Dear Holly: Daddy’s Phone is Your Holy Grail

8 months.

Dear Holly: Daddy’s Phone is Your Holy Grail

Dear Holly,

Coming out of the Christmas season, you have plenty of cute toys for a little girl your age. And it’s not that you don’t appreciate what you have, it’s just now that you crawl around any chance you get, you suddenly have the ability to stake out that most fascinating toy of all… my phone.

As I lay down on my side next to you as you’re playing, you get this sneaky look on your face. Then you pull yourself up on my hip, as to sort of look over the “fence”, in an attempt to scope out that magical toy you know is laying on the carpet a few feet behind me.

At this point, you instantly gain more than enough confidence in yourself- you suddenly hoist yourself over me, face first, onto the other side. It looks awkward and painful.

But for you, it’s worth it.

Dear Holly: Daddy’s Phone is Your Holy Grail

By the time I turn my body over to face you, it’s too late.

The smile on your face says it all.

No, this isn’t one of your plastic toy phones. This is Daddy’s phone. This is your equivalent of the Holy Grail.

Granted, I always know what you’re doing from the moment I see that sneaky look of yours. I just let it happen. I enjoy watching you work so hard for something that gives you so much joy.

It’s as if you think I didn’t see you find my phone, so then you try to hide it to try to save it for later, like a hidden treasure. Your current go-to hiding spot for my phone is under the rug in the guest bathroom.

You’ve yet to turn my phone settings to Spanish or call someone I barely remember who still happens to be saved in my contacts.

Even at just 8 months old, you know my phone is off-limits and against the rules. Therefore, nothing is more alluring!

Love,

Daddy

Find My Campbell’s Go Twin: Please Help Me By Sharing My Story #FindMyCampbellsGoTwin

 

No, that’s not me on the cover of the package of the Campbell’s Go soup package. But believe me, I get that a lot from people.

However, my New Year’s Resolution for 2017 is to met my twin, my doppelganger, who can easily be spotted on this Southwest Style Chicken with Quinoa soup package; which can easily be found at most grocery stores.

Here’s the thing: I seriously need your help!

I’ve already done everything I know to do at this point…

Campbell’s Soup is aware of my search. I’ve also contacted BBDO, the advertising agency that handles the Campbell’s account and left messages with the account manager.

I get it. Liability issues. They can’t just hand out the name of the guy on the soup package.

They can’t know for sure I’m just a regular, fun guy who simply wants to meet his twin.

So that’s where you come in. I need you to share my story on your social media accounts like Facebook and Twitter, using the hashtag…

#FindMyCampbellsGoTwin

Find My Campbell's Go Twin: Please Help Me By Sharing My Story #FindMyCampbellsGoTwin

Will you do that for me? Just imagine, if enough people who I do know share my story with people I don’t know who share my story with more people I don’t know… it shouldn’t take too long until finally someone actually knows this guy.

Here’s the strategy:

  1. If you know who my twin is, make him aware of this article and/or the video with it.

  2. Help me research. See if there’s anything beyond the fact that BBDO is the advertising agency. What other clues might we find that will lead us closer to him?

  3. Spread the word. Simply spread the link to this blog post and/or the video version.

I am confident that with your help, especially with you (and thousands of people I don’t know) sharing this story, we can cause #FindMyCampbellsGoTwin to trend on Facebook and Twitter.

And from there, I will ultimately meet my twin. You’ll get to eventually see the next chapter of my story.

I look forward to meeting him, finding out what we have in common, and becoming his friend.

Seriously, this is history in the making. And you play a major part in it! I can’t do this without you.

#FindMyCampbellsGoTwin

Find My Campbell's Go Twin: Please Help Me By Sharing My Story #FindMyCampbellsGoTwin

Dear Jack: I Think You’re More Intrigued by The Elf on the Shelf than You are Santa

6 years, 1 month.

Dear Jack: I Think You’re More Intrigued by The Elf on the Shelf than You are Santa

Dear Jack,

Sure, you completely appreciated the enormous Lego set you’ve been wanting for months. That was actually your main gift from Mommy and me. Granted, it took you less than half a day to complete it; despite it being designed for 8 years and up. Yet still, it served its role in your Christmas gift line-up.

Dear Jack: I Think You’re More Intrigued by The Elf on the Shelf than You are Santa

But of all the gifts you received for Christmas, the one that produced the most excited reaction from you was the one you asked Santa for: a stuffed animal of Rudolph. What’s funny is, I happen to know that toy cost only $20, which is much less than any other toy you received this year.

Dear Jack: I Think You’re More Intrigued by The Elf on the Shelf than You are Santa

Last week I reminded you of the importance of always also telling me and Mommy what you tell Santa you want for Christmas.  Fortunately, even with just a few days’ notice prior to Christmas, Rudolph showed up under the tree.

Dear Jack: I Think You’re More Intrigued by The Elf on the Shelf than You are Santa

But while Santa is definitely an exciting part of Christmas for you, perhaps it is actually The Elf on the Shelf who you find even more interesting.

Ever faithfully, that elf was sure to show up somewhere new in your bedroom each morning you woke up, for the weeks leading up to Christmas.

I picked up on the fact that you and your friends from school began trading stories: “Really? Well my elf…”

Coincidentally, your Elf on the Shelf began getting into even more trouble for the days following; your personal favorite being a zip-line made out of toilet paper.

Dear Jack: I Think You’re More Intrigued by The Elf on the Shelf than You are Santa j5

It may appear I have quite purposely kept up with the details of both Santa and The Elf on the Shelf this year. I know one day you’ll be able to appreciate my interest in these magical aspects of Christmas.

Dear Jack: I Think You’re More Intrigued by The Elf on the Shelf than You are Santa

But in the meantime, I’ll still secretly take credit for the excitement that both Santa and the Elf on the Shelf brought you this year in Christmas anticipation.

Love,

Daddy

Dear Jack: I Think You’re More Intrigued by The Elf on the Shelf than You are Santa

Dear Jack: 1st Parent-Teacher Conference- What Made Me Proud

5 years, 11 months.

Dear Jack: 1st Parent-Teacher Conference- What Made Me Proud

Dear Jack,

I don’t exactly know the best wording for this. Is it “your” or “my” first parent-teacher conference? What I am trying to tell you is that last week, I got to attend my very first parent-teacher conference about you.

My preconceived expectations were accurate:

Your teacher was quick to point out you have a “sweet demeanor.” This didn’t surprise me at all, as you were the first boy Student of the Month of her class this year.

She went on to show me the tests and data proving to me that you are on a 4th grade reading level, which is uncommon among your fellow Kindergarten classmates: That figures when your dad has an English degree and is a blogger, right?

She also explained that she had to move you in the classroom to a different desk because you were getting too distracted by talking to your friend Duncan.

And she laughed as she explained you have a somewhat involuntary habit of “cheerfully making sounds like a crying baby” while you are conversing with your classmates during activity time.

Dear Jack: 1st Parent-Teacher Conference- What Made Me Proud

Here’s why I’m so proud. And no, it’s not actually the part about you being on a 4th grade reading level.

It’s simply the fact you are a well-balanced boy.

Yes, you’re intelligent; and I’m quite grateful for that. But more importantly, you still get yourself into just enough trouble to even things out.

Maybe I’m being too honest, but I actually I you to get into some trouble. As your teacher put it, “Yes, Jack is certainly all boy.”

For me as your Daddy, it was one of the biggest compliments I could have received- that my son is not only smart, but he’s also not perfectly behaved.

While you do have a “sweet demeanor,” you also get a bit rowdy with the other boys in the class; especially Duncan, who you tell us so much about each day when you get home from school.

So keep being smart. Keep being sweet.

Dear Jack: 1st Parent-Teacher Conference- What Made Me Proud

And keep sneaking in references to passing gas in your classwork, as you recently named your Pirate Pumpkin, “Poody Pop.”

Yep, that’s my boy.

Love,

Daddy

Dear Holly: Your First Halloween- Your Brother’s Original “Baby Diaper Man” Costume, Plus His “Drive-Up Dracula” Service

6 months.

Dear Holly: Your First Halloween- Your Brother’s Original “Baby Diaper Man” Costume, Plus His “Drive-Up Dracula” Service

Dear Holly,

I realize that at 6 months old, Halloween is a new concept to you. I’m sure you were confused by what was going on, so I figured it’s a good idea for me to tell you about the fun our family had.

On Sunday, the day before Halloween, our family ventured over to Thompson Station Church for a fall celebration.

Even though Mommy and I already had your brother’s Count Dracula costume ready for him, which is what he’s been wanting to be this whole time, he decided about 15 minutes before left the house that he instead wanted to be “Baby Diaper Man,” which apparently was loosely based off of a villain he saw on Scooby Doo.

Dear Holly: Your First Halloween- Your Brother’s Original “Baby Diaper Man” Costume, Plus His “Drive-Up Dracula” Service

Jack insisted in wearing a diaper over his shorts, as well as one over his head, like a Captain America-style helmet. I suggested he also wear his cape and eye mask from his Jack-Man costume, to bring the concept to full fruition.

Dear Holly: Your First Halloween- Your Brother’s Original “Baby Diaper Man” Costume, Plus His “Drive-Up Dracula” Service

Dear Holly: Your First Halloween- Your Brother’s Original “Baby Diaper Man” Costume, Plus His “Drive-Up Dracula” Service

He was so proud of his original costume. Once we arrived, he ran ahead of you and Mommy, eager to enjoy the festivities. But the moment he saw another girl about his age, it’s like it hit him:

Wait, I don’t want kids my age to see my wearing my sister’s diapers!

Dear Holly: Your First Halloween- Your Brother’s Original “Baby Diaper Man” Costume, Plus His “Drive-Up Dracula” Service

Immediately, he insisted on taking your diapers off. Then Jack became Jack-Man; his character in the 22 episodes of his series.

He really enjoyed getting candy from everyone, as well as going in the “jumpy houses.” Meanwhile, you completely slept through the whole thing; that was nearly a 3 hour nap!

Dear Holly: Your First Halloween- Your Brother’s Original “Baby Diaper Man” Costume, Plus His “Drive-Up Dracula” Service

Then the next day on Halloween, our family got the double stroller into gear and canvased the neighborhood so your brother could collect candy: to eat, to experiment on, and to sell to the dentist for money (the candy is donated to the American military troops).

Mommy decided to carry you, instead of letting you ride shotgun in the double stroller, since it was already so dark at 6:45 PM, after dinner. It also was the warmest Halloween I’ve ever experienced! It felt like we were back in San Diego.

Dear Holly: Your First Halloween- Your Brother’s Original “Baby Diaper Man” Costume, Plus His “Drive-Up Dracula” Service

Your kitty hat (which served as your costume) couldn’t have helped the situation; as it was intended to keep you warm outside in the assumed October chill.

After visiting just a few houses, your brother Jack decided that instead of walking to each house, he wanted remain on the stroller right up unto the point where he was only a few steps away from each neighbors’ front door.

What a lazy Dracula!

Dear Holly: Your First Halloween- Your Brother’s Original “Baby Diaper Man” Costume, Plus His “Drive-Up Dracula” Service

I’ve never heard of a Count Dracula who gets has his own drive-up service. Seriously, your brother is a funny boy…

Next year, you’ll be a little bit more aware of what’s going on, so you can truly appreciate your Daddy pushing you around in a double stroller with your brother.

Love,

Daddy

Dear Holly: Your First Halloween- Your Brother’s Original “Baby Diaper Man” Costume, Plus His “Drive-Up Dracula” Service