parenting

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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

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Dear Holly: You Successfully Crashed Your Brother’s Classmate’s Birthday Party

2 years, 10 months.

Dear Holly,

Your brother was invited to one of his girl classmate’s birthday party at a fun gymnasium.

It happened to be the weekend where Nonna and Papa were in town to watch you and your brother.

I suggested that you just “crash” the birthday party.

Fortunately, that plan came together. Even though you were noticeably younger and smaller than all the other “party friends”, that didn’t stop you from trying everything you brother did.

Granted, there were times your brother had to help you.

But you loved it! Good thing you decided to be a party crasher!

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: The Indoor Camp Out with Nonna and Papa

8 years, 3 months.

Of all Saturday nights for the power to go out for a couple of hours, it just happened to be the one where Mommy and I weren’t there.

We were staying at a hotel about 20 miles away, while Nonna and Papa were in town from Alabama to take care of you and your sister.

But the power outage was no problem- in fact, it was probably more exciting…

You and your sister got to camp out on the floor of the bedroom with Nonna and Papa; using blankets as sleeping bags, as you both held on to some of your favorite stuffed animals.

As you can see from this picture, your sister was proud to be a part of all the fun!

Love,

Daddy