parenting

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Dear Jack: Your Surprise Visit to Have Lunch with Your Cousin at Her School

8 years, 4 months.

Dear Jack,

Last week while you were on Spring Break, you got to stay in Alabama with Nonna and Papa; which is also where your two cousins (on my side of the family) live.

As a complete surprise to your cousin Calla, who is also in 2nd grade, you showed up for lunch at her school. I can imagine how happy she was to see you.

Some of her classmates assumed that you were a new student in their class, and tried to take you in as one of their own.

Since you and your cousin don’t have Spring Break the same week, stopping in for a surprise lunch is a good way for the two of you to hang out.

But maybe one day, you’ll both actually have Spring Break at the same time.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: Nobody Said You Can’t Wear Your Helmet In Public and/or Indoors

2 years, 10 months.

Dear Holly,

A couple of weeks ago when we were out buying your brother some soccer cleats and shin guards at Play It Again Sports, Mommy and I decided it would also be a good idea to buy you and your brother helmets for when the two of you play on your bikes out in the court.

We lucked out and were able to buy basically brand-new helmets for less than $10 each.

You were so proud of yours, that you insisted on wearing it in the car.

And at the mall.

And once we got home and you played in the living room.

In your mind, a safety helmet is categorized the same as any other item of clothing. And since you love clothes possibly more than toys, it was common knowledge, that of course, you would be wearing your helmet accordingly.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: Playing Supermarket Sweep After Dinner

8 years, 4 months.

Dear Jack,

It has become an undeniable tradition that in our home, after dinner, you and your sister decide to play what I refer to as Supermarket Sweep.

This is when you grab your sister’s baby doll stroller, and she takes her toy shopping cart (filled with toy groceries), and the two of you compete in a series of races; back and forth literally from one side of the house to the other.

While it is a contest of speed for the two of you, I see it as a contest of who is having more fun- you and your sister.

So, it appears to have been a tie every single time!

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: You Taught Yourself the Motions to the Songs in Your Brother’s Play

2 years, 10 months.

Dear Holly,

You loved every single minute of your brother’s play last week. While Mommy and I were most excited about his speaking part, your favorite part was the music.

Since we arrived early enough to get 2nd row seats (1st row was reserved for teachers), we were able to spot your brother the whole time.

So after his speaking part, which occurred in first few minutes of the play, he went to join the rest of his classmates who served as the choir.

You quickly noticed that the students had motions to do for each line of the song.

I looked over at you to see that you were actually teaching yourself the motions to each song by watching Jack and his classmates. Actually, I had to remind myself that you had never heard of these songs before when I saw you doing it.

I am sure you would have joined your brother on stage if you would been allowed… then you could have taught the audience the song motions yourself!

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: You Did an Amazing Job on Your 1st Speaking Part in a Play!

8 years, 3 months.

Dear Jack,

As if I weren’t already proud of you for applying my “life lessons” advice by being the one to volunteer for a speaking part in a play any chance you get, I am even prouder now that you perfectly executed your lines in your 2nd grade’s “Spring Into Music” performance.

I didn’t realize until the actual performance, that you were one of only a few other 2nd graders with a speaking part.

Mommy and I were both right in our reasoning for why we both had been separately encouraging you all year to volunteer to have a speaking part in a play:

My reasoning was that by default, boys typically don’t naturally want to volunteer for a speaking part. Therefore, those who volunteer, get chosen.

Mommy’s reasoning was that it would help you build confidence in yourself and cause you to gain new skills.

Our predictions came true.

I have a feeling you are going to be eager to volunteer to speak in a play the next chance you get!

Love,

Daddy