Dear Holly: You Love Your New Mirabel Doll

6 years, 3 months.

Dear Holly,

After watching your brother spend some big money this week on his new 6th grade shoes, you decided it was time for you to spend some of your own money as well.

Your favorite thing to watch right now is a YouTube channel where a lady plays with Encanto dolls. That convinced you that it was vital to buy your very own Mirabel doll.

Apparently, this doll is in demand, because after looking it up online, Mommy had to drive to the next town over to take you to buy it.

For the past week, Mirabel has never left your side.

You treat her like a baby… even though technically, she’s 15 years old.

 

Love,

Daddy

Dear Holly: I Love Watching You Play When You Think I’m Not Watching

6 years, 2 months.

Dear Holly,

The summer is coming to an end, as the new school year is beginning in a couple weeks now.

And I’m going to miss watching you play with your toys, while I’m working from the kitchen table.

You spend hours at a time, carefully driving around your toy animal figurines in your brother’s Fortnite cars.

A few days ago, I watched you discover a pair of purple medical gloves that were for some reason in the art supplies cubby.

From there, you enjoyed making lunch for your dolls… while proudly wearing purple medical gloves.

I’m definitely going to miss this!

Love,

Daddy

Dear Jack: It’s Obvious You Got the Mechanical Gene from Papa

11 years, 8 months.

Dear Jack,

There is definitely some irony in me having so little skills in anything mechanical, since Papa raised me. I should be able to rebuild cars, build a treehouse, or do pretty much any kind of handyman work around the house.

However, I’m pretty much useless when it comes to all the amazing skills that I grew up seeing Papa do my while life.

The good news? While that gene completely bypassed me, it went straight to you!

That is evident in this picture that Nonna sent me from this week when you and Papa were building birdhouses.

You speak that language completely. Your life will definitely be easier than mine in that regard!

Love,

Daddy

Dear Holly: You are the Only One Without a Tan!

6 years, 2 months.

Dear Holly,

It’s not for a lack of you not being outside in the sun enough. You love being outside. In fact, you accompany me most days on my morning walk; whether you’re walking the two miles alongside me, or whether I’m pulling you in the wagon.

Yet still, in any group, you remained the “untanned” one of the group.

Whether it’s in our family of 4, or among your cousins, or your friends… the sun simply turns you pink at best- or should I say, at worst?

As you like to say, “Daddy, I’m always the brightest one!”

Love,

Daddy

Dear Jack: Seeking Danger at The Florida Aquarium in Tampa

11 years, 8 months.

Dear Jack,

Last week on our way down to Naples for our family summer vacation, Mommy set us up with a visit to The Florida Aquarium in Tampa.

Your favorite part was getting to check out all the most dangerous animals there, starting out with the crocodile; who apparently decided to swim up and have his photo made with you.

When it came time for the jellyfish, you actually got to pet some of them. Even now, I’m not sure how that works without you getting stung!

Same thing with the stingray!

And though it wasn’t necessarily dangerous, you and I both kept laughing when we saw some weird fish with teeth that looked human!

Love,

Daddy