parenting

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Dear Jack: Jenga by Candlelight

9 years, 3 months.

Dear Jack: Jenga by Candlelight

Dear Jack,

Exactly a week ago, Nonna was in town as your sister was still recovering from having the flu. That was the day when Mommy had to come home late, so by the time you got home from school, it was just the three of you as I drove home for work.

While I was still in the town over from where we live, I noticed all the street lights had stopped working. So by the time I got home, it was no surprise to see that our entire neighborhood was without power.

As the sun was quickly going down, Nonna lit a candle in the kitchen. You all played Jenga by candlelight.

Fortunately, you didn’t play too long by the time I arrived, before the power magically turned back on; right as it finally got completely dark outside.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: Your Spider-Man Balloon with Extra Helium

3 years, 9 months.

Dear Holly,

As you were still recovering last week from the flu, Papa bought you a Spiderman balloon to help cheer you up.

Though you received it a few weeks ago when you stayed with Nonna and Papa in Alabama, the balloon made its way back to our home in Tennessee.

This weekend, as you were playing with the balloon, Mommy snuck up behind you.

She grabbed you by the waist and picked you up, making you think the helium in the balloon was so powerful that the balloon was pulling you up in the air.

Even now, I’m not sure if you realized it was just a trick!

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: Wearing Fake Glasses for Fun

9 years, 2 months.

Dear Jack,

Last Thursday, you had your much anticipated music program for the 3rd grade. The theme was “Science Rocks”. Your music teacher had you all dress up as scientists.

She suggested you go to the dollar store and buy a cheap set of frames; then bust out lens, using the glasses as part of your costume.

You were so happy about your fake glasses for the music program, you started wearing them for fun on the weekend… and then to school a few days leading up to the performance.

Granted, you did a great job singing all the songs- but those glasses made you proud to sing that much harder.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: We Now Have a Shooting Range in Our Living Room

9 years, 2 months.

Dear Jack,

Ever since your birthday, which was exactly 2 months ago, your Nerf gun collection has been growing. You now have 3 rifles, one crossbow, and one bow-and-arrow set.

In other words, there are plenty of darts to be shot in our house.

Thanks to the free cardboard blocks to that donated to us this week, we now officially have a shooting range in our living room.

Honestly, I have to say- it doesn’t bother me at all. I would much rather you shoot your weapons on a disposable yet sturdy target, as opposed to your sister.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: The Hamster Didn’t Get the Toy Blocks After All

3 years, 8 months.

Dear Holly,

Last week, my coworker Lori was able to get some free cardboard blocks from her community’s “buy, sell, trade” Facebook page. The simple concept was that these blocks would be perfect for our family’s pet hamster.

He loves to chew cardboard and make beds out of small boxes. So it was a perfect idea.

However, the blocks never made it upstairs to the hamster’s aquarium.

That’s because you and your brother have been making up games all week using them. Castles have been built. Escape rooms have been constructed. Towers have been set up.

Imagine- that kids would actually get to play with toys intended for kids, as opposed to a hamster!

Love,

Daddy