fatherhood

Leave a comment Posted on fatherhood, funny, parenting, Uncategorized

Dear Jack: Being the Official Entertainment of Sleepovers

14 years, 10 months.

Dear Jack,

You have made it clear that I have a reputation, as a dad, of being extremely strict when it comes to bedtime routine at our house. (That’s something I am very proud of!)

I’m all about having fun and experiencing adventure during daylight hours, but once the sun starts going down… it’s time to settle down.

But, hey… when I’m not there with you, I don’t care what time you go to sleep or how rowdy you get! Not my problem.

And that is exactly how I felt as Nonna sent me photos of you, your sister, and your cousin at their house while Mommy and I went away for a weekend trip a couple of weeks ago.

I was happy for all of you! You definitely served as the entertainment, making the sleepover even more exciting for your sister and cousin.

So much for setting down that night.

Love,

Daddy

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

Dear Holly: What You Do at Sleepovers as a 9 Year-Old

9 years, 4 months.

Dear Holly,

I am still not over the fact that Mommy and I are at the point in life where she and I can just go away for a weekend, leaving you and your brother at Nonna and Papa’s… and it’s totally okay with everybody!

And it helps even more that your cousin Darla joined in at your most recent sleepover, ensuring that there would be nonstop 9 year-old activities the whole time!

Of course, much of it revolves around your collection of dolls… as the event becomes “the dolls’ sleepover” perhaps more than your own, as you perceive it.

I love it that we live in the same state as family now!

Love,

Daddy

Leave a comment Posted on fatherhood, Nostalgia, Storytelling

Dear Holly: Playing Dr. Mario with Me

9 years, 4 months.

Dear Holly,

Our current shared obsession is playing the 1990 Nintendo game Dr. Mario.

Just about every day now for the past couple of weeks, we end up playing for at least 30 minutes.

I love it that sometimes you like to to get some practice in on your own.

You definitely are getting harder to beat… and sometimes you definitely are too good for me!

When I was your age, Dr. Mario was not a game I even liked. But now, it’s my most favorite.

And the best part is that you can enjoy it with me!

Love,

Daddy

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

Dear Jack: The Fishing Pole You Made a School

14 years, 10 months.

Dear Jack,

When you’re at the house, you don’t really have much to say to us, as your parents. So when you come home from school, it can be difficult for us to know what kind of day you’ve had; because when we ask, we typically just get a mumbled “good” out of you.

But this week, you came home from school proudly sporting a handcrafted fishing pole you made from mechanical pencils and other random school supplies you found in the halls at your school.

When you demonstrate your creativity like this, I know that’s your way of saying without speaking the words: “Of course I’m happy!”

Love,

Daddy

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

Dear Holly: The Trophy I Am Proudest Of

9 years, 3 months.

Dear Holly,

At my work desk, displayed in front of my fancy award for being one of the top recruiters a few years back at work, is the strip of photos our family recently took at the photo booth at Mommy’s work party.

I’ll directly point out the obvious:

The “trophy” I am proudest of in my entire life is my family.

It is not lost on me what a reward it is to have the wife and kids that I do.

I think of how fairy tales end with the classic phrase, “And they all lived happily ever after.”

Well, this is what that actually looks like in real life.

We’re living it, right now.

Love,

Daddy