parenting

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Dear Jack: For Crazy Hair Day, You Chose to Be Green!

8 years, 5 months.

Dear Jack,

This past Tuesday, your class got to celebrate filling the jar with marbles, for good class behavior, by having Crazy Hair Day!

So before we left for school, I took you out to the garage and basically spray paint all your hair.

At first, I only sprayed the top, but you insisted I spray all of your hair, including all the back.

Looking back on these pictures though, I should have used the entire can; as there was still some sandy brown showing through.

Needless to say, you had a really fun day. And I’m fairly confident you’re going to be asking me to have green hair again!

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: It’s Fun to Look at the Oriental Trading Company Catalog with Your Brother!

2 years, 11 months.

Dear Holly,

For some reason, we randomly started receiving the Oriental Trading Company catalog every month at our house. I didn’t realize what a treat this would be for you and your brother!

While Mommy and I clean up after dinner, the two of you remain entertained the entire time, as your brother will ask you, “Holly, out of these on this page, which one would you want? You can pick three.”

You always happily go along with the fantasy, as if you truly get to have some of the toys featured in the catalog.

I never knew that magazine could serve as such captivating entertainment!

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: Sometimes I Wonder If Your Stories Actually Have a Beginning or an End…

2 years, 11 months.

Dear Holly,

You just have so much to say these days. (And that’s a major understatement!)

Here lately, I’ve noticed that your most exciting stories seem to start in the middle, but they never really start or end.

I also am wondering how much of your stories actually happened- or are at least accidentally infused with details you are imagining, and then you possibly forget whether you are wanting to tell me a story about something that actually happened or just something you wanted to happen.

At this stage, I’m not sure you necessarily know the difference in the middle of the story… and neither do I!

Love,

Daddy

Photo by Mohamad Alaw

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Dear Jack: Your Hair is Turning Brown, Now More Than Ever… But Your Eyes are Still Blue

8 years, 4 months.

Dear Jack,

I always assumed that eventually, you would officially have blonde hair instead of brown…

You’re pretty close these days.

There are definitely still those lighter patches that on their own are still blonde, but I would say even more of your hair is starting to classify as dark brown.

However, I will say that I am actually surprised it’s taken this long for your hair to shift colors.

Even though your hair color is changing, your eyes have remained blue after all these years.

It’s pretty amazing that both you and your sister have blue eyes, though both of your parents have brown eyes.

 

Love,

Daddy

Photo by Mohamad Alaw

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Dear Holly: When Daddy’s in Charge, It’s Low Expectations But Also Low Conflict

2 years, 11 months.

Dear Holly,

Yesterday morning, Mommy left to go on a fun trip with Grandma in Texas until the weekend. That’s means Daddy’s in charge… of everything! For better or worse.

Now that the first whole “Day of Daddy” is over, I have come to this realization:

You and your brother have lower expectations when I am in charge- but there is also noticeably less conflict.

In fact, there is zero conflict.

There was not one argument, squabble, or display of negative emotions yesterday with either of  you. It was easy to get you both ready for school, to get dinner prepared and served, and get you both bathed and to bed.

Granted, there’s a reason for that:

It’s because my version of doing everything is the Jeep Wrangler version; just the basics, just the essentials, just the most efficient.

My way is not better. In fact, I’m positive it’s worse than if Mommy were here.

All the details are missing, in other words.

But hey… I can hold down the fort.

Lower expectations, lower conflict.

Love,

Daddy