost and then thought to yourself, “Well I could get a lot of gifts for less than a birthday party would cost…”

So in addition to your many birthday gifts you received, you asked if we would take you to Build-A-Bear; as we happened to have a trip planned to Nashville the week after your birthday.

You chose a kitty. And you decided she definitely needed a cheer squad hoodie, and 4 shoes, and to be lavender scented. Oh, of course she needed her own cell phone.

Seems like things a 9 year-old little girl would think of…

Grand total at Build-A-Bear: $76.

Still cheaper than birthday party, right?

Love,

Daddy

Dear Jack: High Speed Go-Karts

14 years, 6 months.

Dear Jack,

This past weekend we took a day trip back to Nashville, as we still make an effort to catch up with our friends there every couple of months.

Since you got your PlayStation 5 last Christmas, you and your old neighborhood friend Aiden have been playing your games together online.

So you spent the whole day with him, doing 14 year-old boy stuff:

You both went to see the Minecraft movie… a 2nd time now.

You both went axe throwing… something I have yet to do.

And your personal favorite, you both went Music City Kartplex, where you both got to race at a “high speed go-kart” facility.

Oh, and you both got to play your PlayStation 5 games together, in the same room, at his house.

So yeah, you had a good weekend!

Love,

Daddy