Author: Family Friendly Daddy Blog

3 Comments Posted on parenting, Uncategorized

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Presents Circus Extreme: Dec. 8-11 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN

Here in a couple of weeks, our family will be going back to the circus. We really enjoyed the show last year. I remember my son’s favorite part was seeing the acrobats.

This year’s show in Nashville will be taking place from December 8th through 11th at Bridgestone Arena. When you go to buy tickets here on the website, you can use the discount code CLOWN5 for $5 off ticket prices, excluding VIP seating or front row.

However, one lucky family won 4 free tickets today… the Stanleys out of Nolensville, TN werethe first  to leave a comment here on this blog post.

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Presents Circus Extreme: Dec. 8-11 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN

I hope to see you there!

#CircusXTREME    @ringlingbros

1 Comment Posted on fatherhood, Health, parenting, Storytelling, Uncategorized, vegan

Dear Jack: Celebrating Your 6th Birthday and Papa’s 60th Birthday with Pumpkin Pie and Greek Food

6 years old.

Dear Jack: Celebrating Your 6th Birthday and Papa’s 60th Birthday with Pumpkin Pie and Greek Food

Dear Jack,

With your birthday and Papa’s birthday only being 5 days apart, we were happy to have Nonna and Papa up for the weekend; as we were able to celebrate both birthdays together.

You specifically asked for Nonna to make and bring some pumpkin pie. Friday was Papa’s actual birthday, so we had the pie instead of birthday cake. I’m glad you made that request because we all loved it!

After we had already eaten the “birthday pumpkin pie” and I was cleaning up, I heard Nonna say, “Jack turns 6 and Papa turns 60!”

I immediately attempted to correct her: “No, Papa is only 59…”

But then I remembered: A year ago I wrote a special blog post about Papa turning 59. Nonna was right!

So after spending Friday evening celebrating Papa’s 59th birthday, I realized we were actually celebrating his 60th birthday instead… What a major milestone birthday to get wrong!

Dear Jack: Celebrating Your 6th Birthday and Papa’s 60th Birthday with Pumpkin Pie and Greek Food

On Sunday after church, we all went to Grecian Pizzeria for lunch. Despite having lived in Spring Hill now for nearly 2 years, we only recently tried it out. I wish we would have sooner!

Dear Jack: Celebrating Your 6th Birthday and Papa’s 60th Birthday with Pumpkin Pie and Greek Food

It is an ideal place for our family to eat. It is very vegan-friendly and vegetarian friendly; which is vital to our family.

So now we don’t have to drive 30 minutes away to Mellow Mushroom or Whole Foods when we want to go somewhere fun for dinner.

You thought it was pretty cool that the waitress displayed your drawing on their wall.

You thought it was pretty cool that the waitress displayed your drawing on their wall.

During our lunch there, I realized this: Papa is 60 years old, you are 6 years old, and Holly is 6 months old. While that is pretty cool, I’m not sure I feel so confident about three 6’s…

Dear Jack: Celebrating Your 6th Birthday and Papa’s 60th Birthday with Pumpkin Pie and Greek Food

To officially celebrate your 6th birthday, we actually spent the whole day Saturday at Opry Mills Mall in Nashville. But since I took so many pictures of the event, you’ll have to give me about another week to get that all arranged…

Love,

Daddy

Dear Jack: Celebrating Your 6th Birthday and Papa’s 60th Birthday with Pumpkin Pie and Greek Food

 @GrecianPizzeria

Leave a comment Posted on parenting, Spirituality, Storytelling, Uncategorized

Dear Holly: Baby Dedication Day at Our Church at The Bridge in Spring Hill, Tennessee

6 months.

Dear Holly: Baby Dedication Day at Our Church at The Bridge in Spring Hill, Tennessee

Dear Holly,

This past weekend while Nonna and Papa were in town for Jack’s 6th Birthday, as well as Papa’s 60th birthday, it just happened to also be when our church had its Baby Dedication Day. It was a very special time for our family- and for you.

Mommy and I acknowledged in front of our church, The Bridge in Spring Hill, TN, and in front of God, that we will do our best to raise you in a home where you see the love of Christ and where you know the ways of the Lord.

Obviously, we are imperfect parents. We have our flaws. We will fail at times.

But we have a special eternal hope and joy in Jesus. You are undeniably being raised in a Christian household- and the ceremony of the Baby Dedication makes that publically official.

Even your middle name, Joy, is based on our Christian faith; choosing to find joy in life.

Dear Holly: Baby Dedication Day at Our Church at The Bridge in Spring Hill, Tennessee

Our faith is beyond going to a building once a week. Our faith is built on loving others as ourselves. How can we love God if we don’t love each other?

Mommy and I see you as a gift from the Lord. We are responsible to God for you.

Specifically, as your earthly father, I am well aware of the important role I play in being your spiritual leader.

Our church gave you a children’s Bible, as well as, a special letter to open on the day of your salvation.

http://bridgesh.com/

Just like I do with your brother’s children’s Bible that my Grandma gave me, I will be reading bedtime stories to you from this new children’s Bible. I am very proud to raise you in the Christian faith.

You are more than just a beautiful little girl. You are a soul to be nurtured.

Love,

Daddy

Dear Holly: Baby Dedication Day at Our Church at The Bridge in Spring Hill, Tennessee

@howertonjosh

2 Comments Posted on fatherhood, parenting, People, Storytelling, Uncategorized

Dear Jack: A Dad’s Letter to His Son on His 6th Birthday

6 years old today!

Dear Jack: A Letter from a Dad to His Son on His 6th Birthday

Dear Jack,

Today you turn 6 years-old. You’ve never been more independent than you are today.

To me, as your Daddy, that’s what makes this birthday special. That’s what makes you so grown-up now.

This is your first birthday as a kid who is not in day care or preschool.

This is your first birthday as a boy who is able to sound out and read words.

This is your first birthday as a big brother.

I love seeing you develop your own style and identity. You chose on your own that you wanted a Mohawk last week. It goes well with your green army jacket. This is you becoming you.

It is an honor for me to raise you into the next stage of boyhood.

I won’t deny that as your Daddy, I am attempting to raise you in a way that gives you things I didn’t have when I was your age. I don’t mean material items.

In particular, I’m referring to self-confidence.

Dear Jack: A Letter from a Dad to His Son on His 6th Birthday

As a kid, I was shy and unsure of myself. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I was. I didn’t start truly gaining confidence and formulating my own identity until was about twice your age, when I was in junior high.

But I can already see, at age 6, you already have it.

And that’s something I’ll continue to nurture in you. Our quality time together is often based on me pushing you to try new adventurous things.

Though I’m very happy about how my life turned out, I still want even better for you. Undeniably, you are smarter than I was. It’s easy for me to imagine all amazing ways you’ll be able to apply that intelligence along with your confidence.

I know that with you, I have something special. I am raising an exceptional boy. I love you more than you can know.

Love,

Daddy

Dear Jack: A Dad’s Letter to His Son on His 2nd Birthday

Dear Jack: A Dad’s Letter to His Son on His 3rd Birthday

Dear Jack: A Dad’s Letter to His Son on His 4th Birthday

Dear Jack: A Dad’s Letter to His Son on His 5th Birthday

Leave a comment Posted on fatherhood, parenting, People, Storytelling, Uncategorized

Dear Holly: Look at that Strawberry Blonde Hair Coming Through!

6 months.

Dear Holly: Look at that Strawberry Blonde Hair Coming Through!

When I think of things that motivate me in life, one of them is spending time with you each morning before I take you and your brother to school. I love seeing you in whatever cute little outfit Mommy puts you in.

You have now graduated my world-famous “Cry It Out” program, so now you are sleeping all night, then waking up so happy and refreshed.

I officially realized recently that you are a morning person. That’s part of why I enjoy spending that time with you so early in the day: Because all I have to do is just appear, and you automatically are sincerely happy to see me.

How could anyone see your smile and not want to smile back?

And also with each new morning, I get to see you evolve one step closer to “little girl” from “infant” status. Your personality now is everything I predicted based on the hints I saw in you as a newborn.

It’s always been easy to compare you to a kitten. You are playful and fun and adorable.

You’re also obviously growing physically as well. You’re still around the 80th percentile for height, but are now down to the 18th percentile for weight.

Despite your big appetite and how much Mommy and I constantly feed you, you maintain your tall and slender frame.

When your brother was your age, I called him my baked potato. He was such a sturdy, solid mass. He didn’t really have a neck until he was about two years-old; not to mention, he had a noticeable belly until about that age as well.

As for you, you’re the complete opposite. Though you’re undeniably strong, you’re like my baby ballerina.

It is such a fun thing for me to look forward to- the thought of seeing you grow up.

And look at that hair finally starting to come through. I was starting to think you might not have hair until you were 2 years old.

I actually thought you might end up being a red head, as I clearly could see that being hinted in the pictures below I took of you during the 4th of July.

Dear Holly: Look at that Strawberry Blonde Hair Coming Through!

But just like your brother had when he was very young, you have light blonde hair growing in. But yours, in particularly, appears to be strawberry blonde.

I am so happy to see you grow up just a little every day. You’re such a pretty little girl.

Love,

Daddy

Dear Holly: Look at that Strawberry Blonde Hair Coming Through!