parenting

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Dear Holly: You Were Elsa for Halloween 2019… Of Course!

3 years, 6 months.

Dear Holly,

There was never a doubt in my mind that you wouldn’t be Elsa for Halloween this year.

Granted, you already had the dress anyway!

And this year, it was so cold that it felt like it might snow…

So as we walked up to neighbors’ home to trick-or-treat, Mommy would say, “Elsa brought the cold with her this year!”

Plus, we are now just a few weeks away from Frozen II coming to the theaters.

I’m pretty sure you’re going to remember all this Elsa stuff years from now.

Everything really is about Elsa these days!

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: You Were a “Homemade” Ninja for Halloween 2019

8 years, 11 months.

Dear Jack,

I thought you were going to be a dinosaur this year for Halloween.

I say that because back earlier this year, you convinced Mommy to buy you a dinosaur costume for Halloween.

Ultimately, it became a play costume for you to scare your sister with when you play.

But when Halloween actually got close, you suddenly decided you wanted to be a ninja instead.

Mommy agreed to the idea, knowing that we had most of the clothing in your wardrobe already.

You had some apparent regrets, though. You asked Mommy the day before Halloween:

“Can we not do homemade costumes next year?”

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: Today, You Turned 3 Year and a Half Years Old

3 years, 6 months.

Dear Holly,

This week, I turned 38 and a half. I’m now just a year and a half away from turning 40.

And since our birthdays are just 4 days part, that means that now, today, you are officially 3 and half years old!

I just love you at this age.

I love how you sing all the time.

And talk all the time.

And how you love to make up games to play by yourself, even if no one else is watching.

As I look at this picture of you, I can’t help but think what a beautiful girl you are.

I can easily imagine how you will look as you get older.

I love you so much!

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: You Love Helping Nonna Clear the Backyard

8  years, 11 months.

Dear Jack,

Nonna and Papa have lived in their house for exactly 24 years, as of this month. I was just starting high school when we moved in.

But there are parts of that 2 acre lot that are just now being developed; largely inspired by the industrial grade playground that Papa has starting installing.

You have quickly assigned yourself the responsibility of helping to clear part of the land right beyond the playground; using a hatchet and helping maintaining the fire from the cleared brush.

What you don’t realize is that this is ultimately free child labor…

But to you, it’s nothing but fun and adventure!

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: Your Brand-New Industrial Grade Playground Swing

3 years, 5 months.

Dear Holly,

Having a Papa who works at a playground equipment factory means that you when visit your grandparents’ house in Alabama, you have access to a backyard playground that is above and beyond the norm.

Last weekend, the debut of your brand-new industrial grade swing was revealed.

You loved it so much, you just didn’t want to stop swinging in it.

At one point, you swung in it for a solid hour and a half before Mommy said it was time to go in for dinner.

You have the Cadillac of all playground swings for a 3 year-old girl!

Love,

Daddy